Acer Chromebook Vero 514 : Two-minute reviewAs someone who is firmly rooted in the Apple ecosystem, I found the Acer Chromebook Vero 514 a joy to use – once I got the hang of it. It might be slightly more expensive than some of the more popular Chromebooks out there (like the Acer Chromebook 314), but considering how much time and effort has clearly gone into making this a sustainable and eco-friendly laptop, the pricing can be easily overlooked.Fans

WebGL Aquarium (30,000 fish): 43 fpsThe first thing you notice when using the Chromebook Vero 514 is that it’s very satisfying to use. Every click of the touchpad and tap on the keycaps delivers awesome tactile feedback which makes typing an absolute dream (my own feelings about the lack of a caps-lock button aside).The touchpad is very smooth and glasslike, adding a luxurious feeling to the everyday use of the laptop. It’s responsive and removes the need to buy or have an external mouse, though if you’d prefer to use one, the connectivity and range of ports on the device would make that pretty easy.As I mentioned above, you do have to keep in mind that Chrome OS will only support a limited selection of apps and software. If a program you need is not on the Google Play Store or otherwise lacks explicit Chrome OS support, you’re going to struggle with this laptop. As this Chromebook is targeted towards business and educational use, that is definitely something to keep in mind.(Image credit: Future)I decided to put it to the test and not only write this review on the Acer Vero 514 but do other long-form writing and general admin on it, and I found the entire experience really enjoyable. I spent hours on the laptop watching films, typing out blog posts, and doing some creative writing, and I never felt any finger strain or had to rush to find a charger to plug it in.The display is incredibly crisp and clear, and the colors on the screen are vibrant. There is something comforting about watching Netflix shows on the laptop in bed that reminds me of my student days, and despite having it on my bed or propped up on some pillows, it never got obscenely hot or loud. I even made a few video calls to friends on it, and while you may not get cinematic levels of camera quality, it was pretty decent.Obviously, as this is a Chromebook we’re testing, we couldn’t run our usual suite of Windows benchmarking tests, but instead ran more Chrome OS-friendly tests. It performed exceptionally well during my favorite benchmark, the ‘fish test’, which uses WebGL to render up to 30,000 fish in an aquarium in order to test graphical performance.Overall, the Chromebook Vero 514 performed really well both in benchmarks and everyday use, and I would be pleased to have had this laptop in my university days or even now as an on-the-go work laptop. Performance score: 4.5/5(Image credit: Future)Acer Chromebook Vero 514 review: Battery life10-hour battery lifeA whole day of productivity and then some The battery life on this thing is awesome. I have been using it for quite a while, and normally when I test laptops I make a point to use them unplugged as much as possible. I was definitely pleasantly surprised by the battery life here.I tested the battery life in two different ways. The first time, I sat down and put on South Park, monitoring how long it would take for the battery to die (South Park was chosen as it has more than enough episodes to last a laptop battery test). Acer claims the battery to last around 10 hours, and I have to confirm, it lasted all that time and ten minutes more.My second battery test involved having a marathon catch-up call with a friend and seeing how long the battery would last running a video call and a watch party of Modern Family at the same time. At this point, the laptop did start to hum a little bit and get a tad warm – but not enough to warrant any alarm. The battery under these conditions lasted around four and a half hours which isn’t too bad, all things considered.Battery life: 5/5Should you buy the Acer Chromebook Vero 514?Swipe to scroll horizontallyAttributesNotesRatingPriceWhile it may not fall into ‘budget laptop’ territory the Chromebook Vero 514 does offer a lot for its asking price3.5/5DesignUnique, sleek design that plays on it’s ‘recycled’ angle well4/5PerformancePerformed really well in our benchmark tests and overall handling experience.4.5/5Battery lifeIncredibly battery life that is true to promise and will last you the whole day and then some 5/5Total Score The Acer Chromebook Vero 514 is a sturdy and sexy machine that’ll do everything you need and more in a lightweight package. The battery life will keep up with your busiest days and keep you going well after you finish work.4.25Buy it if…If you want a productivity powerhouse The Acer Chromebook Vero 514 is a beast with workloads both professional and personal, and with a 10-hour battery life, you’ll be sorted for a whole day of work and play. You’re
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