Acer refreshed its Chromebook portfolio with three new models for 2022, bringing updated Intel CPUs and a premium Mediatek chip.
While we’ve seen several Chromebooks feature Mediatek processors so far, they’ve all traded performance for a lower price point — typically targeting the sub-$400 market. The updated Acer Chromebook Spin 513 looks to be an exception and is among the first to adopt Mediatek’s performance-oriented processors. Related: The best Acer Chromebook for your needs In our review of last year’s Spin 513, we lamented Acer’s decision to include a 16:9 screen instead of a taller aspect ratio that would be better suited for productivity. This time around, we get a larger 13.5-inch,3:2 display with a resolution of 2,256 x 1,504. That’s roughly 18% more vertical real estate compared to a standard 16:9 display, according to Acer. As we alluded to earlier, though, the star of the show is the Spin 513’s processor. Given its position in the 1000-series, the Mediatek Kompanio 1380 should be a significant step up from the Kompanio 828 and 500 found in older Chromebooks. The latter was particularly common in budget models until recently, including the ever-popular Lenovo Chromebook Duet. Read more: The best Chromebooks you can buy Notably, this is the first time we’ve heard of the Kompanio 1380.
