Acer Aspire 5 A515-46-R3CZ Review

The Aspire 5 A515-46-R3CZ is a prominent model within Acer’s budget laptops range. 

This machine is lightweight and comes with a compact charger, so it’s a breeze to carry around. In addition, the system’s robust chassis will keep it in good working condition for a long time. You’ll also get a keyboard built for accuracy and comfort.

However, there are some drawbacks to getting the Acer Aspire 5. For one, you may find the screen a little challenging when working in brightly lit spaces. And this laptop’s CPU-GPU combo isn’t the best for super-demanding tasks. 

But the above info was just a basic overview of the system. We’ll dive deeper into the model’s specs and performance analysis in the sections below.

Thinking of buying the Acer Aspire 5? Read the entire article first to fully understand what you can expect.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 is a solid choice for school work.

Is Acer Aspire 5 A515 a Good Laptop?

Overall, the Aspire 5 A515-46-R3CZ is a solid choice for school work and general, low-intensity tasks. A portable and classic design makes the machine convenient for business and formal settings.

You’ll also find its touchpad and keyboard comfortable. And there are enough ports to satisfy most needs.

The machine’s robust build and affordability make it one of the best Acer laptops and a top contender in the Acer vs ASUS debate. 

Upgradability

Among the Aspire 5 A515-46-R3CZ specs, only the RAM and SSD are upgradable.

The initial 8GB RAM will work for most general tasks and light, browser-based games. However, this amount is already mainstream, so I’d recommend upgrading. You can upgrade the RAM up to 32 GB, which will boost performance and significantly improve multitasking speeds. 

For the SSD upgrade, you’ll get screws inside the box, and find the cable and housing needed inside the system. The housing is fragile, so be careful when removing the laptop’s bottom cover.

Performance

The Acer rapidly loads websites and programs like MS Excel and PowerPoint. The system can smoothly handle tasks such as compressing files and editing photos and videos. I was also able to carry out essential physics simulations and calculations.

Moreover, I got Acer Aspire 5 to work well with light 3D rendering tasks. But it may struggle to fulfill more CPU-intensive, professional tasks.

You can play modern games like Forza Horizon 4 without issues on the Acer Aspire 5. And for AAA games like Fortnite, you can always use GeForce NOW, which is a great option. This versatility makes the Aspire 5 a relatively decent Acer gaming laptop.

Acer Aspire 5 Build Quality

The Acer Aspire 5 has a superior build quality compared to most laptops in its price range. The system has a sturdy chassis and a firm bottom grip.

Moreover, the hinge feels pretty stable, with only slight wobbling during regular use. I did find the lid hard to open with one hand, though.

Screen

The Acer Aspire 5 has an IPS panel and a 15.6-inch screen. Narrow bezels and high screen-to-body ratio look great and offer enough workspace with 1080p resolution. The system’s contrast ratio is also excellent.

I can’t say I liked the overall brightness levels for indoor use, but you can dim it enough for comfortable working in the dark. I also liked Acer’s Color Intelligence settings, which further help dark room viewing. Finally, since this is a matte screen, you won’t be bothered with reflections.

However, the screen can get tough to look at in brightly lit spaces. Plus, vertical viewing feels a bit weird with all the color dimming at the center of the screen.

The Acer Aspire 5 has an IPS panel and a 15.6-inch screen.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The Acer Aspire 5 keyboard has firm and responsive keys, so typing feels easy. The prominent backlight also makes it easy to work in the dark. I actually quite like this keyboard – it reminds me of some of the finer HP laptops.

The numpad is beautifully placed and convenient for academics and work.

The keyboard’s layout may feel a bit narrow to some. If you work in quiet environments, like libraries, you should know that the keys can get loud — and probably raise a few brows.

As for the trackpad, it feels smooth and responsive, and it’s pretty good actually for this price range. To compare, the more expensive ASUS TUF Gaming has a spongy trackpad which I’m not really a fan of.

Design and Weight

The Aspire 5 A515-46-R3CZ weighs less than 4 lbs similarly to the Aspire 5 A515-56-32DK. This low weight makes it easy to carry to work or school. In addition, the design and placement of air vents at the back and bottom help keep the machine cool.

The charger doesn’t take up much space and is lightweight at just 0.7 lbs.

Webcam and Speakers

The Acer Aspire 5 has a reasonably good webcam and video quality. The cam is suitable for most business meetings, online conferences and classes. I wouldn’t recommend it for streaming though – if that’s your jam, you’d be better off with an external camera.

I found the stereo speakers to be quite good for a budget laptop. The audio is very clear, though I would have liked a little more bass.

Port Selection

The Acer Aspire 5 comes with 3 USB-A ports, 1 USB-C port, 1 Ethernet port, and 2 HDMI ports. These port options are enough for most office and school needs.

The HDMI ports support 4K 60Hz output to external monitors. And the Ethernet port can handle speeds as high as 1Gbps. The ports are strategically placed on both sides.

Overall, I can’t complain about the ports selection. Whether you use the laptop for college or work, Aspire’s got you covered for most uses.

These port options are enough for most office and school needs

Acer Aspire 5 Battery Life and Portability

I got around 8-10 hours with Aspire 5 when handling light tasks like casual browsing. The battery also charges back rapidly (within 2-3 hours). When watching videos or playing games at max brightness, the battery life drops to 5 hours.

The Acer Aspire 5 weighs relatively low at 3.99 lbs. Combined with decent battery life, the laptop is actually pretty portable and easy to use on the go, without necessarily needing a charger.

However, you can get a lighter laptop with an even better battery life for a similar price. An example of such a laptop is the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14.

Verdict

The Aspire 5 A515-46-R3CZ is overall a solid lightweight budget laptop. You get a decent display, plus a handy keyboard and responsive touchpad. 

The machine is easy to carry around and use without constant and frequent charging.

The system offers great value for money for teens, students, and seniors. With this machine, you can comfortably perform most tasks that aren’t too CPU- or GPU-intensive. 

But the machine’s performance makes it less suited for high-intensity workloads. So if you are a professional gamer or 3D modeler, choose a different option. Furthermore, if your career or studies require you to open many simultaneous tabs or use advanced software, a more powerful laptop might be worth considering.

Would you like to know more about different laptop specs and how they all come together? Our laptop buying guide might be just the thing you need.

And if you’re looking for more pocket-friendly laptops, check out our picks for the 8 Best Laptops Under $600.