When it comes to budget laptops, the Acer Aspire 3 series consistently ranks among the top contenders. It promises a blend of affordability, performance, and practicality, making it a popular choice for students, professionals, and casual users alike. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the various aspects of the Acer Aspire 3, exploring its design, performance, features, and overall value.
Design and Build Quality
The Acer Aspire 3 features a sleek and minimalist design that appeals to a wide range of users. Its chassis is made of plastic, which is expected in this price range, but it doesn’t feel cheap. The laptop has a matte finish that resists fingerprints, giving it a clean look even after prolonged use.
Weighing in at around 4.4 pounds (2 kg), the Aspire 3 is reasonably portable, though not the lightest option available. Its slim profile (0.8 inches) makes it easy to slip into a backpack or briefcase, enhancing its portability. The build quality is solid, with minimal flex in the keyboard deck and display lid, providing a sense of durability that inspires confidence in its longevity.
Display
The Acer Aspire 3 is equipped with a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display, which is a notable feature in this price range. The display offers sharp and clear visuals, making it suitable for web browsing, watching videos, and light photo editing. However, the color accuracy and brightness are average, with a somewhat limited color gamut and modest peak brightness, making it less ideal for professional photo or video editing.
The anti-glare coating on the screen helps reduce reflections, improving visibility in well-lit environments. The viewing angles are decent, but the display tends to lose some color accuracy and brightness when viewed from extreme angles.
Performance
The Acer Aspire 3 is available in various configurations, catering to different performance needs and budgets. Our review unit came with an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. This combination offers a good balance of performance for everyday tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and multimedia consumption.
The Intel Core i5-1135G7 is a quad-core processor from the Tiger Lake family, known for its improved performance and energy efficiency. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the Aspire 3 handles multitasking reasonably well, though heavy multitaskers may find the 8GB of RAM limiting. The 256GB SSD provides fast boot times and quick access to files, though users with large media libraries may need to consider additional storage options.
For those with lighter computing needs, there are configurations available with Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processors, which offer adequate performance for basic tasks at a lower price point.
Graphics and Gaming
The Acer Aspire 3 is not a gaming laptop, but it does come with integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, which offer improved performance over previous generations. While it won’t handle demanding AAA titles, it can run older or less demanding games at lower settings. Casual gamers can enjoy titles like Minecraft, Fortnite, and League of Legends with acceptable performance.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial consideration for any laptop, and the Acer Aspire 3 performs reasonably well in this regard. In our tests, the laptop lasted around 7-8 hours on a single charge with moderate usage, including web browsing, video playback, and document editing. This battery life is sufficient for a full day of work or classes, making it a reliable companion for users on the go.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard on the Acer Aspire 3 is comfortable to type on, with well-spaced keys and decent key travel. The keys have a slightly textured surface, which provides a good grip and helps reduce typing errors. The keyboard is not backlit, which may be a drawback for some users, especially those who frequently work in low-light environments.
The touchpad is spacious and responsive, supporting multi-touch gestures for a smoother navigation experience. It features a precision touchpad that offers accurate tracking and supports Windows 10 gestures, enhancing overall usability.
Connectivity
The Acer Aspire 3 offers a decent selection of ports, catering to various connectivity needs. It includes:
- 2 x USB 3.2 Type-A ports
- 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A port
- 1 x HDMI port
- 1 x Ethernet (RJ-45) port
- 1 x 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
The inclusion of an Ethernet port is a nice touch, providing a reliable wired internet connection option. The absence of a USB Type-C port is somewhat disappointing, as it limits connectivity options for modern peripherals and charging.
Software and Features
The Acer Aspire 3 comes with Windows 10 Home pre-installed, along with a few pre-loaded applications and utilities. Acer includes its Care Center software, which provides system information, updates, and maintenance tools. There’s also a trial version of antivirus software and some bloatware, which can be easily uninstalled to free up space and resources.
One notable feature of the Aspire 3 is its upgradability. The laptop’s bottom panel can be easily removed to access the RAM and storage, allowing users to upgrade these components as needed. This feature extends the lifespan of the laptop, making it a more cost-effective investment in the long run.
Value for Money
The Acer Aspire 3 offers excellent value for money, providing a well-rounded package at an affordable price. Its performance, display quality, and build make it a strong contender in the budget laptop segment. While it has some limitations, such as average color accuracy and the absence of a backlit keyboard, these are reasonable trade-offs given its price point.
For students, professionals, and casual users seeking a reliable and affordable laptop for everyday tasks, the Acer Aspire 3 is a compelling choice. Its combination of performance, portability, and upgradability makes it a versatile option that can adapt to various needs over time.
Conclusion
The Acer Aspire 3 is a testament to how far budget laptops have come in recent years. It strikes a balance between performance and affordability, making it an attractive option for a wide range of users. While it may not excel in every category, it delivers solid performance and practicality where it matters most.
Whether you’re a student needing a dependable laptop for coursework, a professional seeking a budget-friendly workhorse, or a casual user looking for an everyday computing device, the Acer Aspire 3 is worth considering. Its blend of features, performance, and price make it a standout choice in the crowded budget laptop market.
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