The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is an upgraded version of the original gaming Chromebook, a device I initially thought was impractical until I tried it myself. This new model significantly improves its specs, boasts an excellent display, and retains the great keyboard and touchpad. However, it still suffers from poor sound quality and is relatively expensive for a Chromebook.
Pros:
- Excellent display
- Great performance
- Solid keyboard and touchpad
- Useful AI tools
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Poor sound quality
- Pricey for a Chromebook
- Limited availability
In early 2023, I reviewed Google’s first gaming Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, which changed my perception of gaming on Chromebooks. Therefore, I was eager to test the updated Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024).
The new version enhances every crucial aspect, from the display to the specs, and includes new AI features for productivity. However, some shortcomings remain, which might affect its appeal to current owners of the original model.
The Chromebook features a 16-inch IPS display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, 350 nits brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate, ideal for gaming. The sRGB 100% color gamut enhances creative and editing tasks using the Chromebook’s AI tools.
The outer design remains similar to the original model, typical of budget gaming laptops. Despite this, the sturdy and lightweight chassis makes it portable. The keyboard and trackpad are unchanged, which is good as they were already excellent. The webcam, with 1080p at 60fps, is impressive, although a physical shutter for added security would be better.
The port selection includes two USB Type-C ports, a USB Type-A port, an HDMI 2.1 port, an ethernet port, and a combo jack. More USB ports and an SD card reader would be beneficial.
Sound quality remains a significant downside, despite claims of “cinematic sounds with DTS audio.” The audio is tinny and muddy, even with YouTube videos and worse when gaming. Investing in a good gaming headset is recommended.
The Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) features several AI tools, utilizing both local and cloud storage. The webcam adjusts picture quality and lighting automatically, while Google Gemini powers many other tools. These include Help Me Write for text generation and editing, Help Me Read for summarizing texts, Focus for Do Not Disturb mode, Magic Editor for photo enhancement, and generative AI for wallpapers and video call backgrounds.
Project Gameface, a hands-free control with face and gesture tracking, is a standout feature, providing significant accessibility options. Though still in beta, it shows promise for future updates.
The new Game Dashboard pairs well with the Chromebook, offering features like window resizing, screen capture, and control mapping. While not as high quality as premium capture cards, the game recording is decent, especially given the excellent screen quality.
Benchmark Performance:
- Battery Life Test: 6 hours and 57 minutes
- Chromium Github Octane Benchmark: 93,523
- Browserbench Jetstream Benchmark: 302
- Kraken Benchmark: 415ms
- WebGL Aquarium (30,000 fish): 85 fps
The Chromebook’s upgraded specs are evident in its impressive benchmark scores, surpassing the original model. The Intel Core CPU handles gaming well, especially through streaming services like Nvidia’s GeForce Now or Amazon Luna. Local play is also an option, though Steam Borealis is still in beta and requires developer mode activation.
GeForce Now provides a smooth, stutter-free gaming experience, with AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3 running without issues. The display quality enhances the gaming experience, outperforming most other Chromebooks.
Battery life is around seven hours for heavy video use and slightly longer for productivity tasks. While not the best for a Chromebook, it’s better than most Windows laptops with an Intel Core CPU, making it more portable than other gaming laptops.
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) Specs:
- Price: Starting at $649.99 (around £515/AU$980)
- Display: 16-inch, 16:10 WQXGA 2560 x 1600, 350 nits, 120 Hz
- CPU: Intel Core i5 120U
- Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics
- RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: Up to 256 GB PCIe SSD
- Ports: 2x USB 4 Type C, 1x USB Type A Gen 3.1, 1x 3.5mm combo jack, 1x Ethernet port, 1x HDMI 2.1 port
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E AX211, Bluetooth 5.2
- Battery: 65WHr
- Weight: 3.81 lbs. (1.73 kg)
- Dimensions: 14.04 x 9.83 x 0.84 inches (356.58 x 249.67 x 21.3 mm)
The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is a solid refresh worth considering, despite retaining some of the original model’s drawbacks.
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