Are you on the hunt for that perfect mid-range laptop that ticks all the boxes without breaking the bank? Well, you're not alone! Finding the right laptop can be quite a challenge, considering all the options out there. But fear not, as I'm here to introduce you to the Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA, a real contender in the affordable laptop arena thanks to its insanely low price point at the moment of publishing this review.
Picture this: a sleek and lightweight design that's perfect for those always on the move, and a dazzling 14-inch Full HD display that brings your content to life with vibrant colors and sharp details. Plus, the latest AMD Ryzen 5 processor with Radeon Graphics under the hood promises to deliver a reliable performance for work and play.
In this technical review, we'll take a closer look at this laptop's design, display, keyboard, and all the nifty features that make it stand out from the crowd. So, buckle up and join me on this journey as we explore what the Acer Aspire 3 has to offer and help you figure out if this is the laptop of your dreams or if you should keep searching.
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 7520U Quad-Core Processor (Total Cores: 4, Total Threads: 8, Max Boost Clock: Up to 4.3 GHz, Base Clock: 2.8 GHz) |
| Graphics Card | AMD Radeon Graphics (Integrated) |
| Display | 14.0" Full HD IPS Display (1920x1080) with 16:9 aspect ratio and narrow bezels |
| Memory | 8GB LPDDR5 Onboard Memory |
| Storage | 512GB NVMe solid-state drive (SSD) |
| Cooling System | Improved Thermals with a 78% increase in fan surface area and an additional 17% thermal capacity |
| Keyboard | Purposeful Design with a comfortable keyboard for efficient typing |
| Connectivity | 1x USB Type-C Port USB 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps) DisplayPort over USB Type-C & USB Charging, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Ports, 1x HDMI 2.1 Port with HDCP support, 1x Headphone/Speaker/Line-Out Jack, DC-in for AC adapter |
| Webcam | HD front-facing camera with Acer's TNR (Temporal Noise Reduction) technology. Acer PurifiedVoice technology with AI Noise Reduction for clear communication over online meetings. |
| Battery | Up to 7.5 hours battery life (actual battery life may be roughly 30% lower than advertised) |
Who's this laptop for?
The Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA is an ideal choice for individuals and families seeking a versatile and budget-friendly laptop for everyday use. Its snappy performance, powered by the AMD Ryzen processor and NVMe SSD, makes it suitable for web browsing, streaming, office tasks, and basic multimedia needs.
Students looking for a reliable companion to handle school projects and assignments will find the A314-23P-R3QA accommodating. Its lightweight design and portability make it easy to carry around campus or between classes.
Professionals and remote workers will appreciate the laptop's responsiveness, enabling efficient multitasking during online meetings, document editing, and data management. The included Wi-Fi 6 support also ensures a stable internet connection for seamless video conferencing and file sharing.
Whether you're a student, professional, or a family member seeking an all-around performer for everyday computing tasks, the Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA offers a compelling choice for its versatility, value, and reliability, something that multiple customers have already attested to.
Design, Display, and Keyboard: A Purposeful Approach
The Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA we're going to technically review today boasts a slim and lightweight design, making it an ideal companion for those on the go. The laptop's silver color adds a touch of elegance but it's nothing we haven't seen before in this space. Its 14-inch Full HD IPS display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and narrow bezels offer sharp details and vibrant colors.
Whether you're browsing the web or watching videos, the visual experience is remarkably immersive. Maybe not as impressive as the HP 15-dy5399nr, but impressive nonetheless.
The keyboard, though comfortable, might not be perfect for everyone. Some users have expressed reservations about the small up/down keys and the absence of dedicated home/end keys.
Additionally, the placement of the power button adjacent to the backspace key has caused accidental presses to one user, so that's something to keep in mind. Unfortunately, as is often the case when covering these budget-friendly laptops, there keyboard is not backlit. There are a few exceptions to this rule such as the Asus VivoBook 14 F415EA-AS31 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 82RK0017US, but it's not really the norm.
Performance: A Reliable Workhorse
Let's dive deeper into the performance of the Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA in this technical review, shall we? At its core, this laptop is equipped with the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, boasting 4 cores and 8 threads. This means it can handle multiple tasks simultaneously, making it a reliable workhorse for everyday computing needs.
From browsing the web, checking emails, and running office applications to streaming videos and handling basic photo editing, this laptop will handle these tasks with ease. Its responsiveness and snappy performance ensure that you can work efficiently without frustrating lags or slowdowns.
The included 8GB LPDDR5 memory is decent for most everyday tasks and multitasking. However, it's worth mentioning that some power users might find this amount limiting, especially when running memory-hungry applications or dealing with large datasets. Fortunately for us, the RAM may be upgraded by installing a compatible 16 GB module in the available RAM slot.
One standout feature is the 512GB NVMe SSD, which plays a crucial role in speeding up the laptop's overall performance. Compared to traditional HDDs, an SSD is significantly faster, providing snappy boot times and quick application launches.
Additionally, the NVMe technology ensures data transfer speeds that are several times faster than older SATA SSDs. With the NVMe SSD, you'll experience quicker file transfers and seamless access to your data, which can be a real-time-saver during day-to-day use.
When it comes to everyday use, the A314-23P-R3QA performs admirably. Web pages load quickly, and applications launch without any noticeable delay. For office tasks, it handles word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations with ease. For students or professionals, this laptop will be a reliable partner for handling academic or work-related projects.
If you're planning on using this laptop for gaming and the likes we would recommend opting for another option such as the MSI GV15 Thin 11SC-633 or the budget-friendly Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8.
In summary, the Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA is a capable laptop for everyday computing needs and more. Its AMD Ryzen processor and NVMe SSD work in harmony to deliver a snappy and responsive performance, perfect for handling daily tasks, productivity, and entertainment.
While it may not be a powerhouse for resource-intensive workloads, it strikes a fantastic balance between performance and affordability, making it a solid choice for most users.
What Are Customers Saying?
When it comes down to the Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA, many users appreciate its snappy performance for everyday tasks, thanks to the AMD Ryzen processor and NVMe SSD combo, which ensures smooth multitasking and quick load times.
The laptop's cheap price point and well-balanced features have earned praise from budget-conscious consumers seeking a reliable computing companion without overspending. However, some users mention concerns about the trackpad's responsiveness and the 8GB RAM's limitations for memory-intensive tasks so upgrading should definitely be on your to-do list.
The integrated Radeon Graphics handle most everyday tasks and light gaming well, but power users seeking high-performance graphics might find it insufficient.
Overall, the A314-23P-R3QA delivers on its promises, offering reliable performance and value for money, making it a popular choice in the mid-range laptop market. As with any product, individual experiences may vary, but the majority of customers seem satisfied with its capabilities for everyday use.
Connectivity, Webcam, and Battery Life
Connectivity-wise, the laptop offers a range of ports for various accessories, including a USB Type-C port with DisplayPort capability, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port with HDCP support, and a headphone/speaker/line-out jack.
While the laptop's wireless connectivity is noteworthy, featuring Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 1x1 MIMO technology, there's also Bluetooth support as you might expect.
Notably absent from the connectivity suite is the ethernet port, which seems to be getting phased out in the latest laptop launches, as well as the SD card reader, another element that's slowly dissapearing from the spec-sheets in most laptops both on the high-end and mid-range.
The HD front-facing webcam with Acer's TNR technology ensures clear imaging in low-light conditions. For online meetings, Acer's PurifiedVoice technology utilizes AI noise reduction to filter out background sounds, enhancing communication clarity.
This is a nice extra feature the Acer threw in but don't be fooled to think that you'll have the same quality as a dedicated webcam. Therefore if conferences are your bread and butter I'd splurge a little extra on a decent webcam.
Lastly, when it comes down to battery life, this laptop is doing pretty well. Specifically, we've been able to get roughly 7 to 8 hours out of this laptop under a mixed usage scenario, something that falls in line with what other users have experienced.
Special Features: Improved Thermals and More
A standout feature of the Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA is its improved thermal system, with a 78% increase in fan surface area and an additional 17% thermal capacity.
This design improvement allows for more extended and efficient work sessions, even when the laptop is not plugged in. It helps to keep the laptop running at an optimal temperature, avoiding overheating during prolonged usage.
Conclusion: The Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA - A Solid Mid-Range Option
The Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA reviewed today is a well-rounded mid-range laptop that offers value for money and reliable performance for everyday computing tasks. Its AMD Ryzen processor and Radeon Graphics, combined with a decent amount of RAM and an NVMe SSD, make it suitable for web browsing, streaming content, office productivity, and casual gaming. While the laptop's design, display, and keyboard are mostly satisfactory, there are a few minor areas for improvement.
For those seeking an affordable and portable laptop that can handle essential computing needs with ease, the Acer Aspire 3 A314-23P-R3QA is a solid choice. However, users with more demanding requirements, such as intensive video editing or high-end gaming, may need to consider other options with more robust specifications.