This 2-in-1 Windows laptop just redefined my expectations for this price point

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Acer Aspire 16 AI is at present on sale for $699.
• It is a dependable, light-weight workhorse with a marathon battery that is splendid for lengthy days.
• Nonetheless, its {hardware} has efficiency limitations.

extra shopping for selections

Acer’s new Aspire 16 AI is a humble laptop computer. It is not flashy or over-the-top, it does not home high-end {hardware} or an OLED display screen. As a substitute, it focuses on being a dependable work system with a midrange price ticket. Contemplating how costly issues are these days, we’d like extra laptops like this now greater than ever earlier than — particularly when you’re a university pupil.

For college students, the Aspire 16 is a dependable system with sufficient battery energy to get by the day. As a substitute of bells and whistles, it delivers strong efficiency and a slim type issue that is straightforward to commute with. 

Glossy design

The Acer Aspire 16 AI opts for a sensible design, measuring 14 x 9.85 x 0.63 inches and weighing 3.42 kilos, it is glossy, sliding simply into most backpacks. Construct high quality is strong, and its weight is evenly distributed, passing the “one-finger check” with no trace of wobble.

I additionally respect the spacious touchpad, which measures 5.9 x 3.5 inches and offers loads of room for comfy navigating. You possibly can transfer from one facet of the display screen to the opposite without having to raise your finger off. Too typically, price range laptops reduce corners by equipping cramped touchpads. 

Typing on the Aspire 16 felt principally satisfying. The principle set of keys is evenly spaced out and gives a good quantity of journey distance, making it straightforward to kind rapidly. That stated, the keys have a barely mushy really feel; it is not probably the most crispy keyboard. Plus, the up and down arrow keys, in addition to the quantity pad, are undersized. They’re completely useful, though chances are you’ll by chance bump keys. 

Made for college

Above the keyboard sits a 16-inch LCD touchscreen that delivers a strong all-around viewing expertise. The panel covers your complete sRGB gamut, so though colours do not pop with the vibrance of an OLED, they are not uninteresting, both. What the Aspire 16’s show lacks in wow issue, it makes up for in different areas. At a decision of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels and a refresh fee of 120Hz, it delivers crisp visuals.

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A refresh fee that top is usually discovered on gaming laptops. Whilst you will not be doing high-end gaming on this laptop computer due to its {hardware}, you’ll respect how clean the whole lot feels. I skilled this firsthand throughout testing once I ran an evening driving livestream on YouTube. The built-in audio system aren’t significantly spectacular, however they do provide a good quantity of quantity and readability.

On the draw back, I did run into some visible quirks, like coloration banding. That is the place coloration gradients break into seen items as an alternative of mixing seamlessly, however it’s a uncommon incidence.

An actual standout characteristic is its 1440p webcam. For enterprise folks and college students alike, this can be a huge win. Most different laptops on this class go for 1080p — and even 720p cameras. The upper decision produces a clear, sharp picture with natural-looking colours in addition to not one of the graininess you’d encounter recording over a low-quality webcam. Mixed with speedy connectivity requirements like Wi-Fi 7, the Aspire 16 AI is well-equipped for on-line and offline work.

Featherweight efficiency

Contained in the Acer Aspire 16 AI is a Qualcomm Snapdragon X chipset paired with 16GB of RAM, a configuration that prioritizes vitality effectivity. Throughout testing, the system lasted simply 17 hours on a single cost. That is fairly spectacular. Acer states that the Aspire 16 can stretch that runtime to as a lot as 28 hours underneath the precise situations. Both method, this marathon battery makes the mannequin a robust possibility for individuals who do not wish to consistently attain for the charger.

In terms of on a regular basis efficiency, Acer’s machine did nicely. It supported over 50 Chrome tabs, consisting of high-res livestreams, a Netflix film, information articles, and extra, with out flinching. This stage of multitasking exhibits that the Aspire 16 is flexible sufficient for college kids in search of a pc versatile sufficient for bouncing between homework and streaming or professionals juggling a number of apps.

Additionally: Why buying the right laptop is more complicated than ever (and how to make the best choice)

That stated, there are some trade-offs. First, the Snapdragon X is a Home windows on ARM chip, which means not each app is absolutely supported. Most packages are high-quality, with a number of exceptions, just like the benchmarking app Cinebench 24. Compatibility points are rarer today, however you possibly can run into them. 

Additionally, as a result of the Snapdragon X is a mid-tier chipset, the Aspire 16 is may need some bother maintaining with extraordinarily demanding workloads. Here is the way it compares to related computer systems in benchmarking relative to cost. 

Actually, the efficiency hole is not large, and for most individuals, the distinction is negligible, but it surely nonetheless exists. What suggestions the dimensions in Acer’s favor is worth. Whereas the rivals carry out higher, they’re costlier — twice as a lot within the case of the Dell 16 Plus. The Aspire 16 delivers a comparable expertise at a greater worth level. For folks on a price range, that affordability makes the laptop computer a horny possibility regardless of any limitations it has.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

Proper now, you should buy the Acer Aspire 16 AI from the corporate’s official web site for $700. Acer developed this laptop computer primarily for tech-savvy college students who want a flexible system to assist with faculty work and have a long-lasting battery. I agree with Acer on their selection of core viewers, and suppose this laptop computer fits them nicely.  

Should you’re in search of a extra premium various, I like to recommend the Dell 16 Plus. It is very related when it comes to dimension and target market, however Dell’s mannequin is extra suited to demanding duties, has a extra premium construct, and a nicer 2.5K touchscreen (however is twice the worth).