ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Acer Aspire Go 15 is obtainable for round $299 throughout main retailers.
- For an reasonably priced value, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a succesful laptop computer for on a regular basis use with an honest battery.
- As with most units on this value vary, the laptop computer’s limitations turn into obvious with heavy workloads.
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Not everybody wants a decked-out laptop computer with costly {hardware}. For customers in search of an reasonably priced laptop computer that is adequate for on a regular basis use, the Acer Aspire Go 15 — a newer addition to Acer’s price range laptop computer line — fills that area of interest nicely.
For $300, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a succesful price range laptop computer for customers with out heavy efficiency calls for. The 15-inch display screen is well-suited for searching the online, checking emails, and utilizing productiveness software program, whereas the onboard webcam is ample to take work calls whereas away from the workplace.
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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 sufficiently big.
The truth is, “simply sufficient” is the overarching theme for this laptop computer. It has simply sufficient efficiency to cowl the fundamentals, a adequate webcam, port choice, and kind issue, with the stand-out function being a surprisingly long-lasting battery.
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Whenever 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 nicely inside the scope of its capabilities.
So, let’s 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 mix of {hardware} limits this machine’s capabilities. Nevertheless, in my testing, the laptop computer may largely sustain with my web searching habits (learn: numerous 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 principal laptop, and it dealt with primary productiveness duties nicely. Nevertheless, efficiency dips after getting a handful of apps open and begin attempting to maneuver rapidly between home windows.
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Concerning the keyboard and trackpad, I’ve no complaints about typing on the Aspire Go 15. The keys are gentle, responsive, and quiet. When you like backlights in your keyboards, you may discover none of those luxuries right here, however the keys’ textured really feel and springiness are fantastic. The trackpad would not really feel notably high-end, but it surely’s well-positioned and does the job.
The complete bodily kind issue of this laptop computer may 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 colour scheme provides off a impartial, non-descript aesthetic.
The 15-inch show is relatively primary and never very shiny, but it surely does have good viewing-angle flexibility, not like different Chromebooks or price range 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 just too dim.
The choice 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 should 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 speak in regards to the battery lifetime of this laptop computer. I used the machine intermittently for a day and a half earlier than needing to plug it again in. In a extra demanding battery take a look at, the laptop computer lasted over 10 hours with a relentless livestream video operating. This battery life leads me to imagine that the {hardware} on this machine, even on the decrease finish, is not less than well-optimized.
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Nevertheless, this laptop computer is not going to final greater than a day of demanding, sustained use. When you 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 of, 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 stable decide for customers with out demanding efficiency necessities or for individuals who want a secondary laptop computer for touring. It is also a terrific decide for college kids in search of a price range laptop computer to deliver on campus for note-taking and finishing assignments, and the machine is included in our finest laptops for faculty listing.
The sensible listing of options, choice of ports, and respectable battery life offer you every thing 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 true.
