Acer’s Chromebook 516 GE ($649.99) is among the many first in a wave of latest ChromeOS-powered gaming laptops, which supply an uncommon premise: solely cloud-based PC gaming, in a Chromebook that is nearer in {hardware} to a basic Home windows gaming laptop computer. The “GE” stands for “Gaming Version,” and the system comes with options like an RGB keyboard and a 120Hz show to again that up. It does not have a devoted AMD or Nvidia graphics processor, like a Home windows gaming machine would. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless top-of-the-line Chromebooks we have ever seen, and one uniquely suited to allow you to get into high-end PC gaming with a fraction of the {hardware} normally required. The Chromebook 516 GE’s general high quality earns it our first Editors’ Alternative award for gaming Chromebooks.
A No-Joke Gaming Chromebook
Whereas the concept of a Chromebook made for gaming might sound like a punchline—particularly as Google’s personal Stadia sport streaming service is set to shutter in 2023—in some ways it is an concept that’s lastly able to be a actuality. True gaming on ChromeOS hasn’t been that far-fetched for a while, with Stadia itself and different sport streaming companies (resembling Nvidia’s GeForce Now) proving to be technically sound for years. Android-app assist then made a number of thousand new video games, many with comparatively high-end graphics, out there natively on Chromebooks.
(Credit score: Kyle Cobian)
However the actual key to gaming on ChromeOS is server-based cloud computing. When players speak about video games, they do not imply Indignant Birds, they imply the AAA titles of their Steam library with excessive body charges and assist for ray tracing. Players with a capital “G” need fast-paced fight shooters, raid events in MMOs, and sprawling adventures in RPGs. Extra to the purpose, they need the video games that require devoted {hardware} to provide top-notch, fluid graphics.
Cloud gaming delivers all of those experiences by offloading the graphics and enter processing to a distant server geared up with high-end graphics {hardware}. Companies like GeForce Now allow you to use a digital gaming rig, full with its newest graphics playing cards, after which stream the sport on to your system over the web. And utilizing them isn’t restricted to Chromebooks: Sport streaming companies have introduced gaming to Home windows and Mac laptops, Android and iOS cellular gadgets, and even good TVs.
Which means that Chromebooks all of the sudden have an actual shot at discovering a spot within the wider world of gaming. Clearly, they will not substitute real Home windows gaming rigs or sport consoles for diehard fanatics. However that is by no means been the client base that Chromebooks have catered to. As an alternative, this knocks down yet one more barrier to purchasing a Chromebook—dependable high-end gaming is all of the sudden an choice.
The 516 GE Configurations: One, With Extra to Come
On the time of this evaluation, Acer supplied just one configuration choice for getting the Chromebook 516 GE, and that is our evaluation unit. It is mannequin quantity CBG516-1H-53TY, which sells for $649.99 MSRP.
Constructed for cloud gaming at excessive body charges, our take a look at mannequin is provided with an Intel Core i5-1240P, a 12-core processor that additionally makes use of Intel’s newest Iris Xe Graphics. That is paired with 8GB of reminiscence and a 256GB solid-state drive for storage. The latter matches the most important SSDs we have seen in a Chromebook.
(Credit score: Kyle Cobian)
Nonetheless, press releases from each Acer and Google point out that the 516 GE ought to have an extra mannequin on the way in which, with “as much as a twelfth Gen Intel Core i7 P-series processor,” and a bigger RAM allotment with “16GB of LPDDR4X RAM.” This higher-spec mannequin is not being offered but, so we do not have pricing particulars on the time of writing. However know that the mannequin we examined probably will not be the ceiling for machines like this for lengthy.
Gaming on a Chromebook: An Superior Actuality—Principally
Whereas we have checked out less-impressive choices for gaming on ChromeOS laptops, the appearance of extra substantial cloud gaming companies implies that you are able to do much more than run Minecraft or play scaled-up smartphone video games. To check these advances, I used Nvidia’s GeForce Now for this evaluation.
(Credit score: Nvidia)
Firing up GeForce Now on ChromeOS, I jumped proper into some free sport demos, in addition to pulling up video games from my Steam library and different companies. Whereas Nvidia has a free choice for signing up, it limits you to an hour of gaming, permits for “commonplace”-level entry to Nvidia’s gaming servers, and usually pushes a sport picture at decrease than 1080p decision.
Utilizing a trial supply included with the brand new gaming Chromebook, I used to be in a position to improve myself to Nvidia’s highest efficiency tier without cost for 3 months. (It is usually priced at $19.99 monthly, or $99.99 for six months.) This considerably improves the efficiency, supplying you with entry to Nvidia’s greatest (GeForce RTX 3080-based) servers, with as much as 4K decision and body charges as much as 120 frames per second. Sport classes can stretch to eight hours a day.
(Credit score: Nvidia)
With GeForce Now offering the horsepower and pumping the video games straight to my Chromebook, I did what (till not too long ago) was unimaginable: I performed actual video games, with first rate body charges, with out a lot in the way in which of lag or different buggy points. I did not should fiddle with drivers or show settings. I did not even have to fret about plugging in my Logitech F310 gamepad after I acquired bored with utilizing the keyboard, as a result of it labored flawlessly straight away.
I performed some rounds of Rainbow Six: Siege, taking out terrorists and dealing with a staff to disarm bombs and foil assaults. I performed Refrain, entering into sci-fi dogfights in house. I even performed the notoriously demanding Cyberpunk 2077, getting chromed up within the seedier elements of Night time Metropolis. And you understand what? It was all glorious—the video games simply labored.
Gameplay was clean and regarded sharp on the 16-inch, 120Hz show, and I did not understand any lag between button presses and onscreen actions. Firing up a sport took simply moments, and did not depart me with the sensation like I needed to bounce by way of hoops to play video games I already owned. It was merely an pleasant expertise virtually each time I sat right down to play.
(Credit score: Nvidia)
Nonetheless, I bumped into a couple of tough spots. I attempted to play Loss of life Stranding however wasn’t in a position to, as a consequence of availability points on Steam. As an alternative of pulling up the sport—which is in my Steam library—I used to be shunted over to a webpage explaining that I may have to seek out the sport by way of a distinct platform (maybe GeForce Now). Older video games additionally aren’t at all times supported, like Ashes of the Singularity or F1 2020. Curiously sufficient, some a lot older video games are—I discovered Workforce Fortress 2 and the unique Far Cry within the GeForce Now library, and each labored simply nice.
I additionally generally bumped into points after I tried to return to a sport between classes. Cyberpunk 2077 would not let me proceed my sport as a consequence of “an issue connecting with cloud storage.” It prompted me to proceed from native storage, however that is not a workable choice on a Chromebook. This wasn’t a problem on another video games I attempted taking part in, however when it occurred, I used to be merely out of luck, with no apparent repair in sight.
A Design That Shines
Even in case you set all the gaming issues apart, the 516 GE is a really well-made Chromebook. The aluminum chassis is sturdy and slick with its titanium grey end. The 16-inch laptop computer is considerably bigger than most high-end Chromebooks, that are normally 13 to 14 inches. However regardless of the bigger measurement, it is comparatively light-weight, at simply 3.75 kilos, and nowhere close to as cumbersome as your typical gaming laptop computer, measuring simply 0.84 by 14 by 9.8 inches.
(Credit score: Kyle Cobian)
The show is not simply greater than most. The 16-inch IPS panel places out a 2,560-by-1,600-pixel decision—the very best we have seen on a Chromebook. It is also quicker, with a 120Hz refresh price that doubles the 60Hz commonplace supplied on each different Chromebook we have reviewed this 12 months. Surrounded by slim bezels, and providing excessive obvious brightness, the show seems to be as high quality as many costlier Home windows machines we have examined. The one criticism: It isn’t a contact display. This panel is nice for conventional video games, however the Android-app assist supplied on fashionable Chromebooks all however calls for contact enter, and most of that functionality is misplaced with out it.
Word: We could not truly take a look at the colour high quality and brightness with our typical gear. With out a ChromeOS or app-based calibration choice, we’ll should take Acer’s phrase for it when it claims 100% protection of the sRGB shade gamut. However even evaluating it side-by-side with pricier laptops, just like the Lenovo Slim 7i Carbon, it seems to be each bit as vibrant and correct.
Whereas Acer does not load up this Chromebook with audio extras—you will not be getting Dolby Atmos on these stereo audio system—the system’s 4 audio system do present first rate high quality, with loud quantity. Whereas players normally want headphones, the speaker high quality is first rate sufficient you can nonetheless take pleasure in a sport with out plugging something in.
The Chromebook 516 GE’s Inputs and Ports
The 516 GE’s keyboard is likely one of the most evident differentiators between this and another Chromebook. Made for gaming, it has each RGB lighting and highlighted WASD keys, so it is easy to get again into your sport in case you transfer your arms. The RGB capabilities are easy, together with your alternative of single-color backlight for the complete keyboard, or a rainbow sample that has no granular management. The entire RGB choices are discovered within the Chrome Settings menu, below the Wallpaper & Fashion personalization choices.
(Credit score: Kyle Cobian)
However this keyboard is greater than only a board with fairly lights. Acer contains anti-ghosting, so you may bang out key combos as quick as your fingers will allow you to with out the keys lacking inputs, and the typing really feel is one of the best I’ve ever skilled on a Chromebook.
The accompanying touchpad can be efficient, with a large, glass-like floor constituted of a fabric Acer calls OceanGlass (a barely deceptive title, because it’s truly constituted of reclaimed plastic particles from the excessive seas). The touchpad can be moisture-resistant, so it’ll maintain up in opposition to the occasional spilled drink or sweaty palms when video games get too intense.
The accompanying webcam can be a step up from the standard, with a sharper 1,920-by-1,080-pixel decision. Contemplating how hardly ever we see full HD webcams on laptops on this worth vary, it is an sudden bonus.
Likewise, the connectivity is a pleasant shock, with loads of ports for a Chromebook. On the suitable edge, you will discover a single USB 3.2 port, together with a full-size HDMI output, and a USB-C port that helps 10Gbps switch speeds.
(Credit score: Kyle Cobian)
On the left is a second USB-C port, together with an sudden 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, so you may plug in for instances when Wi-Fi is not sufficient on your cloud gaming wants. A 3.5mm audio jack allows you to join a headset or audio system.
(Credit score: Kyle Cobian)
Wi-fi assist is excellent right here, with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 included. There’s additionally a Kensington lock notch, if you wish to bodily lock down the laptop computer with a safety cable.
Testing the Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Able to Play
Armed with a twelfth Era Intel Core i5-1240P processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and 8GB of RAM, the Chromebook 516 GE meets the essential {hardware} necessities for sport streaming in ChromeOS. This additionally has the nice aspect impact of constructing it one of many snappier ChromeOS laptops available on the market. In a class dominated by low-powered CPUs and minimal native storage, the 516 GE is fairly darn premium, with its 256GB SSD and quick 120Hz show.
Nevertheless it’s not the one high quality Chromebook you will get. For our comparisons, we’re taking a look at some Chromebooks of the higher class, which supply Intel Core processors, higher-end options, and swankier construct high quality than the common Chromebook. Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 ($729), for instance, earned an Editors’ Alternative award for its mix of efficiency, options, and glorious design. The enterprise-minded HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook ($1,734 as examined) is one other award winner, commanding a premium worth for a {hardware} lineup similar to the Acer’s, with twelfth Era Intel processing, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. However even programs just like the Asus Chromebook CX9 ($999.99 as examined) and the 2021 Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook ($549.99 as examined) supply peppy efficiency and nice usability. You’ll be able to see their fundamental specs within the desk beneath.
Productiveness Checks
We take a look at Chromebooks with three general efficiency benchmark suites: one ChromeOS, one Android, and one on-line. The primary, Principled Applied sciences’ CrXPRT 2, measures how shortly a system performs on a regular basis duties in six workloads resembling making use of picture results, graphing a inventory portfolio, analyzing DNA sequences, and producing 3D shapes utilizing WebGL.
Our second take a look at, UL’s PCMark for Android Work 3.0, performs assorted productiveness operations in a smartphone-style window. Lastly, Basemark Internet 3.0 runs in a browser tab to mix low-level JavaScript calculations with CSS and WebGL content material. All three yield numeric scores; increased numbers are higher.
The 516 GE does not high each take a look at right here, however it posts comparable numbers to those different high fashions, coming inside a handful of factors of one of the best fashions we have examined. These common efficiency checks present that the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is likely one of the better-performing Chromebooks we have seen.
Element and Battery Checks
Two different Android benchmarks concentrate on the CPU and GPU, respectively. Primate Labs’ Geekbench makes use of all out there cores and threads to simulate real-world purposes starting from PDF rendering and speech recognition to machine studying, whereas GFXBench 5.0 stress-tests each low-level routines like texturing and high-level, game-like picture rendering that workout routines graphics and compute shaders. Geekbench delivers a numeric rating, whereas GFXBench counts frames per second (fps).
Lastly, to check a Chromebook’s battery, we loop a 720p video file with display brightness set at 50%, quantity at 100%, and Wi-Fi and keyboard backlighting disabled till the system quits. Typically we should play the video from an exterior SSD plugged right into a USB port, however the Acer has greater than sufficient inside storage to carry the video file.
Right here we see a definite benefit supplied by the Acer, because it places up a dramatic rating in Geekbench 5.4, demonstrating one of the best processor efficiency of a Chromebook so far, and main in graphics efficiency within the extra demanding of our GFXBench checks.
Nonetheless, this Chromebook’s largest win might not even be the take a look at with one of the best outcomes. With practically 10 hours of battery life, the gaming-ready Chromebook is long-lasting sufficient to check to its friends, however that is far and away higher than any 16-inch, honest-to-goodness gaming laptop computer we have reviewed not too long ago, the place battery lifetime of 4 to six hours is extra widespread. Clearly, the Acer is not driving the identical kind of graphics {hardware} or cooling programs, however because it delivers playable gaming efficiency with out that high-wattage {hardware}, it does not have to. If you wish to sport longer on the go, a gaming Chromebook like this is likely to be your best option.
(Credit score: Kyle Cobian)
All advised, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a high performer amongst Chromebooks in its worth vary, making it dependable for all different duties that these laptops are typically able to—document-based work, net shopping, and extra—along with its readiness for cloud gaming.
Verdict: A New Laptop computer Class Is Born
As a gaming Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE combines highly effective {hardware} and useful options, creating not solely a purpose-built machine for sport streaming, but additionally a top-flight Chromebook usually. The design is superb, the efficiency is among the many greatest we have seen, and the characteristic set is surprisingly premium given the worth. It is an excellent Chromebook by itself; the cloud gaming is simply the recent new characteristic it is made to showcase. We are able to advocate no matter whether or not you are within the cloud gaming options.
In the end, the primary of any new kind of machine goes to outline the class it helps create. Typically that is a moot level, as new improvements wither from lack of curiosity or producer assist. However others assist reshape the trade. With this being among the many first gaming Chromebooks, we’re assured in saying that cloud-gaming-capable Chromebooks shall be right here for the lengthy haul—offered the cloud companies themselves can sustain with person expectations.
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The Backside Line
Acer’s rousing Chromebook 516 GE is among the many first Chromebooks designed specifically for cloud-based gaming. If this machine is any indication, we could also be seeing the beginning of a promising new class of laptop computer.
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