Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 will get an NPU: Fingers on and primary impressions by way of NewsFlicks

Desk of Contents

Acer is upgrading considered one of its top rate convertible Chromebooks with extra AI prowess. Introduced as of late at IFA 2025 in Berlin, the newest Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 (CP514-5HN) packs a brand new MediaTek Kompanio Extremely chip that has a neural processing unit (NPU) with as much as 50 TOPS (or trillions of operations in keeping with moment), enabling a couple of unique tool options.

The Spin 514 is the one Chromebook Plus with an NPU but even so the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, which has the similar processor. Like its counterpart, the Spin 514 comes with a unfastened trial of Google AI Professional that unlocks one year of get admission to to complex AI equipment like Veo 3 Speedy and NotebookLM. It is an AI smorgasbord.

“With tough efficiency, AI equipment, and powerful and top rate construct, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 will empower creators, staff, and academics to create, paintings, and be productive from anyplace,” James Lin, Normal Supervisor of Notebooks at Acer, mentioned in a press liberate Tuesday.

One configuration of the Spin 514 launches on Acer’s web page this week at $749.99; any other will hit Easiest Purchase’s cabinets later this month for $50 much less, and I used to be one of the most first folks to take a look at it sooner than its formal release. I have simplest spent a day with it up to now, so I have never given it a proper score simply but (as in keeping with our computer trying out technique), however my preliminary impressions of it are certain. Splashy AI options apart, it is only a actually great finances 2-in-1 computer.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 specifications and availability

Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Acer despatched me a Spin 514 (fashion quantity CP514-1HN-K6DY) with the next specifications:

• MediaTek Kompanio Extremely 910 processor

• Arm Immortalis-G925 MC11 built-in graphics

• 12GB RAM

• 256GB UFS garage

• 14-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS touchscreen show with a 120Hz refresh charge, 16:10 side ratio, and stylus reinforce (bought one after the other)

• 1080p webcam (see under)

• WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4

• Non-backlit keyboard

• Two USB-C ports and a headphone jack at the left aspect; two USB-A ports and a Kensington lock slot at the proper

Whilst my evaluation unit got here provided with a 1080p webcam, the general model you’ll quickly acquire at Easiest Purchase may have a greater 5MP webcam. It is priced at $699.99 and set to release someday later this month.

Acer began promoting any other configuration on its web page for $799.99 on Sept. 4 (fashion quantity CP514-5HN-K4ZE). It comes with 16GB of RAM, a fingerprint reader, and a backlit keyboard, and its show has a better 2.8K solution however a decrease 60Hz refresh charge.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 design

Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The 2025 Spin 514 measures 12.32 x 9.13 x 0.61 inches and weighs 3 kilos, making it simplest relatively bulkier than an M4 MacBook Air. (Apple’s 13-inch fashion weighs 2.7 kilos and measures 0.44 inches skinny.) It is without a doubt svelte and transportable, even supposing it is not probably the most thin-and-light computer to be had.

The Spin 514 is at the pricier aspect for a Chromebook, however its design feels aptly top rate, and I am inspired by way of its construct high quality. There is 0 give to its lid after I press down within the middle of it. Its hinge wiggles somewhat bit after I regulate or faucet its display, however it holds very strong and does not creak after I turn the show round into tent mode. The Spin 514’s lid can rotate a complete 360 levels to put flat in pill mode, too.

Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Spin 514 is military-grade MIL-STD810H compliant, which mainly method it is been examined for excessive sturdiness. Acer says it could continue to exist four-foot drops and 25,000 open/shut cycles, to which I say: Let’s get YouTube’s tech-it at the case.

Aesthetically, the Spin 514 is a phenomenal computer that is simply flashy sufficient for my style. It has an aluminum external with reflective metal accents on its hinges and the outer edges of its most sensible duvet, which fit the iridescent “Acer” brand in the midst of the lid. Its Platinum Silver end alternatives up fingerprints beautiful simply, although.

The Spin 514’s keyboard duvet is constructed from matte plastic, however it does not really feel reasonable and suits the remainder of the chassis for a cohesive glance. I needed to hang it proper as much as my eyeballs to even realize that it is a other subject material.

Show

Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Spin 514’s higher and decrease bezels are somewhat chunky, however the touchscreen itself is beautiful and responsive. My evaluation unit did not include a stylus, so I did all of my scrolling and tapping with a fingertip. Giant ups to the truth that it has a 120Hz refresh charge, which made a Fortnite fit and a couple of fast-moving scenes in YouTube movies glance silky clean. (The Spin 514 is not technically a gaming Chromebook, however it is workable for gentle cloud gaming.) It is all the time great to look this spec on less expensive laptops.

Textual content and tinier main points did not appear blurry on my Spin 514, so with no need attempted its different configuration, I would not spend an additional $100 for a higher-res show with a worse refresh charge. Possibly believe upgrading for those who desperately want the additional 4 gigs of RAM, however 12GB is already so much for a Chromebook (and so is $700).

The display on my Spin 514 is rated at simplest 300 nits of brightness, so I most often used it cranked all of the manner as much as max. The pricier fashion’s show gives as much as 340 nits, which is a negligible distinction.

Keyboard and touchpad

Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Spin 514’s keyboard is excellent, for probably the most phase — snappy, comfy, and well-spaced — however it will get docked a couple of issues for having a hollow-sounding area bar and missing backlighting in addition to a fingerprint reader. Once more, each are to be had within the pricier configuration.

Of particular observe, there are devoted keys for the Launcher (a searchable get started menu) and for a “Fast Insert” device. The latter stocks a place with the caps lock.

The keyboard is constructed from Acer’s “OceanGlass” subject material. It is technically ocean-bound plastic, however it actually does really feel slightly so much like glass: It is comfortable and clean like velvet. Acer says it is moisture-resistant, so unintended espresso spills most definitely may not be a purpose for panic.

Audio system

Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Spin 514 has upward-firing audio system working down each side of its keyboard. They are somewhat tinny, however they are now not the worst-sounding computer audio system I have ever attempted (and there are some absolute stinkers available in the market). I have been taking note of Fleetwood Mac’s 1997 reside efficiency of “Silver Springs” virtually each day for the previous couple of weeks whilst finding out it at the piano; at the Spin 514, the audio is lacking some bass and intensity however differently transparent. The location of the audio system prevents them from sounding muffled.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 efficiency

The Spin 514 has a fan, in contrast to Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 14, however I could not get it to activate all through a handy guide a rough pressure take a look at with 20 Chrome tabs open and two apps working (YouTube and Recorder). It ran quiet and virtually utterly cool; the fan vent at the backside aspect of the device slightly were given heat.

Within the Android model of Primate Labs’ Geekbench 6 CPU benchmark, our different efficiency take a look at for Chromebooks, the Spin 514 were given a multi-core ranking of seven,187. That makes it the second-fastest fashion we have now attempted after the heftier Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE, which notched a ranking of seven,660. It beats 8 different fashions we have now attempted over the process the previous two years, together with an $819 HP Chromebook x360 14c (4,318) and a $699 Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (5,223).

Google AI options

Chromebook Plus fashions reinforce a set of AI options that you will not in finding on common Chromebooks. The Spin 514’s NPU provides two additional exclusives to the combo: a tab-sorting venture control device known as “clever grouping” and an on-device symbol editor throughout the Gallery app. I in brief attempted each.

To check clever grouping, I pulled up 5 tabs about the similar subject (horseback driving close to me) and 3 unrelated tabs in one Chrome window. After I pressed the F4 key, a bubble gave the impression within the decrease left-hand nook, prompting me to arrange a subject known as “Chicago Horse Using Data” in a brand new “table.” Clicking that button pulled the entire horseback riding-related tabs right into a separate workspace whilst holding the opposite tabs in my unique table. I have a tendency to be a tab minimalist, however I will see how this might be immensely helpful for multitaskers who stay a mishmash of web sites and home windows open directly.

Left:
Earlier than and after smart-grouping my tabs.
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Proper:
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Gallery app’s AI symbol editor comprises equipment that may make bigger and take away photos’ backgrounds, erase portions of a scene, and make stickers. I performed round with them the use of a photograph of a scorching canine I took at a Cubs recreation closing month, and lots of the effects have been beautiful clunky and fake-looking.

My unique image of the gorgeous Chicago dawg.
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The image with its background “expanded” the use of AI.
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The image with its background got rid of. (The “make a sticky label” device produced an an identical outcome.)
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

I attempted to erase the pickle on this one.
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Sensible grouping and the Gallery app’s symbol editor are each nonetheless “experimental” (in beta) and would possibly support with time.

Battery existence

I have never run a proper battery existence take a look at at the Spin 514 but, however Acer has it rated at as much as 17 hours of internet surfing in keeping with rate. If it lives as much as that quantity, that will put it properly over the nine-hour minimal we think to squeeze from Chromebooks.

Who will have to get the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514?

Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

In response to my few hours with the Spin 514 up to now, I believe it is a nice select for early AI adopters, but in addition simply any person who needs a cast finances 2-in-1 computer with a top rate design and just right quantity of energy for the fee. Its major rival is clearly the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, which gives a brighter (non-touch) OLED show, quad audio system with Dolby Atmos, and a backlit keyboard for $649.99, or $50 less expensive. Then again, it begins with part the garage and can not double as a pill.

The Spin 514’s battery existence will probably be a large figuring out consider my base line, so keep tuned.

UPDATE: Sep. 4, 2025, 1:05 p.m. EDT Listings for the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 (CP514-5HN) at the moment are reside. Acer in the beginning priced the upgraded fashion at $749.99, however it is in truth retailing for $799.99 on its web page. We now have up to date this tale accordingly.