The brightness test went almost as poorly for the Spin 514, which averaged 209 nits at its peak.

That’s one of the worst results I’ve seen it is outclassed by the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 (84%) and obliterated by Acer’s own Chromebook Spin 713 (113%), it did edge out the HP Chromebook x360 14c (42%), but compared to the Chromebook average (70%), both are doing terribly. The Spin 514 covers 42.8% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. The colorimeter, which doesn’t suffer from my biases, showed similar findings. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 (12 x 8 x 0.55-inches, 2.7 pounds) is a featherweight, but even the HP Chromebook x360 14c (12.8 x 8.6 x 0.7-inches, 3.6 pounds) and last year’s Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (11.8 x 9.3 x 0.7-inches, 3 pounds) manage to sneak in below the Spin 514. It comes in on the heavy side even among other 2-in-1s when you take a look at the competition. The durability is less surprising after you pick up the Spin 514 because, at 3.64 pounds, it is heavier than you would expect even from its 12.7 x 8.9 x 0.68-inch chassis. That solid feel is backed by MIL-STD-810H certification, meaning the laptop has been certified against shocks, drops and temperature shifts. The hinge mechanism feels quite robust and prevents any wobble when typing or using the convertible in tent or presentation mode.

The Chromebook Spin 514 is a 2-in-1, which is apparent by the large hinges on the back of the laptop. And while it doesn’t have the bold statement color of the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2, that slight hint of green and the raised, reflective Acer logo help it to stand out against some of the bland Chromebooks on the market. The beveled edges on the lid add a more refined finish and give the laptop a bit of a glint as it rests closed on a desk or table.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 won’t necessarily blow you away with its design, but it has several nice details that help it stand out from the endless sea of similar-looking Chromebooks. (Image credit: Laptop Mag) Acer Chromebook Spin 514 design

Chromebook with ryzen processor