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Nowadays, the popularity of high-end laptops with svelte and light form factors has made it easier to overlook mid-range machines. However, budget laptops like the Acer Aspire 5 A515-55-56VK still prove to be capable despite their rock bottom prices. And, these mid-range laptops are, in fact, the notebooks that many of us are likely to buy. Striking a good balance between the latest components and affordability, they are ideal if all you need is something future-proof that won’t break the bank.
And, with the Acer Aspire 5, Acer proves again that mid-range laptops are the way to go for most of us. Updated with 10thgeneration Intel Core processors to start, our review model is a competent laptop that ticks all the boxes you’d want for a day-to-day laptop, for as long as your computing needs don’t include video editing or designing.
Design
The Aspire 5’s design looks familiar, in fact, it’s the same aesthetic on last year’s Acer Swift 5 models. A simple, attractive silver lid with a chrome interior along the keyboard deck, and a spaced ‘ACER’ logo on the cover. It won’t be winning any beauty contests, but again, you shouldn’t expect a $500 notebook stocked with midrange components to be sleek and made of aluminum.
Of course, a metal construction makes the likes of Apple MacBook Pro and Asus ZenBook 3 feel premium, but plastic makes more sense here. Carrying the Aspire A515-55-56VK around the offices exudes class, thanks to a tight build that doesn’t squeak like most budget laptops. The Aspire 5 at 4.2 pounds and 0.7 inches thin is very portable for daily commute to college or work.
Display
Not long ago, a 1080p 15.6-inch display was a high-end specification and getting one in a budget laptop was nearly impossible. Today, even budget Chromebooks and notebooks are warming towards 1080p, but many are still stuck with 720p displays.
That’s not to say the 1080p panel used here is special, it’s the least we expected, only that it provides a sharper image at a low price. Still, the IPS panel technology used here allows for vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, without getting expensive. It is ideal for media and entertainment, like streaming YouTube videos and your favorite movies.
Ports
Given its relative thickness compared to thin and light laptops, there’s every reason to expect solid connectivity. Fortunately, Acer delivers, with a robust complement of ports that support both the past and the future.
Along the left edge, there’s an RJ-45 Ethernet port, a USB-C 3.1 port, a full-size HDMI port, and two USB-A 3.1 ports with power-off charging. On the right-hand side, there’s a USB 2.0 port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. That’s a decent amount of ports, a lot, than most larger notebooks, but if you spend more, you’re likely to get Thunderbolt 3 support.
Keyboard & Touchpad
The Acer Aspire 5’s keyboard is the common, standard island version with a full-size layout including a 10-key numeric keypad. The keys are laid out in the usual places and are average size, except for the arrow keys that are significantly smaller than others. Getting used to the keyboard is easy and straightforward.
Unlike its predecessor, the new Aspire gets a backlit keyboard, making it easily visible even in the darkest environments. Again, key travel is enough to avoid bottoming out, quiet, consistent and the switches aren’t mushy. In short, this is a merely competent keyboard that’s only beat by the Lenovo IdeaPad 530s, as well as the budget standout, the Asus ZenBook UX330UA.
The touchpad is responsive and ranks up there with most Windows touchpads, such as the one on the more expensive Dell XPS 15. Even at a budget, the Aspire 5 packs in a touchpad that’s decently large ant supports Microsoft’s Precision Touchpad protocol.
Performance
Acer updated the Aspire 5 with Intel’s 10th-generation Core i5-1035G1 processor, a quad-core CPU that replaces the efficient Core i5-8250U chip from last year. The 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD storage used here is impressive at this price point. Note that most budget notebooks come with 4GB, and generally speaking Windows 10 much feels comfortable with 8GB. Also, thermal management is top-notch for a laptop that costs almost half the price of most flagship smartphones.
Most people will find the Aspire 5 to provide perfectly acceptable performance for all but the most demanding processor-based tasks. Unless you’re buying for complex tasks, the Aspire 5 A515-55-56VK is a reasonable choice in terms of performance. Everyday tasks like browsing the internet, streaming media, editing photos and video will work like a charm.
Considering this new Acer Aspire 5 uses an integrated video card, you won’t be playing modern games here. Latest AAA releases will not render properly, and everything will likely stutter. Even at the lowest settings. It uses an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU, that can only handle older games, but not at high settings. If you need a budget gaming laptop, we recommend the Asus TUF FX505DT-EB73, a budget gaming laptop with a 120Hz screen and a dedicated Nvidia GeForce 1650 graphics card.
Battery Life
As it turns out, the Acer Aspire 5’s battery is a better performer as compared to last year’s Acer Aspire 5 that had an underwhelming battery. The new model promises up to 8 hours 35 minutes on a single, which is perfect for a full day at college or at work. It easily beats the category average of 7.5 hours, making it one of the few options to consider if you stay for long away from a power outlet.
Bottom Line
The new Acer Aspire 5 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a mid-range laptop that won’t cost the earth, but isn’t ready to settle for one compromised with cheap build quality and outdated components. Again, there’s a range of configurations available in this series, meaning there’s a good chance you’ll find an Aspire 5 that suits your needs and budget.
For our review model, you’re not getting the power for gaming and video editing, but it scores where it matters. It packs some of the latest components, a great design and battery life that’s particularly good. If that’s what you need, the Acer Aspire 5 A515-55-56VK is definitely worth considering.
The Review
Acer Aspire 5 A515-55-56VK
The new Acer Aspire 5 A515-55-56VK is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a mid-range laptop that won’t cost the earth, but isn’t ready to settle for one compromised with cheap build quality and outdated components.
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
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Acer Aspire 5 A515-55-56VK, 15.6" Full HD IPS Display, 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1, 8GB DDR4, 256GB NVMe SSD, WiFi 6, HD Webcam, Fingerprint Reader, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 10 Home
5 used from $399.99
