This delightfully tiny Chromebook packs a great keyboard

Price When Reviewed

$449

Best Prices Today: Acer Chromebook Spin 312

For a day-to-day machine, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 does loads of issues proper. It chews by each day internet purposes and lighter workloads, the show produces crisp-looking photos, and the keyboard is snug to sort on and the keys have a pleasant clicking sound to them.

But is it sufficient to justify the complete retail value of $449, the next value than most Chromebooks? Keep studying to search out out extra.

Acer Chromebook Spin 312: Specs

The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 seems to have only one configuration, which comes with an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of flash storage. The specs are the identical as those seen within the Chromebook Plus models–a curious factor as to why the phrase “Plus” was dropped from the Spin’s identify. I’ve reached out to Acer to ask if this was intentional.

• Model quantity: CP312-1HN
• CPU: Intel Core i3-N305
• Memory: 8GB
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
• Display: 12.2-inch 1920×1200 contact enabled, 60Hz
• Storage: 128GB eMMC
• Webcam: 1080p, bodily privateness shutter
• Connectivity: USB Type-C, USB Type-A, HDMI 1.4, 3.5  mm headphone/speaker
• Battery capability: 50 watt-hour
• Dimensions: 11.41 x 8.07 x 0.78
• Weight: 2.84 lbs
• MSRP: $449

Acer Chromebook Spin 312: Design, construct high quality

As far as design goes, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 doesn’t stand out in any significant method–it’s only a gentle grey rectangle. The solely splash of coloration is the Chromebook emblem on the prime left hand nook on the lid. That’s not a foul factor, particularly if the delicate design is your cup of tea, but it surely’s undoubtedly not a head-turner. Still, it’s meant to be reasonably priced and practical, so a snazzy design isn’t essentially anticipated right here. 

The construct high quality is surprisingly good for an all-plastic machine. The hinge feels sturdy and agency, and there isn’t a lot flex across the show space. The keyboard deck is very sturdy, I couldn’t get it to bow even when urgent down with each fingers. I wasn’t capable of open the lid with a single finger, although–a crumb-sized nitpick coming from me. The laptop computer additionally feels equally sturdy and agency in tent mode.

I used to be just a little bowled over by the burden of the Acer Chromebook Spin 312, particularly upon first dealing with. It’s not the heaviest laptop computer I’ve ever used, because it weighs simply 2.84 kilos, however I anticipated it to be lighter than it was. It’s not going to interrupt your again or something, however you’ll be able to actually really feel the burden of it in your fingers. 

Acer Chromebook Spin 312: Keyboard, touchpad

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

I tailored to the keyboard immediately, which stunned me as a result of I contemplate myself a slipshod typist. The second my fingertips touched the keys, I used to be typing away at my traditional velocity with minimal typos. This is probably going as a result of it’s a smaller laptop computer with a smaller keyboard–the keys aren’t too spaced out, both. It’s simply higher fitted to smaller fingers, which I conveniently personal. The keys themselves even have a pleasant clicking sound to them.

The touchpad is equally simple to make use of, I used to be capable of click on and swipe to my coronary heart’s content material. It’s not a haptic touchpad, which makes use of miniscule vibrations to simulate the sensation of a click on, however that’s completely nice. Personally, I want a touchpad that sits parallel with the show (aka heart aligned) and that’s precisely the place it’s on the Acer Chromebook Spin 312.

It’s a smaller touchpad however that is sensible as a result of it’s a smaller laptop computer (the show measures simply 12.2-inches). If you’ve bought greater fingers, the touchpad may really feel a bit cramped. 

One cool factor in regards to the touchpad is that it accommodates ocean-bound plastic (in any other case often known as OceanGlass tech), which makes the floor of the touchpad really feel as clean as glass. Not solely does it really feel nice on my fingertips, but it surely’s additionally extra sustainable. I’ve turn out to be extra invested within the sustainable laptop movement as of late, so I’m happy with Acer’s option to make this machine extra environmentally pleasant. 

Acer Chromebook Spin 312: Display, webcam, audio system

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The 1920×1200 show is sharper than I anticipated (yay for extra vertical pixels!). When I used to be watching a streamer play the brand new Civilization VII sport, the viewing expertise was snug and smaller particulars like metropolis spires and temples appeared crisp. My solely subject is that the show isn’t that brilliant, which isn’t shocking given the reasonably priced value of this machine. Not official knowledge on the nit degree, however to my bare eye it seems to be about 250 nits. That stated, it’s not a foul show–I simply anticipated barely higher for a MSRP of $449. 

I must also point out that it’s a touchscreen, although it doesn’t include a stylus. I discovered that it registered my swipes and faucets with out fuss. This is a reasonably widespread function now on 2-in-1 laptops (just like the Acer Chromebook Spin 312!), however there’s one thing good (and type of luxurious) about with the ability to navigate the content material in your display with a single finger. It’s a great contact (actually!).

What I like finest about this show is its taller 16:10 facet ratio. The taller display makes it simpler to scroll by paperwork, navigate spreadsheets, and so forth. I’ve all the time bought PCWorld’s homepage open and I discover it’s a lot simpler to scroll by the entire newly revealed tales on a taller display. The bezels are thick and do take up loads of the display, which bugs me. I do know it’s an reasonably priced Chromebook and never a souped-up content material creation laptop computer with 4K decision, however I anticipated a bit extra display, particularly as measures a small 12.2-inches.

The webcam is usable, however nothing particular. The 1080p decision is what I’ve come to anticipate from most laptops now irrespective of the worth or type issue. I look nice on the webcam digital camera, but it surely’s nothing miraculous. It’s about nearly as good as you may get for a Zoom assembly, however I used to be stunned by how nicely the webcam dealt with pure gentle.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 has each downward firing and aspect firing audio system. If it weren’t for the aspect firing ones, the audio would most likely sound extra muffled, as downward firing ones yell into no matter floor they’re on. I are inclined to crank up the amount once I watch movies on laptops, particularly if I’m watching one thing within the kitchen with my husband. With that context in thoughts, the audio system had been loud sufficient to fill a medium(ish)-sized kitchen/eating room space.   

Acer Chromebook Spin 312: Connectivity

IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo

The connectivity choice on the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 will fulfill most individuals. You’re getting one USB Type-C, two USB Type-A, one HDMI 1.4, and one 3.5mm headphone/speaker. That’s fairly run-of-the mill so far as ports go, yeah? 

But I’m annoyed that just one aspect helps charging (by way of USB Type-C), and I do know I’m not the one one which feels that way about laptops usually.. This makes it annoying to make use of the cable, as you’ll be able to solely use it a technique actually. It’s not an enormous gripe of mine, but it surely’s there and it’s arduous for me to neglect that it’s there. Other of us will not be as bothered. 

Acer Chromebook Spin 312: Performance

The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 handles lighter workloads simply nice. I used to be capable of leap from tab to tab with no noticeable lag and bootup instances had been fairly quick. Performance-wise (when it comes to numbers), it sits squarely between the Lenovo Chromebook Duet ($359) and the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus ($699.99). It scored higher than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, which includes a MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor, but it surely fell behind the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, which includes a extra highly effective Intel Core 3 100U processor.

• CrXPRT 2: 140
• Speedometer 2.0: 201
• Basemark Web 3.0: 757.51
• Kraken: 710.9ms
• Jetstream 2: 206.055

The Intel Core i3-N305 processor inside the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is okay for gentle duties, however it can probably wrestle with heavier workloads. It has eight effectivity cores and may increase as much as 3.8 GHz. It’s designed with energy-efficient efficiency in thoughts, so that may clarify why it has higher battery life than the costlier Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus.

Acer Chromebook Spin 312: Battery life

The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 ran for nearly 14 hours throughout our standard battery test, which constantly loops movies and numerous duties till the laptop computer runs out of juice. That’s a decent outcome. In reality, it outpaced the costlier Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus ($699.99), which lasted about 12 hours on a single cost. With the Chromebook Spin 312, you don’t must go attempting to find an outlet. 

Acer Chromebook Spin 312: Conclusion

The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is a strong laptop computer, full cease. The keyboard is straightforward to sort on, the construct feels rugged (regardless of it being all plastic), and, on a efficiency degree, it breezes by day-to-day duties. That stated, the show may very well be brighter and the chunky bezels take up a great quantity of actual property. In addition to the one charging port, the aesthetic isn’t that thrilling both.

So, the query stays. Is it value shopping for? If it’s on sale, then positive. The chunky bezels on the show, the one charging port, and the blah design are sufficient to offer me pause at its full $449 MSRP. Fortunately, as of this writing, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is at present on sale for $379 at Amazon. That’s a extra affordable value for a strong Chromebook like this.

Further studying: Best Chromebooks 2025: Best overall, best battery life, and more