The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 has reminded users of the appeal of Chromebooks. For those heavily invested in the Google ecosystem for work and personal use, and who own Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, it offers greater convenience compared to alternatives such as the M2 MacBook Air. During the setup process, users are prompted to log in with their Google credentials, streamlining the experience. This can be particularly advantageous for individuals who do not frequently use Microsoft services like OneDrive, Teams, and others, as remembering Microsoft credentials can be challenging when setting up Windows laptops.
With a starting price of under $500, the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 might seem like an appealing option. However, a significant downside prevents it from being a perfect choice. Despite this, it is argued to be one of the top Chromebooks available.
### Price and Specifications
The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is available at a starting price of $499 at Best Buy, with the possibility of upgrading to an Intel Core Ultra 5 115U configuration for an additional $200, bringing the total price to $699.
### Design
The design of the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 features an alluring gray-and-rose-gold color scheme, with its aluminum chassis available only in Steel Gray. The rose gold accents on the hinges and the reflective trim around the touchpad give it a distinct edge. True to its name, the “Spin” model is flexible, allowing it to transform into various modes like tent mode and tablet mode. Tent mode is optimal for streaming services, while tablet mode is useful for drawing and note-taking, although using it in this mode means feeling the keyboard beneath one’s fingers.
One notable feature is its durability, meeting MIL-STD 810H standards, making it capable of withstanding everyday wear and tear. While it is not lightweight at 3.21 pounds and 0.74 inches thick, it offers substantial strength.
### Display
The display on the Chromebook Plus Spin 714, with its 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio, exceeds expectations for its price range. It offers ample vertical screen space ideal for web browsing and document reading. Although colors and textures appear vibrant, the screen brightness is relatively low at around 340 nits, posing challenges in bright environments. Indoors, however, it provides an above-average display experience.
### Ports
The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 offers a range of ports. On the left side, users will find two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports and an HDMI 2.0 port. On the right side are a USB-A (3.2 Gen 1) port and a headset jack. Additional features include a power button on the left, a volume rocker on the right, and support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1.
### Audio
The audio quality of the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is its weakest aspect. While the upward-firing speakers allow for loud playback, the sound is somewhat tinny and flat.
### Keyboard and Trackpad
The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 features a satisfying keyboard with clicky, snappy keys that are not overly loud. The high-visibility keyboard includes well-contrasted white-and-dark gray keys and an adjustable white backlight. The trackpad performs responsively under various conditions.
### Performance
On the Geekbench 6 benchmark, which assesses performance across real-world applications, the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 achieved a score of 5,223. ChromeOS is optimized for tasks that utilize cloud-based applications, reducing the need for significant local processing power. Despite this, the device handles common tasks such as browsing and streaming efficiently, even with multiple open tabs.
### Battery Life
Equipped with a 53 watt-hour battery, the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is advertised to provide up to 10 hours of battery life. However, in a video rundown test involving a continuous loop of a 1080p video, it achieved approximately 8 hours and 57 minutes of runtime. This falls slightly short of expectations for minimum battery life.
### Google AI
The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 integrates Google Gemini, a suite of AI features that provides assistance with tasks like generating web page summaries and creating high-resolution backgrounds for video calls. While effective at generating concise responses, the AI can be slow at times.
### Webcam
Equipped with a 1440p webcam, the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 offers adequate performance for its price range, capturing colors accurately if not with the utmost crispness.
### Final Verdict
The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is noted for its better-than-expected display, excellent keyboard, sophisticated design, and durability. However, its brightness, sound quality, and battery life are areas for improvement. It is recommended for budget-conscious users who value design and performance over long battery life or high portability, particularly suitable as a starter laptop for younger users.