Now there are three. Three different 2022 Chromebooks all with the newest, similar 12th-gen Intel Core processors. The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is now available for ordering at Best Buy with delivery as early as a few days. What isn’t similar to the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook and Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Chromebook, however, is the price. The Spin 714 starts at $729.
Is the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 a “buy now”?
Because of that expected lower price, which is several hundred dollars below the HP and Lenovo, I said the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 would be my next device. Right now I still stand by that decision, although I’m not pressing the buy button just yet.
Why not? A few reasons.
One is that I’m still reviewing the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook. Yes, it’s a nice benefit of being a Chromebook blogger: You often get to try before you buy. And I’m very impressed with what I’ve tried on the HP so far. Couple that with a $160 discount on the HP and it becomes a more attractive option.
Second, I haven’t tried the $1,049 Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Chromebook yet. Hopefully, I get the chance to, and not just for my own benefit but for yours as well.
And third, the 2022 Acer Chromebook Spin 714 model available for $729 lacks two things from an anticipated configuration.
Best Buy is selling the model with a slightly lower resolution display and without a fingerprint sensor. Adding those will only cost $20 more. Frankly, I also want more than 8 GB of memory in this device.
Still, for most typical Chromebook users, this Spin 714 configuration is more than capable for the price.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 specs match the others
Here’s what you get for your money:
| CPU | 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1235U Processor with vPro, up to 4.4 GHz, 10 cores / 12 threads |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe |
| Display | 14-inch IPS 1920 x 1200 display, 16:10 aspect ratio, 340 nits brightness, external monitor support at 4k at 60Hz, 100% RGB color gamut |
| Memory | 8 GB DDR4x-4266 MHz memory |
| Storage | 256 GB NVMe M.2 storage, microSD card reader |
| Connectivity | 802.11ax (2×2) WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Input | Backlit keyboard, multitouch trackpad, built-in USI stylus 1080p FHD RGB webcam, with privacy shutter, Dual-array microphones |
| Ports | 2 USB Type-C 3.2 / Thunderbolt 4 ports, 21USB Type-A, HDMI output, headphone/microphone jack |
| Battery | 3-cell battery expected run-time up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 3.09 pounds |
| Software | Chrome OS automatic updates through June 2030 |
There’s a corner cut here and there on the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 compared to the other 12th-gen Chromebooks, but they’re not major. And you get an included, garaged stylus; something that neither HP nor Lenovo is offering.
The Intel CPU is one level down from what HP and Lenovo are using in their 2022 Chromebooks. I don’t think that will have a noticeable impact on performance though. You’re still getting 10 cores (2 for performance and 8 for efficiency) with this Core i5.
There’s plenty of speedy local storage and the right ports although you only get one USB Type-A. I doubt that’s a dealbreaker for many.
I’m personally going to wait a little bit before ordering my next Chromebook. Right now, on paper, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is still the top dog. That’s mainly due to the value it offers when looking at what you get for the price.
