A combination laptop-tablet convertible design usually means having to pay a premium price for a notebook, but Acer’s Spin 5 2-in-1 device seemingly does the impossible, offering a capable and flexible system that won’t break the bank.
Design
As noted, the Spin 5 is a 2-in-1 device, which means it offers a screen that can fold back 360 degrees so that it’s flat against the underside of the device. This allows you to use the Spin as either a standard notebook with a keyboard, as a slate tablet with the keyboard hidden away beneath the machine, or somewhere in between, such as by putting the laptop into a tent position, allowing it to be used as a keyboard-free display. Two traditional, beefy hinges hold the laptop together, and by placing the speakers in between these hinges, Acer assures you get a solid audio performance no matter how the unit is positioned. The system feels surprisingly sturdy, even though it’s constructed from a combination of brushed aluminum and (plenty of) plastic.
Features
The inclusion of the 360-degree touchscreen is the major selling point here (even giving the Spin its name), but the Spin 5 doesn’t stop there. The unit supports Windows Ink for those who want to use a stylus (not included) with the device, and the Spin even features Alexa preinstalled, so busy students can quickly ask for homework help – or hear about the weather without getting out of bed. The 13.3-inch screen (with a standard 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution) isn’t the brightest of the bunch, but it features impressive color reproduction and stands up well even under harsh fluorescents. The keyboard is only so-so, but the touchpad (complete with built-in fingerprint reader) tracks and clicks well.
Specs
The Spin features a fairly basic configuration for this category, including a 1.8GHz Core i7-8650U CPU (eighth generation), 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. That may not be enough storage space to last through four years of college, so budget for cloud storage or an external drive down the road. Integrated graphics are included on this device, so it’s not an effective gaming machine for after hours. Ports included on the Spin are solid: Three full-size USB ports (though one is an old USB 2.0 port), a USB-C port, HDMI, and an SD card slot. Note that you can charge the machine through a dedicated charging port or through the USB-C port, which adds flexibility. At 18mm thick and 3.4 pounds, it’s nearly as heavy as the Surface Book 2, though at least it won’t overwhelm a backpack.
Performance
If you need raw performance – especially graphics or gaming performance – the Spin 5 isn’t the best pick. Even general applications (including web page rendering, business productivity applications, and digital media creation work) performance is on the weak side (9 percent below average), which is unexpected given the high-end processor included in the system. Graphics performance was the worst in this lineup, though it wasn’t measurably different than any other system without a standalone graphics card.
Battery
All of the systems in this lineup showed off outstanding battery life, with the Spin 5 managing 9 hours, 45 minutes in my full-screen video playback test. That should be enough to get any student through a full day of classes – and then some. I also love the tiny AC adapter, which can easily ride along in any bag or backpack, largely unnoticed.
Conclusion
I’m saving the best news for last. The Spin 5 lists at $900, but you can find it on Amazon for a paltry $787. That’s an amazing price for a machine that is stuffed with features and flexibility, and even though performance isn’t the greatest, my hunch is that it will still offer plenty of power for any undergrad with moderate computing needs.
