Acer Spin 5 Review (2019)

Lisa Gade reviews the 2019 refresh of the Acer Spin 5, a Windows 10 convertible laptop with 360 degree hinges, touch screen and optional pen. We have the 13.3” model, and there’s a 15.6” model as well. This laptop has Intel 8th gen Whiskey Lake Core i5 and i7 Ultrabook CPUs, an NVMe SSD and 8GB DDR4 dual channel RAM. The IPS display is full HD, and the notebook works in clamshell, tent, tablet and presentation modes. It has an aluminum casing, slim 15.9mm design, a Windows Hello fingerprint scanner and a USB-C port. The list price for our SP513‐53N‐53Y5 model with a Core i5-8265U processor, 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD is $799. It competes with the Lenovo Yoga 730, HP Envy x360 and Dell Inspiron 5000 2-in-1.
Get it on Amazon: amzn.to/2YFLIas

[@Phildouf]

I have subscribed to Lisa's videos many years ago,when she wasn't that known. I have always very much enjoyed her videos and unbiased opinions and positive - fun attitude. Just purchased a heavily discounted Lenovo C930 after viewing her videos. Thanks Lisa for all your valuable advice!

[@mobiletechreview]

You're welcome and thanks for watching over the years!

[@skagerstrom]

I have the 13" 8th gen and I like it alot. Looks very stylish and hasn't let me down yet. Only drawback is the sensetive finger print reader and the weight. For 800 dollars it's a steal. And the bezels. In tablet mode you need it. Such a relief to actually be able to HOLD it without the touchscreen going crazy.

[@gamezbuddy3761]

i have 15.6 model with 1050gtx grafic very happy

[@maninderminhas4209]

What long does your battery last in mixed usage?

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

8 months later , what do you think about it ?

[@uifstudio3214]

Yeah really lookin forward as for what happen 4 5 month later

[@noyura]

is it heavy?

[@RicH0864]

Bezels are important for screens with touch and pen support so no problem with the thickness of those.

[@GrownAssGaming]

Love your reviews you are easily top 5 reviews on youtube always super detailed clear and concise

[@dondowner8264]

Can't wait for your review of the Lenovo ThinkBook 14s SMB laptop when it comes out later this month.

[@nutellapatella1396]

I just bought this laptop, I love it!!!

[@edgargabriel6640]

I've bought one of the previous models for one of my daughters. We're still happy with it. Nice machine for students and such

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

Do you guys like it ?

[@mr559]

I'm waiting for Lisa to review the 2020 refresh with the 3:2, 2k-res screen, and the stylus has a garage now. 2 thunderbolt 3 ports and 2 USB A ports.

[@Tristan.J.C]

Ive just bought one its amazing!! I dont think I can link other peoples videos for you.

[@SJ20Jo]

I have this laptop. 13.3", 8th gen, i7, 8gb ram, 512gb. It's the best laptop I've bought. The bezels are great for when you're converting it a lot, you're not pressing anything on the screen. The speakers good. I wish it was actually 13" & a little lighter but oh well I still love it. It's got all the ports I need, it's nice to draw on but I must say that for some reason Krita & Fresh Paint closes down sometimes & then I have to start my artwork again. But in saying that, I don't really know all the gestures on this laptop, sometimes I open & close things & I don't know how I did it. This laptop is really smooth when typing, it makes you type faster, not even kidding, the keyboard is good. The laptop looks premium. I really like this laptop & the price is right. The only real test left is the durability. Pleeeeease don't die on meeee!

[@SJ20Jo]

Also the large bezels are handy when drawing because the edges don't restrict you & it feels more natural to draw on because of this.

[@SJ20Jo]

Also I need to add the battery life is fantastic! And it doesn't heat up & it is soooo quiet. I heard the fan once & that was like for 10 secs.

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

@@SJ20Jo do you still like it ?

[@SJ20Jo]

Yes. & it still works like new👍🏾

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

@@SJ20Jo wow I'm surprised , I keep getting conflicted views about this device. Some say it overheats when gaming and lags ALOT on daily uses. Some says it breaks easily. Etc... And some are happy with it. That's confusing. And you can't find a majority. 30% only of people in amazon rated this as 5 stars.

[@ashlengovender4240]

I love this laptop! I do not use it much in tablet mode as I thought I would but nonetheless I can't be happier. The finish also looks amazing, since I bought it most people who see it always compliment that looks really good.

[@VTPyzon]

Can you completely uninstall Alexa? I don't want to be constantly listened to and monitored.

[@2011Kestrel]

I wish OEM's would figure out that the track pad is NOT the place to put the fingerprint scanner. I get it makes sense from a manufacturing standpoint, but not from a design and aesthetic standpoint.

[@odinshall]

I bought the i5 16gb version. The bezels are that big so you can grip it properly as a tablet. One of the uses I'm planning for it is getting contracts signed with the pen while on the road, then emailing a copy to clients. The extra ram makes a big difference too, even with 20 tabs open there are no slow downs, unlike the display model in store. I also got Win 10 Pro pre-installed and it came with no bloatware. I had a spin 1 (11 inch, Celeron 3350) previously for browsing and as a terminal which was slow but decent and quite liked it for what it was. For the price point the Spin 3 i5 can't really be beaten.

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

What do you think about it now ? Are you saying that the spin 3 is better ?

[@DylanChng]

I would appreciate a review of the lower end Spin 3.

[@striker_9]

That quote on the Tshirt!!😂😂...cool review as usual!!

[@dakata17819132]

the t-shits are like 60% of the reason why i watch these

[@DavidHuffTexas]

Lisa has the *best* t-shirts. Right up there with Adam Savage.

[@dakata17819132]

@@soaky4 the reviews are a banger if thats what you mean

[@grunt5074]

In my experience the thick bezels may seem ugly if you focus on them but you don't really notice once you are actually using the device. Main complaint stems from the fan which gets quite loud, even under medium load, and the thermals are not amazing, but still sufficient. As far as IO goes maybe it's just me but I have yet to actually use a device that requires usb c or can take advantage of thunderbolt, so I'd rather have the extra usb A ports for now as well as the card reader. For what it is, its a snappy portable notebook, with fairly nice build quality and after using it as my college daily driver for the last year and a bit, I have and will continue to recommend it.

[@Rasectos]

Ouf, marone...look at those bezels.

[@unlokia]

When using a laptop, I tend to do my work *on the screen* not on the bezels; maybe that's just me 😁

[@DanijelTurina973]

It's a very good laptop, but could be made much smaller and lighter with the same screen size and internals.

[@a_clapham]

I love your videos, very honest opinions. Just wondering wouldn’t the intel chip vulnerabilities impact the performance (mitigation) ? Why not guide us on that as well? When you do a review such as this?

[@AnonYmous-ry2jn]

That is indeed a big bezel. Is the 13.3” screen including the bezel, or does the bezel get added to the 13.3” screen. In other words is the image going to be that 13.3” dimension, or will it be less than that (by the appearance in the video, looks like as much as a full inch less)!

[@pedrodorantes3527]

I could land a plane on those bezels...

[@dbridgecfc9494]

Lmao nice one

[@stereodrive]

For a non English speaker, what are bezels?

[@KirillIlyasov]

Would you recommend i7 16GB RAM version of this laptop (1200 USD) for home / office / photo editing (lightroom, Photoshop) use? What I really like that Acer have included regular SD card reader, so I can import photos straight from camera card. Any options are welcome for 13-14 inch convertible. Thank you :)

[@josetheboss913]

U find anything?? And are u happy with it ?

[@KirillIlyasov]

@@josetheboss913 I went with desktop instead

[@linabdr26]

Hello, thank you for the review it was very helpful and i intend to buy this laptop. But i want to know which stylus is the best for it ? Can any stylus work on this laptop?

[@madtoffelpremium8324]

When does your Thinkpad T490s review come out?

[@mobiletechreview]

No idea if Lenovo will get us a T490s loaner. Just did the standard T490 review though.

[@ranggaputra2302]

Hello, is it easy to replace keyboard ? My Acer spin use QWERTZ and I need to change to QWERTY. Btw, great great review

[@yuyaku1270]

would you be reviewing the 2020 model? I am looking for a 3:2 thin 2-in-1 with a built-in pen and that one seems to the only one? Thank you!

[@goat9199]

Daaaym, dem bezels be tiiiiiic

[@ricadelosreyes9931]

Is this the SP515-51GN-83NQ model? I have trouble finding LCD for this model. Please help

[@albertoherrerobabiloni2472]

This woman is a machine, excellent review

[@GalacticLion77]

Can you please review the Acer Nitro 5 (2019). Thanks.

[@mereramaka1967]

Hi just wondering.. is there another way of turning on this laptop without using the power button?

[@aaronburela432]

On the topic of Acer I would like to see if the newest swift 3 sf314-55g with geforce mx250 is any good.

[@burakikizler_]

I didn’t understand, can I upgrade my 8gb ram to 16? Thanks in advance (i5 512 ssd)

[@meryamle6270]

You're awesome 💪

[@genexis_x9040]

There is 13 inch 16GB model. It's a bit heavy but it has plenty of ports 15 inch model has very different build and display quality

[@angelfoxer]

GeneXiS_X is the display still glossy and hd?

[@HOLOB0X]

@@angelfoxer there is non matte display in the price range below like 1500$

[@angelfoxer]

@@HOLOB0X thanks, appreciate it. I'll see if that model made it to our market

[@maurhenriq]

could bring the Hasee KINGBOOK U65E Lite laptop ?

[@danikabrown5017]

Is this laptop good for students?

[@jcuz9674]

Can add a second M.2 drive to expand storage?

[@dezziray2011]

Does this laptop have an ethernet port?

[@ashlengovender8888]

Does anyone know if I can upgrade the ssd with a Klevv cras c700? or any other faster SSD?

[@bangladeshivloggersumi2317]

Price???

[@Technobug1]

Is this a chrome book ?

[@noytelinu]

799? Ow.

[@njuta]

Did I miss where the speakers were? Are they on the bottom of the laptop again?

[@F1.4the-moment]

No they're sort of on the hinge so they orientate out whatever position you put it in. She also said they're reasonably loud and full sounding.

[@njuta]

@@F1.4the-moment Thank you very much, I started to re-watch the review because I knew I must've missed it.

[@F1.4the-moment]

@@njuta not a problem.

[@mobiletechreview]

They're pretty hard to spot-- they're on the rear edge surrounding the vent area.

[@njuta]

@@mobiletechreview Thank you, love your reviews. I keep thinking about get a matebook x pro, but it feels like an unsound investment with all the hullabaloo

[@t.styles2k202]

Can I record music on it?

[@damnfreakingsien]

This was my first portable laptop that I had 2 years ago. Unfortunately, my experience is less than stellar. Battery life is really crappy, laptop overheats for no freaking reason, the fingerprint sensor never works, button hindrance & the stylus keeps disconnecting. The only thing good are the speakers & the okay trackpad. I wouldn’t recommend this for college imo.

[@quosoon4709]

Wow there are so many issues on you. Luckily i've got none of them. Mine was and is perfect 👍 very happy with my purchase

[@damnfreakingsien]

Quo Soon I used mine for 2 years and after the first year I already start seeing issues. Probably yours is brand new idk.

[@turtogtokhbold7853]

Guys how much is it now?

[@leoneo7196]

1:46 Oh them bezels!

[@ryanhsu2148]

I would love to hear your views on the new Acer Swift 5 which claims to be the lightest 14inch on the market.

[@7Write4This9Heart7]

Not an Acer fan (first laptop I ever owned at 16, treated it like y baby, died in 8-9 months out of nowhere), but this still looks pretty cool! Shame for the BIG bezels (normally, I'm okay with bezels, but like you said, this time, 'Dem bezels!") and so much line jitter, though! Bummer!

[@blueckaym]

at 1:40 all the lines are very jagged :/

[@drtechtek2165]

can one upgrade the RAM? or change the HDD?

[@TheDrKurtz]

Watch the video

[@rationalityfirst]

"A lot of people prefer Intel" You gotta have all those security holes, right?

[@rationalityfirst]

k, Victor

[@rationalityfirst]

@Viktor with a K enjoy your imaginary security, bro. and don't forget to disable hyperthreading

[@Lukas-pj5ls]

Are you going to review the new ROG STRIX Scar III ?

[@adamresult6821]

How much??

[@mobiletechreview]

I tell you the price in the video and it's in the video's description too.

[@satyaprakashsahu907]

Will the surface pen work on it?

I can confirm that it works

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

@ do you like the spin 5 ?

[@shuggk]

Depends on model acer spin 513-51 does not support any pen

[@thechillmaster5836]

Didn't like this review. 95% spec and features and 5% review and usage experience

[@MegKampen]

Nice sales pitch, but you didn't address the shortcomings. Hope you got paid well.

[@kartikzacharia8277]

Acer laptops lag alot and please don't get me started with the battery issues... I love my Lenovo Ideapad 330s compared to this one.

[@osutin1637]

im watching this on the spin 5 .-.

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

Do you like it ?

[@osutin1637]

@@jasonvoorhees8899 yeh its good but for me it soes overheat abit when playing games if thats what your going for but yeh overall its good

[@hteur1]

The huge bezels are a deal breaker

[@75dhib]

Comparaison (x1 carbon 6th gen vs t490 vs t490s) ?

[@reynaldoponce3645]

hol up i got the orignal 2 peice charge with the brick in the middle

[@Eduardo1007]

Just a quick FYI, it seems your invisibility cloak isn't working :D

[@friend6221]

i have the exact same laptop

[@shuggk]

Warning beware The Acer Spin 5 513-51 does not have a stylus capability -

[@amanieux]

big bezels in 2019 ?

[@هماچرخانداز]

Bestttt

[@vin.k.k]

Too many compromises ?

[@yes3062]

Ur a nice lady..... And if my memory serves me right ur the only female tech tuber I watch.... Expect uragf

[@tevo46]

I just think the prices are too high. It's time these parts were made cheaper. £500 for this would be a better price. £200 to £300 more and you've got a gaming laptop.

[@ElGuerreroMaya]

Those bezels kill it for me

[@gillerdpalmer6297]

Lenovo yoga x260 copy there.

[@turtogtokhbold7853]

Aud $

[@maylinnr]

HP Spectre x360 copy

[@aimeema7530]

I want this but i know nothing about laptops, just need it for browsing websites, Microsoft word, please give my comment a like if you recommend this laptop, thanks guys!

[@vrishabhrai220]

If you want a laptop for basic usage then Lenovo Ideapad 330 should be the perfect one for you.

[@9rpg9]

i bought acer spin 5 i7 core 3 months ago and its slow and the mouse stuck sometimes. 😔😔😔😔😔

[@aimeema7530]

@@vrishabhrai220 thanks

[@aimeema7530]

@@9rpg9 i read the reviews on Amazon, people said its loud and slow

[@jasonvoorhees8899]

@@9rpg9 what do you think about it 8 months later ?

[@keegan7736]

Adds...

[@martalli]

This huge bezels....I just wish it was a 3:2 laptop... Why is it Chromebooks have a real work ratio but windows laptops are built for watching movies? What gives?

[@Tristan.J.C]

The new 2020 model is 3:2 and the bezel is nice and thin.

[@XxXStoneFingerXxX]

urgh, i had two models with a warped right corner where the whole laptop wobbled on the desk and another one with a mushy/not correctly fitted touchpad. had to return all three models. acer and their "quality check" smh...

[@edisonsiew5450]

god damn, acer is stuck in the past. looks like a laptop from 2016

[@_Aarius_]

Woulda bought it if it had smaller bezels :(

[@Tristan.J.C]

2020 model has.

[@isDatBoi]

that's bezels .... *YUKS*

[@hussainnhussain4906]

Why they even makes these laptop?

[@shallomn4746]

Stupid question. If you don't want it don't but it. So many people love it

[@murset3]

Here

[@hariharanux2737]

I'm an artist....... Hope I can install procreate or Adobe auto desk for drawings and designing............. Can you please check it out and make me a reply......... I'm in need of buying a new one for my art works........ Hope you consider this.

[@oldandeerie]

I use to have an acer and it was buggy crap!

[@naveenkataria1501]

Acer still is :( it's like one of the worse laptops brands go for Lenovo instead.

[@9rpg9]

I bought Acer spin 5 i7 core 3 months ago and its slow and the mouse stuck on screen sometimes. 😔😔😔😔

[@oldandeerie]

I ended up hitting mine with a hammer out side . Felt great!

[@online_now6834]

Alexa? No thanks..

[@rameshkharel8393]

It’s so disgusting i would not suggest this laptop have not been a year and I don’t use it often but its already finished shuts off automatically and its useless if u know anywhere near Houston repair please suggest

[@Tristan.J.C]

I wouldnt suggest it either now theres a 2020 model.

[@alicerose1302]

acer is the worst laptop i ever used in the last 16 years. Bought an Acer touch screen laptop (ACER NB SP3-I5-8265U) in Aug 2019. Advertised as SPIN - foldable/convertible ones with touch screen, i did n't know it was not supposed to use as a tab. Wasted more than 800 dollars on this. Whenever I open the screen, there is a huge gap that was formed between the base & screen. I had an extra 1 year extended warranty also with the retailer, but they declined calling it a physical damage. This foldable/convertible laptop is not supposed to be used a it is made for. i have to throw it away as i have to spend extra to get it repaired. acer middleeast customer service does n't respond as they don't care post sales. i went already and bought a new laptop; obviously no more acer; but a good branded one. i always preferred hp or lenovo, but tried acer last time to save some money. infact that was stupidity and lost the whole money. i don't recommend acer foldable/convertible laptops as they are very bad quality and they break open.

[@techgeek0806]

Awful mic 😀

[@PaulSeagull]

It looks like vomit

[@unlokia]

Yuck. Hideous.

[@vivaanmehta7663]

I agree with you... bad looks. I had an option to chose between this one and Lenovo Ideapad 330s and this one and i went for Lenovo and trust me it was a great choice.

[@Fuhpah]

First

[@filip1997andersson]

Those bezels yuck

[@omarsx]

And the winner of this year’s Ugliest Laptop is..

[@Alaphour]

does it have palm rejection when using the stylus?

[@mobiletechreview]

All N-Trig (and other active pens like Wacom) have palm rejection.