Acer Chromebook Plus 515 15.6" CB515-2HT-33M4 2025, Core i3-1305U, 8GB, 256GB SSD, Gray

A big, cheap Chromebook that's great for basics but has a touchpad that'll make you want to throw it out a window. Buy it on sale, not at full price.

The Intel Core i3-1305U with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM handles everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video streaming without breaking a sweat. Startup is fast, and multiple tabs stay responsive. But don't expect miracles. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics puts this thing near the bottom of the barrel for gaming, and the CPU sits in the 29th percentile overall. For a Chromebook, that's fine. For anything heavier, it's a stretch.

Stacked against the MacBook Air M5 or ASUS Zenbook, this Acer feels like a toy. Those machines are in a completely different league for performance and build quality. But they also cost three to four times as much. The real competition is other budget Chromebooks and Windows laptops in the $400-500 range. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 6 is more reliable but pricier. The HP OmniBook X Flip offers better portability. For pure value, this Acer holds its own, but the touchpad complaints are a red flag.

At $450, this Chromebook is a decent deal if you need a big screen and ChromeOS simplicity. The 12 months of Google AI Pro and 2TB of storage sweeten the pot. But the reliability concerns and touchpad issues mean you're rolling the dice. If you can find it on sale, it's worth a look. At full price, there are safer bets.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a budget-friendly 15.6-inch Chromebook that nails the basics and throws in a touchscreen, but it's not without some rough edges. The one thing to know? It's a solid value for students and casual users who live in ChromeOS, but the touchpad and speakers are weak spots that could drive you crazy.

If you need a reliable touchpad or decent speakers, this isn't it. Go grab a Lenovo ThinkPad or a MacBook Air instead. If you're a gamer or need serious processing power, look elsewhere entirely.

If you need a cheap, big-screen Chromebook for school or light work, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 gets the job done. Just know that the touchpad is a known weak point and the speakers are disappointing. If you can live with those flaws, it's a solid buy. If not, spend a bit more on something more reliable.