Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 Review (2024): Worth the Wait!

[@MergeDroid]

Check Amazon in your region: amzn.to/40FRxYG (my affiliate link). Ensure it’s this latest CHROMEBOOK PLUS model of the Spin 714, model CP714-1HN / CP714-1H See my previous unboxing video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHXUaGWhiax7ntU More Chromebook Plus models: kzbin.info/aero/PLNSLoCmFMc8qm1a5XOh5p3JMh4S2qPm6U ✨ Find/follow/support the channel: linktr.ee/mergedroid ✨

[@davidrjohnson12]

Excellent video again, thank you for all your help. I purchased this Chromebook, and have ebjoyed using it. It's my first time for a Chromebook and have been impressed, but taken a bit of time understand the differences with finding app version and web versions of things. Still a bit unsure. The 'sleep' mode situation is the same for mine, to be honest I thought it was normal until watching your video, I was feeling that the finger print reader is almost redundant because it pretty much always boots up from the Chromebook plus screen and prompts for your full pin code. If you manage to find a fix then please let me know. Thank you again

[@MergeDroid]

Thanks David, you're welcome and I'm glad to help. Very pleased you're liking yours and getting used to ChromeOS. What sort of sites/apps are you unsure on? Let me know and I might be able to make some sense of it. I generally prefer to use the full blown web versions of things through the browser on my Chromebook, as if I just want an app I'll use my phone. There are some exceptions and having the choice and flexibility is nice. Very interesting you're seeing the same 'sleep' behaviour. Just to explain in a bit more detail for you and anyone reading this... - Closing the lid with the default setting in ChromeOS should put the Chromebook to sleep/standby. Usually you either then have no power LED on, or you may see a blinking/pulsing one in say amber. I believe that's what the LED in the power button should do. - For the first 4 minutes or so whilst the blue light in the power button is still on (same as when you're using the Chromebook) I believe it's because the Chromebook is 'stuck' and can't go into sleep/standby. If you lift the lid at that point it's like it's resuming from sleep, but I think it's more the case it never went to sleep. If you put your ear to the bottom of the Chromebook you can still hear some 'chirps' from the processor/electronics. - As I describe in the video, if you leave the Chromebook at this point for ~4 minutes and come back to it later, which of course is quite typical, the light will have gone out and the Chromebook will cold boot, as I believe it crashed at around that 4 minute mark. - I tested several things including Guest mode (to rule out some user setting, say an extension in Chrome), I also changed the channel the Chromebook was on from the Stable channel (running ChromeOS 130) to Dev and Beta (running newer builds). The same problem remained. My loan review unit has been returned now, but I have shared details of the issue and if I hear anything back I'll be sure to update you and everyone here. Ultimately it can only either be software at some level (firmware / OS) so if known about could be fixed in an update, or if it's hardware related it may need to be resolved under warranty. Coincidentally I had my first dealing with Acer's warranty this service this year and was impressed - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIrLnYuJja6Dgck I'll update you with anything more I hear on this and we'll also see if anyone else reports it. Either way you should have the 1 year warranty period if it is needed. The next ChromeOS release to stable to ChromeOS 131 should be imminent in early December too, so either way you'll be able to rule that in/out soon.

[@davidrjohnson12]

@@MergeDroid Thank you for the thorough update, It didn't feel right, but I thought it may have just been the way Chromebooks are. I'm glad that I know it's an issue now, and now I feel frustrated with it lol. I've just updated to the BETA channel, and the issue remains. There are quite a few google results of similar issues, no real resolution other than maybe a hardware issue. Some people mentioning flags, I didn't know what they were but have reset them with no difference. I'll probably try to factory reset it, and maybe if it remains return it to Curry's asap. The same happens when using the 'sleep mode' shortcut keys. The screen goes off, and locks. If I tap the keyboard then the lock screen appears allowing me to use my finger print, however if after using the shortcut key to enter into 'sleep mode' I just leave it for approximately 4 minutes the power button goes blank and I have to press the power button or close and re open the lid for it to turn back on. This then goes to the start up logo and pin entry. Its a shame to have to go through a return process now.......Chromebook regret?!

[@davidrjohnson12]

It seems as if it's not entering sleep mode at all. Could that really be a hardware issue?

[@MergeDroid]

Same behaviour unfortunately. Let us know if you get it exchanged at Currys.

[@MergeDroid]

Potentially, but perhaps it's firmware or the OS itself or some conflict between them.

[@frac81]

It seems really good...i only have a couple of doubts...first about the possibility of using it also for video editing, and then it's a shame about the position of the USB-C ports both on the same side... last but not least I would have liked it had SD slot...here in Italy we have just this configuration available: Intel Core Ultra 7 155U Dodeca-core 1,70 GHz with 16/512gb, price: 1299€, now for BF 960€...maybe too much?

[@MergeDroid]

Thanks for checking the video. Sounds like an epic spec! If you're doing light video editing in an app/online or similar with say 1080p files I'm sure it'd be OK. However I can understand some of your concerns, especially if you may use a Micro SD card for your files. Perhaps it's worth short listing at the moment!

[@frac81]

@@MergeDroid I have until tomorrow to decide, as the discount will end and the full price (1299€) is definitely too much... but even 960€ is still quite a lot for a Chromebook, despite the excellent specs... as they say around here, 'sleep on it' and I'll decide tomorrow what to do. (Hopefully! 🤣)

[@MergeDroid]

@@frac81 Cool, let us know you decision 😎 I know the difficulty of resisting a sale price!

[@frac81]

@@MergeDroid Exactly, it's a hard one. I'll start a countdown tomorrow around 11 pm 😅😅 Anyway, I'll let you know!

[@MergeDroid]

Sounds like a plan 😂 Plenty of time for more research and to think it through ✅

[@PFL44]

New models on Acer UK site. Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (CP714-1H/CP714-1HN) CP714-1HN-77YC | NX.KYNEK.008 ChromeOS Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 155U processor Dodeca-core 1.70 GHz Intel® shared memory 35.6 cm (14") WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 IPS 60 Hz Touchscreen 16 GB, LPDDR5X 512 GB SSD

[@MergeDroid]

Beast spec! Nice. Is this the one you'll go for? I'll share on X, Threads and Bluesky - can I tag you on any of them? Thanks very much for sharing.

[@PFL44]

@@MergeDroid I'm very tempted by it, it does come with quite a premium which is probably justified. I've just received a Galaxy 7 Ultra watch and buds 3 Pro courtesy of the business budget for this month. So might have to wait till January. Is this best spec we are likely to see? I don't really do X, Threads or Bluesky.

[@MergeDroid]

@@PFL44 The business is treating you well! For the spec, I'd imagine this is likely the highest we'll see. On Acer's UK product page they state "up to 16GB RAM" and "up to 512GB storage"........however, to muddy the waters they do show the Core Ultra 5, 7 and 9 badges.......if we'll see a Core Ultra 9 model, not sure. I've posted to the other socials and thanked you for the spot 👍

[@PFL44]

​@@MergeDroid It was a random spot as I browsed my open tabs. The business is treating me well, all essential equipment for work of course.

[@MergeDroid]

@PFL44 the more 'essential' equipment the better 😎 🎅

[@theaurums9892]

Thanks for the video, been waiting for one like this! Do you think the 8gb version is enough for heavy use? Well, my current asus c436 does also have a 8gb and I wish it had 16. The 16gb model is actually available in currys business but no black friday deal on it so the price is fairly high for that one :(

[@MergeDroid]

Glad to hear the video was what you were after! I was often running between 40 to 50 tabs between 2 logged in users and it was no sweat for the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 in the spec shown. I do turn on the memory management in Chrome. Regardless of that, there's a lot of variables in 'a tab' and if what an individual may classify as heavy use. If you're already feeling you wish you had 16GB of RAM then maybe it really makes sense to spend the extra, if/when it's in budget. However, I think your ASUS C436 probably has a 10th gen Intel processor and I'd assume it's DDR4 memory......so there will be some step up that the newer processor and DDR5 cover RAM, not to mention the NVMe SSD likely at newer standards. Very hard to call, for most people absolute no brainier, but sounds like you might be need to future proof.

[@theaurums9892]

@@MergeDroid This was the answer I was looking for thanks again :) I think this is the one to go for as almost £400 difference would not worth the extra 8GB of RAM for me then.

[@MergeDroid]

@@theaurums9892 You're welcome! That's cool, hope you like it! Definitely let us know when you get it. In the mean time please hit all those KZbin buttons, like and sub if you want more Chromebook and ChromeOS content like this 👍

[@infoaccessful]

I had the same crash on sleep issue you mention, was happening multiple times / day. Exchanged it for same model. Still get the issue, but less often! :( Otherwise like the machine except for the things others have mentioned. (weight a bit to heavy; port locations, etc..)

[@MergeDroid]

Sorry to hear that. The third known with that issue based on the comments here. Also see other comments on my ChromeOS 131 video, something clearly up due to it still being on ChromeOS 130, not 131. Maybe related. Hope you're happy with it overall?

[@infoaccessful]

@@MergeDroid Hi hi, yes I like the unit, though curious what can be bought for 1/2 the price to be honest ; for my wife, we are just heavy chrome users not developers or other needs. Wanted to mention this chromebook was in the Midwest United States, fwiw. Will check version and the model of the 714 as well.

[@infoaccessful]

@@MergeDroid I hope a chromeos upgrade will fix that issue! Yes, I am on version 130, something to look forward to.

[@MergeDroid]

@@infoaccessful Indeed, fingers crossed. Be great to get details of the fault, whether hardware or software - I'll post more if I hear of anything.

[@MergeDroid]

@@infoaccessful I was glad to see the CB+ Spin 714 has jumped directly to ChromeOS 132 last week. My video on the ChromeOS update if you haven't seen it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJCrcoaapMR8nK8

[@forasterocheps123]

Too bad GeForce now ain't in my country 😢😢

[@MergeDroid]

Ah, not good. Where are you? Quite a lot of stand alone games like Real Racing 3 and COD (even though it wasn't happy!) as I show in this video. How about trying Steam?

[@forasterocheps123]

@@MergeDroid Currently I have a very slow windows laptop with a very short budget so i was looking for a chromebook to do some editing and gaming. In my region, the only streaming service available is Loudplay which is way expensive than Geforce Now

[@forasterocheps123]

@@MergeDroid Can I try the HP Dragonfly chromebook?

[@MergeDroid]

That's certainly a very high end premium Chromebook. Do you mean yon plan to buy one?

[@forasterocheps123]

Yes