One of the best things about the Chromebook market is that there is always something to look forward to. There are always new options available, even if they don’t fit our needs specifically. The HP Elite Dragonfly also opened the door to more premium Chromebooks, but gaming Chromebooks are creating a new segment in the market.
This has been further enhanced with the Steam extension for ChromeOS, allowing you to play a backlog of Steam games on your Chromebook. Google has expanded its list of compatible Chromebooks even further. It now includes many of the best Chromebooks powered by Intel’s 12th generation processors.
Playing Steam games with integrated graphics is very impressive, but it still has its problems and pitfalls. So, I finally got my hands on a gaming-focused Chromebook.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Pricing and Availability
The Acer Chromebook 516GE is announced Along with Google’s new initiative to improve the cloud gaming experience on Chromebooks in October 2022. It was announced that there will be different configurations, but currently the only option available is priced at $649 and includes 8GB of RAM and 256GB of NVMe storage. The Chromebook 516 GE is available now from multiple retailers including Amazon and Best Buy.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE: What I Liked
Before you open the case lid of the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, it’s unlikely you’ll truly understand that this is for gamers. The overall design isn’t as exciting, but it’s different from what we continue to see in the likes of the Chromebook Spin 714 and Chromebook Spin 514.
An immediate favorite is the large 16-inch display. Acer has equipped the Chromebook 516 GE with an impressive 2560 x 1600 (16:10) panel, supporting refresh rates up to 120Hz. That falls a little short of what ASUS is doing with the Chromebook Vibe CX34 and its 144Hz refresh rate, but I doubt you’ll really notice any real difference.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Acer Chromebook 516GE |
|---|---|
| screen | 16″ (2560 x 1600), 16:10, 350 nits, 120Hz refresh rate |
| processor | Intel Core i5-1240P |
| RAM | 8GB |
| depository | 256GB NVMe SSD |
| battery | up to 10 hours |
| port | 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm audio combo jack, HDMI 2.1, 2.5G Ethernet, Kensington lock |
| camera | 1080p full HD |
| size | 14.04 x 9.8 x 0.84 inches |
| weight | 3.75 pounds |
| Additional features | Quad force-cancelling speakers, RGB anti-ghosting keyboard, 360-degree design, Intel Iris Xe graphics |
| AUE date | June 2030 |
One of the reasons I’m such a big fan of Acer Chromebooks is the keyboard, and it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the typing experience. It’s comfortable, and thanks to the size of this beast, you’ll have plenty of room to spread out without worrying about pressing one of the wrong keys.
But this is also where we find the first inspiration for the “GE” name, as Acer implemented an addressable RGB keyboard.Thankfully ChromeOS[壁紙とスタイルの設定]section of[キーボード バックライト]You can also customize it a bit as it has been updated in the section. In addition to the “Rainbow” option, there are seven different solid color options and one more option that tries to match the backlight to the color of the wallpaper.
Before diving into performance, it’s important to point out that Acer spared little when it comes to port selection. Chromebook 516 GE features dual USB-C ports, 2.5G Ethernet jack, full-size HDMI 2.1 port, 3.5mm audio combo jack and Kensington lock.
The inclusion of both HDMI 2.1 and a higher performing Ethernet port is definitely nice, especially if you plan to pair the 516 GE with a gaming monitor. But even if you don’t (or can’t) connect directly to your router, the Chromebook 516 GE also includes support for Wi-Fi 6E, so you can stream your favorite games without issue.
Turning to performance, there is currently only one configuration available, featuring a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240P paired with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD. This is the same chip that powers the framework laptop Chromebooks, providing plenty of ‘booze’ for just about anything. Here’s how the 516 GE stacks up in terms of benchmarks:
| standard | Score |
|---|---|
| Wirple HTML5 3D Benchmark | 8657 |
| Octane 2.0 | 83697 |
| Speedometer 2.1 | 185 |
| jet stream | 237.639 |
| motion mark | 279.72 |
The reality is, whether you’re working with different desks and tabs open, or sitting and playing Steam games, whatever you’re trying to do, the Chromebook 516 GE is perfect for the job. This is further complicated by the 16-inch display and its 120Hz refresh rate.
The Chromebook market is already hot, but Acer’s gaming solutions offer an incredible price/performance balance. The configuration available at Best Buy in your area (and the one I used in my review) sells for just $649, but it’s already selling for as low as $449.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Gaming Notes
When it comes to these gaming Chromebooks, the focus is on finding faster refresh rates, RGB backlighting, and more. But the reality is that you don’t really need a “gaming” Chromebook to get a similar experience. Steam for ChromeOS is a whole other worm for those who want to mess around, but at least you don’t need a dedicated device to play games with Game Pass or GeForce Now.
Having said that, I spent not enough too much time to play too little Too many games during my Chromebook 516 GE review. Initially only messing around with GeForce Now’s Jedi Fallen Order, I moved on to his Hi-Fi Rush via Xbox Game Pass. And I have to say the results were pretty impressive with Wi-Fi alone.
Of course, you need decent internet speed and a reliable connection, especially if you’re trying to play rhythm-based games like Hi-Fi Rush. But even with the Hi-Fi Rush’s reduced image quality, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the timing of every hit was as close to perfect as possible.
One more after. Being able to access classic games like Goldeneye and extremely resource-intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 via the cloud is still wild to me.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE: What I Don’t Like
Not everything is perfect with the Chromebook 516 GE. For one thing, I wish the RGB backlighting was a little stronger, as it seems pretty washed out, especially with some kind of light source. In some cases, I thought I had turned off the backlight completely, but it wasn’t until I looked at it from another angle that I realized it was actually on.
I’m also a big fan of Acer’s with 120Hz refresh rate screens, but I wish there was an option to go down to 60Hz. When you’re just writing in a Google doc, you don’t need a fast refresh rate and it will end up draining your battery a bit. This is an option when connected to an external display with a variable refresh rate, but for some reason it is not available when using the Chromebook as a standalone device.
Speaking of battery life, Acer claims the Chromebook 516 GE can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, but I couldn’t even come close to that. I was able to get about 6 hours on the best days, with the RGB backlight off and the brightness kept low to give me wiggle room. This is really fine. But what’s the fun in including an RGB keyboard if you need to turn it off to save battery life?
Finally, while the Chromebook 516 GE’s port selection is quite good, we were a little disappointed to see Acer opting for traditional USB-C instead of Thunderbolt.It features an HDMI 2.1 port and RGB backlighting. I’m sure this has something to do with hitting the sub-$700 price point, as the 16-inch 120 Hz display brings the cost down a bit. But especially when it comes to file transfers and connecting with various docking stations , Thunderbolt 4 was a much better choice.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Competitor
As I mentioned earlier in the review, the Chromebook 516 GE’s toughest competitor is the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip. Ignoring the weird naming convention, this also features an Intel Core i5 chip, 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage. It also has a 16:10 aspect ratio display, an RGB backlit keyboard and Wi-Fi 6E support. But ASUS’s option is a convertible with a touchscreen that costs just $20 more than the retail price of the 516 GE.
From there, the only gaming Chromebook with a 16-inch display is the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook. But don’t confuse it with the IdeaPad 5i Chromebook, which also has a 16-inch screen. Still, you can expect performance similar to the Chromebook 516 GE, right down to the 120Hz refresh rate and RGB backlit keyboard. The only big difference is that Lenovo has slapped a full-sized keyboard on the gaming Chromebook, complete with a number pad.
Outside of the gaming world, our pick for the best Chromebook so far this year is again the Acer Chromebook Spin 714. Not only is it extremely performant, it’s also compatible with Steam for ChromeOS and all your favorite cloud game streaming services. Sure, it doesn’t have a 120Hz refresh rate, but the Spin 714 is a convertible with his USI stylus built in.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE: Should you buy it?
People like this should buy this…
- You need a Chromebook that’s perfect for gaming and productivity.
- I want to embed an RGB keyboard.
- You need a Chromebook with a large screen and a fast refresh rate.
- You are price versus performance conscious.
People like this shouldn’t buy…
- Requires a Chromebook with a convertible design or touchscreen.
- You want the best battery life.
If you’re only looking for a gaming Chromebook, it’s hard to argue with what Acer has brought to the market with this Chromebook. is equipped with After using the 120Hz panel here, you’ll probably have a hard time going back to the 60Hz refresh rate.
There is still some work to be done, but I can say that it is a good thing. Room for improvement is never a bad thing, and the Chromebook 516 GE doesn’t have any major or outstanding issues. The company brought it to market with some of the best Chromebook specs, adding an RGB backlit keyboard and offering a larger display.
It won’t be the battery life champion, but that’s to be expected with a 16-inch display that uses resolutions better than FHD resolution. You could also get some weird looks if you take this to a coffee shop and someone realizes it’s his Chromebook with an RGB keyboard. But even if you don’t plan on playing games other than the ones you find on the Play Store, it’s still an absolute beast.
Not just for gamers
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE may be positioned for ChromeOS gaming, but it’s more than just an RGB keyboard and big display.
