Acer Chromebook Plus 514
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The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a 14-inch Chromebook Plus that Acer has shipped across three closely related board configurations, all built on the same steel gray plastic chassis with MIL-STD 810H durability. The original CB514-3H runs an AMD Ryzen 3 7320C with a 1080p webcam and WiFi 6. The CB514-4HT moved to an 8-core Intel Core i3-N305, added WiFi 6E and a microSD slot, and bumped storage to a generous 512GB. The 2025 CB514-6H refresh swaps in the newer Intel Core 3 N355, a taller 16:10 display, Bluetooth 5.3, a full-size HDMI port, and the longest support window of the bunch: ChromeOS updates through June 2035. All three earn the Chromebook Plus certification and its AI features, so the decision between them comes down to processor, ports, and how long you want updates to last. Whether you are browsing the web, editing documents, running Android apps, or experimenting with music production through web-based DAWs, the Plus 514 family covers the everyday Chromebook checklist at a sub-$400 price.
Pros and Cons of the Acer Chromebook Plus 514
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Three board options spanning AMD and Intel platforms | No keyboard backlight on the CB514-3H or CB514-4HT |
| Chromebook Plus certified with Google AI features | Plastic chassis instead of aluminum |
| Up to 512GB NVMe storage, rare in this price tier | Speakers sound thin and lack bass |
| WiFi 6E on the Intel boards, full-size HDMI on most | microSD reader only on the CB514-4HT |
| MIL-STD 810H military-grade durability rating | Displays can be dim for outdoor use |
| CB514-6H updates run all the way to June 2035 | 1080p webcam is soft in mixed lighting |
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Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Comparison Chart
![]() Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-6H) | ![]() Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-4HT) | ![]() Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-3H) | |
| Price | List Price: $449.98 Amazon Prices: Loading prices... | List Price: Amazon Prices: | List Price: $439.97 Amazon Prices: Loading prices... |
| Model number | CB514-6HT-368E | CB514-4HT-359X | NX.KP2AA.001 |
| Performance Rating | 9.4 | 7.1 | 3.5 |
| Chromebook Plus | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | Octa-core 1.70 Ghz (max 3.80 Ghz) Intel Core 3 N355 | Octa-core 1.80 Ghz (max 3.80 Ghz) Intel Core i3-N305 | Quad-core 2.40 Ghz (max 4.10 Ghz) AMD Ryzen 3 7320C |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Internal Storage | 512 GB SSD | 512 GB NVMe SSD | 128 GB NVMe SSD |
| Screen Size | 14" | 14" | 14" |
| Screen Resolution | 1920x1200 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1200 |
| Screen Type | IPS | IPS | IPS |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes | No |
| Stylus / Pen | No Stylus Support | No Stylus Support | No Stylus Support |
| Dimensions width x length x thickness | 12.4 x 8.8 x 0.73 inches (314.96 x 223.52 x 18.54 mm) | 12.9 x 8.9 x 0.81 inches (327.66 x 226.06 x 20.57 mm) | 12.56 x 8.94 x 0.78 inches (319.02 x 227.08 x 19.81 mm) |
| Weight | 3.09 lbs (1.4 kg) | 3.15 lbs (1.43 kg) | 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg) |
| Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | No |
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ethernet | No | No | No |
| Cellular Modem | No | No | No |
| HDMI | Full-Size HDMI | No HDMI | Full-Size HDMI |
| USB Ports | 2 USB 3, 2 USB-C 2x USB-C 3.2 with DisplayPort and Power Delivery (one per side), 2x USB-A 3.2 | 2 USB 3, 2 USB-C 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 1 USB 3, 2 USB-C 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports (both support Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alt Mode), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port |
| Thunderbolt Ports | No | No | No |
| Card Reader | No Card Reader | microSD Card Reader | No Card Reader |
| Battery | 53Wh, Li-ion | 65W, Li-ion | 50Wh, Li-ion |
| Battery Life | 11 hours | 9.5 hours | 12 hours |
| Fanless | No | No | No |
| Auto Update Expiration Date | June, 2035 | June, 2033 | June, 2033 |
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Detailed Insights into the Acer Chromebook Plus 514
Across all three boards the Plus 514 keeps the same general shape: roughly 12.4 to 12.9 inches wide, around 8.8 to 8.9 inches deep, and just over three pounds, which keeps it portable enough for a backpack while leaving room for a 50Wh to 53Wh battery and a 14-inch panel. The chassis is steel gray plastic with a brushed-metal texture on the lid, subtle Chromebook Plus branding, and a MIL-STD 810H rating that covers drops, vibration, and temperature extremes. Port selection is the clearest hardware difference between the boards. The CB514-3H gives you one USB-C on each side plus a single USB-A and a full-size HDMI. The CB514-4HT drops HDMI but adds a second USB-A and a microSD reader. The 2025 CB514-6H lands on the most balanced layout: one USB-C and one USB-A per side, a full-size HDMI on the right, and a 3.5mm combo jack, with the microSD slot removed to make room for HDMI. Either USB-C port on any of the three handles Power Delivery, so you can charge from whichever side your outlet happens to be on.
The processor is the heart of the decision. The CB514-3H uses the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, a 4-core, 8-thread Mendocino chip that boosts to 4.1GHz and scores around 8,614 on PassMark, which is plenty for browsing, documents, and streaming. The CB514-4HT steps up to the Intel Core i3-N305, an 8-core part that lands near 9,577 and pairs with 8GB of LPDDR5X. The 2025 CB514-6H ships the Intel Core 3 N355, an 8-core, 8-thread efficiency-core processor that boosts to 3.9GHz and reaches roughly 10,476 on PassMark’s multi-thread benchmark. In daily ChromeOS use, all three comfortably handle a dozen Chrome tabs, a few Android apps, a Linux container, and a video call, while the two Intel boards have a little more headroom for cloud gaming through GeForce NOW and light photo editing in web apps. None of them is built for sustained 4K video editing or heavy Linux compilation. The 8GB of RAM is soldered on every board and cannot be upgraded after purchase.
Connectivity improved with each revision. The CB514-3H ships WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1, the CB514-4HT moves to WiFi 6E (adding the 6GHz band) while keeping Bluetooth 5.1, and the CB514-6H carries WiFi 6E with Bluetooth 5.3 and LE Audio support for newer earbuds. None of the boards include Ethernet or cellular, which is normal for this class. Storage runs from a 128GB NVMe SSD on the entry CB514-3H up to 512GB on both the CB514-4HT and CB514-6H, and on every board the storage is soldered and not user-replaceable. The 512GB configurations are unusually generous for a Chromebook in this price range and reduce the need to lean on cloud storage.
Reviewer Insights on the Acer Chromebook Plus 514
Chrome Unboxed
Chrome Unboxed lived with the Intel Plus 514 for nearly a month and concluded it punches well above its price point, particularly at the $249 sale price commonly seen at Costco. The reviewer praised the 300-nit anti-glare touchscreen, the comfortable keyboard, and the upward-firing speakers, while flagging the lack of keyboard backlighting and the stiff trackpad click as drawbacks. Their take: “What Acer has built in this ridiculously affordable Chromebook is pretty insane.” In a separate unboxing of the 2025 CB514-6H, the same outlet zeroed in on the value play of a $399 list price paired with “wild” 512GB of storage, with the blunt verdict that “it’s not going to blow your mind in any facet, but just like its predecessor, it just gets a lot of the stuff right.”
MergeDroid
MergeDroid’s hands-on unboxing of the 2025 CB514-6H frames it as the natural successor to the popular Intel board, with the Core 3 N355 replacing the older Core i3-N305 and WiFi 6E on most regional configurations. The reviewer praised the symmetrical port layout, calling it “great to have them on either side for charging from either side of your desk,” and singled out the long support window: “you’re going to get Chrome OS updates all the way through to June 2035.” A second MergeDroid video puts the CB514-6H head-to-head against the ASUS Chromebook Plus CX1405 on identical Core 3 N355 internals, and the Acer pulls ahead on the things that matter for productivity: a taller 16:10 panel, dual USB-C split one per side, two USB-A ports, and a larger 53Wh battery that lasted “6 hours and 15 minutes” of continuous mixed use.
Techtesters and The Tech Nerd
Techtesters reviewed the Intel board in depth, praising build quality that “feels like an aluminum chassis until you touch it and remember it’s just plastic,” and measured over seven hours of continuous 4K YouTube playback. The Tech Nerd focused on the CB514-4HT across two weeks of testing, highlighting fast charging that recovered “over 50% in just half an hour,” the smooth OceanGlass touchpad, and the FHD webcam with privacy shutter, while noting the display is “lower end on the brightness but fine for indoor use.”
PCWorld
According to PCWorld, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 “is a decent budget Chromebook that beats competitors on RAM and storage.” The review praised the attractive design and enjoyable keyboard while criticizing a display that “is often too dim” along with weak speakers and a small touchpad. Across the full set of reviews, the consensus points to comfortable inputs, comprehensive ports, generous storage, and strong value as the headline strengths, with display brightness, thin speakers, and a soft webcam appearing consistently as the trade-offs. The recurring recommendation is to seek out the SSD-equipped boards over any base eMMC variant, and reviewers generally agree the 2025 CB514-6H is the iteration to recommend for buyers who want their Chromebook to feel current through the end of the decade.
Customer Reviews of the Acer Chromebook Plus 514
Amazon customers have rated the Chromebook Plus 514 well across its listings, with the Intel boards averaging in the low-to-mid 4-star range. The most consistent praise focuses on fast startup, smooth ChromeOS performance, touchscreen responsiveness, and the generous 512GB storage that eliminates the file-juggling common with smaller-capacity Chromebooks. Many buyers describe it as a clear upgrade from older Chromebooks they had been nursing along, citing snappy multi-tab browsing and quick wake from sleep.
On the critical side, the most repeated complaint is audio quality, with one reviewer calling the speakers “tinny” with “no bass” compared to an older HP Chromebook, which matches what the YouTube reviewers said almost word for word. The 128GB storage on the entry CB514-3H is mentioned as a constraint, though owners note it can be supplemented over USB-C. The lack of keyboard backlighting on the AMD and Core i3-N305 boards is a recurring note from those who work in dim rooms. A few buyers on the CB514-3H mention occasional random restarts that can lose open tabs.
Overall, customer sentiment skews positive, with most buyers framing the Plus 514 as a strong everyday Chromebook for the money and choosing to keep it despite specific complaints about the speakers. That consistency across three generations of the same chassis suggests Acer’s value formula here is well understood and well executed.
Conclusion
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 line gives you three ways into the same durable, well-connected 14-inch chassis. The 2025 CB514-6H is the smartest pick for most buyers: the Intel Core 3 N355, 8GB of LPDDR5, a 512GB SSD, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, a full-size HDMI port, and a 16:10 touchscreen, all backed by ChromeOS updates through June 2035. The CB514-4HT remains a strong value if you specifically want a microSD slot, since it pairs the Intel Core i3-N305 with the same 512GB storage and an AUE date of June 2033. The CB514-3H is the entry point for buyers who prefer the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C platform or a lower price, though its 128GB storage and June 2033 AUE date make it the least future-proof of the three.
All three suit students, remote workers, and households that want one capable shared Chromebook for homework, streaming, and light productivity. The touchscreen on the CB514-4HT and CB514-6H adds versatility for note-taking and Android apps, and 65W USB-C charging keeps any of them topped up quickly. Buyers who need a brighter outdoor display or guaranteed keyboard backlighting should confirm the specific SKU before ordering, since backlight availability varies by board and region.
For those comparing options, see our Chromebook Comparison Chart to find the best match for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What processors does the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 use?
The Plus 514 ships in three board configurations. The CB514-3H uses the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C (4 cores, 8 threads, around 8,614 on PassMark). The CB514-4HT uses the 8-core Intel Core i3-N305 (around 9,577). The 2025 CB514-6H uses the 8-core Intel Core 3 N355 (around 10,476). All three sit in the everyday performance tier and handle multi-tab browsing, Android apps, Linux containers, and video calls comfortably.
Which Acer Chromebook Plus 514 has the longest software support?
The 2025 CB514-6H has the longest Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date at June 2035, giving roughly ten years of ChromeOS updates from launch. The older CB514-3H (AMD) and CB514-4HT (Intel Core i3-N305) boards both carry an AUE date of June 2033.
Can I upgrade the RAM or storage in the Acer Chromebook Plus 514?
No. Every Plus 514 board uses soldered memory and storage that cannot be upgraded after purchase. All three ship with 8GB of RAM. Storage ranges from 128GB on the CB514-3H to 512GB on the CB514-4HT and CB514-6H. The CB514-4HT adds a microSD card reader for expandable file storage; the CB514-3H and CB514-6H do not include one.
What ports does the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 have?
Ports vary by board. The CB514-3H has two USB-C 3.2 (Power Delivery and DisplayPort), one USB-A 3.2, a full-size HDMI, and a combo audio jack. The CB514-4HT has two USB-C and two USB-A plus a microSD reader, but no HDMI. The CB514-6H has one USB-C and one USB-A on each side, a full-size HDMI, and a combo jack, with the microSD slot removed to fit the HDMI port. On all three, both USB-C ports support 65W charging and external displays.
Does the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 have a touchscreen?
The CB514-4HT and the 2025 CB514-6H ship with a 14-inch FHD touchscreen. The original CB514-3H (ASIN B0CK55NNNC) is non-touch. If touch input matters to you, choose one of the Intel touchscreen boards or check the model number before ordering.
Does the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 have a backlit keyboard?
Backlight availability depends on the board and region. The US 8GB / 512GB CB514-6H sold under ASIN B0FY359947 includes a backlit keyboard, while some regional CB514-6H base configurations ship without one. The older CB514-3H and CB514-4HT boards do not include keyboard backlighting. If a backlight matters, confirm the specific SKU or browse our list of Chromebooks with backlit keyboards.
Is the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 a Chromebook Plus device?
Yes. Every board in the Plus 514 line is certified as a Chromebook Plus device, meeting Google’s enhanced hardware requirements (at least 8GB RAM and 128GB storage) and unlocking AI features like Help me write, Magic Editor, background blur and noise cancellation on video calls, and Google Gemini integration.
Can I run Android and Linux apps on the Acer Chromebook Plus 514?
Yes. Every Plus 514 board fully supports Android apps from the Google Play Store and Linux applications through ChromeOS’s built-in Linux development environment (Crostini). The 8GB of RAM is enough to run several Android apps alongside a Linux container, and the 512GB SSD on the CB514-4HT and CB514-6H leaves plenty of room for both ecosystems plus large local file caches.
