Acer Chromebook 514

Updated on January 26, 2026

The Acer Chromebook 514 (CB514-1H/1HT) arrived in 2018 as Acer’s attempt to bring premium build quality to the budget Chromebook segment. Featuring an aluminum chassis, 14-inch Full HD display, and Intel Celeron processors, this model aimed to compete against the growing field of mid-range Chromebooks. With an Auto Update Expiration date of June 2027, this Chromebook still receives security updates and remains a viable option for basic computing tasks. While you can still find units available on Amazon, stock is extremely limited as this model approaches end-of-life status.

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Acer Chromebook 514 Comparison Chart

	Acer Chromebook 514	Acer Chromebook 514	Acer Chromebook 514
Price	List Price: $399.99 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...	List Price: $499.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $349.99 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...
Model number	CB514-1HT-C7AZ / NX.H1LAA.001	CB514-1HT-P2D1 / NX.H1LAA.003	CB514-1H-C47X / NX.H1QAA.001
Perfomance Rating	2.7	4.1	2.7
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No
Processor	Quad-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.20 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N3450	Quad-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.20 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N3450	Quad-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.20 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N3450
RAM	4 GB	8 GB	4 GB
Internal Storage	64 GB eMMC	64 GB eMMC	32 GB eMMC
Screen Size	14"	14"	14"
Screen Resolution	1920x1080	1920x1080	1920x1080
Screen Type	IPS	IPS	IPS
Touch Screen	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	12.7 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches (322.58 x 231.14 x 17.78 mm)	12.7 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches (322.58 x 231.14 x 17.78 mm)	12.7 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches (322.58 x 231.14 x 17.78 mm)
Weight	3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)	3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)	3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	Yes	Yes	Yes
Webcam	1280x720	1280x720	1280x720
WiFi	802.11a/b/g/n/ac	802.11a/b/g/n/ac	802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2
Ethernet	No	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No	No
HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI
USB Ports	2 USB 3, 2 USB-C	2 USB 3, 2 USB-C	2 USB 3, 2 USB-C
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No
Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader
Battery	3 cell, 3920 mAh, Lithium Polymer	3 cell, 3920 mAh, Lithium Polymer	3 cell, 3920 mAh, Lithium Polymer
Battery Life	12.0 hours	12.0 hours	12.0 hours
Fanless	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2027	June, 2027	June, 2027

Detailed Insights into the Acer Chromebook 514

The Acer Chromebook 514 presents a compelling design philosophy that prioritizes durability and portability over raw performance. The aluminum chassis provides a sturdy foundation that feels considerably more premium than the typical plastic bodies found in this price range. At just 0.67 inches thick and weighing 3.3 pounds, the CB514 strikes an excellent balance between structural rigidity and everyday portability. The fanless design ensures completely silent operation, making it well-suited for library study sessions or quiet office environments where fan noise would be distracting.

The 14-inch Full HD IPS display delivers respectable image quality for web browsing, document editing, and casual media consumption. According to Trusted Reviews testing, the panel achieves 257.9 nits of brightness, which is adequate for indoor use but falls short of the 300-nit threshold needed for comfortable outdoor viewing. The CB514-1HT variants include 10-point touch capability, adding versatility for Android app interactions, though several reviewers noted this feature feels somewhat wasted on a traditional clamshell form factor that lacks tablet mode.

Connectivity options are genuinely strong for a budget Chromebook. Acer positioned two USB Type-C ports (USB 3.1 Gen 1 with DisplayPort output and power delivery) on opposite sides, complemented by two traditional USB 3.0 Type-A ports. This symmetrical port layout means you can connect peripherals and charge from either side depending on your desk setup. The microSD card slot provides expandable storage, which is essential given the limited internal eMMC capacity. Bluetooth 4.2 handles wireless peripherals, while 802.11ac dual-band WiFi ensures fast network connectivity.

Battery performance consistently impressed reviewers, with real-world usage typically reaching 8-10 hours of mixed productivity tasks. Acer’s claimed 12-hour runtime proves optimistic, but achieving a full school or work day without charging is entirely realistic. Chrome Unboxed specifically highlighted that “at controlled brightness, you can expect 8-10 hours” of use, making this one of the more endurance-focused options in its class.

Reviewer Insights on the Acer Chromebook 514

Chrome Unboxed’s Perspective

Chrome Unboxed delivered one of the more critical assessments of the Acer Chromebook 514, finding it difficult to recommend at its original $499 price point. Robby Payne noted that while the device “looks really good on a spec sheet,” the real-world experience disappoints in several key areas. The keyboard drew particular criticism: “The keys are soft, mushy and lack any real and discernible click response.” The trackpad, despite its Gorilla Glass surface, suffers from an inconsistent click mechanism that occasionally registers double-clicks. Build quality, while aluminum, feels cheaper than expected with seams that don’t quite align and edges “sharp enough to cut vegetables with.” At the $499 launch price, the reviewer concluded “I simply cannot recommend anyone buy the Acer Chromebook 514,” though noted it would make more sense around $299.

Trusted Reviews’ Assessment

Trusted Reviews took a more balanced view, awarding the CB514 a 4 out of 5-star rating and recommending it for users with modest computing needs. Thomas Newton’s testing revealed specific performance thresholds: “Everything would slow to a crawl for about five seconds when opening 10+ tabs simultaneously,” establishing the practical limit for multitasking. The review praised the value proposition at the £370 UK price point, describing the Chromebook as “good enough for writing essays, and, at a push, streaming video.” The aluminum chassis earned praise for providing “structural rigidity” and a premium feel despite the budget positioning.

Digital Trends’ Take

Digital Trends offered the most positive assessment with a 7/10 score, describing the Acer Chromebook 514 as “a workhorse laptop that doesn’t even try to show off.” Mark Coppock emphasized that the device is “well-built, adequately equipped, and lasts a long time on a charge.” The review specifically recommended the $350 entry-level configuration with Celeron N3350, 4GB RAM, and 32GB storage as the sweet spot for value. While acknowledging the “boring aesthetic design” and limited CPU performance, the conclusion states “the Chromebook 514 is a safe choice that’s unlikely to disappoint” for users whose performance needs aren’t extreme.

Android Police’s Experience

Android Police found the CB514 to be “perfectly fine” but questioned its value compared to cheaper alternatives. Scott Scrivens tested the device extensively, achieving 9-10 hours of actual battery runtime against Acer’s 12-hour claim. The Chromebook “performed admirably in the face of all that was thrown at it,” handling typical Chrome OS workloads smoothly. However, the bottom-firing speakers earned harsh criticism for sounding “plain awful when laptop rests on lap.” The ultimate verdict: “It’s hard to see where the value lies when comparing against lower-priced competitors offering equivalent performance.”

Customer Reviews of the Acer Chromebook 514

Amazon customer feedback for the Acer Chromebook 514 remains generally positive, with the CB514-1HT-C6EV model (B07L24TWSG) maintaining a 4.4-star rating across 527 reviews and the CB514-1H-C0FF (B07L25B814) earning 4.2 stars from 520 reviews. Customers consistently praise the solid build quality and lightweight design, with many noting the aluminum construction feels premium for a budget device.

Common positive themes include the responsive touchscreen, quiet fanless operation, and reliable all-day battery life. Students and casual users frequently describe it as perfect for note-taking, web browsing, and streaming. The backlit keyboard receives particular appreciation from users who work in low-light conditions. Several reviewers highlight the quick boot times and smooth Chrome OS experience for their daily productivity needs.

Negative feedback centers on a few recurring issues. The limited internal storage frustrates users who want to install many Android apps, with several noting that the system reserves significant space. Some customers report that the Celeron processor shows noticeable lag when running multiple demanding Android applications simultaneously. A subset of reviews mention the speakers as underwhelming for media consumption, recommending headphones for any serious audio listening.

Conclusion

The Acer Chromebook 514 represents a solid choice for users seeking premium build quality on a budget, particularly at today’s discounted prices well below the original $499 MSRP. Its aluminum construction, excellent battery life, and versatile port selection make it genuinely competitive with more expensive options for basic productivity tasks. However, the limited processing power, modest storage, and mediocre speakers mean this Chromebook works best for straightforward use cases: web browsing, document editing, email, and casual streaming. With the June 2027 Auto Update Expiration date approaching, prospective buyers should weigh the remaining software support window against their expected usage timeline. For students or light users who prioritize build quality and portability over raw performance, the CB514 remains a sensible option while stock lasts.

Frequently Asked Questions