Acer Chromebook Spin 13

Updated on January 12, 2026

Note: The Acer Chromebook Spin 13 has been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase. This page remains as a reference for existing owners and those researching the device’s specifications and capabilities.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 13 represented a bold statement when it launched in late 2018: Chromebooks could be premium, professional machines worthy of enterprise adoption. Acer positioned this device squarely against Google’s own Pixelbook, and by most accounts, succeeded in creating something that outperformed it in benchmarks while including extras like a garaged Wacom stylus. The Spin 13’s defining characteristic was its stunning 13.5-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, offering 11% more vertical screen real estate than typical 16:9 laptops. Chrome Unboxed noted that “at 13 and a half inches… at that aspect ratio, it really feels like you’re working on a 14 or 14 and a half inch device.” For users who spent their days in Google Docs, spreadsheets, or web-based workflows, that extra vertical space proved genuinely useful.

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Acer Chromebook Spin 13 Comparison Chart

	Acer Chromebook Spin 13	Acer Chromebook Spin 13	Acer Chromebook Spin 13	Acer Chromebook Spin 13
Price	List Price: $899.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $799.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $1049.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $899.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Model number	CP713-1WN-53NF / NX.EFJAA.005	CP713-1WN-385L	CP713-1WN-57LT / NX.EFJAA.02B	CP713-1WN-55HT
Perfomance Rating	4.9	4.9	5.8	4.9
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No	No
Processor	Dual-core 2.20 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz) Intel Core i3-8130U	Dual-core 2.20 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz) Intel Core i3-8130U	Dual-core 2.20 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz) Intel Core i3-8130U	Dual-core 2.20 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz) Intel Core i3-8130U
RAM	8 GB	8 GB	16 GB	8 GB
Internal Storage	128 GB eMMC	64 GB eMMC	128 GB eMMC	64 GB eMMC
Screen Size	13.5"	13.5"	13.5"	13.5"
Screen Resolution	2256x1504	2256x1504	2256x1504	2256x1504
Screen Type	IPS	IPS	IPS	IPS
Touch Screen	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stylus / Pen	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported
Dimensions width x length x thickness	12.2 x 9.7 x 0.7 inches (309.88 x 246.38 x 17.78 mm)	12.2 x 9.7 x 0.7 inches (309.88 x 246.38 x 17.78 mm)	12.2 x 9.7 x 0.7 inches (309.88 x 246.38 x 17.78 mm)	12.2 x 9.7 x 0.7 inches (309.88 x 246.38 x 17.78 mm)
Weight	3.5 lbs (1.59 kg)	3.5 lbs (1.59 kg)	3.5 lbs (1.59 kg)	3.5 lbs (1.59 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Webcam	720p	720p	720p	720p
WiFi	IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac	IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac	IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac	IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2	Bluetooth 4.2
Ethernet	No	No	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No	No	No
HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI
USB Ports	1 USB 3, 2 USB-C (supports external display)	1 USB 3, 2 USB-C (supports external display)	1 USB 3, 2 USB-C (supports external display)	1 USB 3, 2 USB-C (supports external display)
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No	No
Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader
Battery	3 cell, 4670 mAh, Lithium-ion	3 cell, 4670 mAh, Lithium-ion	3 cell, 4670 mAh, Lithium-ion	3 cell, 4670 mAh, Lithium-ion
Battery Life	10.0 hours	10.0 hours	10.0 hours	10.0 hours
Fanless	No	No	No	No
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2028	June, 2028	June, 2028	June, 2028

Detailed Insights into the Acer Chromebook Spin 13

The Spin 13’s build quality immediately set it apart from the plastic-bodied Chromebooks that dominated the market at the time. The entire chassis is constructed from anodized aluminum with diamond-cut edges, giving it the fit and finish of devices costing considerably more. Ian Dixon observed that “it feels nice and solid, a proper laptop rather than some of the very plasticky earlier Chromebooks I’ve played with.” The 360-degree hinge allows the display to fold completely back for tablet mode, though reviewers consistently noted that at 3.5 pounds, holding it as a tablet for extended periods wasn’t particularly comfortable. The hinge mechanism itself earned praise for its sturdiness, maintaining position without wobble across all orientations.

Performance was a genuine strength for the Spin 13. Equipped with 8th-generation Intel U-series processors (Core i3-8130U or Core i5-8250U), it delivered benchmark scores that exceeded the Google Pixelbook across the board. UltraBook Review measured Jetstream 1.1 scores of 161.12 compared to the Pixelbook’s 144.78, while Octane 2.0 results reached 33,487 versus 32,334. Android Authority recorded even higher numbers with the Core i5 variant, hitting 36,464 on Octane. In practical terms, this meant handling 30-40 browser tabs without stuttering, running Android apps smoothly, and providing enough headroom for light Linux development work. The fan remained completely silent during normal use, only spinning up during demanding tasks, though when it did engage, the noise was noticeable.

The display deserves special attention because it genuinely stood out in the Chromebook landscape. The 2256x1504 resolution on a 13.5-inch IPS panel delivered sharp text and vibrant colors, with UltraBook Review measuring brightness at 316 cd/m². The touchscreen uses Gorilla Glass for durability, and the entire surface responds accurately to both finger and stylus input. Speaking of the stylus, Acer included a full-sized Wacom EMR pen that stores in a garage slot at the front of the device. This pen offered 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and worked without batteries, drawing power inductively from the display. For note-taking and sketching, it proved far more comfortable than the pencil-thin styluses bundled with some competitors. The trackpad also featured Gorilla Glass, providing smooth tracking, though Chrome Unboxed noted it was somewhat shallow and occasionally missed inputs.

Reviewer Insights on the Acer Chromebook Spin 13

Professional reviewers largely agreed on the Spin 13’s strengths and weaknesses, though their overall recommendations varied based on how they weighted the premium pricing.

TechRadar’s Assessment

TechRadar awarded the Spin 13 a 4.5/5 rating, praising it as the best Chromebook for business users. Their review emphasized the premium build quality and the bundled stylus as key differentiators from the Pixelbook. Desire Athow wrote that “if you’re after a Chromebook for business use, the Spin 13 is probably the best out there, pushing Google’s Pixelbook aside thanks to better hardware and a bundled stylus that’s more than just a gimmick.” The review noted some minor annoyances like the inability to disable the keyboard backlight and three branded stickers on the device, but these didn’t significantly impact the overall positive assessment.

Chrome Unboxed’s Take

Chrome Unboxed provided one of the most detailed technical evaluations. They described the display as “an absolute knockout” and praised the comprehensive port selection with USB-C on both sides for convenient charging. However, Robby Payne expressed reservations about the input experience, describing the keyboard as mushy compared to the Pixelbook and noting that the shallow trackpad “occasionally interfered with palm rejection software.” Their verdict: a pass at MSRP but a strong recommendation if the price dropped $100-150, particularly for the Core i3/8GB configuration which offered the best value proposition.

Thurrott’s Personal Recommendation

Paul Thurrott offered perhaps the strongest endorsement, stating that “this is the Chromebook on which I would spend my own money.” He appreciated the versatile 360-degree design becoming more practical with Android app support, and the 8+ hours of battery life he observed in testing. His main criticisms focused on the stylus lacking pressure sensitivity and tilt support in many applications, and the Chrome OS/Android app integration feeling somewhat awkward.

Android Authority’s Perspective

Android Authority called the Spin 13 “the best Chromebook” while simultaneously questioning whether its performance was overkill at the $899 price point. Williams Pelegrin praised the aluminum build as “the build I always wanted from a Chromebook” and noted the device handled everything without breaking a sweat. However, they observed battery life fell short of Acer’s 10-hour claim at 5-8 hours in real-world testing, and the stylus proved uncomfortable for extended use due to its small size. The fans also spun up more frequently than expected during light tasks.

UltraBook Review’s Analysis

UltraBook Review provided extensive benchmark data and awarded a 4.25/5 rating. Andrei Girbea appreciated the quality IPS display, fast keyboard, and silent operation during daily use. The thermal management impressed him, with temperatures staying in the low 30s Celsius under normal workloads. However, he identified the device as “stuck somewhere in no-man’s land: too expensive for the average user, and not yet capable-enough for power-users.” The oversized bezels, unergonomic tablet mode, and sharp beveled edges causing wrist discomfort during extended lap use were notable drawbacks.

Conclusion

The Acer Chromebook Spin 13 arrived at a transitional moment for Chrome OS, when Google was pushing the platform toward professional and enterprise adoption. It delivered on the promise of premium hardware: the aluminum construction, stunning 3:2 display, included Wacom stylus, and benchmark-leading performance all justified its position at the top of the Chromebook lineup. TechRadar’s 4.5/5 and UltraBook Review’s 4.25/5 reflected genuine appreciation for what Acer accomplished.

The persistent criticism across reviews centered on value. At $799-$1049, the Spin 13 competed directly with well-equipped Windows laptops that offered greater software flexibility. Reviewers consistently noted the device was best purchased on sale, with Chrome Unboxed specifically recommending the Core i3/8GB configuration when discounted by $100-150. The keyboard mushiness and shallow trackpad also prevented it from fully realizing its premium aspirations.

With support extending through June 2028, the Spin 13 will continue receiving Chrome OS updates for existing owners. While no longer available new, it remains a capable machine for those who prioritized the 3:2 display, stylus integration, and Chrome OS workflow. For anyone researching similar devices today, the lessons of the Spin 13 still apply: display quality, build materials, and stylus functionality matter as much as raw specifications when evaluating productivity-focused Chromebooks.