The Acer Aspire 5 is a series of Windows laptops that offer a range of configurations and features for different needs and budgets. In this article, we will focus on the 14-inch model with an 11th-generation Intel Core i5 processor and integrated Iris Xe graphics, which is one of the most affordable options in the series. We will compare it with some other models in the same series, as well as some competitors from other brands, to help you decide if this is the right laptop for you.
Pros
- Competitive price: The 14-inch Aspire 5 with an i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage costs around $600 in the US and £450 in the UK, which is quite reasonable for a laptop with these specifications. You can also find some cheaper models with lower-end processors or smaller storage capacities, or some more expensive models with higher-end processors or dedicated graphics cards, depending on your needs and budget.
- Solid build quality: The Aspire 5 has a sturdy aluminum cover and a plastic base that feel durable and reliable. The laptop weighs 3.2 pounds and measures 0.71 inches thick, which is not too heavy or bulky for a 14-inch laptop. The hinge is smooth and stable, and the keyboard is comfortable and responsive, with a backlight option. The touchpad is large and supports Windows gestures.
- Decent battery life: The Aspire 5 can last for about 8 hours of web browsing or video streaming on a single charge, which is not exceptional but still respectable for a budget laptop. You can also use the power-saving mode to extend the battery life further if needed.
- Good connectivity: The Aspire 5 has a decent selection of ports, including one USB-C port, three USB-A ports (one with power-off charging), one HDMI port, one Ethernet port, one audio jack and one Kensington lock slot. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity.
Cons
- Modest performance: The Aspire 5 is not a powerhouse laptop that can handle intensive tasks such as gaming or video editing. The i5 processor and the integrated graphics are sufficient for everyday tasks such as web browsing, office work, streaming or casual gaming, but they may struggle with more demanding applications or multitasking. If you need more performance, you may want to consider some other models in the series that have higher-end processors or dedicated graphics cards, or some competitors from other brands that offer better performance for a similar price.
- Low-resolution webcam: The Aspire 5 has a 720p webcam that produces grainy and blurry images, especially in low-light conditions. This may not be a deal-breaker for some users, but if you need a high-quality webcam for video conferencing or online classes, you may want to invest in an external webcam or look for another laptop that has a better webcam.
- Limited display quality: The Aspire 5 has a 14-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, which is standard for a budget laptop. However, the display quality is not very impressive, as it has low brightness, contrast and color accuracy. The viewing angles are also narrow, and the screen may look washed out or dim in bright environments. If you care about display quality, you may want to look for another laptop that has a brighter or more colorful display.
Comparison
Here are some other models in the Aspire 5 series that you may want to compare with the 14-inch i5 model:
- Acer Aspire 5 (A515-57-59SF): This model has a larger 15.6-inch display with the same resolution as the 14-inch model. It also has an i5 processor, but with a slightly higher clock speed of 2.6GHz. It has more RAM (16GB) and more storage (1TB SSD), but it also costs more ($749 in the US).
- Acer Aspire Vero (AV15-51-75QQ): This model is part of Acer’s eco-friendly line of laptops that use recycled materials and have reduced packaging. It has a similar design and specifications as the 14-inch model, but with an i7 processor instead of an i5 processor. It also costs more ($899 in the US).
- Acer Aspire Vero (AV15-51-5155): This model is another eco-friendly option that has an i5 processor, but with less RAM (4GB) and less storage (256GB SSD) than the 14-inch model. It also has a lower price ($499 in the US).
Here are some competitors from other brands that you may want to compare with the 14-inch i5 model:
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Go: This laptop has a smaller 12.4-inch display with a lower resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels. It also has an i5 processor, but with less RAM (4GB) and less storage (64GB eMMC). It has a sleek and lightweight design, but it also has fewer ports and a shorter battery life than the Aspire 5. It costs $549 in the US and £549 in the UK.
- Teclast Tbolt 10 DG: This laptop has a larger 15.6-inch display with the same resolution as the Aspire 5. It also has an i7 processor, but with more RAM (8GB) and more storage (256GB SSD). It has a dedicated graphics card (Nvidia GeForce MX250) that can handle some gaming or video editing. It also has a lower price ($524 in the US and £379 in the UK), but it may have lower build quality and customer service than the Aspire 5.
- Acer Swift 3: This laptop is another option from Acer that has a similar design and specifications as the Aspire 5, but with some improvements. It has a brighter and more colorful display, a fingerprint reader, a longer battery life and a thinner and lighter chassis. It also costs more ($699 in the US and £649 in the UK).
Conclusion
The Acer Aspire 5 is a budget laptop that offers solid performance and battery life for everyday tasks. It has a sturdy and reliable design, a decent selection of ports and a competitive price. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as modest performance, low-resolution webcam and limited display quality. If you need more performance, display quality or webcam quality, you may want to consider some other models in the series or some competitors from other brands that offer better features for a similar price.
