Acer Chromebook Vero 514 review: Sustainability never looked so good

Price When Reviewed

$599.99

Best Prices Today: Acer Chromebook Vero 514

When Acer introduced the brand new Chromebook Vero 514, I used to be thrilled to bits. I’m one thing of a Chromebook stan, as I dig the barebones nature of them. This is the primary Chromebook within the producer’s eco-friendly Vero line, which is thrilling information for eco-conscious consumers. Not solely are you lowering your e-waste with this machine, because it’s manufactured from recycled supplies, however you’re additionally getting fairly good {hardware} for the worth.

From sturdy CPU efficiency to a shiny 1080p show, the Acer Chromebook Vero 514 has rather a lot to supply. Battery life is sweet and the unpainted exterior is completely distinctive. Even the packaging it is available in consists of principally recycled paper and cardboard. However, audio high quality is underwhelming and also you’re caught utilizing ChromeOS. If you may reside with these nitpicks, then this machine is nicely price contemplating. It’s reasonably priced, sustainable, and a dependable performer.

Note: This evaluate is a part of our ongoing roundup of the best Chromebooks. Go there to be taught extra about competing merchandise, what to search for in a Chromebook, and shopping for suggestions.

Acer Chromebook Vero 514: Specifications and options

Our evaluate unit is the top-tier configuration, which prices $599.99. It’s packing an Intel Core i5-1235U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. The 14-inch show has a decision of 1920×1080 and a refresh price of 60Hz. An alternate configuration has an Intel Core i3-1215U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD storage. That one prices $499.99. For extra particulars relating to our evaluate unit, try the bulleted record under:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 14-inch, 1920×1080
• Ports: HDMI, USB 3.2 Type-A, USB 3.2 Type-C
• Weight: 3.09 lbs
• Color: Cobblestone grey
• Battery capability: 56Wh
• Price: $599.99

Acer Chromebook Vero 514: Design and construct

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The Chromebook Vero has some of the distinctive colour schemes I’ve ever seen and I’m so right here for it. The unassuming grey exterior is roofed in yellow and darkish blue flecks. It’s not paint, however the colours of the recycled supplies the laptop computer is made out of. Cool, proper? I are likely to choose laptops with an uncommon or eye-catching aesthetic and the Chromebook Vero undoubtedly delivers right here. It might not be for everybody, however I deeply recognize the outside-the-box design. The banana yellow accents on the underside and sides of the machine are actually eye-catching, too.

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

If you’re a tactile individual like me, the weird texture of the recycled materials could be completely different from what you’re used to. Most laptops have a clean plastic exterior. The Vero, by comparability, feels a bit tough to the contact. That mentioned, it’s not disagreeable. I discovered myself rubbing the corners of the machine as I watched YouTube movies.

I anticipated the construct high quality to be subpar given the recycled supplies, however I couldn’t have been extra mistaken. The Vero feels each sturdy and strong general. I didn’t discover any bend within the keyboard tray and the show hardly twisted once I pushed and pulled on it with each palms. This Chromebook undoubtedly feels prefer it might deal with a superb knock or two.

The Chromebook Vero is fairly darn light-weight, too. It weighs just a bit over three kilos. The weight stunned me, because the Vero has a box-like form and appears heavier than it truly is. The weight places it within the ultraportable class, which is nice information in case you journey typically. I additionally used this machine for hours on my lap and the underside by no means acquired uncomfortably heat.

Acer Chromebook Vero 514: Keyboard, trackpad, and webcam

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

I’m a careless typist. Always have been. Always can be. Whenever I’m working with a laptop computer, it takes me a superb period of time to get accustomed to the keyboard and trackpad. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case with the Chromebook Vero. The backlit keyboard was snug to make use of for lengthy durations and the keys have been pleasantly springy below my fingertips. There have been only a few, if any, mistypes on my half. The E and R keys are additionally lime inexperienced in colour, which I actually like from an aesthetic standpoint. 

The square-shaped trackpad sits straight within the middle and is gorgeous to make use of. In phrases of dimension, it’s excellent, not too huge and never too small. The floor of the trackpad is clean and responds nicely to scrolling and clicking. Multitouch gestures appear to work simply nice as nicely. According to Acer, the floor of the trackpad is made totally of ocean-bound plastics. Cool, proper? It doesn’t really feel cheaply constructed, both.

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

I just like the inclusion of a 1080p webcam, which is a step up from the standard 720p fare. As you may see within the nonetheless photograph above, colours are comparatively correct and I don’t look washed out or grainy. I look a bit pale, however I’m half vampire in order that’s par for the course. With distant work changing into increasingly more frequent today, investing in a higher-quality webcam is vital, particularly in case your job includes quite a lot of videoconferencing. Having labored from house the previous three years, I can’t think about doing my job and not using a 1080p webcam.

Acer Chromebook Vero 514: Display, audio

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The 14-inch 1080p non-touch show is shiny and colourful, particularly for a sub-$600 laptop computer. When I watched an episode of Children of the Whales, an anime a few group residing atop a transferring island, the protagonist’s emerald-green tunic was vivid and shiny. It’s a beautiful show for watching Netflix, internet browsing, writing, and so forth.  The bezels are additionally fairly skinny, which suggests you’re getting a superb quantity of display. The show by no means felt cramped in consequence.

I didn’t love the audio high quality and I believe the downward-firing audio system are guilty. When my husband and I have been watching The Great British Bake Off, probably the most healthful baking competitors round, the contestant’s voices sounded weirdly tinny at occasions. I additionally needed to flip the quantity up greater than I usually would to listen to the rapport between the contestants and judges. I’m undecided it’s a deal-breaker, although, as you may at all times plug in a pair of headphones.

Acer Chromebook Vero 514: Connectivity

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The Chromebook Vero has a pleasant assortment of ports. Flanking the correct aspect is one USB 3.2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Type-C, and one Kensington lock. On the left, you’ll discover one HDMI, one USB 3.2 Type-C, and one headphone jack. I just like the inclusion of previous and new USB ports in addition to the full-sized HDMI. This eliminates the necessity for an adapter.

Acer Chromebook Vero 514: Performance

I’m one thing of a serial multitasker, which suggests I commonly function in a sea of open tabs. It could look chaotic to some, however it’s how I work and I received’t be shamed for it. Fortunately, the Chromebook Vero 514 retains tempo with somebody like me because of its Core i5 CPU. I used to be capable of watch a three-part documentary on Peacock whereas having a myriad of tabs open within the background. You’ll typically discover me leaping backwards and forwards between YouTube movies and Discord messages. Even once I had about 15 tabs open, this laptop computer dealt with every little thing with ease.

Here’s how the Chromebook Vero carried out in numerous web-based benchmarks:

• CrXPRT 2: 150
• Speedometer: 250
• Basemark Web 3.0: 1289.54
• Kraken: 484.7ms
• Jetstream 2: 236.57

The CrXPRT 2 efficiency benchmark measures a Chromebook’s velocity and is an effective indication of the way it handles day-to-day duties like watching movies, enjoying video games, browsing the online, and so forth. Equipped with a 12th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, the Vero’s efficiency rating was 150. The Acer Chromebook Spin 713, by comparability, has an 11th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU and obtained a barely greater efficiency rating of 164. Although there isn’t a lot distinction between the 2 machines so far as efficiency rating goes, I anticipated the Vero to attain greater, particularly with the latest-generation CPU. That mentioned, the Vero remains to be a robust performer. 

Acer Chromebook Vero 514: Battery life

When we ran the CrXPRT 2 battery benchmark, which cycles by movies and numerous duties till the laptop computer dies, the Vero lasted a few whopping 14 hours on a single cost. That’s an exceptional consequence proper there, because it far exceeds a typical workday. The phenomenal battery life plus the light-weight type issue make the Vero a strong possibility for the frequent traveler.

Should you purchase the Acer Chromebook Vero 514?

The Acer Chromebook Vero 514 is an exceptional decide for many who need an eco-friendly on a regular basis laptop computer. The {hardware} inside guarantees sturdy efficiency and the outside is each rugged and uniquely designed. In phrases of aesthetic and sustainability, it’s undoubtedly a welcome change out of your typical run-of-the-mill Chromebook.

There are solely a few downsides to the Vero. The audio is missing, however that’s not too stunning. Laptops aren’t identified for the most effective audio. You’re additionally caught utilizing ChromeOS, which suggests your apps and sport choices are restricted. If you don’t thoughts these miniscule nitpicks, then the Chromebook Vero 514 is unquestionably price contemplating.