Acer Chromebook Vero 514 Evaluation: Inexperienced Machine

If you happen to considered Chromebooks as solely finances units, you’d be mistaken. A wave of extra premium Chrome OS laptops have emerged lately, with the likes of Google, HP and Lenovo all getting in on the act. 

Acer has even determined to make a gaming Chromebook, however it’s the corporate’s sustainability-focused system that’s on check right here. The Vero 514 makes use of recycled plastic all through its design, making it a greater possibility for anybody that cares concerning the surroundings. 

However is it ok to be your principal laptop computer? The brief reply is sure (offered you’re proud of Chrome OS), however you’ll must pay considerably extra for it than most Chromebooks. 

Design, construct & ports

• Distinctive, speckled design
• Partly constructed from recycled plastic
• Respectable vary of ports

The Vero 514 has a design that’s refreshingly completely different in additional methods than one, and also you’ll discover this as quickly as you are taking it out of the field. 

Like the opposite merchandise within the vary, the 514 has a singular speckled end, which extends throughout your complete outdoors of the system. It’s a direct results of the selection of supplies, with 30% of the plastic used all through the chassis initially recycled by shoppers. Most laptop computer producers make no particular claims on this space. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

In consequence, the gray end you see is just the pure color of the supplies used to make it. There are small flecks of yellow and darkish gray puncturing an in any other case minimalist design. The Vero 514 seems good in pictures, however even higher in actual life.

Nonetheless, it will’ve been good to see the choice for a darkish blue or black end, each of which you’ll discover on Acer’s Aspire Vero laptop computer. All three keep away from the necessity for any paint on the outside. And paint, after all, can include dangerous substances. 

Plastic casing would possibly elevate issues relating to sturdiness, however that’s not a difficulty. In truth, the Vero 514 feels extra sturdy than aluminium laptops, with a troublesome hinge that ought to final for a few years. 

However there’s no doubting this can be a chunky Chromebook. At 1.4kg and 20.8mm thick, it’s not a very skinny and light-weight system, though there’s no important impact on portability: it’ll match simply in a rucksack or laptop computer bag and received’t weigh you down.

The good thing about a thicker design is loads of room for ports. Both of the 2 USB-C ports (one all sides) can be utilized for charging or information switch, and so they’re joined by a USB-A, full-size HDMI and three.5mm audio jack. If you actually need it, there’s a Kensington lock slot, too. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

That’s loads for most individuals, and means you in all probability received’t want an adapter or hub. But when I’m being actually choosy, it’d be good to see a second USB-A port – there seems to be sufficient house for one. 

Keyboard, trackpad & webcam

• Snug, spectacular keyboard
• Further Chrome OS-specific keys
• Unreliable trackpad

The dimensions of the Vero 514 means there’s room for a full-size keyboard. Acer might’ve squeezed in a separate quantity pad, however I’m glad it didn’t: the house between keys (and the very fact there are not any annoying half-width keys) makes for a really comfy typing expertise. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Not like most new laptops, I used to be in a position to modify to the location of every key in a short time, resuming my normal typing pace inside a couple of minutes. Every secret’s responsive and presents an honest quantity of journey, so that you received’t thoughts utilizing it for a number of hours at a time.  

There’s ample house both facet of the trackpad to comfortably relaxation your palms. The tough floor of the Vero 514 would possibly sound disagreeable, however it manages so as to add grip with out feeling uncomfortable in your fingers.

Every secret’s backlit, with 5 completely different brightness settings (Alt + brightness up or down to regulate them) to select from. At greater ranges, it’ll keep on completely, as an alternative of turning off after a short time whenever you’re not typing.

Unusually, the ‘e’ and ‘r’ keys are highlighted by an eye catching yellow end for no apparent cause.. Nonetheless, 50% of the plastic used within the keycaps is from recycled sources, which provides to the Vero’s environmentally pleasant credenticals.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Being a Chromebook, there are a few different keyboard adjustments in comparison with a Home windows laptop computer. A shortcut to the ‘Every thing Button’ replaces caps lock, whereas an additional row of fast controls consists of entry to again, refresh, full-screen, desktops and screenshot features. Each make navigating Chrome OS a lot simpler. 

The trackpad makes use of ocean-bound plastic fairly than the same old glass, however it’s not the selection of supplies which might be the difficulty right here. As an alternative, I typically discovered it tough to click on a selected location on display screen or spotlight textual content, each of which require precision and focus. 

Adjusting touchpad pace and turning off acceleration (each out there inside Settings) may help, however the cursor on-screen nonetheless moved erratically at occasions. It’s nonetheless usable, however I didn’t trust in it to get issues accomplished rapidly and would all the time select to make use of a separate mouse with the 514.

Fortunately, Acer has made the webcam a precedence. It’s a 1080p sensor, which ends up in a pointy picture, and hues are correct too. Publicity can typically be a difficulty, so that you’ll want to ensure the ambient lighting is nice. 

However alongside a microphone that delivers clear, crisp audio, the Vero 514 is a superb possibility for video calls – particularly if you happen to use Google Meet. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

It’s good to see a bodily privateness shutter for the webcam, however there’s no help for face unlock. With a fingerprint sensor absent too, you’ll must sort in a password or PIN every time. The dearth of any biometrics seems like taking a visit again in time, particularly if you happen to’re used to Home windows laptops, and a disgrace at this worth.

Display & audio system

• 14in Full HD matt-finish show
• Underwhelming high quality
• Respectable twin audio system

The Vero 514’s show is the principle cause to hesitate earlier than shopping for one, though that may not be obvious from the specs. 

A 14in Full HD (1920×1080) IPS panel sounds completely affordable. For most individuals, a better decision or transfer away from the basic 16:9 facet ratio isn’t obligatory. 

Nonetheless, the Vero 514 has what Acer calls ‘ComfyView’ know-how. Meaning it has a matt coating which makes the display screen much less reflective and simpler to learn in shiny lighting situations. 

This can be preferable for some, however it appears to have affected picture high quality. Colors look washed out and lack vibrancy, whereas there’s a definite yellow hue even with the Evening Gentle function turned off. In consequence, it isn’t all that pleasant watching movies on the Vero 514.

The software program we sometimes use to measure color accuracy isn’t suitable with Chrome OS, however it’s no shock that Acer doesn’t make any claims on this space. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Whereas a matt display screen isn’t as reflective as a shiny one, you continue to want good brightness to make use of it when the solar is coming via your window, otherwise you’re outdoor. However with a most of 279 nits the Vero’s display screen is dimmer than lots of laptops. Content material typically seems boring and muted consequently, particularly as Chrome OS doesn’t allow you to disable the auto brightness setting.  

It’s not a touchscreen and is restricted to a 60Hz refresh charge, so the show actually is the weak spot of this Chromebook.

The audio system are nothing particular, however they sound okay. Readability and element are each glorious, even at excessive volumes. However a definite lack of bass means songs can sound skinny: you’ll need to use headphones for music.

Nonetheless, regardless of being positioned on the underside of the system, the audio system do a great job of filling the room with audio. 50% of the plastic utilized in them can also be recycled. 

Specs & efficiency

• Twelfth-gen Intel Core CPUs
• Wonderful efficiency from the Core i7 mannequin
• Solely 256GB max storage

Not like many Chromebooks, the Vero 514 makes use of full Intel Core processors. You possibly can select between i3, i5 and i7 from 2022’s 12^th-gen vary, though these are the from the least highly effective U-series. 

The highest-spec mannequin I examined combines the Core i7-1255U with Intel Iris Xe built-in graphics and 8GB of RAM. In consequence, efficiency is superb, and a significant cause to purchase the Vero 514 over most different Chromebooks.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Even with plenty of browser tabs open, plus messaging apps, e-mail and watching movies, the Vero 514 felt responsive and will cope wonderful.

Some cell apps downloaded from the Google Play Retailer include warnings that they’re not optimised for Chromebooks, however the whole lot I attempted ran easily. 

In fact, the shortage of a extra highly effective CPU and no discrete GPU means it’s probably not appropriate for critical video modifying (suppose a number of streams of 4K), nor taking part in the most recent console-style video games. However that’s not what the Vero 514 is designed for, and it performs properly normally use.

A few of our normal benchmarks aren’t suitable with Chrome OS, however the outcomes beneath show that the Vero 514 is likely one of the most succesful Chromebooks you should buy.  

If you happen to’re questioning how a lot of a decline in efficiency must you count on if you happen to go for a Core i3-1215U or Core i5-1235U mannequin as an alternative, it’s tough to say as we didn’t have these to check out. However most individuals received’t want an i7 processor, and the others must be wonderful for office-style work, on-line purchasing, modifying pictures and different issues.

The entry-level mannequin has a 128GB SSD, however dearer fashions bump that as much as 256GB. This will likely be sufficient for most individuals, however it’s price noting that round 60GB is taken up with system information that may’t be eliminated, so take into account these to be 68GB and 196GB.  

When it comes to connectivity, the Vero 514 helps Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. Nonetheless, you possibly can solely use cell information if you happen to use your smartphone’s Wi-Fi hotspot.

Battery & charging

• All-day battery life
• Spectacular 65W charging

Acer doesn’t present a selected battery capability for the Vero 514, however says you possibly can stand up to 10 hours of use on a single cost. 

Our battery check helps this: the system streamed a 1080p YouTube video for 11 hours and 12 minutes earlier than operating out of juice. This was with the brightness set to 200 nits (there’s no approach to flip off auto brightness, however it didn’t appear to regulate through the check) and round 50% quantity – each are pretty typical for consuming content material. 

Nonetheless, that’s merely a measure of video playback time. Common on a regular basis utilization is all the time prone to deplete the battery extra rapidly, and that tallies with my expertise. Battery life isn’t spectacular, however a full eight-hour working day is properly inside attain. You simply would possibly need to ensure you’re close to an influence supply within the late afternoon. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Acer’s declare of fifty% cost in half-hour additionally proves to be correct. Utilizing the 65W charger within the field, it had reached 51% by the half-hour mark, with a full cost taking simply over 90 minutes. Not dangerous in any respect. 

Software program

• Runs Chrome OS
• No Acer-specific software program tweaks
• Will get updates till 2030

Like all Chromebooks, the Vero 514 runs Chrome OS. However in contrast to Home windows or macOS, Google doesn’t launch main new variations annually, preferring extra frequent updates each few weeks. 

There’s additionally virtually no delay between the replace being launched and it being out there in your system. Acer has made no tweaks to the Chrome OS expertise on the Vero 514, which means it seems and performs identically to another Chromebook.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The absence of any bloatware is refreshing: Acer doesn’t foist something undesirable on you. Even the pre-installed Google apps, which will likely be genuinely helpful for most individuals, could be uninstalled. 

However if you happen to’re contemplating a Chromebook, you in all probability already know concerning the limitations of Chrome OS. You need to use some apps offline, however it’s nonetheless primarily a stripped-back, web-based working system. 

Meaning lots of the desktop apps on Home windows and Mac merely aren’t out there right here. Your solely actual various is to obtain the Android model (if one exists), however these are sometimes lacking key options. Earlier than committing to any Chromebook, it’s vital to make it possible for the apps you need to use can be found.  

Chrome OS offers an Android app expertise that’s far superior to Home windows 11. Slightly being restricted to the Amazon Appstore, virtually each app on the Google Play Retailer is out there right here. Whereas not the whole lot runs completely on the desktop, it makes working between your telephone and laptop computer really feel seamless. 

When it comes to software program help, you’re properly lined with the Vero 514. As Google confirms in an official doc, it’ll proceed receiving updates till June 2030. 

Value & availability

There are three completely different fashions of the Vero 514 to select from, and pricing varies considerably between them. 

The most affordable possibility makes use of an Intel Core i3 processor and is $499.99/£499.99, whereas stepping as much as Core i5 will set you again $599.99/£699.99. 

However the top-spec Core i7 mannequin I examined isn’t out there within the US, and prices you £799.99 when paying full worth. 

Whereas there are common reductions, this ranks the Vero 514 as probably the most premium Chromebooks you should buy. Google’s Pixelbook Go and the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 are credible alternate options, whereas you may get a usable Chromebook for considerably lower than that. There are many nice finances Home windows laptops, too. 

Verdict

The Vero 514 is Acer’s first try at a sustainability-focused Chromebook, and it will get loads proper.  

A speckled end makes it stand out from the gang, however it doesn’t really feel low cost or substandard due to the recycled plastic.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

And there’s no skimping on efficiency, with loads of energy right here for all ‘on a regular basis’ duties. Battery life is nice, too, and it’s good to have quicker-than-average charging speeds. 

Different highlights embody an honest collection of ports and a good-quality webcam.

The weak level is the display screen: it’s dim, lacks sharpness and doesn’t have these punchy, vibrant colors we’ve all come to count on from fashionable units.

The trackpad isn’t nice both and – annoyingly – there’s no fingerprint sensor or face unlock help.

None of those must be deal-breakers if you happen to’re set on a Chromebook, however the Vero 514 received’t persuade many individuals to change from a Home windows laptop computer. 

Specs

• Intel Core i3-1215U, Core i5-1235U or Core i7-1255U 
• 8GB RAM 
• 128/256GB SSD storage 
• 14in, 1920×1080 IPS matte show, 60Hz 
• 1080p webcam 
• 2x USB-C 3.2 
• 1x USB-A 
• 1x HDMI 
• 1x 3.5mm headphone jack 
• 1x Kensington lock 
• 65W charger 
• Wi-Fi 6E 
• Bluetooth 5.2 
• Chrome OS