Acer Chromebook Spin 15

Starry Hope Rating
3.0

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Photo of Acer Chromebook Spin 15

Note: The Acer Chromebook Spin 15 has been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase new. This page remains for historical reference and to assist users who already own this device. The Chromebook will continue to receive Chrome OS updates until June 2027.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 15 represented Acer’s first foray into 15-inch convertible Chromebooks, combining a large Full HD touchscreen with a versatile 360-degree hinge. When it launched in 2018, the Spin 15 targeted users who prioritized screen real estate over portability, positioning itself as what reviewers often called a “desktop replacement” Chromebook. The device found its niche among users who struggled with the smaller screens typical of most Chromebooks, particularly older users and those who frequently multitasked with multiple browser tabs.

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Acer Chromebook Spin 15 Comparison Chart

Acer Chromebook Spin 15

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Acer Chromebook Spin 15

Acer Chromebook Spin 15

Acer Chromebook Spin 15

Price

List Price: $449.99

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List Price: $449.99

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List Price: $399.99

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Model numberCP315-1H-P1K8 / NX.GWGAA.001CP315-1H-P4VG / NX.GWGAA.002CP315-1H-P8QY / NX.GWGAA.003
Perfomance Rating2.82.82.8
Chromebook PlusNoNoNo
ProcessorQuad-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.50 Ghz) Intel Pentium N4200Quad-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.50 Ghz) Intel Pentium N4200Quad-core 1.10 Ghz (max 2.50 Ghz) Intel Pentium N4200
RAM4 GB4 GB4 GB
Internal Storage64 GB eMMC64 GB eMMC32 GB eMMC
Screen Size15.6"15.6"15.6"
Screen Resolution1920x10801920x10801920x1080
Screen TypeIPSIPSIPS
Touch ScreenYesYesYes
Stylus / PenNo Stylus SupportNo Stylus SupportNo Stylus Support
Dimensions
width x length x thickness
15.2 x 10.3 x 0.8 inches
(386.08 x 261.62 x 20.32 mm)
15.2 x 10.3 x 0.8 inches
(386.08 x 261.62 x 20.32 mm)
15.2 x 10.3 x 0.8 inches
(386.08 x 261.62 x 20.32 mm)
Weight4.85 lbs (2.2 kg)4.85 lbs (2.2 kg)4.85 lbs (2.2 kg)
Backlit KeyboardYesYesYes
Webcam1280x720 wide angle HDR1280x720 wide angle HDR1280x720 wide angle HDR
WiFiIEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/acIEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/acIEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBluetooth 4.2Bluetooth 4.2Bluetooth 4.2
EthernetNoNoNo
Cellular ModemNoNoNo
HDMINo HDMINo HDMINo HDMI
USB Ports2 USB 3, 2 USB-C
(DisplayPort over USB-C)
2 USB 3, 2 USB-C
(DisplayPort over USB-C)
2 USB 3, 2 USB-C
(DisplayPort over USB-C)
Thunderbolt PortsNoNoNo
Card ReadermicroSD Card ReadermicroSD Card ReadermicroSD Card Reader
Battery3 cell, 4670 mAh, Lithium Polymer3 cell, 4670 mAh, Lithium Polymer3 cell, 4670 mAh, Lithium Polymer
Battery Life13.0 hours13.0 hours13.0 hours
FanlessYesYesYes
Auto Update
Expiration Date
June, 2027June, 2027June, 2027

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Detailed Insights into the Acer Chromebook Spin 15

The Acer Chromebook Spin 15’s most distinctive feature is its massive 15.6-inch IPS touchscreen display with 1920x1080 resolution. While the panel offers good viewing angles and decent color reproduction for a budget Chromebook, multiple reviewers noted that colors appeared somewhat muted compared to premium displays. The screen’s Gorilla Glass protection adds durability for touch interactions, though the substantial bezels surrounding the display drew consistent criticism for making the already large chassis even bigger than necessary.

Build quality presents a mixed picture that reflects the device’s budget-friendly positioning. The keyboard deck features a metal construction that feels solid and premium during use, while the exterior shell uses a textured plastic that some reviewers found less impressive. The 360-degree hinge mechanism works smoothly and holds positions well, enabling laptop, tent, stand, and tablet modes. However, at nearly 5 pounds and with a 15.2 x 10.3-inch footprint, the Spin 15 proves impractical for tablet use despite its convertible capabilities.

The Intel Pentium N4200 processor paired with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM provides adequate performance for typical Chrome OS workloads like web browsing, document editing, and media streaming. Benchmark testing showed the Spin 15 performing on par with other budget Chromebooks, handling 10-15 browser tabs without significant slowdown. The fanless design ensures completely silent operation, which multiple reviewers praised for distraction-free use in quiet environments like libraries or bedrooms.

Connectivity options proved to be a strength for this Chromebook. Two USB-C ports and two USB-A 3.0 ports provide flexibility for peripherals and charging, while DisplayPort-over-USB-C enables external monitor connections with an appropriate adapter. The microSD card slot allows storage expansion beyond the 32GB or 64GB eMMC options, which becomes particularly important for users who download Android apps or store offline content. There is no Ethernet port, so users who need a wired connection can use a USB Ethernet adapter. Battery life consistently impressed reviewers, with Laptop Mag measuring 9 hours and 37 minutes in testing, exceeding the Chromebook average and approaching Acer’s 13-hour claim.

Reviewer Insights on the Acer Chromebook Spin 15

TWiT Tech Podcast Network’s Perspective

Leo Laporte and Jason Howell from TWiT Tech Podcast Network positioned the Chromebook Spin 15 as an ideal secure computing solution for users who struggle with smaller screens. “Look at the size of this. This is one of the biggest Chromebooks out there,” Laporte noted during the review, emphasizing its desktop-replacement potential. The duo highlighted the device’s ability to run Android and Linux apps alongside standard Chrome OS features, recommending it particularly for older users who find typical laptop screens difficult to read. They praised the aluminum top’s premium textured feel and the silent fanless operation, while acknowledging that the substantial size and weight severely limit portability.

Product Impressions’ Perspective

Ryan from Product Impressions provided a detailed hands-on evaluation, noting the device’s fast setup process and responsive touchpad. “The keyboard tray here is metal, so that does feel nice,” he observed, contrasting the solid interior build with the less impressive plastic exterior. His review highlighted the display’s quality while criticizing the keyboard’s somewhat squishy feel and the speakers’ tinny, hollow sound that becomes worse when using tent mode since they face away from the user. He concluded that “this is a pretty nice machine, pretty well-rounded” while positioning it primarily as a media consumption device.

Chrome Unboxed’s Perspective

Robby Payne from Chrome Unboxed covered the Spin 15’s launch at an Acer event, noting that it essentially adds a 360-degree hinge to the existing Chromebook 15 design with minimal internal changes. His hands-on impressions emphasized that while the large display excels for media viewing in tent and stand modes, the device becomes unwieldy as a tablet. He also observed that the Spin 15’s screen appeared slightly dimmer than its non-convertible sibling, though both share similar specifications.

Written Review Consensus

Professional written reviews from TechRadar (4/5 stars), Digital Trends (8/10), and Laptop Mag (3.5/5 stars) reached similar conclusions. TechRadar called it “the ultimate Chromebook for multitasking,” praising the responsive touchscreen and comfortable backlit keyboard while criticizing the wasted space from large bezels. Digital Trends positioned it as “a good option for inexpensive Netflix binging,” noting its solid build quality despite mostly plastic construction. Laptop Mag’s battery testing confirmed excellent endurance at 9 hours 37 minutes while acknowledging the device’s compromises on display color accuracy and audio quality.

Customer Reviews

Amazon customer feedback for the Acer Chromebook Spin 15 consistently praised the large screen size and long battery life as standout features. Users frequently mentioned the display’s readability and the device’s reliability for everyday tasks like email, web browsing, and video streaming. Common complaints centered on the weight making it less portable than expected and the speakers’ lackluster audio quality for media consumption. The 360-degree hinge received mixed reactions, with some users appreciating the versatility while others found they rarely used tablet mode due to the device’s bulk.

Conclusion

The Acer Chromebook Spin 15 carved out a unique position as the first 15-inch convertible Chromebook, prioritizing screen size and battery life over portability. While its massive bezels, muted display colors, and mediocre speakers represented compromises necessary to hit its $399-$449 price point, reviewers consistently agreed it delivered solid value for users specifically seeking a large-screen Chrome OS experience. The device proved most successful as a stationary work and entertainment machine rather than a portable 2-in-1, with its convertible capabilities adding marginal utility for tent and stand modes while remaining impractical for tablet use. For users who already own this Chromebook, it remains a capable device for web browsing, media streaming, and light productivity tasks through its June 2027 end-of-life date.