Acer unveils 2 new Chromebook Plus models at Computex 2024

Ahead of Computex 2024 in Taipei, we’re seeing some interesting Chromebook news. Earlier today, MediaTek announced their latest Chromebook SoC with AI in the Kompanio 838, and now we have Acer with several new Chromebook Plus models for both Enterprise and consumers. Let’s take a quick look at the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 and Chromebook Plus 515 Enterprise.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514

We’ll start with the more interesting of the two models as the new Spin 514 will be only the second Plus model from Acer to be convertible. While it likely won’t be as high-end as the Spin 714 we saw at Google’s Chromebook event last week, the images and specs of this new device from Acer look pretty sweet.

With a 16:10 1080p display, upward-firing speakers, a backlit keyboard, and generally nice aesthetics, I’m very curious to see how this Chromebook feels in the hand. Acer says it will start at $549.99 at Best Buy when it launches in August in North America (July for EMEA), so I’m hoping the build quality holds up and the display is good too. There will be quite a few SKUs of this device (and an Enterprise-focused model), so let’s get all those specs out of the way and then discuss what we’ll see in store to begin with.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 Key Features

• Up to Intel Core 7-150U processor (options for Core 5-120U, Core 3-100U, Core i5-1335U and Core i3-1315U)
• 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS touchscreen
• Support for USI pen
• Up to 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM
• Up to 256 GB NVMe
• QHD or 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction
• Blue glass lens with privacy shutters
• 2x USB Type-C
• 1x USB 3.2 Type A
• HDMI 1.4
• 10 hour battery
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Backlit keyboard
• Fingerprint scanner
• Touch OceanGlass
• 12.59 x 9.05 x 0.82 inches / 319.9 x 229.9 x 20.9 mm
• 3.31-pounds / 1.5 kg
• MIL-STD 810H

What we will see in Best Buy stores to begin with will be the model with Intel Core 3-100U, 8GB RAM and 128GB UFS storage for $549.99. I’d imagine there’s a small chance the fingerprint scanner isn’t out of this model, and I’d guarantee the webcam option is the 1080p version, not QHD. These things aren’t certain, but based on historical data, that’s what we’ll see with the upgraded spec models on sale at Acer directly below.

Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 515

When I first saw this listing, I wasn’t sure if they were just relaunching the existing Chromebook Plus 515, but after seeing the specs and images, this is definitely a new device all around. And I really like her look. Acer says this will only be made available through commercial sales channels, so we may or may not ever see this Chromebook hit store shelves; but there is always a chance.

The entry-level SKUs with Core 3-100U and 8GB of RAM are well priced (for Enterprise options), starting at $649.99, so I could see this device being very attractive, the larger being quite popular with businesses looking to deploy a lightweight (3.7 pounds), large-screen Chromebook on a reasonable budget.

Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 515 Key Features

• Up to Intel Core 7-150U processor (options for Core 5-120U, Core 3-100U, Core i5-1335U and Core i3-1315U)
• 15.6-inch 1920×1080 IPS display (touch optional)
• Up to 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM
• Up to 256 GB NVMe
• 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction
• Blue glass lens with privacy shutters
• 2x USB Type-C
• 1x USB 3.2 Type A
• HDMI 1.4
• 10 hour battery
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Backlit keyboard with numeric keypad
• Fingerprint scanner is optional
• Touch OceanGlass
• 14.2 x 9.39 x 0.79 inches / 360.6 x 238.4 x 19.95 mm
• 3.7 pounds / 1.68 kg
• MIL-STD 810H

With the existing Chromebook Plus 515 and the new GE Chromebook Plus 516 already in stores, I don’t know that this device would have a place in the consumer space, but it’s still an interesting device. I like the look of it and the color update is quite attractive. Look for it to launch in June in both North America and EMEA.