When it comes to the best laptops I’m on team Apple for my personal work, preferring to use the best MacBooks available. But there are some shortcomings in the fruit-named company’s laptop specifications - and Acer just dropped a new line-up with one ace new feature that makes me jealous.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714, as revealed at the company’s ‘Next at Acer’ annual conference, is also the first in the company’s range to use an all-new 2K webcam. That’s a major upgrade - and one I wish Apple would move to sort out in its line-ups - for those of us frequently on calls.
Videoconferencing and home-working are now so commonplace that Acer has clearly identified an area of the market where the Chromebook Spin 714 can take command. The webcam’s specification is described as ‘QHD MIPI 2K’, meaning quad-HD resolution for crisp and clear images. There’s more, too, with “temporal noise reduction technology” to “maintain high-quality visuals even in low-light conditions” and a pair of microphones to ensure you sound as good as you’ll look.
I know, not everyone is going to get super-excited about a webcam, but the 2023 version of Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 comes with other alluring features. The touchscreen can be controlled using an optional stylus, for example, while the product’s hinge mechanism - hence that ‘Spin’ name - means it can be positioned through a full 360-degrees for use as a laptop, touchscreen ‘tent’, or flat ‘tablet’. Very versatile.
Under the hood the Chromebook Spin 714 features Intel Core i processors (from i3 to i7), supported by Intel’s UHD Graphics or Iris Xe Graphics, making it a powerful workhorse. I could see this being one of the best laptops for students, therefore, in addition to one of the best Chromebooks coming in 2023.
You’ll have to be content with Google’s ChromeOS operating system, but of course, which is an integral part of a Chromebook’s lifeblood. I’m still super-happy with my macOS setup on MacBook, but I’d sure love the latest MacBook Air to feature a better webcam. Your move, Apple!
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (also available in an Enterprise edition) will be available from this May. Pricing is from $699.99 in the USA, and while there’s no official UK, Euro or Australian pricing just yet, I’d expect those markets to have to pay a little more.
-
3 overrated shoulder exercises, according to a fitness expert (and what to do instead)Sculpt 3D shoulders whilst minimising injury with these three alternative exercises
-
Polar’s new subscription feature lands in the shadow of Garmin’s Connect+ rolloutPR genius or timing disaster? Polar’s new Fitness Programme adds adaptive training to its ecosystem
-
AirPods Max finally get the great free upgrade Apple promisedHere's how to make sure your headphones are running the right firmware
-
Apple TV gets a free update that makes it more simple to useApple has released tvOS 18.4 with a few design tweaks for its TV boxes
-
Your iPhone gets some new tricks - here’s what it can do nowThe new emojis and priority notifications are probably our favourite
-
Older iPhones at risk of being left behind when iOS 19 arrives – is your device one of them?Apple will reportedly drop three iPhone models when it comes to the iOS 19 update
-
Your next MacBook Pro could be a game-changer for three good reasonsApple will reportedly upgrade next year's MacBook Pro in three major ways
-
M5 iPad Pro on schedule for release this year, claims expertApple's best tablet is reportedly getting even more power in late 2025
-
New evidence suggests Apple's taking its foldable iPhone seriouslyAnd it might bring something different to the party too
-
EU paves the way for iPhones and Android devices to ditch USB-C entirelyClarification enables Apple, Samsung and others to switch to wireless charging only
