The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 simply jogged my memory what I like about Chromebooks. As somebody who’s deep into the Google ecosystem in my work and private life, in addition to proudly owning an Android cellphone (e.g., Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra), it is a lot extra handy for me versus the M2 MacBook Air that I take advantage of.
At setup, I used to be requested to log in with my Google credentials, and it did not depart me floundering. (No offense to Microsoft, however since I do not use the likes of OneDrive, Groups, nor different Microsoft properties typically, I can by no means keep in mind my Microsoft credentials, making organising Home windows laptops a ache.)
With a lovely sub-$500 beginning price ticket, for a break up second, I questioned whether or not I would be higher off with a Chromebook — however one dealbreaker slapped me proper again into actuality. Nonetheless, I would argue it is one in every of the best Chromebooks you should buy.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 value and specs
The Chromebook Plus Spin 714, as of this writing, begins $499 via Best Buy and comes with the next specs:
If you need a bump in efficiency, you’ll be able to improve the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 to an Intel Core Extremely 5 115U (this assessment relies on this configuration) — this can require an additional $200 for a price of $699.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 design
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714’s design language simply speaks to me. You actually cannot go incorrect with a gray-and-rose-gold colour scheme.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon
The whole aluminum chassis is available in Metal Grey — the one colour possibility for the Acer laptop computer. However what provides this laptop computer an edge is the rose gold touches that yow will discover on the hinges and the reflective trim that surrounds the touchpad.
Talking of the hinges, as you’ll be able to inform by the title “Spin,” the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 can be a contortionist if it was personified as a human. It is bendable and versatile, which suggests it could possibly remodel into numerous totally different postures: tent mode, pill mode, and extra.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon
Tent mode is ideal for anybody who desires the show to take heart stage, making it straightforward to take pleasure in streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu on the Chromebook Plus Spin 714.
If you wish to draw and take notes, you should use pill mode. The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 helps styli, like this one on Amazon, however it does not ship with one, which is unlucky. Nevertheless, the draw back of pill mode — and that is throughout all 2-in-1 laptops — is that you will really feel the keyboard beneath your fingers whereas utilizing it, which all the time gave me the ick.
One of many high promoting factors of the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is that it meets MIL-STD 810H requirements, which suggests it has military-grade sturdiness. In different phrases, you’ll be able to relaxation assured that it could possibly stand up to on a regular basis put on and tear. (This makes this an excellent “starter laptop computer” for younger youngsters who are inclined to have butterfingers with tech.)
It is also price noting that the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 has fairly a little bit of heft. It is not heavy, however this is not a laptop computer that might make me say, “Whoa! That is so thin-and-light!”
It weighs 3.21 kilos and has a slimness of 0.74 inches.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 show
I wasn’t anticipating the Chromebook Plus Spin 714’s show to blow me away. Keep in mind: it prices lower than $700.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon
It sports activities a 14-inch. 1920 x 1200-pixel decision show with a 16:10 side ratio. This side ratio is rising extra common amongst laptops (16:9 was the normal possibility), and I am comfortable about it. It gives extra vertical display screen house, so you’ll be able to take pleasure in extra show actual property for scrolling via the online, studying paperwork, and extra.
Nevertheless, the Chromebook Plus Spin 714’s show carried out so much higher than I anticipated. I watched a few trailers, together with Snow White (2025), and the display screen completely captured Rachel Zegler’s heat ivory pores and skin tone. The textures are so vivid, I might virtually really feel the yellow tulle of the gown Zegler twirled in throughout one whimsical scene.
One factor to concentrate on, nonetheless, is that the brightness is sort of low, clocking in at about 340 nits. As such, you will seemingly have a little bit of hassle seeing the display screen in sunny environments.
However in case you plan on utilizing the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 indoors, it is acquired an above-average show for a Chromebook.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 ports
The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 comes with an honest number of ports.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
On the left facet, you will discover the next:
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USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 (2)
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HDMI 2.0
On the correct facet:
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USB-A (3.2 Gen 1)
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Headset jack
On the left facet, you will discover the ability button, however the quantity rocker lives on the correct facet. The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 helps Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 audio
The worst side of the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is its audio high quality. You possibly can’t win ’em all, proper?
The upward-firing audio system flank the keyboard, however I am not a fan of the sound high quality. I fired up Sabrina Carpenter’s hit music “Espresso” through Apple Music (downloaded from the Google Play Retailer), and whereas it might get sufficiently loud at max quantity, the tune sounded a bit tinny, metallic, and flat.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 keyboard and trackpad
I am a keyboard snob, and I can not get sufficient of the Chromebook Plus Spin 714’s satisfying keyboard. The minute the keys actuate, they springboard you to the following letter, making a seamless, rhythmic typing expertise.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The keys are clicky and snappy, however they’re additionally not loud sufficient to earn side-eyes from irritated co-workers and classmates.
Bonus factors for the keyboard’s excessive visibility between with the well-contrasted white-and-dark grey keys. Plus, you’ll be able to alter the white backlight on the keyboard by urgent the ALT and brightness key (subsequent to the mute button) within the operate row.
The trackpad is not half unhealthy both. It was responsive whereas I pushed it to the sting with my erratic actions.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 benchmarks and efficiency
On Geekbench 6, which assessments how properly a laptop computer can deal with real-world purposes (e.g., PDF rendering, ray tracing, picture modifying, and file compression) Chromebook Plus Spin 714 delivered a rating of 5,223.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
This rating is OK. However I am not too involved with this efficiency determine as a result of ChromeOS is designed to light-weight duties that run via cloud-passed purposes (moderately than counting on native processing energy).
Most Chromebook duties (e.g., utilizing Google Docs, streaming movies, net looking) occur on-line, that means these laptops depend on cloud servers for heavy processing, minimizing the necessity for highly effective {hardware}.
Even whereas pushing Google Chrome to its restrict with about 40 tabs, I did not discover any slowdowns nor laggy habits.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 battery life
The Chromebook Plus Spin 714, full of a 53 watt-hour battery, is marketed as having as much as 10 hours of battery life.
Based on our video rundown take a look at, which entails a nonstop video loop of a 1080p video, the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 lasted about 9 hours on a single cost — 8 hours and 57 minutes to be precise. This can be a little bit of a dealbreaker for me. Ten-hour battery life, at minimal, is a should.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 Google AI
AI is not everybody’s cup of tea, however it’s positively mine. I am cautiously optimistic in regards to the sudden resurgence synthetic intelligence.
Google Gemini on Chromebook Plus Spin 714
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Whilst you can expertise Google Gemini on any laptop computer or cellphone, this suite of Google-based AI virtually lives inside this ChromeOS laptop computer, permitting you to proper click on anyplace within the display screen to get summaries on webpages, companionship for writing, and even creating high-res backgrounds to your video calls.
Creating summaries is fast and straightforward, and it labored like a appeal. For instance, on Mashable, I requested Gemini to offer me a simple reply to why, precisely, iPhone 16 Professional batteries are dearer to switch (because the headline recommended) — and it “learn” the article and spat again the reply to me in a fast and concise response.
I requested Gemini to assist me summarize a narrative on Mashable
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
And I did not even should learn a single phrase.
The one situation I’ve with Gemini is that, at occasions, it may be painfully gradual. For instance, I attempted to create a background picture for my Google Meet name, and it took so lengthy to generate (over 9 minutes), I finally gave up and closed the laptop computer.
It took virtually a lifetime to generate an AI background.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 comes with 12 months of the Google One AI Premium Plan (this plan contains entry to Gemini Superior and 2TB of storage, and Gemini in Docs, Sheets, Gmail, and extra).
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 webcam
The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 has a 1440p webcam, and as a lot as I dislike utilizing this trite phrase, there actually is not a lot to put in writing residence about.
Webcam image with Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
It is not the crispest, clearest webcam, as one would count on from a sub-$700 webcam, however it does the job. It nonetheless was in a position to precisely seize my complexion and my burgundy high.
Is the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 price it?
The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 has a better-than-expected show, an wonderful keyboard, a complicated design, and military-tested sturdiness. Nevertheless, the display screen brightness is not that nice, the sound high quality is mid, and the battery life could possibly be higher.
If it weren’t for the battery life, I would take into account giving the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 a spot in our best cheap laptops list.
On the plus facet, there is a laptop computer for everybody. I would advocate the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 for budget-conscious customers who’re in search of a laptop computer that may be stationed on a desk at residence. I would additionally counsel this Chromebook for a tween who does not want a high-powered, long-lasting work station — they will be pleased with a laptop computer with an awesome show and first rate efficiency.
