Availability has begun for the Acer Chromebook Vero 514, an eco-friendly laptop announced in August. Made partially with recycled materials in the chassis and trackpad, two models appear at Best Buy. Expect to pay $499.99 or $599.99, depending on which 12th gen Intel Core processor you choose.
I previously mentioned that the eco-centric, sustainable nature of the Acer Chromebook Vero 514 is really only half of the story. Aside from the heavy use of recycled materials, the value you get with this laptop is well above average.
To illustrate my point, here’s a breakdown of the Acer Chromebook Vero 714 specifications. The 12th gen Intel Core i3-1215U configuration costs $499 while the Core i5-1235U model adds $100 to the cost:
| CPU | 6 core (8 threads) Intel Core i3-1215U CPU (3.3 GHz E-cores x 4 / 4.4 GHz P-Cores x 2) or 10 core (12 threads Intel Core i5-1235U (3.3 GHz E-cores x 8 / 4.4 GHz P-Cores x 2) |
| GPU | Intel UHD or Intel Iris Xe MAX graphics (depending on CPU choice) |
| Display | 14-inch, 1920 x 1080 resolution IPS touch display, 16:9 aspect ratio, sRGB 100% support, 300 nits brightness |
| Memory | 8 GB LPDDR4 memory |
| Storage | 128 or 256 GB SSD M.2 PCIe NVMe (depending on CPU choice) |
| Connectivity | 802.11ax (2×2) WiFi 6E, Bluetooth |
| Input | Backlit keyboard, multi-touch trackpad, 1080p flare-reducing webcam, dual-array microphone |
| Ports | 2 USB Type-C 3.2, 1 USB Type-A SuperSpeed port, 1 HDMI, headphone/microphone combo jack |
| Battery | 56 WHr battery with10-hour expected runtime, 50% recharge in 30 minutes |
| Weight | 3.09 pounds |
| Software | ChromeOS automatic updates through June 2030 |
Spending $599 gets you the Core i5 along with better graphics capabilities and double the local storage. I suspect most people will be fine with the Core i3 but if you store tons of files or want a better gaming experience, the upgraded model is also a good deal.
Interestingly, when the Acer Chromebook Vero 514 was announced, a fingerprint sensor was mentioned. I don’t see that listed on either of these models, however.
Regardless, you’re certainly getting a capable Chromebook for the price here. Currently, the Core i3 model shows as “sold out” on Best Buy’s site, while the Core i5 can be ordered for delivery in six days.
