Unveiling the Acer Aspire 5: A Comprehensive Review and Intel Core i5-1135G7 Performance

Unveiling the Acer Aspire 5: A Comprehensive Review and Intel Core i5-1135G7 Performance

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Acer Aspire 5 Overview
3. Design and Build Quality
4. Performance and Hardware
5. Display and Graphics
6. Connectivity and Ports
7. Keyboard and Touchpad
8. Battery Life
9. Audio Quality
10. Webcam and Microphone
11. Conclusion

Article:

🌟 Acer Aspire 5: A Budget-Friendly Laptop with Mixed Performance 🌟

Introduction

In today's digital age, having a reliable laptop is essential for various tasks, from work to entertainment. For those on a budget, the Acer Aspire 5 offers a viable option with its affordable price tag. However, before making a purchase decision, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of its features, performance, and limitations. In this article, we will delve into the Acer Aspire 5, discussing its design, performance, display, connectivity, keyboard, battery life, audio quality, webcam, and microphone. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of whether the Acer Aspire 5 is the right choice for you.

1. Acer Aspire 5 Overview

The Acer Aspire 5 is a classical notebook designed for the mass market. It features a 15.6-inch display and a plastic build, offering a lightweight and portable design. While the overall build quality is satisfactory, with precise and minimal gaps, it is important to note that the laptop is predominantly made of plastic, which may not convey a premium feel to some users. Nonetheless, the inclusion of an aluminum display lid adds a touch of elegance to its appearance.

Pros:

• Affordable price tag
• Lightweight and portable design
• Aluminum display lid for a premium look

Cons:

• Plastic build may not feel premium to some users

2. Design and Build Quality

The Acer Aspire 5 boasts a classic 15.6-inch design, encased in plastic. Despite the plastic chassis, the laptop is surprisingly light, weighing only 1.65 kilograms and measuring a slim 18 mm in thickness. This makes it a suitable choice for users who prioritize portability. The keyboard features a chiclet design with sufficient key travel, offering a comfortable typing experience. Additionally, the inclusion of a numeric keypad is a convenient feature for those who work with numbers frequently. However, the function keys are on the smaller side, which may take some getting used to.

Pros:

• Lightweight and slim design for portability
• Comfortable chiclet keyboard with numeric keypad

Cons:

• Function keys are relatively small

3. Performance and Hardware

Underneath its plastic exterior, the Acer Aspire 5 houses a promising array of hardware components. Powered by an Intel Core i5 processor from the 11th generation and 16 GB of RAM, it delivers commendable performance for everyday tasks. The laptop's ultrabook processor operates at a TDP of 28 watts, resulting in efficient power usage and relatively low thermal output. However, it falls short in benchmark tests compared to similar laptops with identical processors, indicating that Acer may have intentionally optimized the performance to prioritize quiet operation and thermal management.

Pros:

• Powerful Intel Core i5 processor
• Ample 16 GB RAM for smooth multitasking

Cons:

• Falls short in benchmark tests compared to similar laptops

4. Display and Graphics

The Acer Aspire 5 features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, offering adequate brightness for indoor use. However, the color reproduction may appear somewhat cold and muted due to its average color gamut coverage of only 53% sRGB. The display's matte finish helps reduce glare, making it suitable for outdoor use under cloudy conditions. While the display is sufficient for everyday tasks, it may not meet the requirements of professional photo or video editing due to its limited color accuracy.

Pros:

• Full HD IPS display with adequate brightness
• Matte finish reduces glare for outdoor use

Cons:

• Average color gamut coverage may result in slightly muted colors

5. Connectivity and Ports

The Acer Aspire 5 offers a range of essential connectivity options suitable for typical home use. On the left side, you will find one USB 2.0 port, two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, an Ethernet port, and a proprietary charging connector. The right side houses one USB 2.0 port, an audio jack, and a Kensington lock slot. While the inclusion of USB 2.0 ports may seem questionable in 2021, it is worth noting that they can still be useful for connecting older peripherals. However, the absence of a USB-C port and an integrated SD card slot may be limitations for some users.

Pros:

• Essential connectivity options for everyday use
• Legacy USB 2.0 ports for compatibility with older devices

Cons:

• Lack of USB-C port and integrated SD card slot

6. Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on the Acer Aspire 5 offers a comfortable typing experience with its adequate key travel and tactile feedback. The backlight illumination feature is limited to an all-or-nothing setting, which may be a drawback for users who prefer adjustable backlighting levels. The touchpad is spacious, accurate, and responsive, allowing for effortless navigation and gesture controls. Overall, Acer has done a commendable job in providing a functional and user-friendly keyboard and touchpad configuration.

Pros:

• Comfortable keyboard with adequate key travel
• Spacious, accurate, and responsive touchpad

Cons:

• Limited backlight customization options

7. Battery Life

The Acer Aspire 5 incorporates a 48-watt-hour battery, which provides decent but not exceptional battery life. Under typical usage conditions with 50% brightness, the laptop can last around five and a half hours. Extending the battery life to over six hours is possible by reducing the brightness to the minimum. While these figures may be sufficient for everyday use, it falls short compared to competitors offering longer battery life. For example, the Lenovo Ideapad 5 with its 70-watt-hour battery outperforms the Acer Aspire 5 in terms of longevity.

Pros:

• Decent battery life for everyday use

Cons:

• Falls short compared to competitors in terms of battery life

8. Audio Quality

One area where the Acer Aspire 5 underperforms is its audio quality. The speakers produce sound that is relatively quiet and tends to sound tinny. Furthermore, the placement of the speakers on the underside of the laptop can negatively impact sound quality, particularly when using the laptop on a soft surface such as a bed or sofa. While the audio quality is satisfactory for casual media consumption, it may not deliver the immersive audio experience desired by audiophiles or users who frequently engage in video conferencing.

Pros:

• Adequate audio quality for casual media consumption

Cons:

• Speakers produce relatively quiet and tinny sound
• Placement of speakers on the underside affects sound quality

9. Webcam and Microphone

The webcam on the Acer Aspire 5 is less than impressive, capturing images that lack sharpness and Clarity. Even under optimal lighting conditions, it is challenging to determine whether the image is properly focused. The 0.9-megapixel camera falls short compared to other laptops offering higher-resolution webcams. However, the microphone performs adequately, delivering clear and intelligible audio for video calls. While the audio quality may not be exceptional, it is sufficient for everyday video communication.

Pros:

• Adequate microphone for clear audio during video calls

Cons:

• Webcam captures images lacking sharpness and clarity

10. Conclusion

In conclusion, the Acer Aspire 5 is a budget-friendly laptop suitable for everyday tasks. While it offers components capable of handling typical day-to-day usage, its price-to-performance ratio may not be the most competitive. The plastic build and average display color reproduction may deter users seeking a more premium visual experience. Additionally, the lack of certain ports and the underwhelming audio quality are potential drawbacks to consider. If you are willing to compromise on these aspects and prioritize affordability, the Acer Aspire 5 can be a viable option.

Highlights:

• Budget-friendly laptop with adequate performance
• Lightweight design for portability
• Comfortable keyboard and responsive touchpad
• Decent battery life for everyday use
• Matte display with reduced glare for outdoor use
• Adequate connectivity options for typical home use
• Satisfactory audio and microphone quality for everyday needs

FAQ:

Q: Does the Acer Aspire 5 have a backlit keyboard? A: Yes, the Acer Aspire 5 features a backlit keyboard that provides illumination for comfortable typing in low-light environments.

Q: Can the Acer Aspire 5 handle gaming and graphic-intensive tasks? A: While the Acer Aspire 5 can handle light gaming and basic graphic tasks, it is not designed for demanding gaming or professional graphic design.

Q: Can the RAM be upgraded on the Acer Aspire 5? A: Yes, the RAM on the Acer Aspire 5 is replaceable and can be upgraded to a higher capacity to enhance performance.

Q: Does the Acer Aspire 5 support fast charging? A: No, the Acer Aspire 5 does not support fast charging. It charges at a standard rate through the proprietary charging connector.

Q: Is the Acer Aspire 5 compatible with external monitors? A: Yes, the Acer Aspire 5 has an HDMI port that allows you to connect external monitors or projectors for extended display options.

Resources:

• Acer Official Website
• WindowsArea.de - Chance für Fellnasen e.V.