# Review: Acer Chromebook Plus 515 takes the new standard and runs with it
Late last year Google unveiled “Chromebook Plus,” a new tier to help customers get better Chromebooks. Acer is among the early adopters, and after spending some time with the Acer Chromebook Plus 515, there is something here. Chromebooks have long been known as cheap laptops with limited functionality. But, as many are beginning to learn, there is more to it than that. Chromebook Plus is the biggest push to prove that Chromebooks are more than just a browser that we’ve seen in a long time. You can read our full article to learn more, but the basic idea of the Chromebook Plus is to have a list of laptops with the same horsepower, color, and features. The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is the one I’ve had the pleasure of using for the past few months, and I think it embodies this concept well.
This laptop is a $400~ machine with a plastic 15.6-inch, 1080p display. It’s a good ChromeOS drive, but what’s notable here is how it holds together. The build is plastic, but it doesn’t feel cheap. There’s some flexibility to the laptop’s desk and lid, but the hinge is solid, and everything feels great whether you’re using it on a desk or on your lap. Something that really stood out to me on the hardware front was the keyboard, which feels great for the price of this machine. The keys are tactile and the layout is excellent for a large size.
On either side, you’ll also find high-end speakers that, while not surprising, are a big step up from the low-end speakers you get at these prices. My main complaint in this part of the machine is the trackpad, which is used on the top, and on the bottom too. It gets the job done, but I can’t wait for the day when these haptic trackpads that HP and other brands are getting good at these days start making their way to cheaper machines. Another thing I’d like to see more of in a device like this is the fingerprint sensor. It’s too basic to not have at this point, and I feel like Google should have included it as a feature in the Chromebook Plus.
There’s also no backlighting on the keyboard, which is a bit of a shame and something I’d expect at this price. Acer says this is “optional”, but I can’t find the controls it offers in the US. Likewise, there is no barrier, being again “optional” but not offered on the model sold in the US. The display on the Chromebook Plus 515 isn’t anything to write home about, but it’s good. It looks great at 1080p and is much brighter than I expected. I wouldn’t go outside to use it outside in the sun, but in the indoor environment most people who buy a 15.6-inch laptop want to use their machine, this is acceptable. The main thing I did, however, was change the zoom. The default settings leave the UI elements small which felt a little off to me, so I increased the size to 115% (1670×939).
As far as performance goes, the Intel Core i3 (12th Gen) and 8GB of RAM have been more than enough for the tasks I throw at it – web browsing, writing in Google Docs or WordPress, playing the occasional video, etc. With 10 or more tabs open, it doesn’t feel cramped, which is a big plus in my book. And even if you don’t use that extra power for normal browsing, it’s useful to have it because ChromeOS is so lightweight. It’s easy to jump into Linux if you want powerful apps and, if you also have an Android phone, the hardware options keep getting bigger.
Battery life is the same, unsurprisingly. I’ve been able to use it for about 8 hours, but that’s more than I’ve had with this as a stand-by machine in the few months I’ve had it. It holds its battery well over time, and I rarely have to think about turning it off. It also charges via USB-C, meaning any charger can charge it (but the included one will be faster). Having USB-C ports on both sides is much appreciated. The port content is good, with two USB-C ports, a large HDMI port, a USB-A port, and a headphone jack. It’s a standard package for a Chromebook, and I think it’s a great feature for a large machine like this that will be used at home. That HDMI port was very useful for connecting to a TV, as it is something that many other laptops leave out.
Chromebook Plus as a standard is a big push on Google’s end, but it always depends on the devices that its partners release. The Acer Chromebook Plus 515, to me, feels like a great interpretation of Google’s vision. It’s a solid laptop that’s not going to compromise in places you can’t feel it. The gameplay, display, and keyboard are all great, and that’s what matters most. At its usual $399, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a solid option, but you probably won’t pay that much. Right now, the machine is on sale at Best Buy for $299, which is great for a great laptop.
