The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 offers reliable daily performance and a comfortable typing experience, but a few drawbacks hold it back from greatness. This review explores its strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if this 2-in-1 Chromebook is the right fit for your needs.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 excels as a daily driver for web browsing, light productivity, and media consumption. Its comfortable keyboard, crisp display, and respectable battery life make it a compelling option. However, its thick bezels, unremarkable design, and single charging port are notable downsides to consider.
Design and Build Quality
The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 features a simple, understated design.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 sports a simple light gray chassis. While the design isn’t flashy, it’s functional and unobtrusive. The build quality is surprisingly robust for an all-plastic device. The hinge feels sturdy, and the keyboard deck resists flex, even under pressure. However, the laptop’s weight of 2.84 pounds feels a bit heavier than expected for its compact size.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard on the Spin 312 is a standout feature. The keys are well-spaced and provide satisfying tactile feedback. The touchpad, incorporating OceanGlass technology, offers a smooth and responsive surface. While the touchpad’s size is suitable for the laptop’s dimensions, users with larger hands might find it a bit cramped.
Display, Webcam, and Speakers
The 12.2-inch display provides sharp visuals, but the thick bezels are distracting.
The 1920×1200 resolution display offers crisp visuals and a comfortable viewing experience. The 16:10 aspect ratio is beneficial for productivity, allowing more content to be displayed on screen. However, the display’s brightness could be improved, and the thick bezels detract from the overall aesthetic. The touchscreen functionality is responsive and adds versatility to the device. The 1080p webcam delivers decent video quality for video conferencing, and the speakers provide adequate audio output.
Connectivity and Performance
The Spin 312 offers a standard selection of ports, but only one supports charging.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 offers a standard array of ports, including USB Type-C, USB Type-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack. However, the limitation of only one USB-C port supporting charging is a frustrating design choice. Powered by an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, the Chromebook handles everyday tasks with ease. While it may not be suitable for demanding workloads, it performs admirably for web browsing, light productivity, and media consumption.
Battery Life
The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 delivers impressive battery life, lasting nearly 14 hours in our testing. This long battery life makes it an ideal companion for students and professionals on the go.
Conclusion
The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is a solid, affordable Chromebook that excels in several key areas. Its comfortable keyboard, respectable battery life, and crisp display make it a compelling option for everyday use. However, the thick bezels, bland design, and single charging port are drawbacks to consider. At its current sale price, the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 offers excellent value for money.
Further reading: Best Chromebooks 2025: Best overall, best battery life, and more
