Acer Chromebook 314 Review

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Acer Chromebook 314

Acer Chromebook 314

USD
8.2

Value for Money Score

8.2/10

Reliability Score

8.2/10

Performance Score

8.4/10

Specifications and Features Score

8.1/10

Design Score

8.2/10

Pros

  • Better battery life
  • Lightweight
  • Flexible and powerful connectivity
  • Budget oriented
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Average keyboard and touchpad
  • Basic exterior case
  • No HDMI or Thunderbolt 3 port
  • Average speakers
  • Not for high end users

Verdict

The Acer Chromebook 314 is a lightweight laptop that runs on Chrome OS, making it ideal for multitasking. It offers a comfortable user experience and is designed for basic workloads. With its bright and lightweight design, this laptop is perfect for on-the-go use.

Acer Chromebook 314 & Variants Price

Acer Chromebook 314 Overview

The Acer Chromebook 314 is not a Windows laptop; instead, it runs on Google applications.

It is a portable and lightweight laptop that excels at multitasking, making it ideal for travel and student use.

It is specifically designed for children studying at home or students studying remotely.

In terms of appearance, it has a simple and unassuming exterior, distinguishing it from more stylish laptops.

The components of the Acer Chromebook 314 are top-notch, ensuring optimal performance for users.

Moreover, it is highly secure and reliable, providing efficient and convenient usage. The laptop offers excellent connectivity options for seamless multitasking.

This versatile laptop is suitable for both entertainment and work purposes, making it a reliable choice for users.

It falls within an affordable price range, appealing to many budget-conscious individuals.

While it may not be a high-end laptop, it efficiently handles basic workloads and multitasking.

The Acer Chromebook 314 is well-suited for users seeking a laptop for basic tasks without unnecessary complexity.

Acer Chromebook 314

Buy for: Lightweight, better battery life, and budget-oriented.

Beware of: Average components, dull exterior case.

Best uses for: Internet browsing, kids, home schooling and other purposes.

The alternatives:

Design & Build

The Acer Chromebook 314 is a highly affordable laptop that offers great flexibility and ease of use. It is a secure and portable device with a simple and unassuming design.

The exterior design of this machine is basic and ordinary, catering to a wide range of users, including students and office-goers. It weighs approximately 4.86 lbs and comes in silver or platinum color options.

Acer Chromebook 314 Exterior Design

This versatile laptop is designed with user convenience in mind, adapting to different usage scenarios and environments.

It is highly portable and easy to carry, making it suitable for both students and professionals.

The laptop features a 14-inch full HD display, which provides a clear and immersive viewing experience for office work and studying.

The display is a large 14-inch full HD IPS panel with an anti-glare coating, offering a spacious workspace and enhancing productivity in well-lit conditions.

Acer Chromebook 314 Display

The Acer Chromebook 314 prioritizes mobility and convenience, featuring a slim and lightweight design that requires minimal effort to carry.

It offers a superior visual experience, particularly beneficial for students conducting research work.

While primarily intended for student-like environments, this laptop can also be used for professional purposes in an office setting.

It offers an average resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, which is suitable for most users within its price range.

Although not a high-end laptop, it performs efficiently for basic workloads, providing reliability and convenience.

The keyboard and touchpad are average in quality, while the full-size keyboard ensures comfortable typing.

Acer Chromebook 314 Keyboard and Trackpad

The laptop’s dimensions are 12.81 x 9.13 x 0.78 inches. Unlike some laptops in its range and a few Chromebooks, it does not have a touchscreen feature.

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Additionally, the laptop lacks a fingerprint scanner despite its emphasis on security.

Nevertheless, the overall design and build of the device are suitable and efficient for a wide range of users.

Performance

The experience provided by this device is characterized by components that are not high-end but well-suited for normal speed and performance.

It is a laptop designed for tasks that do not require in-depth or intensive processing. This laptop offers different variants that distinguish it from one another.

The machine caters to users from various professions, including researchers, students, office workers, daily users, children, and more.

The Acer Chromebook 314 is equipped with an integrated processor, specifically the Intel Celeron N4000.

The processor has 2 cores, representing the first variant of the device. It operates at a base speed of 1.1 GHz, which can be boosted up to 2.6 GHz using Intel Burst Technology.

The presence of Intel Burst Technology enhances the efficiency and speed of the processor.

The laptop delivers satisfactory performance for users with light workloads, research tasks, and similar requirements.

However, the processor is not suitable for overclocking or demanding tasks that require advanced processing capabilities.

Its performance is optimized for the specific tasks intended for this laptop, particularly light work.

This laptop variant does not differ significantly from the main variant in terms of specifications.

It includes an integrated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).

The GPU in this case is the Intel UHD Graphics 600, which is not designed for high-end gaming with the latest titles in the market.

It can handle low-resolution gaming, but it is important to note that this laptop is not primarily meant for gaming purposes and the graphics performance is not high-end.

These features contribute to the overall performance and speed of the laptop.

One distinctive feature of this laptop is its operating system, which sets it apart from many other laptops in its range.

The Acer Chromebook 314 runs on the Chrome OS, an operating system exclusively found on Chromebooks.

This operating system is provided by Google and is the latest version.

It offers built-in virus protection, automatic updates, and quick startup times, ensuring the laptop remains fast and efficient over time.

Furthermore, an internet connection is required for connectivity as this laptop heavily relies on online services and applications.

RAM and Storage

This device is equipped with RAM and storage that complement the other components of the laptop, ensuring reliable performance.

One notable feature of this laptop, which is often not found in many laptops within its price range but is common among Chromebooks, is its dependable storage capability.

The primary variant of this laptop model features 4GB of onboard LPDDR4 memory (RAM) and 64GB of embedded multi-media controller (eMMC) storage.

This device also provides built-in storage for easy offline access to essential files. Additionally, users can benefit from an extra 100GB of Google Drive space, which automatically backs up all their files.

The alternative variant of this laptop model offers 4GB of onboard LPDDR4 RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage.

It comes with the same built-in storage capacity as the primary variant. Despite the presence of RAM and storage, this device remains lightweight and portable, without being bulky.

The storage capacity of the laptop does not significantly affect its weight, making it efficient and reliable for users.

With this machine, users can effortlessly back up task files, documents, movies, videos, and more without any additional hassle.

Ports & Connectivity

The connectivity options available on this laptop are essential for seamless multitasking and other tasks.

This laptop features ports that are suitable for office work, research tasks, daily activities, and more.

Whether you use it at home, in the office, or educational institutions, the laptop provides the same standard set of ports found in all laptops and Chromebooks.

The device includes 2 USB Type-C ports, which support ultra-fast data transfer, battery charging, and even video streaming.

Acer Chromebook 314 Ports

This makes it incredibly convenient for users to work with the Acer Chromebook 314.

Additionally, it features a reversible USB 3.1 Type-C connector, ensuring hassle-free USB connection without worrying about its orientation.

The USB 3.1, also known as Universal Serial Bus, offers a speed ten times faster than USB 2.0, providing efficient data transfer.

Furthermore, the laptop is equipped with 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, further enhancing its convenience.

It also features a headphone jack for connecting microphones, speakers, and headsets, catering to various audio needs.

The laptop includes a DC-in charging port for power supply and a Micro SD slot for additional storage.

These ports enable users to utilize the laptop for entertainment and research purposes. They facilitate multitasking and connecting external devices to the laptop.

The presence of an SD card reader is especially useful for students and researchers who often need to transfer files via an SD card, making the laptop highly convenient.

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This comprehensive range of ports enhances the efficiency and usability of the entire laptop, making it an ideal choice for basic computing and student-friendly usage.

It’s worth noting that unlike many laptops within its range, this Chromebook does not include an HDMI port or Thunderbolt 3 port.

Additionally, it lacks an optical drive, which aligns with the trend of modern laptops omitting this feature.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Acer Chromebook 314 boasts excellent performance. It comes with Intel Gigabit Wi-Fi, providing robust and consistent wireless signals.

With support for 1.73 Gbps throughput using 160MHz channels, the laptop ensures high-speed wireless connections.

Its dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11ac wireless antenna, strategically positioned, enhances wireless stability.

Moreover, it incorporates 2 x 2 MU-MIMO Technology for Multi-User, Multiple-Input, and Multiple-Output, enabling faster wireless speeds and simultaneous connectivity to multiple devices.

The laptop is also equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless wireless communication.

The combination of efficient wireless connectivity and the comprehensive range of ports makes this laptop highly versatile for various purposes.

Battery Life

This laptop operates on a single Lithium-ion battery, which is a common choice among laptops in its range.

Renowned for its exceptional battery life, this device can last up to 12.5 hours on a single charge. It’s important to note that the battery consumption depends on the tasks being performed on the laptop.

If the tasks are power-intensive and don’t require much battery efficiency, the laptop will consume power accordingly. Conversely, if the user engages in more demanding tasks that require deeper utilization of the machine’s capabilities, the battery consumption will be higher.

The laptop is designed for regular use, work, entertainment purposes, movie watching, research tasks, and more.

Thanks to its robust battery life, the Acer Chromebook 314 allows users to go about their work without constantly needing to carry the power adapter. With a full charge, users can confidently use the laptop throughout the day without needing to plug it in.

It offers extended hours of usage before requiring a recharge. Hence, this device delivers an impressive battery performance.

The laptop’s reliable and efficient components contribute to its optimized power consumption, allowing users to carry out their tasks with minimal strain on the battery.

Additional Features

The Acer Chromebook 314 is an efficient and reliable system that excels at performing tasks without disappointing the user.

While it may not be a high-end machine, it delivers reliable performance that suits everyday tasks.

In addition, this laptop offers impressive visual performance and includes notable additional features that often stand out even more than the main features.

These additional features enhance the laptop’s security and efficiency, reflecting its reliability and effectiveness.

One standout feature is its future-proof processing capability, delivering performance that exceeds expectations.

This enables users to effortlessly multitask, keeping multiple pages open simultaneously, making it ideal for productivity.

Furthermore, the laptop boasts impressive productivity with faster boot times and user-friendly interface.

It offers seamless integration and built-in malware protection, ensuring a secure computing experience.

The Acer Chromebook 314 prioritizes security with multiple layers of protection and automatic updates, providing peace of mind to users.

Setting up the laptop is a breeze; users can simply log into their Google account to access backed-up files and personalized Chrome preferences.

The Chromebook’s versatility extends to its capability for seamless collaboration. Users can sync documents and files with colleagues or family members using Hangout Meet.

The device also eliminates the need for an external monitor, allowing users to cast their Chrome browser tabs to Chromecast-enabled televisions.

Moreover, the laptop provides access to a wide range of applications, empowering users to complete their work and enjoy entertainment.

With popular applications like Microsoft Word and entertainment platforms like Netflix, users can stay productive and entertained.

The device comes pre-loaded with Google applications and offers compatibility with Microsoft Office files, allowing easy editing and conversion to Google Docs.

Additionally, the Chromebook grants access to over 2 million Android apps from the Google Play Store, providing versatile resources for learning and task execution.

The Chromebook is also suitable for family use, allowing the addition of multiple users and providing a safe environment for children with family link supervision.

It is a student-friendly device that facilitates distance learning and offers digital well-being tools from Google.

These tools, such as “do not disturb” and night mode, help users establish a healthy relationship with their devices, ensuring work-life balance and overall well-being.

Furthermore, the laptop features a high-quality webcam with HD resolution and wide-angle lenses, making it suitable for professional use, office work, entertainment, and research purposes.

Acer Chromebook 314 Webcam

Built-in stereo speakers and a microphone further enhance the device’s capabilities for entertainment and various tasks.

Overall, the Acer Chromebook 314’s additional components serve as valuable bonuses, providing users with a comfortable and efficient experience while prioritizing their health and well-being.

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Specs:

  • Brand: Acer
  • Screen: 14 inches
  • Display: 1920 x 1080
  • Storage: 64GB
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage Type: eMMC
  • RAM Type: LPDDR4
  • Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
  • Graphics: Intel UHD graphics 600
  • Processor Speed: 1.1 GHz and up to 2.6 GHz with Intel Burst Technology
  • Processor Brand: Intel
  • Product Dimensions: 12.81 x 9.13 x 0.78
  • Operating System: Chrome OS

What Do Users Think About Acer Chromebook 314?

The Acer Chromebook 314 is highly regarded by users and various sources as an excellent lightweight laptop.

It excels in multitasking, allowing seamless switching between tabs and utilization of various laptop features.

Furthermore, it caters not only to general users but also prioritizes children, students, and anyone monitoring laptop activity.

The device takes into account the user’s well-being and workload, ensuring a balanced computing experience. Check out Acer Chromebook 314 manual.

With a wide range of Google applications, users can enjoy entertainment-focused apps while also benefiting from the extensive connectivity and ports available on the machine.

The Acer Chromebook 314 is highly praised for providing exceptional value within its price range, with few flaws or drawbacks reported by users.

Many users opt for this laptop due to its lightweight design, reliability, and efficiency, while some may prefer alternative options due to certain aspects falling short of their expectations.

For instance, the keyboard and exterior design are considered average, which might lead some individuals to explore other laptops in the same price range.

Nonetheless, the Acer Chromebook 314 stands out as one of the top choices in the Chromebook category, particularly for its suitability for home-based learning and study purposes.

While lacking an HDMI port, which is present in some other laptops, it compensates with other noteworthy features.

The laptop offers a satisfactory level of sturdiness and can be utilized as a regular daily-use device. It boasts a commendable battery life, which is a major selling point.

However, the average speaker quality may not provide the desired depth and richness of sound.

Acer Chromebook 314 Speaker

Many users find the laptop user-friendly and highly effective for their workload. Nevertheless, several frustrating design flaws have deterred some potential buyers from purchasing this device.

On the whole, the Acer Chromebook 314 is easy to operate and set up, providing reliability and garnering mixed reviews from users.

While some express disappointment, others are satisfied with the device, and many choose to overlook the minor flaws due to the laptop’s overall beneficial components.

It serves as a compelling alternative to other Chromebooks within its price range, offering excellent value for money.

Our Testing & Analysis Report

During our testing of the Acer Chromebook 314, we found that while it may not be a powerhouse of a machine, it is still capable enough to handle all the online tasks we performed, in addition to web browsing.

We utilized the Mozilla Kraken benchmark to assess its browsing speed and discovered that it was fairly high, around 2350ms.

While this is okay, it falls short when compared to the Google Pixelbook and Apple Macbook Pro, which scored approximately 1400ms and 1013ms respectively. Lower scores indicate better performance.

When typing documents on Word or using Excel, as well as various Office apps like Google Sheets and Google Docs, we found the keyboard performance to be quite satisfying.

It offered adequate key travel and tactility. The touchpad also responded well to our finger movements and touches.

For testing the device with low-end art apps such as Sketchpad, and streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, we observed that its performance was decent in both scenarios.

To determine its ability to handle heavier workloads, we conducted a Jetstream 2 benchmark.

The multiple Web Assembly and JavaScript benchmarks showed that its performance was fairly average, with a score of nearly 49 out of 100. When compared to our database, the Google Pixelbook performed better, scoring 78 on the same benchmark.

In terms of CPU performance, based on the Geekbench 5 benchmark results, the Acer Chromebook 314 performed well, scoring around 430 points compared to the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, which scored 263 points using the same parameters.

To assess its RAM performance, we employed the PCMark test, where the Acer Chromebook 314 scored over 7600 points, although lower than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet’s score of over 8850 points.

Our technical team also employed the CrystalDiskMark benchmark tool to measure the read and write speeds of the storage in this machine.

It achieved speeds of more than 300 Mbps and 160 Mbps respectively, which is reasonably good.

Lastly, to evaluate the graphics processing capabilities of the device, we utilized the WebGL Aquarium benchmark test.

The Acer Chromebook 314 scored around 500 points at over 40 frames per second.

About Taylor

AvatarTaylor S. Irwin is a freelance technology writer with in-depth knowledge about computers. She has an understanding of hardware and technology gained through over 10 years of experience.

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