The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 serves as a reminder of the advantages Chromebooks offer, especially for those embedded in the Google ecosystem. It provides convenience over alternatives like the M2 MacBook Air, particularly for users of Android devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. During setup, users are prompted to log in with Google credentials, simplifying the process compared to setting up a Windows laptop, where remembering Microsoft credentials can be challenging. With a starting price under $500, the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 seems appealing, although certain limitations may deter some potential buyers. Nevertheless, it stands out as one of the top Chromebooks available.
The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is priced at $499 at Best Buy in its base configuration. For those seeking enhanced performance, an upgrade to an Intel Core Ultra 5 115U configuration is available for an additional $200, bringing the cost to $699.
The design of the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is noteworthy, featuring a gray-and-rose-gold color scheme. The laptop’s aluminum chassis is available in Steel Gray, with rose gold accents on the hinges and around the touchpad. True to its “Spin” name, the device is versatile, capable of transitioning into different modes, including tent and tablet modes. While tent mode is ideal for focusing on the display, tablet mode is useful for drawing and note-taking, though users may find the keyboard underneath awkward in this form.
The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 meets MIL-STD 810H standards, ensuring military-grade durability, making it suitable as a “starter laptop” for younger users. The device weighs 3.21 pounds and is 0.74 inches thick, offering a moderate level of portability.
The display is a highlight, featuring a 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio, providing ample vertical space. Despite its affordable price, the screen quality is commendable, though its brightness is limited to about 340 nits, which may pose challenges in bright environments. Indoors, however, the display is above average for a Chromebook.
The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 includes a variety of ports, such as USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.0 on the left side, as well as USB-A and a headset jack on the right. Additional features include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1 support.
Audio quality is a drawback for the Chromebook Plus Spin 714, with the upward-firing speakers producing tinny and flat sound. However, the keyboard is a strong point, offering a satisfying typing experience, with well-contrasted keys and adjustable backlighting. The trackpad is responsive, accommodating various user interactions.
Benchmark tests, like Geekbench 6, reveal the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 has an adequate performance score of 5,223. However, because ChromeOS relies primarily on cloud-based applications rather than local processing, the need for high-powered hardware is reduced, and the device handles typical Chromebook tasks efficiently.
The battery life is claimed to be up to 10 hours, but testing indicates it lasts approximately 9 hours on a single charge.
The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 comes integrated with Google Gemini, an AI suite that provides features like webpage summaries and background creation for video calls. While generally effective, the AI can be slow at times, such as when generating backgrounds. The device includes a 12-month subscription to the Google One AI Premium Plan.
The webcam on the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 offers 1440p resolution, providing satisfactory, though not outstanding, image quality suitable for its price range.
Overall, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 offers a compelling package with a quality display, excellent keyboard, appealing design, and robust durability. However, its limited screen brightness, mediocre sound, and less-than-ideal battery life may affect its evaluation as an exceptional budget laptop. It is recommended for budget-conscious users or younger audiences needing a capable yet straightforward device.
