ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Acer Aspire Go 15 is accessible for round $299 throughout main retailers.
- For an inexpensive value, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a succesful laptop computer for on a regular basis use with a good battery.
- As with most gadgets on this value vary, the laptop computer’s limitations grow to be obvious with heavy workloads.
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Not everybody wants a decked-out laptop computer with costly {hardware}. For customers looking for an inexpensive laptop computer that is adequate for on a regular basis use, the Acer Aspire Go 15 — a more moderen addition to Acer’s funds laptop computer line — fills that area of interest nicely.
For $300, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a succesful funds laptop computer for customers with out heavy efficiency calls for. The 15-inch display screen is well-suited for looking the online, checking emails, and utilizing productiveness software program, whereas the onboard webcam is ample to take work calls whereas away from the workplace.
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At 3.75 kilos, this isn’t the lightest laptop computer, and the 15-inch show leads to a barely cumbersome physique, however the tradeoff is a full-sized keyboard with a right-side quantity pad (even when the keys are barely smaller) and a show that feels simply sufficiently big.
In reality, “simply sufficient” is the overarching theme for this laptop computer. It has simply sufficient efficiency to cowl the fundamentals, a adequate webcam, port choice, and type issue, with the stand-out function being a surprisingly long-lasting battery.
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Once you look intently at these parameters, you may see that they are fairly well-optimized, leading to a laptop computer with limitations however a tool that additionally performs nicely throughout the scope of its capabilities.
So, let’s take a look at what’s below the hood. The Aspire Go 15 has an Intel Core i3-N305, a considerably low-end processor with simply 8GB of RAM. This mix of {hardware} limits this machine’s capabilities. Nevertheless, in my testing, the laptop computer may principally sustain with my web looking habits (learn: a lot of YouTube tabs) and work-related apps, if not some stuttering as soon as the CPU was taxed.
I used this laptop computer for every week, taking it to and from the workplace and swapping it between my primary pc, and it dealt with fundamental productiveness duties nicely. Nevertheless, efficiency dips after you have a handful of apps open and begin making an attempt to maneuver rapidly between home windows.
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Relating to the keyboard and trackpad, I’ve no complaints about typing on the Aspire Go 15. The keys are mild, responsive, and quiet. If you happen to like backlights in your keyboards, you may discover none of those luxuries right here, however the keys’ textured really feel and springiness are positive. The trackpad would not really feel significantly high-end, nevertheless it’s well-positioned and does the job.
All the bodily type issue of this laptop computer will be described equally. Upon first inspection, the full-plastic physique feels a bit flimsy, and the show tends to wobble. The laptop computer’s silver-and-black coloration scheme offers off a impartial, non-descript aesthetic.
The 15-inch show is slightly fundamental and never very brilliant, nevertheless it does have good viewing-angle flexibility, in contrast to different Chromebooks or budget laptops. The 1080p full HD show has ample distinction, even when the 60Hz refresh fee is not phenomenal. I believe something lower than 75% brightness on this laptop computer is just too dim.
The number of ports right here can be simply sufficient. You get two USB-A ports, one USB-C, an HDMI port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Kensington lock slot. The charger that comes with the Aspire Go 15 is a cheap-feeling proprietary jack, however the laptop computer will also be charged by way of its USB-C port.
The audio system should not inspiring, as you may think for a $300 laptop computer. Though the audio system can get sufficiently loud, they’re skinny and tinny. Join your Bluetooth wireless earbuds or plug into the headphone jack to listen to higher audio.
So, let’s speak in regards to the battery lifetime of this laptop computer. I used the machine intermittently for a day and a half earlier than needing to plug it again in. In a extra demanding battery take a look at, the laptop computer lasted over 10 hours with a continuing livestream video operating. This battery life leads me to imagine that the {hardware} on this machine, even on the decrease finish, is at the very least well-optimized.
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Nevertheless, this laptop computer won’t final greater than a day of demanding, sustained use. If you happen to take the Acer Aspire Go 15 to the workplace and overlook your charger, you may get about seven to eight hours of life. However all issues thought-about, the battery energy on this machine rounds out the package deal properly.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
For the worth, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a strong decide for customers with out demanding efficiency necessities or for individuals who want a secondary laptop computer for touring. It is also an awesome decide for college kids looking for a funds laptop computer to carry on campus for note-taking and finishing assignments, and the machine is included in our best laptops for college list.
The sensible record of options, number of ports, and respectable battery life provide you with every thing you want and nothing you do not. The laptop computer is well-optimized to function inside its capabilities. Moreover, at simply $300, the worth is true.
