Acer has emerged as a name to reckon with in consumer laptops for different audiences. It excels at building machines that deliver value for money, offering satisfactory performance and compelling audio visuals at prices far lower than many contemporaries. Even so, Acer is mindful of infusing its laptops with the newest technologies like fanless heat management, DTS Audio, and Wi-Fi 6E. It takes pride in keeping prices down without cutting too many corners.
Acer is also renowned for its monstrous gaming machines from the Predator series. These powerhouses boast unbelievable specs and designs that seem battle-ready. They usually support ample overclocking and offer immersive displays and smooth sound. Many multimedia enthusiasts now opt for Acer laptops to experience an edge in sound output and run resource-intensive applications for editing.
Should you get an Acer laptop?
Choosing an Acer machine can bring you good value for money, bundling several premium features without breaking the bank. Acer has an incredible selection with numerous lines you can explore. The company is keen on innovation and portability, keeping its devices mobile and in sync with the newest display tech, audio, and connections. Another advantage is that Acer laptops usually have parts that are easy to replace unless you are talking of high-end machines.
A stylish look and feel is part of the package since Acer laptops tend to be sleek, cool, lightweight, and professional. The gaming machines are imposing and intimidating, while the convertibles are ready for the road.
On the flip side, an Acer laptop may not be as durable as they come. All that affordability does take its toll, and some users may find the brand not as long-lasting as they would like. However, Acer keeps endeavoring for longevity with features like military-grade build and Gorilla Glass. It has also developed a fast and dependable customer support team.
Best Acer Laptops 2022: Acer Offerings for all User Groups
Acer appeals to varied sensibilities, whether you are a college student looking for a budget-friendly laptop or a committed gamer scouting for a professional gaming machine. The company embraces the latest technologies and innovations in display and sound without compromising its value proposition.
Today, the company has offerings in multiple budgets: from as little as $400 to $3000 and more. We have collected the best Acer laptops you can explore today, divided across categories. They have good reviews for performance, durability, and user-friendliness – aspects that matter when you dish out hard-earned cash.
Best Overall: Acer Swift 3 Intel Evo Thin & Light Laptop
- Reliable everyday performance
- Portable build
- Fabulous QHD display
- Affordable
- Good battery backup
- Low brightness
- Webcam is just about average
Long-lasting, responsive, and budget-friendly, the Acer Swift 3 Intel Evo thin & light laptop is a fabulous option for most users. It costs only $1,129.99 and bundles up a lot at that price point, including a 14″ QHD panel and a 100% sRGB color gamut. It runs on an Intel Core i7-1260P processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The reliable battery backup of 10.5 hours lets you work from anywhere. Moreover, this 2.76lbs Swift device charges up quickly, powering to 4.5 hours of use in 30 minutes. The connectivity front gets sorted with Killer Wi-Fi 6E and a secure fingerprint reader.
Acer has worked to deliver an engaging audio-visual experience through premium features like DTS Audio and temporal noise reduction. The panel also limits blue light and ghosting to render quality output in different lighting conditions.
The brightness of 300 nits can be a dampener. You may also miss the shine of discrete graphics (this one comes with Intel Iris). Still, it is good value for money for day-to-day computing needs like remote work, making calls, and streaming.
Best 2-in-1: Acer Spin 5 Intel Evo Convertible Laptop
- Very portable, flexible, and sleek design
- Good sound output
- Engaging display with a precise stylus
- Battery backup is not great
- It does not come free of bloatware
- The sound could be better
The 14″ Acer Spin 5 Intel Evo convertible laptop has a 360° hinge that you can spin around to experience the best usage position. A 2560 x 1600 display sports 425 nits of brightness and a 100% sRGB color gamut for an accurate, realistic rendition of your content. It is a high-performing laptop, running on an Intel Core i7-1260P processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
Acer offers a precise stylus with this $1,349.99 purchase to let you make the most of the responsive display. It comes with a report rate of 266Hz to reduce the latency and enhance the comfort of using the pen. The screen adheres to TÜV certification for low blue-light emissions. You can enjoy the engaging feel of the distraction-free screen (screen-to-body ratio of 88%).
It is a mobile, sleek laptop at 2.87lbs and 0.67”. It also offers Killer Wi-Fi 6E for fast and dependable connectivity. The sound output depends on DTS audio and technologies for noise reduction.
Best Gaming: Acer Predator Triton 500 SE Gaming Laptop
- Great gaming-level performance
- Beautiful and bright display
- It offers Wi-Fi 6E for fast connectivity
- Expensive
- The keyboard (especially the touchpad) needs to be better
- Cooling is not too effective
The Predator lineup is one of Acer’s prominent gaming offerings with quite a reputation for excellent audio-visuals and performance. The Acer Predator Triton 500 SE gaming laptop gets its power from an efficient Intel Core i9-12900H processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics card (with G-SYNC) to let you get the most of technologies like ray tracing. The heat dissipation is also effective, thanks to the improved airflow with AeroBlade 3D fans.
A gorgeous 16″ WQXGA display panel with a refresh rate of 240Hz lets you enjoy all sorts of games, including ones with rapid transitions and changes. Color accuracy is satisfying with the color gamut of DCI-P3 100%. We love the brightness rating of 500 nits; you get assured of vividness in all kinds of lighting. DTS:X Ultra sound enhances the sound to boost gameplay.
Here is the downside: it is pricey at $2,990.67. But Acer packs premium features in the 5.29lbs package, including Killer Wi-Fi 6E for rapid connectivity and an RGB keyboard with 3-zone lighting.
Best Cheap: Acer Aspire 5 A515-56
- Very cheap
- Portable build
- Ergonomic design
- Average performance
- The touchpad may rattle a little
- Contains bloatware
It does not get any better than the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56 at $399.99 if you want a cheap laptop that does not disappoint in performance. The processing chamber hosts an Intel Core i3-1115G4 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Since this laptop uses Windows 11 Home in S mode, you get a performance edge in responsiveness and security. You can even control the speed of the fan with a keyboard shortcut.
The display front is also not too bad for the price. You get a 15.6″ FHD monitor and an impressive screen-to-body ratio of 82.58% for distraction-free viewing. Acer uses True Harmony technology for better sound output to further improve your multimedia experiences. The ergonomic hinge is handy to fine-tune the audio output, typing, and heat dissipation.
It is a user-friendly computer even when you work on the run. You can stay connected with Wi-Fi 6 and work in dim lighting with the backlit keyboard. Also, since the battery backup is not too low at 8.5 hours, you can be comfortable working outside the office. This lightweight device weighs 3.63lbs and measures only 0.7” – sleek and compact enough for travel.
Best Chromebook: Acer Chromebook Spin 514
- Good battery backup and rapid charging
- Sturdy build
- Vivid display and sound
- Average performance
- Rather heavy
Acer is well-known for its high-quality, portable Chromebooks that support remote work like a charm. The Chromebook Spin 514 at $699.99 is an excellent choice with decent performance, high responsiveness, Intel Wi-Fi 6, and good battery life. It lasts up to 10 hours on one charge and can power up to 50% in only half an hour. The Chrome OS is the true hero here, offering virus protection, auto-updates, and quick load times for fast-paced lifestyles. It runs on an Intel Core i3-1110G4 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD.
Let us discuss the display. You get 14 inches of FHD with an IPS panel and Gorilla Glass protection. The Acer CineCrystal technology and the color gamut of 100% sRGB ensure a vibrant and meticulous rendition of your content. Acer manages to deliver a screen-to-body ratio of 84%.
Chromebooks have always been high on flexibility and ease of use. This one has a backlit keyboard and military-grade build (MIL-STD-810H). It has a sleek but rather heavy chassis (4.91lbs, 0.67”) with a fanless design for disturbance-free work.
Conclusion
The right Acer laptop can provide you with all the ammunition: ergonomics, performance, multimedia, and connections. The best part about picking an Acer machine is the sheer range you can explore. The company has diversified into an extensive family of laptops that cater to almost every need: business, college, gaming, traveling, you got this.
If you need an all-rounder device with good performance and unplugged usage, the Acer Swift 3 is a good option. Laptops from the Predator series work well for gaming, multimedia activities, and creative needs. The Acer Predator Triton 500 SE comes with a high refresh rate and Wi-Fi 6E to deliver an engaging and productive platform for your work.
The Aspire range is a treat for budget-watchers. Machines like the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56 are incredibly cheap but deliver standard performance for everyday life, along with good responsiveness and mobility.
If you want a Chromebook, we recommend the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 for its superior audio-visuals and sturdy build. A convertible like the Acer Spin 5 can also work well for travel and hybrid work environments.
