Acer presents 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 its latest AI-powered Chromebook SoC in the Kompanio 838, and now we have Acer with several new Chromebook Plus models for businesses and consumers. Let’s take a quick look at the new Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 and Chromebook Plus 515 Enterprise.

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514

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

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

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 Key Specifications

• 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 touch screen
• USI pen support
• Up to 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM
• Up to 256 GB NVMe
• QHD or 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction
• Blue glass lens with privacy shutter
• 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
• OceanGlass touchpad
• 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 initially see in Best Buy stores will be the model s Intel Core 3-100U, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS storage for $549.99. I suspect there’s a small chance the fingerprint scanner has been omitted from this model, and I’d guarantee the webcam option is the 1080p version, not the QHD. Those things aren’t certain, but based on historical data, that’s probably what we’ll see with the spec-boosted models going on sale at Acer a little later.

Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 515

When I first saw this listing, I wasn’t sure if they were just re-releasing the existing Chromebook Plus 515, but after seeing the specs and images, this is clearly a new device. And I really like how it looks. Acer says this will only become available through commercial sales channels, so we may not see this Chromebook on store shelves; but there is always a chance.

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

Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 515 Key Specifications

• 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 screen (touch optional)
• Up to 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM
• Up to 256 GB NVMe
• 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction
• Blue glass lens with privacy shutter
• 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
• Optional fingerprint scanner
• OceanGlass touchpad
• 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 GE’s existing Chromebook Plus 515 and new Chromebook Plus 516 already in stores, I don’t know if this device would have a place in the consumer space, but it’s interesting nonetheless. I like the way it looks and the color update is quite attractive. Expect it to launch in June in North America and EMEA.