ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Acer Aspire Go 15 is obtainable for round $299 throughout main retailers.
- For an reasonably priced worth, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a succesful laptop computer for on a regular basis use with an honest battery.
- As with most gadgets on this worth vary, the laptop computer’s limitations turn out to be obvious with heavy workloads.
Observe ZDNET: Add us as a most well-liked supply on Google.
Not everybody wants a decked-out laptop computer with costly {hardware}. For customers searching for an reasonably priced laptop computer that is ok for on a regular basis use, the Acer Aspire Go 15 — a more moderen addition to Acer’s funds laptop computer line — fills that area of interest properly.
For $300, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a succesful funds laptop computer for customers with out heavy efficiency calls for. The 15-inch display screen is well-suited for looking the online, checking emails, and utilizing productiveness software program, whereas the onboard webcam is ample to take work calls whereas away from the workplace.
Additionally: Why shopping for the fitting laptop computer is extra sophisticated than ever (and easy methods to make your best option)
At 3.75 kilos, this isn’t the lightest laptop computer, and the 15-inch show ends in a barely cumbersome physique, however the tradeoff is a full-sized keyboard with a right-side quantity pad (even when the keys are barely smaller) and a show that feels simply large enough.
In truth, “simply sufficient” is the overarching theme for this laptop computer. It has simply sufficient efficiency to cowl the fundamentals, a ok webcam, port choice, and kind issue, with the stand-out characteristic being a surprisingly long-lasting battery.
Additionally: Why shopping for the fitting laptop computer is extra sophisticated than ever (and easy methods to make your best option)
Once you look intently at these parameters, you’ll be able to see that they are fairly well-optimized, leading to a laptop computer with limitations however a tool that additionally performs properly inside the scope of its capabilities.
So, let us take a look at what’s beneath the hood. The Aspire Go 15 has an Intel Core i3-N305, a considerably low-end processor with simply 8GB of RAM. This mixture of {hardware} limits this machine’s capabilities. Nonetheless, in my testing, the laptop computer might principally sustain with my web looking habits (learn: a lot of YouTube tabs) and work-related apps, if not some stuttering as soon as the CPU was taxed.
I used this laptop computer for per week, taking it to and from the workplace and swapping it between my most important pc, and it dealt with fundamental productiveness duties properly. Nonetheless, efficiency dips after getting a handful of apps open and begin making an attempt to maneuver shortly between home windows.
Additionally: Do you have to improve to M5 MacBook Professional from an M1? How the numbers add up
Relating to the keyboard and trackpad, I’ve no complaints about typing on the Aspire Go 15. The keys are gentle, responsive, and quiet. If you happen to like backlights in your keyboards, you may discover none of those luxuries right here, however the keys’ textured really feel and springiness are superb. The trackpad would not really feel notably high-end, but it surely’s well-positioned and does the job.
All the bodily kind issue of this laptop computer will be described equally. Upon first inspection, the full-plastic physique feels a bit flimsy, and the show tends to wobble. The laptop computer’s silver-and-black coloration scheme provides off a impartial, non-descript aesthetic.
The 15-inch show is slightly fundamental and never very vivid, but it surely does have good viewing-angle flexibility, not like different Chromebooks or funds laptops. The 1080p full HD show has ample distinction, even when the 60Hz refresh charge is not phenomenal. I believe something lower than 75% brightness on this laptop computer is simply too dim.
The number of ports right here can also be simply sufficient. You get two USB-A ports, one USB-C, an HDMI port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Kensington lock slot. The charger that comes with the Aspire Go 15 is a cheap-feeling proprietary jack, however the laptop computer will also be charged by way of its USB-C port.
The audio system are usually not inspiring, as you may think for a $300 laptop computer. Though the audio system can get sufficiently loud, they’re skinny and tinny. Join your Bluetooth wi-fi earbuds or plug into the headphone jack to listen to higher audio.
So, let’s discuss concerning the battery lifetime of this laptop computer. I used the system intermittently for a day and a half earlier than needing to plug it again in. In a extra demanding battery check, the laptop computer lasted over 10 hours with a relentless livestream video operating. This battery life leads me to consider that the {hardware} on this machine, even on the decrease finish, is at the very least well-optimized.
Additionally: Probably the most refined Home windows 11 PCs I’ve examined this 12 months shouldn’t be what you suppose
Nonetheless, this laptop computer is not going to final greater than a day of demanding, sustained use. If you happen to take the Acer Aspire Go 15 to the workplace and overlook your charger, you may get about seven to eight hours of life. However all issues thought-about, the battery energy on this machine rounds out the package deal properly.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
For the worth, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a strong choose for customers with out demanding efficiency necessities or for individuals who want a secondary laptop computer for touring. It is also an incredible choose for college kids searching for a funds laptop computer to deliver on campus for note-taking and finishing assignments, and the system is included in our greatest laptops for faculty checklist.
The sensible checklist of options, number of ports, and respectable battery life offer you all the things you want and nothing you do not. The laptop computer is well-optimized to function inside its capabilities. Moreover, at simply $300, the worth is correct.
