ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Acer Aspire Go 15 is on the market for round $299 throughout main retailers.
- For an inexpensive value, 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 value vary, the laptop computer’s limitations turn out to be 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 inexpensive laptop computer that is ok for on a regular basis use, the Acer Aspire Go 15 — a more moderen 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 is well-suited for searching the net, checking emails, and utilizing productiveness software program, whereas the onboard webcam is enough 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 leads to 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 ok webcam, port choice, and type issue, with the stand-out function being a surprisingly long-lasting battery.
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If 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 throughout the scope of its capabilities.
So, let us take a look at what’s underneath 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. Nevertheless, in my testing, the laptop computer might principally 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 every week, taking it to and from the workplace and swapping it between my fundamental laptop, and it dealt with fundamental productiveness duties nicely. Nevertheless, efficiency dips upon getting a handful of apps open and begin attempting to maneuver shortly 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 mild, responsive, and quiet. For those who like backlights in your keyboards, you will discover none of those luxuries right here, however the keys’ textured really feel and springiness are wonderful. The trackpad would not really feel significantly high-end, but it surely’s well-positioned and does the job.
The whole bodily type issue of this laptop computer could 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 offers off a impartial, non-descript aesthetic.
The 15-inch show is fairly fundamental and never very shiny, but it surely does have good viewing-angle flexibility, not like different Chromebooks or budget laptops. The 1080p full HD show has enough distinction, even when the 60Hz refresh price is not phenomenal. I believe something lower than 75% brightness on this laptop computer is simply 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 can be charged through its USB-C port.
The audio system aren’t 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 wireless earbuds or plug into the headphone jack to listen to higher audio.
So, let’s speak concerning 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 check, the laptop computer lasted over 10 hours with a relentless livestream video working. This battery life leads me to consider that the {hardware} on this machine, even on the decrease finish, is a minimum of well-optimized.
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Nevertheless, this laptop computer is not going to final greater than a day of demanding, sustained use. For those who take the Acer Aspire Go 15 to the workplace and neglect your charger, you will get about seven to eight hours of life. However all issues thought of, the battery energy on this machine rounds out the bundle properly.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
For the value, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a strong decide for customers with out demanding efficiency necessities or for individuals who want a secondary laptop computer for touring. It is also an incredible decide for college students in search of a price range laptop computer to carry on campus for note-taking and finishing assignments, and the machine is included in our best laptops for college list.
The sensible checklist of options, choice of ports, and first rate 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 value is true.