When we reviewed it in August 2020, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 shot to the top of our Chromebook rankings for its peppy performance, plentiful ports, sleek and sturdy construction, and 13.5-inch touch screen with eye-pleasing 3:2 aspect ratio. The newly refreshed Spin 713 is pricier at $699.99—that's $70 more than before, though it brings an 11th instead of 10th Generation Intel Core i5 CPU and a 256GB instead of 128GB solid-state drive—but it's still a charming convertible that easily earns an Editors' Choice award among premium Chromebooks.
Now With Thunderbolt 4
This year's Chromebook Spin 713 (model CP713-3W-5102) has the same Steel Gray aluminum chassis that's passed the same MIL-STD 810H tests for shock and vibration as its predecessor; there's hardly any flex if you grasp the screen corners or press the keyboard deck. At 0.67 by 11.8 by 9.3 inches, it's deeper than the 13.3-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook (0.67 by 12.2 by 8.4 inches), but at 3.2 pounds it misses the cutoff to qualify as an ultraportable—the 14-inch Asus Chromebook CX9, for one, is noticeably trimmer at 2.31 pounds.
Our Experts Have Tested 119 Products in the Laptops Category This Year
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions.See how we test.(Opens in a new window)
(Photo: Molly Flores)
The Acer carries a quad-core, 2.4GHz Core i5-1135G7 processor with Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, along with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB NVMe solid-state drive. It meets Intel Evo standards for connectivity and swift startup, and is one of the few Chromebooks to support Thunderbolt 4—the two USB Type-C ports on the left flank (either of which accommodates the compact AC adapter) follow the latest Thunderbolt spec.
Something else on the left edge that's rare among Chromebooks is an HDMI video output, so you needn't fuss with a USB-C adapter to use an external monitor. There's an audio jack next to it. The right side holds a USB 3.2 Type-A port and a microSD card slot, as well as the power button and a volume rocker for use in tablet mode.
Similar Products
4.0
Excellent
Acer Chromebook Spin 514
Read Our Acer Chromebook Spin 514 Review
4.0
Excellent
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook (2021)
Read Our Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook (2021) Review
4.5
Outstanding
Acer Chromebook Spin 714
Read Our Acer Chromebook Spin 714 Review
4.0
Excellent
Acer Chromebook 516 GE
Read Our Acer Chromebook 516 GE Review
4.0
Excellent
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
Read Our Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook Review
4.0
Excellent
Lenovo Chromebook Duet
Read Our Lenovo Chromebook Duet Review
4.0
Excellent
HP Chromebook x2 (2021)
Read Our HP Chromebook x2 (2021) Review
4.0
Excellent
HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook
Read Our HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook Review
4.0
Excellent
Dell Chromebook 11 (3100)
Read Our Dell Chromebook 11 (3100) Review
4.0
Excellent
Asus Chromebook Flip CM3
Read Our Asus Chromebook Flip CM3 Review
3.5
Good
Acer Chromebook 317
Read Our Acer Chromebook 317 Review
(Photo: Molly Flores)
(Photo: Molly Flores)
Against all those features, the Spin 713 lacks a few frills seen on some high-end Chromebooks. There's no fingerprint reader (or face-recognition webcam, though we haven't seen the latter on any Chromebook to date). The webcam has no privacy shutter. The keyboard follows the standard Chrome OS layout, meaning you'll have to pair the menu and Alt keys with the cursor arrows in the absence of real Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys.
As Good as an IPS Screen Gets
Acer calls the squarish 3:2 aspect ratio panel a VertiView display because it shows more webpage or word processing content or spreadsheet rows without scrolling. Its native resolution is 2,256 by 1,504 pixels, which makes text and screen elements tiny albeit sharp enough to be legible; as with most Chromebooks, the Settings/Device tab offers a choice of faux or "looks like" resolutions (the default is 1,410 by 940 pixels) so you can find a size that suits your eyes.
(Photo: Molly Flores)
Brightness is ample, though I was never tempted to turn it down from the maximum, and contrast is fine. Viewing angles are broad and white backgrounds are pristine, not dingy. Colors are rich and vivid both for still images and YouTube videos. Two hinges hold the screen with minimal wobble when tapped in laptop mode, and make it easy to fold back into tent or tablet mode. The convertible kept up with my swiping, swooping fingertip in Chrome Canvas, but my fingertip was all I had to work with—no stylus is provided.
The webcam has the usual scanty 720p resolution and captures soft-focus images with lots of static; it's downright poor in low-light conditions. Bottom-mounted speakers produce reasonably loud but somewhat hollow or tinny sound. Still, there's more bass than I expected, and you can make out overlapping tracks.
(Photo: Molly Flores)
The keyboard is brightly backlit and has a comfortably snappy, if shallow, typing feel. The square, buttonless touchpad is nicely sized and glides and taps smoothly, requiring a light pressure for a quiet click. As with all Chromebooks, a two-finger tap equals a right click.
The Spin 713 does come with software that some may equate with the unwanted bloatware common on Windows PCs, but others may find useful. The Explore menu icon includes a variety of extras, led by one year of 100GB Google One cloud storage and YouTube Premium, SoundCloud Go+, Clipchamp, and DocuSign trial offers.
Testing the Spin 713: Leader-of-the-Pack Performance
Besides the Asus Chromebook CX9 and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook, we compared the 13.5-inch Acer's benchmark results with those of two 13.3-inch systems that combine deluxe displays—QLED for the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2, and OLED for the detachable Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook—with low-octane processors (an Intel Celeron and a Qualcomm Snapdragon, respectively). You can see their basic specs in the table below.
We test Chromebooks with three overall performance benchmark suites—one Chrome OS, one Android, and one online. The first, Principled Technologies' CrXPRT 2, measures how quickly a system performs everyday tasks in six workloads such as applying photo effects, graphing a stock portfolio, analyzing DNA sequences, and generating 3D shapes using WebGL.
The second, UL's PCMark for Android Work 3.0, performs assorted productivity operations in a smartphone-style window. Finally, Basemark Web 3.0 runs in a browser tab to combine low-level JavaScript calculations with CSS and WebGL content. All three yield numeric scores; higher numbers are better.
The Acer slugged it out with the Asus for benchmark supremacy, not surprising since they have the same CPU, while the Core i3 Lenovo Flex 5 did a fine job of keeping up with the Core i5 systems. All are superb Google Workspace productivity partners. The Celeron-powered Samsung was a backmarker.
Two other Android benchmarks focus on the CPU and GPU respectively. Primate Labs' Geekbench uses all available cores and threads to simulate real-world applications ranging from PDF rendering and speech recognition to machine learning, while GFXBench 5.0stress-tests both low-level routines like texturing and high-level, game-like image rendering that exercises graphics and compute shaders. Geekbench delivers a numeric score, while GFXBench counts frames per second (fps).
Finally, to test a Chromebook's battery, we loop a 720p video file with screen brightness set at 50%, volume at 100%, and Wi-Fi and keyboard backlighting disabled until the system quits. Sometimes we must play the video from an external SSD plugged into a USB port, but the Acer had more than enough internal storage to hold the file.
The Spin 713 narrowly won the Geekbench processor contest. And while we've never seen a Chromebook we'd describe as a gaming laptop (though we suppose its Thunderbolt 4 support means you could theoretically connect the Acer to an external GPU, if driver support for that existed), it should suffice for the occasional Android game based on its class-leading GFXBench score. The IdeaPad Flex 5 dominated our battery rundown, but the Acer will get you through a day's work or school plus a Netflix movie.
It's Hard to Buy a Better Chromebook
We considered cutting the Chromebook Spin 713's rating from its previous 4.5 to 4 stars because of its $70 price increase and slight heft, but decided its enhanced performance, doubled solid-state storage, and Thunderbolt 4 support merit keeping the half star.
(Photo: Molly Flores)
So does its status as a nearly flawless Chromebook choice—except for being a smidge heavy, it's a first-class convertible for productivity, creativity, and media enjoyment, with a 3:2-aspect-ratio display that'll spoil you for old-school 16:9 panels. The Acer isn't cheap, but Chromebooks don't come any better than this.
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2022)
4.5
Editors' Choice
(Opens in a new window)
See It$795.41 at Amazon(Opens in a new window)MSRP $699.99
Pros
-
Tall, high-res touch screen
-
Snappy performance
-
HDMI, Thunderbolt 4, and USB-A ports
-
Roomy 256GB SSD instead of eMMC flash storage
View More
Cons
-
Rather costly for a Chromebook
-
Half a pound overweight
-
No stylus or fingerprint reader
The Bottom Line
It's pricey for a Chromebook, but Acer's Chromebook Spin 713 remains a world-class alternative to Windows convertibles.
Like What You're Reading?
Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Sign up for other newsletters
FAQs
Is an Acer Spin 713 a good laptop? ›
Even if Acer's Chromebook Spin 713 didn't have its standout screen, it would be an easy device to recommend. The build quality is good, it performs very well and it should be fast enough to serve you for years to come. Adding in that 3:2 display makes it one of the best Chromebooks on the market.
Does Acer Chromebook Spin 713 have touchscreen? ›Specifically designed with the needs of business users in mind, this Chromebook comes with a bevy of functional features including Wi-Fi 6, Corning® Gorilla® Glass touchscreen and touchpad, a backlit keyboard, a built-in HDMI port, as well as dual USB Type-C ports to deal with everyday challenges.
When was the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 released? ›The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 arrived in August 2020.
Are Acers better than HP? ›Side-by-Side Comparison
The Acer Aspire 5 15 (2020) is much better than the HP Stream 11 (2021) for most uses. The Acer has a wider variety of configurations, with CPUs and GPUs that are significantly more powerful than the Intel Celeron CPUs on the HP.
TechRadar Verdict. The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is absolutely one of the best Chromebooks out there right now with a combination of performance, design quality, and battery life, but the lack of an included stylus is downright strange for a 2-in-1 and the design takes few aesthetic risks.
Can a Chromebook last 10 years? ›Generally speaking, the lifespan of most Chromebooks is between five and eight years. A Chromebook will receive a full Chrome OS update about every four weeks for at least five years from the date of release.
Will a Chromebook last longer than a laptop? ›Overall, they're simple and user-friendly, making them a great choice for anyone new to computers or just looking for something hassle-free. A significant benefit of Chromebooks is that they typically have longer battery life than most laptops.
Are Chromebooks only good for 5 years? ›Older Chromebooks have older hardware parts, and these parts eventually lose the ability to get the latest updates. If your Chromebook is more than 5 years old, you might see this message: "This device will no longer receive software updates. You can continue using your computer but should consider upgrading."
Can you use a stylus with the Acer Spin 713? ›The stylus is also USI compatible, meaning it will work with any compatible USI device - these include the Acer Chromebook Spin 513, Chromebook Spin 514 and Chromebook Spin 713 (CP713-3W).
Does Acer Spin 713 have backlit keyboard? ›This Chromebook comes with a bevy of functional features including Wi-Fi 6, Corning® Gorilla® Glass touchscreen and touchpad, a backlit keyboard, a built-in HDMI port, dual USB Type-C ports, and the latest Thunderbolt™ 4.
Does Acer Spin 713 have an SD card slot? ›
A: The Acer 713 does have an SD card slot to upgrade your storage capacity.
Do Acer Chromebooks expire? ›Here's How to Check Yours. The Auto Update Expiration date is when security and feature updates will end for a Chromebook. It's easy to find yours or check it even before you buy.
Is the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 fanless? ›...
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (CP714-1WN)
| Price as reviewed | $729 |
|---|---|
| Display size/resolution | 14-inch, 1,920x1,200 touch display |
| CPU | 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-1235U |
Best overall: Acer Swift 5
The 2022 Acer Swift 5 is one of the most beautiful laptops of the year, and with powerful specs and a great display, it's a very well-rounded machine. We have no problem considering it one of the best Acer laptops you can buy today.
Acer laptops are very popular for their high quality and low price. They have a wide range of products, from the most basic to the highest end models. The acer laptop is also known as one of the best brands in terms of performance/price ratio.
Which is better Acer or Asus? ›Asus is slightly costly than Acer but we also have to consider the fact that Asus provides more than what it offers at its price. In short, the price range of Acer is affordable and whatever it offers, it surely of high quality.
Is HP or Acer better for Chromebook? ›Our Verdict. The Acer Chromebook 315 (2020) and the HP Chromebook 14 (2021) are both Chromebooks with power-efficient Intel Celeron CPUs. However, the Acer is better for productivity tasks and multimedia viewing because it has a larger, much more color-accurate 15 inch display that gives more room to multitask.
Is the Samsung Chromebook better than the Acer Chromebook? ›Our Verdict. The Samsung Chromebook 4 (2019) and the Acer Chromebook 315 (2020) are both Chromebooks that use power-efficient Intel Celeron CPUs. However, the Acer performs better overall, with a larger, crisper touchscreen display, a much better keyboard, and a better webcam and microphone.
What is the difference between an Acer Chromebook and a laptop? ›What is the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop? A Chromebook is a portable computer running ChromeOS. They tend to have lower-powered processors, less RAM, and less local storage than their laptop counterparts. There are, however, some high-end Chromebooks that outstrip the specs of most contemporary laptops.
Can I install Windows on Chromebook? ›Installing Windows on a Chromebook
Use your system administrator to sign in to your Chromebook. Click Launcher to open. Navigate to Parallels Desktop and click. Click Install when the Set up Parallels Desktop on your Chromebook dialog Windows opens.
Which Chromebooks are end of life? ›
| Chromebook Model | Previous AUE | New AUE |
|---|---|---|
| EduGear Chromebook R | June 2020 | September 2021 |
| EduGear CMT Chromebook | August 2021 | June 2022 |
| Edxis Chromebook | June 2020 | September 2021 |
| Edxis Chromebook 11 | November 2023 | June 2024 |
Do Chromebooks need antivirus protection? Yes, Google Chromebooks need antivirus protection. While they come with some in-built antivirus features, the protection provided isn't foolproof. You can download a malicious app from the Google Play Store or fall victim to an online scam or phishing site.
What can't you do on a Chromebook? ›Even if you use the in-built tools, photo and video editing are simple with Windows and Macs. With Chromebooks, this is not the case, as the majority of them have low-end technology, making video rendering and editing virtually impossible. Additionally, Chromebooks do not support the simple use of Adobe Photoshop.
Can you watch Netflix on a Chromebook? ›You can watch Netflix on your Chromebook or Chromebox computer through the Netflix website or the Netflix app from the Google Play Store.
What are the negatives about Chromebooks? ›- Local Storage—Chromebooks typically have eMMC storage between 32GB and 64GB. ...
- Display—Chromebooks typically don't have full HD (1920 x 1080) displays and mostly are either HD (1366×768) or HD+ (1600×900).
You can access your Microsoft 365 apps from the web — including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive, and Outlook. The web apps allow you to: Create, edit, and collaborate on documents and files.
Do Chromebooks get slower over time? ›Although a Chromebook with good specs should stay in good working order, there will come a time when it may slow down. The good news is that you can do some simple things to speed up your Chromebook that don't require a technician.
Does Acer spin 713 have Bluetooth? ›Yes, as per the information provided by the manufacturer, this Acer Chromebook Enterprise Spin 713 (CP713-3W) comes with Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
Is Acer spin touch screen? ›The slim, convertible Spin 3 is a 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop made for productivity on the go.
What processor does the Acer spin 713 have? ›Featuring a premium VertiView Display, an up to 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i3 processor, and military-grade durability, the convertible Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is verified by Intel's Project Athena innovation program and enables business users to reliably work both in and out of the office while taking advantage of secure ...
Can I change the color of my backlit keyboard Acer? ›
Yes you can, you need to download from Acer official site the "NitroSense". It allows you to modify each part of your keyboard with the color you want. Cheers.
How much RAM does the Acer Spin 713 have? ›The Chromebook Spin 713 is a premium, convertible laptop that covers the gamut of potential uses. The spin form factor means the machine can serve as a laptop or a slate, and everything in between.
Does Acer spin have HDMI? ›It has 2 USB-A ports and 2 USB-C ports. You can connect an HDMI cable with a USB-to-HDMI adapter, which is not included.
Does Acer Chromebook spin 713 have Ethernet port? ›So you can get dual HDMI out of the back of the dock, and you get a whole bunch of extra connectivity and ports, including extra USB ports, wired Ethernet, and it fully charges. And certainly, for this Chromebook, it provides more than enough power to charge at the full rate.
Is Google Chrome being discontinued? ›In a new blog post, Google confirmed, “We're ending support for Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. Chrome 110 (tentatively scheduled for release on February 7th, 2023) is the last version of Chrome that will work on these versions of Windows.
How long do Chromebook licenses last? ›Each perpetual license you purchase from Google for the web-based management Admin Console software lasts for the lifetime of the device it is enrolled on.
Why are Chromebooks so cheap? ›Chromebooks are on the smaller side for screen size (11.6” or 10.1”), so they're cheaper to produce. The CPU doesn't need to be powerful to run ChromeOS- 1.2GHz is plenty which saves on production costs. Chromebooks don't require high production costs for the CPU. The onboard flash memory is limited.
How long does the Acer Spin 713 last? ›It outlasted its predecessor's battery by 31 minutes, too, running for 12 hours, 42 minutes on our streaming video test. Plus, it charges fast. Basically, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 lives up to Intel's Evo verification.
How long does Acer Chromebook Spin 713 last? ›| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.67 by 11.8 by 9.3 inches |
| Weight | 3.2 lbs |
| Operating System | Google Chrome OS |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 11:10 |
Why is my Acer Chromebook so slow? ›
Too many open tabs can slow down the speed of your browser. Five or fewer is best. Update your browser! Since Google Chrome is always updating and changing, there often will be times that Chrome OS (the operating system for Chromebooks) will need to be updated.
What are Chromebooks good for? ›You can use a Chromebook for the most diverse tasks, like using the internet and watching movies, but also to play games. Either you work directly from the Chrome internet browser, or you install Android applications from the Google Play Store.
Does Acer Chromebook spin 713 have Touchscreen? ›Specifically designed with the needs of business users in mind, this Chromebook comes with a bevy of functional features including Wi-Fi 6, Corning® Gorilla® Glass touchscreen and touchpad, a backlit keyboard, a built-in HDMI port, as well as dual USB Type-C ports to deal with everyday challenges.
Why can't I play Steam games on Chromebook? ›These are higher-end Chromebooks, and most require Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i5 CPUs from Intel's 11th generation lineup and 8GB of RAM. If you have a Chromebook with an Intel Core i3 CPU and 4GB of RAM, Steam on ChromeOS won't work right.
Is Acer laptop is good or not? ›Yes, Acer has a great reputation and is one of the leading laptop brands. It offers a wide variety of options, and arguably produces more budget-friendly laptops than most other manufacturers. However, it rarely launches a laptop with enough quality to rival the likes of the Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Air.
Which Acer spin is best? ›The 2022 refresh of the Acer Spin 5 brings powerful new specs and a gorgeous new display, making it the best version of Acer's sleek 2-in-1 yet. With its reliable performance capabilities, stylish design, attractive screen, and Acer Active Stylus that's included with every purchase, the Spin 5 is sure to satisfy.
Are Acer Chromebooks any good? ›With a hefty Intel processor and Thunderbolt 4 support, Acer's Chromebook Spin 714 is one of the most powerful Chromebooks you can buy. It's lightning fast, generating little noise and heat even under fairly intense professional workloads. The keyboard is excellent with a comfortable, quiet feel, and nice backlighting.
How long do ACER Laptops usually last? ›Most experts estimate a laptop's lifespan to be three to five years. It may survive longer than that, but its utility will be limited as the components become less capable of running advanced applications.
Is Acer a Chinese Company? ›The company was founded by Chen Jung Shih on August 1, 1976 and is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan.
Is Acer low quality? ›Acer is definitely a highly rated laptop brand but it could do better. Its success stems from its value and selection but sadly its enormous variety is sometimes a crutch for it from getting a high score. A lot of users like Acer's premium laptops as well as their affordable budget laptops.
How long does the Acer spin last? ›
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 1 |
|---|---|
| RAM (as Tested) | 16 |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 |
| Screen Size | 14 |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 12:38 |
What is the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop? A Chromebook is a portable computer running ChromeOS. They tend to have lower-powered processors, less RAM, and less local storage than their laptop counterparts. There are, however, some high-end Chromebooks that outstrip the specs of most contemporary laptops.
Is Acer or Samsung Chromebook better? ›Our Verdict. The Samsung Chromebook 4 (2019) and the Acer Chromebook 315 (2020) are both Chromebooks that use power-efficient Intel Celeron CPUs. However, the Acer performs better overall, with a larger, crisper touchscreen display, a much better keyboard, and a better webcam and microphone.
Is it OK to leave Acer laptop plugged in all the time? ›A battery cannot be overcharged.
There's no danger of overcharging a battery if you leave it plugged in all the time, even 24/7. As soon as it hits 100 percent, it will cease charging and won't start again until the voltage falls below a certain level.
- #1 MacBook Pro (2021)
- #2 MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020)
- #3 Google Pixelbook Go.
- #4 MacBook Air M1 (2020)
- #5 Dell XPS 17.
- #5 Acer Nitro 5.
- #5 Dell XPS 13.
- #8 Dell XPS 13 2-in-1.