Budget-friendly Laptop with Smooth Gaming Performance - ACER Aspire 5 A515 45 R65M Review

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Laptop Overview
3. Design and Build Quality
4. Display Quality
5. Keyboard and Trackpad
6. Webcam and Audio
7. Ports and Connectivity
8. Performance and Benchmarks
9. Gaming Performance
10. Battery Life
11. Pros and Cons
12. Conclusion

Introduction

In this article, we will be reviewing a laptop with honesty and transparency. We will be discussing its features, specifications, performance, and more. This laptop is equipped with the Ryzen 5 5500U processor and offers a budget-friendly price tag. Before we dive into the details, it's important to note that this laptop will be reviewed without any bias towards a specific brand. So, let's get started and take a closer look at the laptop.

Laptop Overview

The laptop we are reviewing today is the SP5A 515 from a brand called SR. It features the Ryzen 5 5500U processor with a TDP of 15W and a clock speed ranging from 2.1GHz to 4.0GHz. It comes with 8GB DDR4 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD. The laptop has a sleek and premium design, with a silver-colored metal back cover that showcases the SR logo. It measures 36.3 x 25.05 x 1.8 cm and weighs only 1.8 kg, making it a slim and lightweight option in the 15.6-inch laptop category.

Design and Build Quality

The SP5A 515 has a premium look and feel, despite its affordable price point. The back cover of the laptop is made of silver-colored metal, giving it a sophisticated appearance. However, the Palm rest and bottom body are constructed with polycarbonate plastic, which is Durable but not as premium as the metal build. The Dimensions of the laptop are compact, making it easy to carry around. Overall, the design and build quality of the SP5A 515 are impressive considering its price.

Display Quality

The laptop features a 15.6-inch antiglare display with a Full HD resolution. The display delivers decent picture quality, although it falls short in terms of color accuracy and brightness. It covers only 45% of the NTSC color space, which is equivalent to around 58-60% sRGB. The refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, but the display can be tilted up to 180 degrees for comfortable viewing angles. The narrow bezels on the sides of the screen add a modern touch to the laptop's design.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The SP5A 515 comes with a full-size keyboard that provides a comfortable typing experience. The keys have a tactile feel and are well-spaced, allowing for accurate and efficient typing. The keyboard layout is standard, with the inclusion of a dedicated numeric keypad on the right side. The trackpad is responsive and supports Windows Precision drivers, which ensure smooth and precise Cursor control. However, it is worth noting that the trackpad can be slightly noisy when clicked.

Webcam and Audio

The laptop is equipped with a standard 720p webcam, which offers decent video quality for video calls and online meetings. Acer, the manufacturer of the laptop, is known for providing reliable webcams even in their budget-friendly devices. The audio quality of the built-in speakers is impressive, delivering clear and loud sound. Although the speakers are not certified by a renowned audio brand, they offer an enjoyable audio experience.

Ports and Connectivity

On the right side of the laptop, there is a single USB Type-C port, a Wi-Fi port, and a combo audio jack. On the left side, there is a DC-in port, an RJ-45 port, two HDMI ports, and two USB Type-A ports (one of which is an always-on USB port). The laptop also supports AC Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless connectivity. While the port selection is standard, it provides sufficient options for most users' needs.

Performance and Benchmarks

The SP5A 515 performs well in various tests and benchmarks. In the Adobe Premiere Pro 2020 rendering test, the laptop was able to complete a 1-minute video rendering task without any effects in just 1 minute and 26 seconds. This is a commendable performance considering the laptop's Ryzen 5 5500U processor. In the Blender 3D modeling test, the laptop completed the BMW benchmark in 5 minutes and 33 seconds, showcasing its capability in 3D rendering tasks.

Gaming Performance

Due to the absence of a dedicated GPU, the gaming performance of the SP5A 515 is limited. However, it can still handle less demanding games at lower settings. In games like Dota 2 and CS:GO, the laptop achieved frame rates ranging from 50 to 60 FPS with medium to high settings. For more graphic-intensive games like GTA 5, the laptop managed around 45 to 55 FPS at normal settings. Overall, the laptop is not designed for high-end gaming but can handle casual gaming reasonably well.

Battery Life

The SP5A 515 boasts impressive battery life, making it a reliable option for on-the-go usage. In our synthetic battery test using PCMark 10 Modern Office, the laptop lasted an impressive 12 hours and 47 minutes. In real-world usage, the laptop could easily provide a battery life of around 8 hours and 30 minutes, which is above average for a laptop in this price range. This extended battery life makes the laptop ideal for travel and long work Sessions without the need for frequent charging.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Slim and lightweight design
• Good keyboard and trackpad
• Reliable webcam and audio quality
• Impressive battery life

Cons:

• Display could have better color accuracy and brightness
• Lack of dedicated GPU limits gaming performance

Conclusion

In conclusion, the SP5A 515 from SR is a budget-friendly laptop that offers a good balance of performance and affordability. It features a sleek design, comfortable keyboard, reliable webcam and audio quality, and impressive battery life. Though the display could be improved and the absence of a dedicated GPU limits gaming capabilities, the laptop performs well in everyday tasks and can handle casual gaming. Overall, it is a solid choice for users seeking a reliable and affordable laptop option.

Highlights

• Affordable price and good performance
• Sleek design and lightweight build
• Reliable webcam and audio quality
• Impressive battery life

FAQ

Q: Does the laptop have a dedicated graphics card? A: No, the SP5A 515 does not have a dedicated GPU. It relies on the integrated graphics of the Ryzen 5 5500U processor.

Q: Can I upgrade the RAM on this laptop? A: Yes, the RAM on the SP5A 515 is upgradable. It can be expanded to a maximum of 16GB by adding an additional 8GB module.

Q: What is the screen resolution of the laptop? A: The laptop has a Full HD (1920x1080) resolution display.

Q: Does the laptop have a backlit keyboard? A: No, the SP5A 515 does not have a backlit keyboard.

Q: Are there any USB Type-C ports on this laptop? A: Yes, the laptop has one USB Type-C port.

Q: Does the laptop support Bluetooth connectivity? A: Yes, the laptop supports Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless connectivity.