Acer Chromebook Spin 714: Premium Chromebook 

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 was one of the best on the market in 2021, and it looks like the Chromebook Spin 714 might do the same. The premium two-in-one doesn’t change much from its predecessor in terms of what it can do, but Acer did make some changes to keep it competitive and likely a top choice for Chromebook power users.

Acer switched the 714 from a 13.5-inch touchscreen with 2,256×1,504 pixels and a 3:2 aspect ratio to a 14-inch display with 2,560×1,600 pixels and 100% sRGB color gamut coverage. The switch still gives you more vertical space to work than a 16:9 widescreen, but it’s not as tall, so it feels more balanced and fits more readily into a backpack.

Acer Chromebook Spin 714 Specifications

Key Features

1. 14-inch, 2560×1600 Touch Display: The high-resolution screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio provides ample vertical space, making it ideal for multitasking and media consumption.
2. 8GB LPDDR4X Memory: Ensures smooth performance and efficient multitasking.
3. 256GB NVMe PCIe SSD: Offers fast storage and ample space for your files and applications.
4. Robust Connectivity: This device includes Thunderbolt 4 USB-C (x2), USB-A, HDMI 2.0 out, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack for versatile connectivity options.
5. All-Metal Chassis: Provides a durable and premium feel, ensuring longevity.
6. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2: Ensures fast and reliable wireless connectivity.
7. Long Battery Life: Can last more than 10 hours on a single charge, making it suitable for all-day use.

A New and Modern Display

Even though the screen has changed a lot, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 design is mostly the same. The steel-grey aluminum chassis has a clean, businesslike appearance and feels solid. This Chromebook performed as well as its predecessor did on the MIL-STD 810H tests for shock and vibration. It weighs 3.2 pounds and is 0.67 inches thick, like the old Chromebook Spin 713. The new 14-inch, 16:10 screen makes the system wider than the 713 it replaced. The Spin 714 is 12.7 inches wide and 8.9 inches deep, while the Spin 713 was 11.8 inches wide and 9.3 inches deep. Even though it’s heavier than expected, the Chromebook is still small and easy to carry.

• But again, the biggest difference between the Spin 713 and the 714 is the display.
• The nearly square, extra-tall 3:2 panel has been replaced with a 14-inch 16:10 panel.
• The 16:10 aspect ratio seems to be a good compromise between the 3:2 ratio for work and the 16:9 ratio for fun.
• On the 14-inch, 16:10 display, there is enough vertical space so windows don’t feel so crowded that you must scroll all the time.
• Movies and TV shows also fit better on it than on the 3:2 panel, which is square.
• It’s a great way to combine work and play, making the Spin 714 a versatile machine that can do everything.

That’s even before you consider that it can be used as a laptop and a tablet.

Price and Availability

As tested, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 costs about $700 (£620), close to the entry-level Google Pixelbook Go price. However, the 714 has a quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, while the Go only has a dual-core chip. There is a quad-core Pixelbook, but its prices start with an “8” on both sides of the Atlantic. It is not yet available in Australia.

The Go might feel more like a high-end device, but there’s no denying that an extra pair of CPU cores makes it faster. At this price, you can get some pretty good Windows laptops. You’re almost at the entry-level Ultrabooks level. That would make more sense for a horse that can do everything. In this case, its biggest flaw is the Acer Chromebook 714’s 128GB of eMMC storage instead of M.2 storage. But if you don’t need to run Windows apps and are fully invested in the Google ecosystem, those are ultimately moot points.

Design

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714’s design feature that stands out the most is its strength. This thing feels as safe as a fortress. The all-metal chassis is very stiff, and the only thing that moves slightly is the keyboard. The keys on the keyboard themselves are also hard to press. It’s not a bad keyboard, but it’s not as smooth to use and doesn’t feel as solid as we’d like. The trackpad is another minor but annoying flaw. It’s a good size, and the Corning Gorilla Glass finish makes it feel smooth. But it has a little rattle and movement that isn’t caused by the clicking, which makes it feel a little cheap.

The good thing about this mostly rugged, all-metal laptop is that it should last a long time. The problem is that it’s heavy. At 1.8 cm, it’s not too thick, but because it is so strong, it weighs 1.6 kg. The 45-watt charger makes it very portable, but this is not a featherweight laptop. It feels much bigger and bulkier than a 13-inch Ultrabook or a MacBook Air.

Should You Buy It?

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is an impressive machine with excellent performance thanks to its quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of LPDDR4X memory. With a high-resolution 14-inch touchscreen display and a robust aluminum chassis, it is built for both productivity and durability. Priced at around $700, it offers substantial value for Chromebook power users who need a reliable device for work and play. However, if you require a lightweight laptop or heavily depend on Windows applications, you might want to explore other options.