The Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025) is the latest iteration in Acer’s budget laptop lineup. While it offers some internal improvements over its 2024 predecessor, its limited memory, underwhelming battery life, and overall bland design prevent it from being a truly compelling option. Is its low MSRP enough to make it a worthwhile purchase? Let’s delve into the details.
Specifications and Features at a Glance
The Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025) comes in a single configuration with the following specifications:
- Model Number: AG15-51P-51OU
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1334U
- Memory: 8GB LPDDR5 (soldered)
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
- Display: 15.3-inch, 1920×1200 IPS, matte finish
- Storage: 256GB PCIe Gen4 SSD (Kingston OM8SEP4256Q-AA, user-upgradeable)
- Webcam: 1080p with Windows Hello facial recognition
- Connectivity: 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 (10Gbps, power delivery), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack
- Networking: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 or higher
- Battery: 53Wh
- Dimensions: 13.6 x 9.6 x 0.78 inches
- Weight: 3.72 pounds
- MSRP: $429
Design and Build: Utilitarian and Unremarkable
alt
The Acer Aspire Go 15 retains the familiar design language of its predecessors. A plastic chassis, thick bezels, and a black and gray color scheme contribute to its uninspired aesthetic. While not offensively unattractive, it lacks any distinctive design elements. The chassis does exhibit some flex, reflecting its budget-oriented construction. While Acer claims to utilize 30 percent recycled plastic, the overall build quality feels less than premium. At 3.72 pounds, it’s also a bit heavy for a 15-inch laptop with relatively low-powered components.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Functional but Flawed
alt
The keyboard provides adequate functionality, with decent key stabilization. However, the convex keycaps offer limited tactile feedback, making typing less enjoyable. The inclusion of a number pad is a welcome addition, although its cramped layout and unconventional placement of arithmetic keys may require some adjustment. The lack of backlighting is a significant drawback, especially for working in dimly lit environments. The off-center placement of the trackpad makes it awkward to use, particularly for right-handed users.
Display and Audio: Barely Adequate
alt
The 15.3-inch, 1920×1200 display offers decent sharpness thanks to its resolution and 1200:1 contrast ratio. However, its limited 69 percent sRGB color gamut and 289-nit peak brightness result in a washed-out and underwhelming viewing experience. While the matte finish helps mitigate glare, it doesn’t compensate for the display’s inherent limitations. The speakers are functional, providing clear vocals for podcasts and presentations, but lack depth and richness for music listening.
Webcam, Microphone, and Biometrics: Mixed Results
The 1080p webcam is a step up from the 720p cameras often found in budget laptops, but image quality can be grainy in less than ideal lighting conditions. The inclusion of Windows Hello facial recognition provides convenient and secure logins. The microphone performance is disappointing, capturing audio at a low volume even when speaking close to the laptop.
Connectivity: Adequate for Basic Use
alt
The Aspire Go 15 offers a reasonable selection of ports, including two USB-C ports with 10Gbps transfer speeds and power delivery, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. However, the absence of USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 limits high-bandwidth data transfer options. Wi-Fi 6 ensures reliable wireless connectivity, but the lack of Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 limits future-proofing.
Performance: Held Back by Limited Memory
alt
While the Intel Core i5-1334U processor offers acceptable performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, the soldered 8GB of RAM severely restricts multitasking capabilities. Even a handful of browser tabs can quickly consume available memory. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics struggles with demanding graphical tasks, falling behind competing laptops with more modern integrated graphics solutions. An unexpected issue is a hotspot on the left side of the chassis, coinciding with the SSD’s location.
Battery Life: Disappointing
alt
The Aspire Go 15 delivers disappointing battery life, lasting just over seven hours in our video playback test. This falls significantly short of competing laptops, some of which offer more than double the endurance. While the low-power processor and matte display should theoretically contribute to better battery life, the reality falls short of expectations.
Conclusion: Look for Alternatives
The Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025) is a budget laptop that struggles to impress. While its low price may be tempting, its limited memory, poor battery life, and underwhelming performance make it difficult to recommend. With a little patience, you can likely find better-equipped laptops at similar or slightly higher prices, especially during sales events. Consider exploring alternatives that offer a more balanced combination of performance, features, and value.
