Acer Aspire 5 A515 Review

Have you ever wondered if cheap laptops can be a good buy? Who in their right mind would ever consider getting a $400 computer and expect it to perform well? Well, not everyone is a hardcore gamer or a professional video editor, and not everyone has the cash to spare for a top-tier laptop. 

So, if you’re one of those users looking to buy an affordable laptop that can handle basic day-to-day activities, checking out the Acer Aspire 5 A515 is a great idea. 

The Acer Aspire 5 A515 comes from a long line of budget-friendly laptops, and understandably it has its strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at those and draw a verdict if the laptop is a good bang for the buck. 

We’ll also explore the laptop’s main features and see for what kind of users the Acer Aspire 5 is most suitable. 

Interested? Let’s dig deeper. 

Is Acer Aspire 5 A515 a Good Laptop? 

It really comes down to your needs and what you intend to use it for. If you’re a hardcore gamer or professional content creator, then you should probably look elsewhere. But, if you mostly use the laptop for internet browsing, Youtube videos, or MS Office documents, then rest assured that the Acer Aspire 5 is good enough.

However, the Acer Aspire 5 lineup is vast and offers countless configurations. Obviously, the higher the price, the better equipped a laptop is. So, let’s check out the Acer Aspire 5 variants. 

If you’re on a tight budget, you could also check out if Aspire 3 is a good laptop for your needs. It’s much cheaper than Aspire 5, but Aspire 5 brings more value and power.

Acer Aspire 5 A515

Acer Aspire 5 A515 Variants 

In terms of specs, the Acer Aspire 5 A515 offers a lot of variety. If you go to Acer’s website, you’ll find more than 50 variants — ranging from as low as $370 to some higher-end configurations hitting the thousand-dollar mark.

Whether you prefer Intel or AMD CPUs, NVIDIA or AMD graphics, it doesn’t really matter, the Aspire 5 A515 comes in all kinds of combos. There are also cheaper options with integrated GPUs.

For more details, check out the table below:

*Note that these are the latest Aspire 5 A515 models found on Acer’s website (there are also older versions with different specs)

What is Windows 11 Home in S Mode?

You’re looking at the base model of the Aspire 5, and the label says it comes with Windows 11 Home in S mode. What’s that about?

Basically, you’re getting a limited version of Windows 11, where you can only download apps from the Microsoft store and not from web browsers like Google Chrome. 

There are a couple of reasons why the lower-end models come with S Mode. First, you get more security because you can only download apps and programs from the Microsoft store (which is pretty well protected). Second, S mode is optimized to go easier on the CPU and RAM consumption. 

Fortunately, switching out of S mode is simple and can be done with a few easy steps in the Windows settings. However, keep in mind that if you make the switch, you won’t be able to go back.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 Performance

Performance-wise, the Aspire 5 A515 doesn’t stand out from the crowd. Of course, since there are countless different configurations, performance will vary a lot. But considering the price range, the overall performance is actually not bad.

Some more expensive models are even good for light photo and video editing (especially those with a dedicated GPU). I was able to get my Aspire 5 to do a lot in Photoshop, and there were no major lags.

However, running an AAA title is a whole other story. This is where I can see the limitations – because the gameplay got slow and laggy really fast.

So what type of users would actually enjoy these budget laptops? I believe they’re great for students who need a PC to study and do their homework. They are also suitable for professionals who mostly work in MS Office and seniors who like to stay connected to their friends and family. 

However, if your budget allows you to only get a low-performance laptop, but you still want to try out some of the most popular video games, then check out GeForce NOW. It’s basically an online platform where you can play demanding titles even if you don’t own a gaming device. The only requirement is a strong internet connection.

Still, game-streaming platforms are far from persuading gamers to ditch their beloved gaming devices. So if you’re into gaming and wish to find out if Acer makes good gaming laptops, we got another article for you.

Or perhaps you’d like to check out some of the best Acer laptops this year.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 Upgradability 

If you can afford only the cheapest variant with the base 4 gigs of RAM and 128GB SSD storage, don’t worry too much about it. You can upgrade both RAM and SSD later on.

As for the other hardware components, you’re pretty much stuck with what you get. But this is the sad reality with most laptops. 

Acer Aspire 5 A515 Build Quality

Laptop makers usually cut corners on the build quality of their budget lineups, and the Acer Aspire 5 is no exception. 

Most of the laptop’s chassis is made of cheap plastic materials (only the top lid is made of aluminum). There is also a little bit of flex to the display and the keyboard deck. But honestly, I wouldn’t complain too much about it, considering the price tag of these laptops. 

Design and Weight

I’m a big fan of simple and clean designs, and the Aspire 5 didn’t disappoint in that department It won’t attract too much attention in the classroom or an office. As for the weight, Aspire 5 is no LG Gram, but with 3.9 lbs, it is still considered lightweight.

Screen

The screen is probably the weakest link of the Aspire 5 A515. It comes with a basic 15.6” Full HD display (some models have IPS and touchscreen features). 

In terms of color accuracy, the display is not any worse than others in the class. But I would’ve appreciated a little more brightness for comfortable viewing under broad daylight.

Keyboard and Trackpad

As far as keyboards go, I’ve never had any issues with Acer. Even the cheapest models are pretty comfortable and easy to type on. Another thing I like about the Aspire 5 A515 is the included numeric pad, which is pretty handy for crunching numbers and calculations. Some variants also have backlighting features. So, typing for long hours feels pretty enjoyable. 

On the flipside, the trackpad feels cheap and not the most responsive. But I’m pretty biased toward using a mouse anyway. Maybe you’ll find it okay.

Webcam and Speakers 

When it comes to the audio/video quality there is really not much to say. You get a basic 720p webcam on top of the screen. Speakers are fine too, so you won’t have any trouble following an online class or joining a conference call. However, don’t expect the ultimate Spotify experience on this machine – when it comes to entertainment, Acer has room to grow. But, generally speaking, you get your money’s worth. 

Port Selection 

These are all the ports you get with the Aspire 5 A515: 

• 3xUSB 3.2 Type-A ports
• 3.5mm audio jack 
• HDMI port 
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• Type-C Thunderbolt 4 port (not available with all the configurations) 
• Kensington lock 

So, whether you need to connect to an external monitor for a class presentation, stick in some headphones or transfer files, you’re all set with the Aspire 5.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 has a standard port selection.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 Battery Life and Portability 

Battery life is solid with the Aspire 5. Anything between 5 to 7 hours of browsing is considered pretty good for laptops in the price range. So you probably won’t need to carry the extra load of the power brick when you need to take it to the classroom or your favorite café.

As for portability, the Aspire 5 A515 is not the thinnest laptop and weighs roughly 3.9 lbs. But it doesn’t fall behind the other cheap 15-inch laptops. If you’re looking for a more portable option, maybe check out the Asus VivoBook S15 as a thin and lightweight budget alternative. 

Now that we’ve mentioned it, you can also read our battle of the brands story and see how Acer does head-to-head with its biggest rival – Asus.

Verdict 

Considering the price tag of the Acer Aspire 5 A515, I’d say it’s a solid option for school and office work.

I’m pretty sure many teens who need a computer for school and to watch Youtube videos will find this laptop great. It can also be a good option for seniors who mostly do web browsing and video calls with friends and family. 

If you want other specific recommendations for the best cheap laptops, we got you covered. Or perhaps you’d like to see our selection of the best easy-to-use laptops for seniors.