Acer Chromebook 514 (ARM)

Starry Hope Rating
3.5

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Photo of Acer Chromebook 514 (ARM)

The Acer Chromebook 514 is a mid-range Chromebook that balances style, performance, and affordability. Equipped with a MediaTek Kompanio 828 processor, this Chromebook provides more power than budget Chromebooks designed for kids, despite being priced under $500. The Chromebook 514 features a sturdy aluminum construction, a 14-inch full HD display, 8GB of memory, and 64GB of eMMC flash storage. Its port selection includes a USB 3.2 Type-C port, three USB Type-A port, and a combination headphone/headset audio jack. The laptop’s webcam has a bright green indicator light, and its 720p sensor offers decent image capture with slightly washed-out colors.

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Sturdy aluminum constructionLimited port selection
14-inch full HD displayAbsence of a drop hinge
Long battery life (up to 15 hours)720p webcam sensor offers decent image capture with slightly washed-out colors
8GB of memory and 64GB of eMMC flash storageStorage is not upgradable
MediaTek Kompanio 828 processor offers more power than budget ChromebooksPerformance can’t match more expensive Intel Core CPUs

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Acer Chromebook 514 (ARM) Comparison Chart

Acer Chromebook 514 (ARM)

Acer Chromebook 514 (ARM)

Acer Chromebook 514 (ARM)

Acer Chromebook 514 (ARM)

Acer Chromebook 514 (ARM)

Acer Chromebook 514 (ARM)

Price

List Price: $459.99

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List Price: $409.99

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List Price: $479.99

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Model numberCB514-2HT-K0FZ / NX.AS2AA.005CB514-2H-K7GFCB514-2H-K2HN
Performance Rating5.25.25.2
Chromebook PlusNoNoNo
ProcessorOcta-core 2.60 Ghz
MediaTek Kompanio 828 (8192T)
Octa-core 2.60 Ghz
MediaTek Kompanio 828 (8192T)
Octa-core 2.60 Ghz
MediaTek Kompanio 828 (8192T)
RAM8 GB8 GB8 GB
Internal Storage64 GB64 GB64 GB
Screen Size14"14"14"
Screen Resolution1920x10801920x10801920x1080
Screen TypeIPSIPSIPS
Touch ScreenYesNoNo
Stylus / PenNo Stylus SupportNo Stylus SupportNo Stylus Support
Dimensions
width x length x thickness
12.7 x 8.9 x 0.66 inches
(322.58 x 226.06 x 16.76 mm)
12.7 x 8.9 x 0.66 inches
(322.58 x 226.06 x 16.76 mm)
12.7 x 8.9 x 0.66 inches
(322.58 x 226.06 x 16.76 mm)
Weight2.87 lbs (1.3 kg)2.87 lbs (1.3 kg)2.87 lbs (1.3 kg)
Backlit KeyboardYesYesYes
Webcam720p HD720p HD720p HD
WiFiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
BluetoothYesYesYes
EthernetNoNoNo
Cellular ModemNoNoNo
HDMINo HDMINo HDMINo HDMI
USB Ports3 USB 3, 1 USB-C
USB Type-C port supporting: USB 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gbps), DisplayPort over USB-C, USB charging 5 V; 3 A, DC-in port 5 or 9 or 15 or 20 V; 65 W
3 USB 3, 1 USB-C
USB Type-C port supporting: USB 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gbps), DisplayPort over USB-C, USB charging 5 V; 3 A, DC-in port 5 or 9 or 15 or 20 V; 65 W
3 USB 3, 1 USB-C
USB Type-C port supporting: USB 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gbps), DisplayPort over USB-C, USB charging 5 V; 3 A, DC-in port 5 or 9 or 15 or 20 V; 65 W
Thunderbolt PortsNoNoNo
Card ReaderCard ReaderCard ReaderCard Reader
Battery3 cell, Li-ion3 cell, Li-ion3 cell, Li-ion
Battery Life15.0 hours15.0 hours15.0 hours
FanlessNoNoNo
Auto Update
Expiration Date
August, 2031August, 2031August, 2031

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More About Acer Chromebook 514

The Acer Chromebook 514 is designed with functionality and straightforwardness in mind. Its 14-inch Full HD display comes in touch (the CB514-2HT) and non-touch versions; the touch model suits Android apps for productivity or gaming. The laptop has 8GB of memory and 64GB of eMMC flash storage. There is no 360-degree hinge, but the screen lies flat on a table, helped by the Kompanio chip’s low heat output.

The Acer Chromebook 514’s MediaTek Kompanio processor outperformed the low-end processors of other Chromebooks in the market but couldn’t match the performance of the more expensive Intel Core CPUs. However, the laptop excelled in battery life, managing an 11-hour runtime that matches the best in the category.

Reviewers’ Opinions on Acer Chromebook 514

Reviewers have generally praised the Acer Chromebook 514 for its balance of style, performance, and affordability. Brian Westover from PCMag praised the Chromebook 514 for its premium look, all-day battery life, and more power than budget kids’ Chromebooks. He noted that despite its ARM processor, it “brings to the table an elegant machine that offers much of what you want in a premium Chromebook, including stylish construction and relatively perky performance, but still sells for a budget-friendly price.”

In their YouTube review, Chrome Unboxed highlighted the device’s balance of user experience, performance, and reasonable pricing. They praised the Chromebook’s keyboard and trackpad for their comfort and functionality. They noted the device’s impressive battery life: “I was easily getting 12 plus hours on a charge even with my brighter screen settings.”

Lon Seidman, in his YouTube review, recommended the ARM version of the Acer Chromebook 514 for its adequate performance for basic web browsing and Android gaming and its better battery life compared to the Intel version. He found the Chromebook a good value for its price, with a nice display, backlit keyboard, and impressive performance. He stated, “Overall, I found it to be a very good value. I think the display is really nice on it. You’ve got a nice backlit keyboard here, and the performance in particular really surprised me.”

Customer Reviews of the Acer Chromebook 514 (ARM)

Across 78 ratings on Amazon, the Acer Chromebook 514 (ARM) averages 4 stars, and the spread is genuinely mixed: 58 percent leave five stars and another 20 percent leave four, but 19 percent sit at one or two stars. Owners who like it keep coming back to the MediaTek Kompanio chip feeling snappy for daily work and even Linux containers and Android apps. Aleks, a verified buyer, wrote “Enough to make it snappy for daily tasks but also to run Linux-Container and Android-Apps. The 8gb are really needed,” and praised the fanless chassis and keyboard. Several reviewers single out the touchpad as the weak point; verified buyer whoiskermit noted “the touch pad is very iffy (Acer seems to have trouble getting this right),” and a couple of others mention an OS update temporarily breaking touchpad input until a full reset.

The low-star reviews are about hardware reliability, not performance, and they should not be glossed over. Two separate verified buyers report the unit dying outright within a year: one titled their review “Dead in 6 months. Acer quality nosedive,” writing “This one died in six months,” and another said it was “DEAD! No charge, won’t power on” after about a year. So while most owners are satisfied, there is a real cluster of early-failure complaints worth weighing before you buy.

Read more owner reviews on Amazon.

Conclusion

The Acer Chromebook 514 is a stylish and relatively powerful machine at a budget-friendly price. It handles everyday apps capably with long battery life, a good option for a midrange Chromebook under $500. It is ideal for users who need a laptop for everyday tasks like web browsing, online banking, and remote work. Its long battery life makes it a good choice for students and professionals who need a laptop that can last all day. However, users who need a computer for heavy tasks like video editing or gaming might want to look elsewhere due to the Chromebook 514’s limited storage and performance compared to more expensive laptops. One buying note: this is a 2021 ARM model and its Amazon listings were showing as unavailable when checked, so it may be hard to find new (ChromeOS updates run through August 2031). To weigh it against other options, check out the Chromebook Comparison Chart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Acer Chromebook 514 good for gaming?

While the Acer Chromebook 514 can handle Android games quite well, it’s not designed for heavy gaming. It’s more suitable for light gaming and everyday tasks such as web browsing, online banking, and remote work.

Can I upgrade the storage on the Acer Chromebook 514?

Unfortunately, the Acer Chromebook 514 does not support storage upgrades. It comes with 64GB of eMMC flash storage.

Does the Acer Chromebook 514 have a backlit keyboard?

Yes, the Acer Chromebook 514 features a backlit keyboard, which can be very convenient for typing in low-light conditions.

What is the battery life of the Acer Chromebook 514?

The Acer Chromebook 514 is rated for up to 15 hours of battery, making it a good choice for students and professionals who need all-day use.

Can I use Android apps on the Acer Chromebook 514?

Yes, the Acer Chromebook 514 supports Android apps. This allows you to use your favorite mobile apps on your Chromebook, whether for productivity or gaming.

What is the screen size and resolution of the Acer Chromebook 514?

The Acer Chromebook 514 features a 14-inch full HD display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.

Does the Acer Chromebook 514 have a touchscreen?

Some Acer Chromebook 514 variations come with a touchscreen. However, the base model does not have this feature.

How much does the Acer Chromebook 514 weigh?

The Acer Chromebook 514 weighs approximately 2.87 pounds, making it a lightweight and portable option.

What ports does the Acer Chromebook 514 have?

The Acer Chromebook 514 has a USB 3.2 Type-C port, three USB 3 Type-A ports, and a combination headphone/headset audio jack.

How long will the Acer Chromebook 514 receive Chrome OS updates?

The Acer Chromebook 514 will receive Chrome OS updates until August 2031.