The Chromebook Plus Spin 514 features a sturdy build, with aluminum comprising the lid and the bottom of the chassis, and a keyboard deck that feels like soft-touch plastic. The display housing does flex a bit under pressure, as does the keyboard deck when typing. Overall, however, the build seems high-quality enough for the price. Acer subjected the laptop to the full suite of MIL-STD 810H (military-standard) quality and reliability tests, which should be reason enough to trust its durability for casual mobile use.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The hinge requires both hands to open the lid, but that’s not surprising for a 360-degree convertible that can morph from a clamshell laptop into tent, media, and tablet modes. The swivel mechanism is smooth enough, and the 0.61-inch thickness is trim enough to comfortably sketch on the display with the active pen included with my review unit, the tablet-mode laptop nestled in the crook of an arm. At 3.3 pounds, the unit is a bit heavy, but the weight is reasonable for a 14-inch model. You might not want to hold the Chromebook Spin Plus 514 in one hand for long-term inking sessions, but it’s easy enough to prop it up or leave it lying flat.
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(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Acer’s aesthetic is attractive enough, with a silver color augmented by subtle chrome Acer and Chromebook Plus logos on the lid. The display bezel is all glass and flush with the sides, adding to the premium look. Sweeping lines on the sides give the laptop the impression of being thinner than it actually is—and thoroughly modern. It’s easy to see how mainstream customers and engaged ChromeOS fans alike could enjoy the Chromebook Plus Spin 514’s overall look and feel.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The machine serves up the latest version of ChromeOS, presenting a range of AI functions supported by a neural processor that can handle up to 50 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Acer and Google include a year of Google AI Pro in the box, which enables Gemini 3 Pro, 2TB of cloud storage, and seamless integration with Gemini Workspace.
In addition, Acer uses the USI 2.0 stylus standard for active pen support. While ChromeOS doesn’t provide the same level of digital-inking support as Windows 11, it’s sufficient for students and most general users, but it might fall short of digital artists’ expectations.
