Among budget-conscious audiences, the Acer Aspire series of laptops have been a household name, especially among students. In the past, Acer used to include a decent processor and a modest GeForce MX-series GPU on the performance front. But this around, Acer has generously included the latest and notable processor and a mighty RTX graphics card.
The Acer Aspire 5 2023 specs indeed look amazing on paper. But how does it fare in real life? Let’s find out in this Acer Aspire 5 2023 review.
Also Read: Acer Swift Go 14 OLED 2023 Review: A Blend of Power, Portability, and Elegance
In terms of design, the Acer Aspire 5 2023 is a bit of a mixed bag, and my experience with it left me with some conflicting impressions. First off, I have to admit that at first glance, the Aspire 5 2023 does look quite impressive. The design is stylish in a simple, understated way, and the medium-grey surfaces add a touch of sophistication. But, alas, appearances can be deceiving.
Upon closer inspection, I couldn’t help but notice that the build quality isn’t as solid as I had hoped for. Sure, the lid is made of metal which gives it a premium feel, but the base section is made of plastic and exhibits noticeable flex when any pressure is applied, especially in the middle just above the keyboard. This lack of sturdiness puts the Aspire 5 2023 behind some of its competitors in the same category of laptops.
However, let’s not dwell solely on the negatives. The fit and finish of the device are actually quite commendable. I was pleased to find that all the elements came together seamlessly, with clean and neat seams.
The hinges functioned as expected, providing a smooth opening and closing experience. One interesting design aspect I noticed was that the mechanism lifts the rear of the base slightly when the laptop is opened, promoting better airflow and potentially aiding in cooling.
The screen bezel could have been thinner, in my humble opinion, but overall, the Aspire 5 2023 manages to strike a balance in terms of size. With dimensions of 12.53 x 8.88″, it falls right in line with what you’d expect from a 14-inch laptop, putting it right in the middle of the competition. In terms of weight, it’s not too heavy either, tipping the scales at 1.7 kg (3.75 lb), making it reasonably portable.
Closing the laptop, the Aspire 5 boasts a thickness of 1.8 cm (0.7″), which again aligns with the average for this laptop category. So, while it might not be the sturdiest contender, it does manage to maintain a decent level of sleekness and portability.
When it comes to the input devices on the Acer Aspire 5 2023, I have to be honest, they left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. I mean, they’re not terrible, but they’re certainly not winning any awards either. Let’s start with the keyboard, which has its fair share of issues.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the keyboard is the tiny font used on the keys. I found it quite challenging to distinguish the letters from the grey background, especially at certain viewing angles, different times of the day, and depending on the ambient light. This poor readability can be frustrating, and I can’t help but think that Acer could have made a better choice by using black keys with a bolder font instead. It would have definitely improved the typing experience.
Speaking of typing experience, the keyboard doesn’t feel as comfortable as I would have liked. In addition to the concerns about sturdiness that I mentioned earlier, the keys also have somewhat mushy feedback, which isn’t very satisfying for extended typing sessions. For anyone who spends a lot of time typing, I’d recommend exploring other laptop alternatives that offer a more pleasant keyboard experience.
On the brighter side, the keyboard layout mostly follows the standard design, which is a relief. However, there were a couple of things that I didn’t quite appreciate. The up and down arrow keys were a bit smaller than I’m used to, making them less ergonomic to use. Also, the numeric keypad, while present, had three columns instead of the more typical four, which felt a bit cramped.
Moving on to the touchpad, it didn’t impress me much either. Like the keyboard, it suffers from a somewhat mushy feel, especially in the left- and right-click zones at the bottom. This lack of feedback can be a bit frustrating, particularly when trying to perform precise actions. Additionally, I noticed that the touchpad has a tendency to rattle, which is a bit off-putting and takes away from the overall quality feel of the device.
While the touchpad’s gesture support and texture are passable, they don’t stand out as exceptional in any way. It’s more of a basic touchpad experience, neither impressively good nor terribly bad. For a 14-inch laptop, I suppose it does its job well enough, but it’s certainly not a standout feature.
For those who value top-notch image quality, I have to admit that the Aspire 5 2023 might not be the best pick. The WUXGA display on this laptop left me with mixed feelings.
Right from the moment you power on the laptop, you’ll notice that the screen lacks the brightness you’d expect. With an average peak brightness of around 250 nits, it falls short for outdoor use and is only suitable for indoor environments that aren’t too well-lit.
The disappointment doesn’t end there. The color coverage of the display is also far from impressive, even for a TFT IPS panel. It only managed to cover 65% of the sRGB color space. To give you some perspective, good displays can hit the 100% sRGB coverage mark, which makes this screen’s performance quite underwhelming.
Moreover, if you’re a gamer, you might want to look elsewhere. The 60-Hz refresh rate of the screen doesn’t make it an ideal choice for gaming enthusiasts. It lacks the smoothness and responsiveness that gamers crave, especially when compared to laptops with higher refresh rates.
However, I must give credit where it’s due. The display managed to salvage some points with its great contrast ratio of 1,316:1, which ensures that images and videos do pop with decent depth and richness. The low black level of 0.19 cd/m² also contributes to better visuals, especially when watching content with dark scenes.
When it comes to performance, this laptop certainly packs a punch! The 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U processor combined with 16GB DDR5 RAM ensures snappy and smooth multitasking. Whether I’m juggling between multiple applications, running virtual machines, or working on resource-intensive tasks, the laptop handles it all like a champ.
Gaming-wise, I was pleasantly surprised by its capabilities. I love playing Apex Legends, and at Ultra Settings, I was getting an average of 45 FPS – not bad at all! But when I tweaked the settings to High, it soared to 87 FPS, giving me a more enjoyable gaming experience. Battlefield V was another fun test. At Ultra Settings, I averaged around 37 FPS, and when set to High Settings, it jumped up to 71 FPS, making the gameplay smooth and immersive.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare didn’t disappoint either. At Ultra Settings, I was getting a decent 57 FPS, but when I switched to High Settings, it skyrocketed to 158 FPS! Talk about a game-changer! The laptop handled the fast-paced action with ease, and I never experienced any noticeable lag or stutter.
Now, let’s talk about Valorant. At Ultra Settings, I got an average of 59 FPS, which is pretty good for a budget notebook. But once again, I found that playing at High Settings gave me a better overall experience, with an average of 115 FPS. This allowed me to fully enjoy the competitive gameplay without any hindrance.
While the laptop’s performance is commendable, it’s important to note that it’s not a top-tier gaming machine. It may struggle with the latest, most demanding games at the highest settings, but for most popular titles and even some AAA games, it performs admirably.
The laptop does tend to heat up a bit during extended gaming sessions, but it’s nothing too alarming. I found that using a cooling pad or ensuring proper ventilation helps keep the temperatures in check.
For everyday tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and office applications, the laptop performs flawlessly. It boots up quickly thanks to the speedy 512GB PCIe NVMe Gen3 SSD, and applications launch in the blink of an eye.
When I first got this laptop, I was disappointed to find that it only has a 40 Wh 3-cell Li-ion battery. Most laptops these days come with a sizable battery, which goes all the way up to 99.9Whr. So when compared to such devices, the battery capacity on the Acer Aspire 5 2023 looks meager.
But despite that, it held up pretty well during light usage. When I was working on documents, browsing the web, or doing some light multitasking, I could easily get around 5 to 6 hours of battery life. It was perfect for those times when I wanted to work on the go or simply relax and watch a few videos.
The battery performance was particularly impressive during regular office work and casual web browsing sessions. I could comfortably use it for an extended period without worrying about finding a power outlet. This is great for situations like working in a coffee shop or during short flights.
However, when it came to more power-hungry tasks, especially gaming or video editing, the battery life took a hit. Under heavy usage with demanding applications, the battery drained much faster. Playing games or editing videos could reduce the battery life to around 2 to 3 hours, which is a bit disappointing. It meant that I needed to have the charger handy for longer gaming sessions or when working on high-performance tasks.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the laptop’s battery life tends to decrease over time. After using it for a few months, I noticed a slight decrease in its overall capacity. While this is a common issue with most laptops, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a long-term investment.
To extend the battery life, I experimented with some power-saving settings and dimmed the screen brightness. While these tweaks helped a bit, I felt that it impacted the overall user experience, as the display wasn’t as vibrant as I’d like.
Now let’s talk about its WebCam. When I first used it for video calls and online meetings, I was pleased with the overall image quality. The FHD (1920 x 1080) resolution captures clear and sharp video, making my video calls feel more engaging and professional.
The colors appeared quite vibrant, and I could see most of the details without any issues. It’s perfect for keeping in touch with friends and family or attending virtual meetings for work or school.
However, there is one downside that I noticed – the webcam’s performance under low-light conditions. When the lighting in the room isn’t optimal, the video quality tends to suffer. The images can appear grainy and a bit washed out, which can be a bit frustrating, especially during evening calls or in dimly lit environments.
One thing I found handy was the inclusion of Blue Glass technology. It helps in reducing glare and reflections from the screen, ensuring that my face remains visible and clear during video calls, even when I’m sitting in front of a bright screen.
Another positive aspect of the webcam is its frame rate. During video calls and recordings, I observed smooth motion, which is crucial for a more natural and comfortable video chat experience.
The connectivity options on this laptop are pretty impressive and have been a real game-changer for me. Whether I’m at home, in a café, or traveling, this laptop has kept me connected without a hitch.
To start with, the wireless LAN capabilities are top-notch. It supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac+ax technology, which means I get reliable and fast Wi-Fi connections. Whether I’m streaming videos, downloading files, or just browsing the web, the internet speed is consistently smooth and stable.
One thing I particularly appreciate is the dual-band capability, which allows the laptop to connect to both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. This versatility ensures that I can connect to any available Wi-Fi network without compatibility issues. Plus, the 2×2 MU-MIMO Technology helps in enhancing the Wi-Fi performance, making it great for when multiple devices are connected to the same network.
Another nifty feature is Bluetooth support, and this laptop goes beyond the usual Bluetooth versions by supporting Bluetooth 5.1 or above. This allows me to connect various peripherals like wireless headphones, speakers, or even my smartphone with ease. The faster data transfer rates and improved range make for a more seamless wireless experience.
When it comes to physical connectivity, the laptop has got you covered too. It comes with multiple USB ports, including two USB Standard-A ports that support USB 3.2 Gen 1. One of these ports even features power-off USB charging, which has saved me in urgent situations when my smartphone needed a quick power-up.
The USB Type-C port is a definite plus. Not only does it support USB 3.2 Gen 2 for fast data transfers, but it also comes with Thunderbolt 4 support. This means I can connect high-speed peripherals like external storage drives or even external displays for a more versatile setup.
The HDMI 2.1 port with HDCP support is great for connecting the laptop to a larger external monitor or even a TV, and it works flawlessly for presentations or enjoying movies on a bigger screen.
One feature I find handy, especially when I’m traveling, is the Ethernet (RJ-45) port. It provides a reliable and stable wired internet connection when Wi-Fi isn’t available or if I need a more secure connection for specific tasks.
As a tech enthusiast who appreciates both portability and functionality, the Acer Aspire 5 2023 Ultrabook has exceeded my expectations. Although the material used does not scream premium, its sleek design, stunning OLED display, and powerful performance make it a joy to use for work and play.
The long-lasting battery, ample storage, and versatile connectivity options make it a reliable companion for my daily computing needs. While it may not be a gaming powerhouse, the integrated Intel IRIS XE graphics have surprised me with their capability for casual gaming.
Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 2023 can be an excellent investment for a budget-conscious laptop enthusiast. If you’re looking for a premium ultrabook that offers top-notch performance and an eye-catching display, I can confidently recommend this laptop. It has truly been a pleasure to use, and I’m excited to see what else Acer will bring to its Swift laptops in the coming years to top it off.
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