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Not everybody wants a decked-out laptop computer with costly {hardware}. For customers looking for 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 finances laptop computer line — fills that area of interest nicely.
For $300, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a succesful finances 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 adequate to take work calls whereas away from the workplace.
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.
In truth, “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 characteristic being a surprisingly long-lasting battery.
Whenever you look carefully at these parameters, you may 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 below 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. Nonetheless, in my testing, the laptop computer might largely sustain with my web searching habits (learn: a lot of 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 principal pc, and it dealt with fundamental productiveness duties nicely. Nonetheless, efficiency dips after getting a handful of apps open and begin making an attempt to maneuver shortly between home windows.
Relating to the keyboard and trackpad, I’ve no complaints about typing on the Aspire Go 15. The keys are mild, responsive, and quiet. If you happen to like backlights in your keyboards, you may discover none of those luxuries right here, however the keys’ textured really feel and springiness are high quality. The trackpad would not really feel notably high-end, however it’s well-positioned and does the job.
Your entire bodily kind issue of this laptop computer might 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 fundamental and never very vivid, however it does have good viewing-angle flexibility, in contrast to different Chromebooks or finances laptops. The 1080p full HD show has adequate distinction, even when the 60Hz refresh fee is not phenomenal. I feel something lower than 75% brightness on this laptop computer is simply too dim.
The number 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 by way of its USB-C port.
The audio system will not be 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 discuss 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 continuing livestream video operating. This battery life leads me to consider that the {hardware} on this machine, even on the decrease finish, is a minimum of well-optimized.
Nonetheless, this laptop computer is not going to final greater than a day of demanding, sustained use. If you happen to 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 strong decide for customers with out demanding efficiency necessities or for individuals who want a secondary laptop computer for touring. It is also an amazing decide for college kids looking for a finances laptop computer to convey on campus for note-taking and finishing assignments, and the machine is included in our greatest laptops for school record.
The sensible record of options, number of ports, and respectable 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 worth is true.
