Are you looking to purchase a Windows laptop? Avoid spending more than $500. Then a laptop Acer Aspire 5, is probably at or near the top of your list. Aspire laptops frequently top
That description broadly applies to the Acer Aspire 5. Neither is the Intel Core i3 CPU in the entry-level model the most powerful nor the svelte laptop on the market. Acer Aspire 5 is a reliable product at a competitive price, with just a few minor drawbacks. It’s almost among the greatest laptops you can purchase for around $500, but a few significant flaws prevent it from being truly outstanding.
What will you see here?
Price
The price and sales data provided by Acer might occasionally be a little unclear. If there is a particular model you need, you may need to search online. Some models mentioned on its website may be purchased directly from Acer, while others are offered through online merchants and high street stores.
Acer Aspire 5 models (A514-54-35LK) cost $489 and can be purchased from the Acer website. A 256GB SSD and an Intel Core i3-1115G4 CPU from the newer Tiger Lake generation are included in this setup. The 1080p panel on the 14-inch IPS LCD.
Acer provides less expensive versions with only 4GB of onboard RAM, which could result in decreased performance while multitasking. On the Acer website, the lowest model with 4GB RAM and a 128GB SSD is priced at $379.
The Aspire 5 is also available from Acer with more potent Intel Core CPUs, up to 16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and displays that can reach a maximum size of 17.3 inches. There are various models with AMD CPUs.
Software
Several programs are already pre-installed on the Acer Aspire 5. Along with the standard web browser, the taskbar shortcut to
Specification and hardware
A quad-core CPU, 8 gigs of RAM, and a good SSD. The Acer Aspire 5 provides everything you need for a decent, hassle-free computing experience. The processor in question is a Core i5-10210U from Intel. Although it technically belongs to Intel’s most recent 10th Gen family, the CPU is an older 14nm model rather than one of the company’s more recent 10nm Ice Lake or Tiger Lake processors.
The 256GB M.2 SSD is also a good storage option and as much as you can get at this price range, while the 8GB of RAM is adequate at this price point and allows for a respectable amount of multitasking.
Display
Even though it only has a Full HD (1920×1080) resolution, the 14-inch IPS LCD is still not as sharp as higher-resolution panels, as seen in more expensive competitors. However, this cheap computer’s 16:9 widescreen panel is enough for online browsing, streaming movies, and playing games.
The display’s color gamut is constrained, only covering 64% of the sRGB color space. The color accuracy is also somewhat below average but not atrocious. The display loses vibrancy due to its limited color gamut and subpar accuracy.
A good contrast ratio of up to 1300:1 is combined with the underwhelming color performance, which is commendable for a low-cost laptop. Brightness is adequate, averaging 290 nits. That makes the matte display usable in almost all types of indoor lighting.
Don’t forget the 1080p resolution of the monitor. Although it may seem simple to enthusiasts, budget-conscious purchasers frequently encounter laptops with subpar 1366 by 768 displays. By choosing 1080p, the Aspire 5 is simple to operate and guarantees clear sharp lettering.
Connectivity
The Acer Aspire 5 makes room for a lot of legacy connectivity, thanks to its overall body. There are four ports: a full-sized HDMI port, an Ethernet port, two USB Type-A connections, one USB 3.2 Type-C port supporting up to 5Gbps of speed, and a 3.5mm combination audio jack.
For most buyers, the connection will be perfect. Budget laptop buyers will probably employ gadgets that need USB-A and HDMI connectivity.
The MT7921 wireless LAN card from MediaTek offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, the standard combo for wireless communication.
Design
The Aspire 5 features a very traditional clamshell design with hefty borders around the border of the screen that appear a touch old. You won’t find cutting-edge design at this pricing point. The versions offered on Acer’s website all seem to only come in either black or silver, despite the website’s ambiguous indications that it’s available in several colors.
The Acer Aspire 5 weighs 3.2 pounds and has dimensions of 12.9 x 8.8 x 0.71 inches. Though there are undoubtedly lighter and thinner options, such as Acer’s Swift 3, one won’t find it difficult to carry this inexpensive laptop from room to room or in a bag to a coffee shop.
With a metallic Acer logo on the lid and a few minor design accent bars on the upper left and right running around each edge, Acer has kept things relatively simple in terms of external appearance. However, it doesn’t look all that different from the primary Silver choice. The Safari Gold edition of the gadget offers the exterior of the device a very little gold hue.
Ports
Thankfully, the Acer Aspire 5 has a good selection of connectors. However, if you’ve already purchased several USB-C peripherals, you might be annoyed by the bulk of the more considerable USB-A connections.
On the left side, there are two of those USB-A ports and one USB-C. There is even an Ethernet connector for connecting to the internet and an HDMI port that makes it simple to display to an external monitor. Also on the left side is the port for the supplied AC adaptor.
One more USB-A port, bringing the total to three, is located over on the right, along with a 3.5mm headphone port and a Kensington security lock slot. A dedicated SD card reader port is the one possible absence that some power users could complain about.
What drawbacks does the Acer Aspire 5 have?
- Almost all of the body is constructed of plastic.
- Not the most colorful screen.
- Sloppy keyboard.
- Outdated style.
- 3.75 pounds, but it feels much lighter.
- Minimal sRGB coverage.
- Not a graphics card specifically.
Is the Acer Aspire 5 a good gaming laptop?
Its hardware complies with necessary PC specifications while yet being readily available. It also functions as one of the finest 2-in-1 gaming laptops because of its touchscreen. As one of the finest gaming laptops for Roblox gamers, the Acer Aspire 5 more than holds its own.
Conclusion
The Acer Aspire 5 stays clear of common problems with cheap laptops. Windows laptops with prices like these or lower sometimes have drastic price decreases. They may only have a modest 128GB hard drive or a dual-core CPU with 4GB of RAM. This laptop is incapable of doing any of these things. It provides the absolute minimum need for a satisfying Windows 11 experience and does it for only a few bucks more than less competent options. It is, therefore, difficult to beat for $499.
