The excellent news is the typing expertise on this Acer is great. Low-cost laptops usually skimp out on the keyboard, however that isn’t the case right here. The keys have nice journey and are spaced effectively, and there isn’t a ton of flex within the keyboard deck that you just may see on different price range laptops. Talking of, the chassis feels fairly strong total. The Aspire is a little bit thick, however that lends it a sturdiness that avoids feeling low cost regardless of a liberal use of plastic. It isn’t notably fairly, however Acer will get some model factors for the tasteful textual content logos on the lid. (I’m actually drawn to the “Aspire” textual content towards the underside for some purpose.)
I’ve one reservation about sturdiness. Whereas opening the laptop computer throughout testing, I gripped the lid in such a means that I felt the backing draw back from the show bezels ever-so-slightly. It caught me off guard and will have been a fluke in how I grabbed the lid, but it surely makes me query whether or not it’s going to maintain up over years of use.
For followers of taller shows, the 1,920 x 1,200-pixel display has a 16:10 ratio, providing you with extra vertical area to work with. As a author, that is my most popular ratio due to the respiratory room you get working with paperwork, so I’m glad to see it right here. Nevertheless, the display high quality is precisely what you’d anticipate with a $300 pc, with washed-out colours and horrible viewing angles.
One other space that disappoints is the webcam. Merely put, I wouldn’t decide up the Aspire Go 14 if you wish to look your finest on video calls. The 720p digicam is beneath common, with a muddy, washed-out look. Perhaps seize a separate webcam?
The port choice is fairly good, with two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a full-size HDMI port. Sadly, the laptop computer costs with a barrel plug, however hopefully, the prolonged battery life means you gained’t should journey with the included charger too usually. It will’ve additionally been good to see an SD card slot so as to add extra storage.
At this worth, you may’t ask for the world, and the Aspire Go 14 lives as much as most expectations for a $300 laptop computer and exceeds them in some methods. Glorious battery life, an amazing typing expertise, and loads of energy for primary duties make it a good Chromebook competitor. The one space that would kill this laptop computer for many individuals is the dearth of cupboard space, although you might carry a USB drive round to carry paperwork and different media.
In case you don’t require Home windows in your day-to-day life, it’s price taking a look at a Chromebook Plus laptop in its place. You gained’t get the identical battery life, however you might be able to get a greater display and webcam, and these machines are sometimes on sale for beneath $400.