TechRadar Verdict
For a mid-range portable, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 feels almost premium. It has a good-looking and feeling touchscreen coupled with a powerful performance for a Chromebook. It’s also very durable and easy to use in its various form factors. The audio is weak and this newest configuration is only available in the US, but any other issue amounts to nitpicking.
Speedy performance for day-to-day productivity
Good looking and feeling touchscreen
Sturdy hinge
Strong battery life
Speakers are quiet with hollow-sounding audio
Limited availability
Keyboard feels a little stiff
Why you can trust TechRadarWe spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best.Find out more about how we test.
Editor’s Note
• Original review date: August 2023• Launch price: Starts at $699.99 / £549 (around AU$1,060)• Target price now: $549 / £549 (around AU$810)
Update – September 2024:We’re pretty much in the same place we were last year with theAcerChromebook Spin 714 - it’s still a solid choice of mid-range Chromebook, it still packs a good touchscreen and great battery life, and it’s still not available in Australia (sorry to our Australian readers).
You can now pick up the more affordableIntelCore i3 model in the US, bringing down the entry price a little, though we’d recommend springing for the i5 model if possible - the performance difference is noticeable, and it’s not massively more expensive for a more future-proofed laptop.
It should be noted that the Spin 714 has been effectively superseded by the 2024 Plus Spin 714 from Acer, part of theChromebook Plusinitiative launched byGooglelate last year. This new model comes with an Intel Core Ultra processor, making it better at handling AI workloads than the version we’ve reviewed here - something to bear in mind if you aim to run local AI software on your Chromebook.
Original review follows.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): Two-minute review
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 may be far from the cheapest Chromebook out there, but it’s worth the extra cash. It goes above and beyond the typical ChromeOS machine to deliver speedy performance while powering a higher-resolution screen and webcam. If you’re willing to spend a little, this laptop offers excellent value. And really, the price is not bad at all.
Thebest Windows laptopsat this price point would be more limited in terms of hardware. To start, you would probably be stuck with a 1080p resolution. And, if you get one with the same internal components, they’re going to go as far performance-wise with a Windows-based machine.
All things considered, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 gives the kind of experience you would expect from one of thebest Chromebooks. Along with its solid performance, it’s versatile the way you would expect thebest 2-in-1 laptopsto be. The hinge is rock solid, the screen looks and feels good, and the keyboard and trackpad are pretty good quality.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): Price & availability
The benchmark for what constitutes a budget machine is much lower for Chromebooks than it is for other types of laptops. So, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714’s price tag of $699.99 (about £549 / AU$1063) is solidly mid-range.
That said, it’s a much better laptop than the sub-$200 or sub-$300 options that make up a large part of the Chromebook market. It’s worth the price. You’ll end up with a better screen, better hardware, and a better overall design for what isn’t a lot when it comes to computers.
Consider theAcer Chromebook 515. It’s a bit cheaper at £449 (around $550 / AU$790) but has a weaker and older processor with its 11th-Gen Intel Core i3, a smaller 128GB SSD, and a lower resolution 1080p screen that doesn’t have touch capability. And, it’s only around $150 cheaper. Many of the cheapest Chromebooks use CPUs from Qualcomm that are otherwise used to power smartphones.
Really, the only downside to the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is that this newest generation is only available in the US. UK shoppers will have to, for the moment at least, live with the previous version sporting a 12th-Gen Intel Core i5 and 512GB that goes for £1,099.99 (about $1,402 / AU$2,130) while those living in Australia don’t have access to any version of the Chromebook Spin 714 at the time of writing.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): Specs
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 comes in just one configuration.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): Design
While the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is not quite at the level of a MacBook Air or Pro aesthetically, it’s not far off thanks in part to its dark gray colorway and aluminum chassis covers (lid and keyboard side of the bottom). Though this laptop doesn’t do much outside of its gold hinges to set itself apart, it’s still a relatively smart-looking notebook.
It looks good as a tablet as well, if a little big. Since it has 360-degree hinges, using this portable in laptop mode, tablet mode, display mode, and tent mode is as easy as adjusting the screen until it’s in the proper position. Since the hinges are rock solid, the screen stays in place even when picked up and carried around.
Just as importantly, especially for any students or parents of students considering this Chromebook, it’s durable. It seems to be made of premium materials from the mostly aluminum chassis and Corning Gorilla glass used for the display to the smooth touchpad and solid-feeling keyboard. While I didn’t drop it from any rooftops, Acer has verified that the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 has military-grade durability.
Speaking of the touchpad and keyboard, they could have gone either way at this price point. Luckily, they’re both well executed. The keyboard is not necessarily the most comfortable since it has pretty short travel and feels a little stiff, but it’s accurate and easy to type on. The touchpad, on the other hand, has a nice, smooth feel to it, though it can be a little oversensitive at times.
Lastly, the port selection is limited on the surface, but appropriate for the kind of users that would gravitate towards this laptop. There are two USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt 4 and power delivery. Thankfully, Acer decided to put one on each side instead of clustering them together as I’ve seen on some laptops. There’s also one regular USB port and an HDMI port, not to mention a headphone jack.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): Performance
Here’s how theAcer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
Geekbench 5 (Android): Single Core:1535Geekbench 5 (Android): Multi Core:6024WebXPRT 4: 245CrXPRT 2: 172JetStream 2: 250.180Battery Life (Web Browsing): 12:41:30
With its 13th-Gen Intel Core i5 and 8GB of RAM, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is as close to a powerhouse as I’ve found when it comes to ChromeOS-based computers. You’re not going to be playing AAA games on this, but you probably wouldn’t be doing that or other extremely demanding tasks like heavy video editing on a Chromebook anyway.
But, in day-to-day productivity, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 was solid as a rock. I was able to not only have over 20 tabs open at once with three of them being video streams, but I could go between any tab without experiencing a lag, which was especially impressive when switching between the different streams.
On top of that, the 14-inch touch display is a pleasure to use. Not only does it look good with its 1920 x 1200p resolution with 100% sRGB color coverage, not to mention slightly extra screen real estate thanks to its 16:10 aspect ratio, but interacting with it is a treat. The touchscreen is accurate and responsive no matter if you’re using it in laptop or tablet mode. And, since it’s Corning Gorilla Glass, it has a soft yet solid feel.
The webcam is equally crisp with its 1440p resolution, making this a good laptop for use with video conferencing. Its refresh rate is capped at 30Hz, but the results were still relatively smooth when moving quickly in frame.
If there’s one area for complaint, it’s the speakers. It seems that very few laptop manufacturers have been able to get good audio out of their portables and that’s the case here. Not only is the volume on the quiet side, but the audio is a bit hollow sounding. There’s not a lot of low-end as well, but that’s to be expected with a laptop. I would recommend using headphones or speakers when possible.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): Battery life
The battery life on the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is very good. In our benchmark test for battery life, it lasted a good 12 hours and 41 minutes. That’s almost MacBook Air numbers, which is pretty impressive. While flagship laptops are now reaching past the 15-hour mark, getting 12 hours out of a mid-range laptop isn’t bad at all. And, it’s certainly more than enough to last a full day at work or school. Plus, it charges up pretty quickly thanks to the 65 watt power delivery from those USB-C ports, specifically being able to give a further four hours of use after 30 minutes of charging.
Should you buy the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)?
Buy it if…
You want a Chromebook that can performFor a Chromebook, this portable is powerful and can get you through just about any task you could run on a ChromeOS-powered machine.
You want a more premium feeling ChromebookWhile this is a mid-range laptop, it has some premium appointments from its sturdy hinges and reasonably powerful specs to the WUXGA 16:10 touch screen covered in Corning Gorilla Glass.
Don’t buy it if…
You want to run demanding tasksThis Chromebook can keep up with just about any Chromebook out there, but there are certain things that these types of laptops just can’t do such as high-level gaming or video and photo editing.
You’re on an extreme budgetThere’s a reason $200 and $300 Chromebooks are so popular. That’s what many people can afford. $699.99 is a very good price for this laptop. But, there are cheaper, more stripped down options that still work well.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023): Also consider
If the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider…
Acer Chromebook 515Many people considering Chromebooks want something a little cheaper. The Acer Chromebook 515 is a perfect option then as it splits the difference between being very affordable and having enough power to keep up. Plus, it has a nice, bright screen.
Read our fullAcer Chromebook 515 review
Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023)If you want a Windows machine that won’t break the bank yet provides the kind of performance to handle day-to-day activity, consider the Acer Aspire Vero 15. It might look a little dated, but it’s more than enough for most people. Plus, it’s among the most eco-friendly options out there.
Read our fullAcer Aspire Vero 15 (2023) review
How I tested the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)
I used the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 for about a week, using it for my day-to-day productivity to see how I liked using it. I got a feel for not only the touch screen, but the keyboard and touchpad. I also tried to push it to its limits by opening up over 20 tabs with some of them streaming video to see if I could slow it down.As this is a 2-in-1 laptop, I also tried out the other form factors including tent and display mode to watch some streaming video while relaxing. I also tested out the webcam and speakers to get an idea of how they performed as well.I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear of all sorts so I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.
Read more about how we test
First reviewed August 2023
James Holland loves checking out gadgets of all sorts, whether it’s audio equipment, laptops, or vacuums (especially of the robot variety), and does so for a number of Future Publications including TechRadar, Top Ten Reviews, Homes & Gardens, and T3. He’s built up an expertise for in-depth reviewing over the last four years. When he’s not putting in the work on the latest tech, he loves to travel, play music, and eat questionable food.
MacBook Air OLED reportedly delayed until at least 2028 – here’s why
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 (2024) review: one of the best Pro laptops around just got better
I review TVs for a living and this record-low price on the Hisense U8N is one of the best early Black Friday deals I’ve seen
