The sound is tinny, the keyboard is stiff, and the trackpad is rough. The audio, keyboard, and trackpad are about the same: serviceable, but disappointing. While the screen is full HD, it’s also dim and muted even at its brightest setting.

The chassis itself is all plastic, and flexing it behind the display distorts the laptop’s screen. Sadly, the build quality is not up to par. There’s even a fingerprint reader at the top left of the trackpad, a rare feature for this price range. Other ports include a USB-C port, an HDMI port, two USB-A ports, and a headphone jack. If you quickly find yourself running out of storage, you can either get a microSD card for the slot on the left, or you can install a second SSD stick in a hideaway compartment on the bottom. Although, if you want to keep the price under $500 you have to buy it in a color other than black. This Gateway 15.6 Ultraslim Notebook offers a ton of memory, a respectable amount of storage space, and it has the same processor as our best overall pick. Read our full review of the Acer Aspire 5. A spare storage bay inside lets you upgrade the storage later for futureproofing, which we see less often in modern laptops. The keyboard and trackpad are usable, although the keycaps have a gritty texture that’s off-putting.ĭespite its flaws, it’s a machine that can keep kicking for a few years if you treat it well. Meanwhile, the mostly plastic chassis flexes under moderate pressure and may not stand up to rough treatment.

Its display is mediocre, with dull colors and some light blooming. Of course, there are some drawbacks in the interest of keeping prices low. It also boasts a surprising number of ports, including USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet, and HDMI ports. Should you take it with you to your office or a coffee shop, you can squeeze a little over six hours of battery life out of the Aspire 5 before you’ll need to run to a power outlet. This machine is great for writing papers, making Cricut cutting machine designs, or checking emails. While its build isn’t as nice as pricier laptops, it has almost as much power. Its sleek profile and midrange processor, are ready to take on basic productivity tasks at home, work, and school. The Acer Aspire 5 packs a lot of value into a small price tag.

Best stylus for lenovo duet