The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a rugged Chromebook designed for someone who needs a device built for productivity and reliable performance. It boasts a large 15.6-inch touch display, stereo speakers, and full-sized keyboard, including a numeric keypad. It also boasts a 15.6: display that can be configured with touch features.
The Chromebook Plus 515 is a powerful productivity-forward Chromebook for those that want to be productive as well as enjoy web browsing, music, and streaming.
Acer Chromebook Plus 515: Getting Started
After unboxing I was able to set up the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 just like any other Chrome device by simply logging in with my Google account. Once I finished some of the set up steps the device was ready for use.
Right from the start I could tell this device was quite powerful. Everything loaded very quickly and the response to more processor heavy tasks was handled without issue. It has a sturdy build to take abuse while on the go but is not too heavy for a device its size.
I liked the responsiveness and accuracy of the touchscreen as well as the quality images it produced. The speakers did a nice job delivering clear sound in both video and music streaming, while the battery delivered with a respectable charge to get me through a workday. Although, as with any cordless device your battery life may vary depending on use. But, overall it did a very nice job for all of my tasks.
I found the Chromebook Plus AI features to be a great help with both productivity and research tasks. It allows for text generation, live video/audio captioning, and basic image editing, all of which worked very well and are great additions.
I also liked how AI is integrated into so many areas of the ecosystem with new features being rolled out at a nice pace.
Acer Chromebook Plus 515: Key Specifications
- Display - 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 IPS (non-touch or touch)
- Processor - Intel Core i3-1215U (configurable up to Core i7-1355U)
- RAM - 8GB LPDDR5X (up to 16GB in higher configs)
- Storage - 128GB UFS (up to 512GB in higher configs)
- Graphics - Intel UHD
- Ports - 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, HDMI 1.4, 3.5mm audio jack
- Connectivity - Wifi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
- Webcam - 1080p with privacy shutter
- Dimensions - 14.2 x 9.4 x 0.79 inches (approx. 360.6 x 238.4 x 19.95mm)
- Weight - 3.7 pounds (1.68 kg)
- Battery - 53Wh, up to 8 hours per charge
- Build - Plastic chassis, MIL-STD 810H durability
Acer Chromebook Plus 515: Cost
The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 as tested is priced at $399.99
Acer Chromebook Plus 515: Key Takeaways
The Chromebook Plus 515 offers performance for everyday tasks such as writing, web browsing, and streaming, thanks to its Intel Core i3 (or higher) processor and 8GB of RAM. The large 15.6-inch 1080p screen is large and the option touchscreen is very responsive. The upward-facing stereo speakers are a standout feature, delivering surprisingly good sound for a Chromebook.
The device offers a wide selection of ports, including two USB-C, one USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack, making it versatile for peripherals and external displays. The AI features of Chromebook Plus such as text generation and live captioning, work well and add value, especially for productivity.
Overall, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is an excellent choice for students, writers, and anyone needing a reliable, affordable large-screen Chromebook for everyday productivity. It may need a bit of a charge for long, heavy-use days, but its performance, port selection, and speakers make it a standout in its price range.
