Acer Spin 714 14″ 2-in-1 Chromebook Review – CP714-1WN

Acer launched the Spin 714 a couple of years ago, offering two variants: one with the Intel Core i5-1235U, which is the focus of this review, and a more recent, slightly more affordable model featuring the i3-1315U processor.

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Specification

Design and Build Quality

The Acer Spin 714 is solidly built, with an aluminium chassis that gives it a premium feel compared to plastic competitors. While I wouldn’t describe it as attractive, the slim profile and minimalist design make it a bit more aesthetically pleasing than many chunkier laptops.

Weighing in at around 1.37 kg (3.02 lbs), the Spin 714 is portable without sacrificing durability. The 360-degree hinge is robust and facilitates easy switching between laptop, tablet, tent, and presentation modes. While the hinge itself is well-built, some users may find it slightly stiff, especially when trying to flip the screen into different positions quickly.

When it comes to build quality, the Spin 714 holds up well against daily wear and tear. The aluminium chassis resists dents and scratches, though fingerprints can be somewhat visible on the darker colour variants.

Ports

The port selection on the Spin 714 is commendable:

• 1x HDMI port
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port
• 2x USB-C ports supporting Thunderbolt 4 and USB charging (5V; 3A)

This array of ports offers flexibility for connecting various peripherals and external displays. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 is a nice addition, as it allows for high-speed data transfers and other data-intensive accessories such as monitors.

Display

The Spin 714 comes equipped with a 14-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) touchscreen, offering a 16:10 aspect ratio. This resolution provides a crisp and clear display for tasks like document editing, watching videos, and browsing the web. Colour accuracy is decent, making it a viable option for basic photo editing and media consumption, although users working in professional visual content creation might find the colour reproduction to be less than ideal compared to devices with more specialised displays.

Brightness levels, rated at around 400 nits, are more than sufficient for indoor use. However, it won’t be the best with outdoor visibility in direct sunlight, as reflections can become a distraction. The anti-glare coating helps, but it does not completely mitigate this issue.

The touchscreen is highly responsive, and the Gorilla Glass ensures it is durable enough to withstand frequent use. Interactions with the touchscreen are smooth and fluid, whether using fingers or the included stylus. The touch precision is especially helpful in tablet mode, where users may rely on swipes and taps for navigation.

Keyboard / Trackpad / Biometrics

The keyboard is backlit, which is a welcome feature for low-light environments. The key travel and tactile feedback are generally good, providing a comfortable typing experience for extended periods.

The touchpad uses Acer’s TouchPad technology and offers a smooth, responsive surface for navigation and gestures.

A fingerprint reader is included, adding an extra layer of security and convenience for quick logins.

Stylus

One of the unique features of the Acer Spin 714 is its integrated stylus, which is housed in a dedicated slot on the side of the device.

The stylus itself offers good precision, with minimal lag during use. It’s well-suited for note-taking apps like Google Keep or creative apps such as Sketchbook. The fact that it is always at hand and charges automatically is a convenience that many users will appreciate, especially those who use the 2-in-1 form factor in tablet mode.

While the stylus works well for most tasks, professionals who require high-end styluses for intricate design work might find it lacks the sensitivity and customisation of more specialised digital pens.

ChromeOS

Running on ChromeOS, the Spin 714 offers a streamlined, web-centric experience. ChromeOS has matured significantly over the years, now supporting Android apps from the Google Play Store and Linux applications. This expanded ecosystem provides users with a wide range of software options, bridging the gap between web-based and traditional desktop applications.

ChromeOS’s lightweight nature contributes to the device’s quick boot times and overall responsiveness. Regular automatic updates ensure that the operating system remains secure and up-to-date without user intervention.

While I like ChromeOS, I find it is best suited to general users. It is hard to break; you don’t have as many security concerns as Windows, and there is generally less maintenance. However, it is not as good for advanced users and doesn’t have access to as many applications as Windows.

Performance

The Chromebook is powered by Intel’s 12th-generation Core i5 processor, paired with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD storage. This configuration is more than sufficient for typical Chromebook tasks, such as browsing, streaming, and multitasking between apps. With its strong processor and memory, the device can handle more intensive tasks like photo editing, light video editing, and running Android apps without noticeable lag.

For users concerned about performance, it is worth noting that the Spin 714 handles Chrome OS smoothly. Even when pushing the system with multiple browser tabs and applications running simultaneously, performance remains stable. One of the significant advantages of this Chromebook is its ability to handle heavier workloads, thanks to its robust internals.

However, the lack of options for higher RAM configurations may be a limiting factor for users who require more memory for professional applications or extensive multitasking. The 256 GB SSD is also on the lower end for storage, especially when factoring in the increasing size of applications and media files. I haven’t opened up the Chromebook, but I expect you will be able to upgrade the storage if needed.

Connectivity

Wireless connectivity is decent for the Spin 714. It supports Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), which offers improved speed and reduced latency compared to previous Wi-Fi standards. This is particularly beneficial in congested wireless environments. But, as this is a couple of years old, there are now a growing number of devices with the significantly better Wi-Fi 7.

There is no Ethernet port, but this has become the norm for most laptops nowadays.

It also has Bluetooth for connecting to wireless peripherals.

Battery and Fan Noise

The Acer Spin 714 offers battery life that meets, but doesn’t exceed, expectations. Acer claims around 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, which aligns with what many users will experience in real-world scenarios. In typical usage, such as browsing the web, watching videos, and using productivity apps, the battery tends to last between 8 to 9 hours, depending on brightness settings and workload intensity.

While this battery life should suffice for most users, it falls short of some competitors in the premium Chromebook space that offer 12 to 14 hours. Heavy users who rely on the Chromebook for full-day work sessions without access to a charger might find the battery performance somewhat restrictive.

Charging the device is relatively fast, with the included USB-C charger supporting rapid charging. Users can expect to gain a significant amount of battery life with just a short charge, making it easier to top up throughout the day.

Regarding fan noise, the Spin 714’s cooling system is generally quiet. Under light to moderate loads, the fan noise is minimal. However, during more intensive tasks or in warm environments, the fans may become more noticeable. This is a common trade-off in thin and light devices that need to balance performance with thermal management.

Price and Alternative Options

The Acer Spin 714 with the i5-1335U Processor, 8GB RAM and 512GB storage is available from Currys for £799.

The i3-1315U model has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage and is available for £699.

Currys also have:

• Acer 515 15.6″ Chromebook Plus with i3-1215U Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage for £299.
• Acer CX34 14″ Chromebook Plus with i3-1215U Processor, 8GB RAM and 256GB storage for £299.
• Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 with i5-1235U Processor, 8GB RAM and 512GB of storage for £599.

The big concern here is that these premium Chromebooks cost as much as Windows laptops. At the time of writing, you can get:

• Acer Swift Go 14” with Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage and a 2.8K OLED display plus a better port selection for £799.
• Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro with Ultra 7 155H Processor, 16GB DDR5, and 512GB SSD for just £799.
• HP Pavilion SE 14″ with i5-1335U, 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD for £479.

Overall

The Acer Spin 714 is a well-rounded Chromebook that offers strong performance, a versatile form factor, and a premium build quality. Its combination of a responsive touchscreen, solid keyboard, and integrated stylus makes it a great option for students, professionals, and creatives alike.

However, the device does have some drawbacks. The 8GB of RAM, while sufficient for most ChromeOS tasks, may limit heavy multitaskers or those running more demanding applications. The price point, while justified by the features and build quality, maybe steep for those accustomed to budget Chromebook options.

I would say the main consideration is both the price and your specific needs. In the early days of Chromebooks, the hardware was lower-specced than Windows laptops, yet they ran well because ChromOS and its apps were less demanding than Windows.

With this Chromebook, it costs the same as the Acer Swift Go 14” but has inferior hardware. The only advantages it has are the touchscreen and stylus.

So you need to consider if you want the simplicity of ChromOS or the superior hardware and features of a Windows laptop but with more maintenance and complexity.

Overall, though, if you want a Chromebook and want the improved performance that these Intel processors provide, then the Acer Spin 714 is an excellent option.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.