Acer quickly moved up the ranks in the tech community since its founding in 1976 under the name Multitech International.
Around the turn of the millennium, Acer shifted gears and tried out a new business model. Rather than just being a manufacturer, they became a full-service tech solution. From design to marketing and distribution, they now handle it all. Just three years ago, they were already hovering around the top five ranks for personal computer vendors around the globe.
From PCs to tablets to Chromebooks, Acer has diversified their product line substantially throughout the years. They’ve even expanded their inventory to include various types of smartphones and computerized devices, making them a holistic equipment maker.
How does a person choose which Acer equipment is best? For this list, we’ll look to rank several of the company’s popular laptop computers based on their specs, durability, and reputation. We’ll examine the components and the feedback these models have achieved, then give each one a score. We’ll also take a look at some of the company’s standalone equipment and look at how it could help a buyer improve their setup.
Acer is a master of balancing performance with fair prices – and the result is value. Here’s how we’ll rate their equipment.
How Do We Choose Our Ratings for Acer Laptops and Gear?
When we’re rating laptops, we’ll take a look at their dimensions, specs, and design. We’ll factor in how the part selection affects performance, and whether a certain computer is geared toward a certain type of buyer – i.e., gamers, content creators, etc.
We’ll also take into account the price of the computer. Acer laptops have a reputation for being cost-efficient, and for giving users a high amount of value for their dollar. Most people who shop for these computers do so for that reason. We’ll choose our selections based on prices and whether they’re warranted for the product they’re attached to.
Finally, we’ll look at how users in the community have rated these laptops. It could be anything from a glowing review given by a top tech site or a one-star review left by a verified buyer. But the feedback a computer has gotten from those who’ve used it matters as much as any spec or proclamation by the manufacturer.
As for the gear selection, we’ll analyze a few pieces of Acer’s top equipment and talk about how each one could contribute to a smooth workflow or improved experience.
The Chromebook has become a popular choice for professionals, students, and even frequent travelers since its inception. Combining the simple Chrome OS with a lightweight frame, this computer makes it easy to get work done or simply enjoy casual use – without taking up too much space.
The conveniences are plentiful, including a wide-angle display with anti-glare properties so you can enjoy all 15.6” of the screen. It’s equipped with 802.11ac wireless technology, making it easy to hop on your nearest network and connect without problems.
As for the specs, you get 4GM of RAM, 32GB of eMMC flash memory, built-in cloud support with Google Drive, and integrated Intel HD Graphics 505. This means you have the basics necessary for casual use, work, and even light photo editing and gaming.
For a price around $300, a shopper would be hard pressed to find another Chromebook by such a reputable manufacturer that delivers in the same areas. It has around double the memory a computer of this type can be expected to, and the graphical capabilities are stronger than one would expect for such a small computer. Overall, it’s a great value purchase and a solid starter Chromebook for anyone.
Another interesting entry into the Chromebook category, the R11 masters the 2-in-1 setup. With a laptop that offers touchscreen functionality, it’s nice to have the option to use it as a tablet whether you’re working, chatting, or just browsing the web.
Like the last entry, this one comes with the Google Chrome OS. While it has a smaller display at only 11.6”, you’re still getting a 720p resolution for wide-viewing angles and LED backlights for more comfortable viewing. The computer also has the Intel Celeron N3160 processor. This is a great entry-level quad-core model, and can offer more than enough processing power for casual tasks such as e-mail, chatting, and web browsing.
It also comes with 4GB of memory, 32GB of eMMC flash, and built-in cloud support like the last model. The graphics are a step down from the previous model, but the Intel HD 400 graphics are still powerful enough for casual gaming and photo editing.
It’s only about $300, cheaper than the above model, and that constitutes a noticeable step down in graphics and screen size. Buying a Chromebook is more than just getting a convenient OS – it’s about getting as much size as possible in a compact package. This one may not have the best specs, but it is still a very solid Acer all around.
A break from the Chromebook category, this computer is a little thicker and a little pricier, retailing at just around $800 in Amazon. However, it has higher specs than the previous Acers we’ve looked at. Starting with the processor, it offers an Intel Core i5 CPU, giving users access to four cores and uses Intel’s eighth-generation architecture.
It’s capable of 1080p resolution on the 15.6” display, made even more capable thanks to the dedicated graphics. The Nitro is equipped for high-end gaming performance, giving users an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 with 4GB of GDDR5 memory.
The specs are solid throughout. Acer rounded out this model with a 1TB hard drive, 8GB of RAM, and a Windows 10 OS.
Quad-core Intel processor? 8GB of memory? A high-end GeForce GPU? You’re getting a solid all-around machine here, and while the display may be a little smaller than what some gamers are used to, you always have the option to expand your monitor setup via HDMI. For the money, this is a great all-around gaming laptop that can handle a little bit of everything.
Another entry into the Chromebook category, this computer has a slim design and retails at just around $400 . What do you get for that price? Let’s start with an Intel Celeron N3150 quad-core processor, running at 1.6GHz base speed. It also comes with 4GB of memory and a 32GB SSD. For a laptop that is admittedly on the low end of the buying range, that’s a pretty powerful setup.
There’s also HD integrated Intel graphics and a 720p display, allowing you to stay focused and enjoy whatever you’re viewing with great clarity. You can easily swing the display, putting it in tent mode or tablet mode for whatever the task calls for.
Finally, this unit rounds out the package of solid features with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n wireless connectivity to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. For the money, it’s hard to do better than this little gem.
It’s light but not light on the specs. For its size and class, this product is fast and nearly everything. And while it is possible to find other portable laptops with the Chrome OS that are in the same price class, it’s hard to match these features.
This one is only lower than the others for one simple reason – the price. It’s around $1200, so it’s one of the more expensive Acers you’ll find. But it’s worthy of special mention because it offers gamers and Acer lovers something special – and the manufacturer didn’t skip on the specs at all.
It comes with a seventh-generation i7-7700HQ processor, which can be pushed to 3.8GHz in Turbo mode. Gamers will get to enjoy smooth framerates on high settings thanks to the 1080p display and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 6GB of dedicated GDDR memory.
Throw in 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 256GB SSD, and an empty slot where you can add a second drive of your choice, and you have a well-rounded gaming machine built to handle a bit of everything.
While this machine is certainly more powerful than the others on our list, its only downfall is the high price. You can find a lot of good gaming laptops in this price range, but it deserves a mention simply for showing Acer isn’t just about low-cost laptops. They can do it all, including releasing a finely tuned gaming machine you can carry around in your backpack.
Buyer’s Guide for Acer Laptops: What to Consider
When you’re shopping for a laptop, Acer is a great brand to consider. While no brand can sell products based off their name alone, Acer is a proven name in the tech industry with a good reputation for a good reason.
The important thing to consider at the start of your buying journey is – what type of device do you need? Are you looking for something super compact, or something that has very high specs? Do you want to stay within a mid-range budget, or are you fine breaking four figures to get your next laptop?
As we showed, there are plenty of options from Acer in many different areas. From Chromebooks built for work and casual use to gaming PCs, there are options for multiple price ranges. Considering price and type together will help you make your search much more concise.
All five entries on our list have gotten good reviews, and they have the standard parts you’d want in a laptop – a quad-core CPU, 4GB of RAM, and solid graphics at minimum. When you look for specs like these in a computer, you’re bound to find something good for the money.
What About Acer Equipment and Standalone Gear?
What about the best Acer equipment in 2018? We know they have great laptops, but this company makes a wide variety of products that can help improve any tech setup. We’ll divide these parts up into categories and show how each one can be useful.
Since many of the laptops in Acer’s inventory are built for gaming, it’s only right they’d include gaming accessories in their inventory. From mousepads to headphones to backpacks, they offer everything a gamer could want. They also go with the Predator brand, which has received many good reviews.
There’s nothing quite like playing a game or watching a movie on a big display. When 1080p and 15.6” isn’t enough, projection can be the right solution. These models are made by Acer and can help you take your viewing experience to the (really) big screen.
Not satisfied with the amount of storage an Acer laptop has? They sell standalone drives with bracket kits to make installation easy. If your laptop or PC has the space, you can install multiple drives to improve both the device’s performance and your ability to stay organized when using it.
These are just a few of the types of equipment categories you’ll find with Acer. There’s also keyboards, mice, backpacks, and more – any user can complete their setup with Acer.
Product |
Image |
Details |
Rating |
Price |
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Dimension:14.9 x 10.1 x 0.7 inchesWeight: 5.76 pounds |
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Dimension15.4 x 9.3 x 3.1 inchesWeight: 2.76 pounds |
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Dimension15.3 x 10.5 x 1.1 inchesWeight: 7.89 pounds |
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Dimension8 x 11.6 x 0.8 inchesWeight: 2.76 pounds |
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Dimension15.3 x 10.5 x 1.1 inchesWeight: 5.95 pounds |
Buyer’s Guide for Acer Equipment in 2018
When you’re shopping with a company like Acer, it’s hard to go wrong. They have so many quality products and such a good grasp on the tech industry they know what buyers like.
From their gaming accessories to their hard drive assembly kits, Acer offers plenty of great equipment any user may need. It all depends on the setup in question and what a person looks for. But just the Acer brand name along makes it easier to spot a quality product.
Acer has come a long way over the decades from a distributor to one of the top ranked sellers of laptops and computer equipment. Every product and product type on this list offers a good deal of value, and any shoppers should consider them alongside competitors when they’re shopping for a new device.