Acer Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024)
Laptops

Acer

Acer 516 GE: Reddit's Verdict on the Screen vs Battery Debate

Mar 2026

Last Analyzed

7/10

Overall Rating

23

Positive Reviews

17

Negative Reviews

Summary

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024) is a well-regarded large-screen Chromebook that earns praise for its stunning 16-inch 2560x1600 120Hz display, comfortable keyboard, and solid performance for everyday tasks. Reddit sentiment is generally positive, though a consistent and well-documented complaint centers on battery life — users regularly report only 2–4 hours of real-world use, largely blamed on the power-hungry Intel Core i5-1240P and the high-refresh display. It appeals most to desktop-adjacent users who keep it plugged in, cloud gamers relying on GeForce Now, and those who prioritize screen quality above all else. Buyers who need portability with all-day battery are frequently advised to look elsewhere, but those who accept the trade-off tend to be very satisfied at the price.

Pros

  • 16-inch 2560x1600 120Hz IPS display is consistently called one of the best screens available on any Chromebook — users describe it as 'heavenly' and a key reason they chose it over competitors
  • Strong keyboard and upward-facing stereo speakers stand out compared to most Chromebooks in the category, making it a comfortable daily driver for work and media
  • GeForce Now cloud gaming works seamlessly — users report smooth 120fps gameplay when plugged in, making it one of the better cloud gaming Chromebooks available
  • Capable of running Steam games via Linux (Proton) including Civilization 5, Portal 2, Final Fantasy X, Balatro, and Deck-verified titles — solid for casual and indie gaming
  • Competitive value at its price point, especially on sale or refurbished — users report finding it for $270–$449, where it compares favorably to Windows laptops with similar specs
  • Chromebook Plus certified with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 and up to 16GB RAM, making it one of the more powerful ChromeOS devices available at mid-range prices

Cons

  • Battery life is the most-cited dealbreaker — multiple users report 2–3 hours under moderate use at 50–60% brightness, well below the category average and a significant problem for mobile users
  • The Intel Core i5-1240P runs warm under even light loads, triggering loud dual fans during regular browsing and document work — thermal management is a recurring complaint
  • No touchscreen and no microSD card slot — notable omissions for a 2024 device at this price, especially compared to competitors like the Acer Spin 714 or Lenovo Duet 5
  • Software support countdown started from the 2022 platform release, meaning 2024 buyers get fewer than 8 effective years of ChromeOS updates — officially until 2032
  • 8GB RAM model shows strain with heavy tab use, Play Store apps, and Linux containers running simultaneously — the 16GB variant resolves this but is harder to find and more expensive
  • Streaming app quality capped at 720p in many Android Play Store apps — users who want high-res local streaming are often disappointed and resort to browser-based alternatives

The Best Chromebook Screen in the Worst Chromebook Battery

Reddit users are nearly unanimous: the 516 GE has one of the finest displays on any Chromebook. But that same gorgeous 2560x1600 120Hz panel combined with the Intel i5 processor drains the battery in under 3 hours for most users — a trade-off that defines whether you'll love or return it.

Is It Worth It If You're Always Near an Outlet?

The 516 GE gets consistently high marks when used as a desktop-adjacent laptop. Users who keep it plugged in praise the screen, keyboard, speakers, and GeForce Now performance. The value equation shifts dramatically if you need true portability — community consensus leans toward the Spin 714 or a smaller Chromebook Plus instead.

Steam on a Chromebook — and It Actually Works

A surprising number of users have gotten real Steam games running via Linux on the 516 GE — Portal 2, Civ 5, Final Fantasy X, and several Deck-verified titles all get confirmed reports. It's not a gaming laptop, but it handles casual and retro PC games better than most people expect from ChromeOS.

User Reviews (40 of 107 analyzed)

12
0
simonmalesr/chromeos10d agonegative

Likely the release of the product, not the manufacturing date. The support window starts from the platform launch.

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10
0
Grim-Sleeperr/chrome10d agopositive

There is zero reason why it should do any of this. 8GB is plenty for a Chromebook unless you go way overboard with extensions or huge numbers of heavy websites that are all open and active at the same time. Log into a guest session and see if you can reproduce this problem.

View Original Comment
6
0
Shidellr/chromeos10d agopositive

I had a 2-in-1 touchscreen and stylus, didn't end up using it much. Decided a bigger, high-res (and high-refresh rate) display was better for my usage. Loved the full sized tenkeyless keyboard, too. Made the 516 GE an easy decision.

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6
0
netbeansr/chromeos10d agonegative

I think the updates roll from the date the device (really, motherboard) was first released, not when your specific machine was manufactured. This line of Acer Chromebooks has a Acer Chromebook 516 GE (2022) variant so I think Acer starts counting from 2022.

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5
0
sharkscottr/chrome10d agonegative

Check out how to turn your Chromebook into a Mintbook. I'll bet it runs better on Linux than Chrome.

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5
0
Fine-Cranberry-1185r/chromeos10d agopositive

For your stated use case, I'd save the money. I doubt there's any noticeable difference in performance between the i3 and i5 for basic Google Docs and form filling.

View Original Comment
4
0
La_Rana_Rener/chromeos10d agopositive

I have the 8gb one and it's a great machine, the price in my opinion is excessive, but I bought an openbox with clearance for 290, so it's fine and now it's my main machine.

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4
0
sadlermr/chromeos10d agopositive

The CX54 seems overkill. If you need a bigger screen, go with the Acer 516, if you don't go with the Asus CX34. All of these Chromebooks actually have Thunderbolt 4.

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3
0
Cuenta_Sana_123r/chromeos10d agopositive

I have the 8 gb one (USD 290 open box at best buy) and its great, I can play steam games (I play old games and metroidvanias/platformers) and after changing the ssd for 500 GB one is perfect for me, the screen is gorgeous, for now 8gb ram is enough.

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3
0
Puzzled-Ad2651r/chrome10d agonegative

I purchased it because of this review and other top sites who had similar reviews but it's been nothing but a nightmare to use. Even the user reviews on best buy and other sites give it decent praise but for me it's been an absolute dumpster fire.

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3
0
wewewawar/chrome10d agonegative

You need to clear out your downloads local storage. It's not just ram that slows things down on a CB. This is why when possible, I tell folks to consider a Chromebox instead, where you can upgrade RAM and SSD.

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2
0
kosmonautbrucer/chromeos10d agopositive

I've had the 516 GE for a few months, got it refurbished from Acer for $270, and am just blown away by this thing. Great performance, can game with GeForce Now, not that heavy, it may be one of the best laptops I've ever used, which includes a number of Chromebooks. Highly recommended.

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2
0
SteveNYCr/chromeos10d agopositive

I own a 516 GE and it's a great device. But the benefits are all in the display. It has a 16" 120Hz display, and a higher resolution than most 714 variants. Battery life on the 516 is definitely a weakness though.

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2
0
Mysterious_Bridge725r/chromeos10d agopositive

I have the 516 GE and it's been great for my purposes and as previously mentioned the screen is fantastic.

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2
0
myelinr/ChromebookGaming10d agopositive

The 516 GE has pretty good hardware! The only limitation is RAM — lots of AAA games have a hard time running on less than 16GB. I have one, and IMHO it has the best keyboard and trackpad of any Chromebook I've used.

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2
0
Nandojkcolas1r/ChromebookGaming10d agopositive

You said you want to run basic games, it will run basic games. If they are deck verified they will generally run on the Chromebook, and the Acer 516 has a 12th Gen i5 and 8GB of memory. So as long as the game isn't too big to store on the SSD, it will likely run albeit at lower settings.

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2
0
computermaster704r/chromeos10d agonegative

Personally I would much rather go with the Acer spin 714 over the Acer 516 GE while the GE has better cooling and better IO the Acer spin is not only a 2 in 1 but also has a touch screen which to me personally is much more worth it than the 120Hz screen.

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2
0
East-Count-6625r/chromeos10d agopositive

Previous 516 had i5 1215u, new 516 has Intel core 5 series 1. Keyboard is said to be brighter.

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2
0
billh492r/chromeos10d agonegative

Yes they get ten years of updates but you never get 10 years of updates even if you stand at the end of the production line and get the first one they ever sell. The clock starts ticking when Google approves the chipset which will happen before the first one is ever sold.

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2
0
nbmtxr/chromeos10d agonegative

I think the Duet is probably the better add for versatility. The Acer is a solid laptop but you lose the tablet form factor and OLED screen.

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2
0
Longjumping-Reason66r/chromeos10d agopositive

New feature on updated Chromebooks is that they automatically clear and reallocate RAM as necessary so that small percentage of remaining RAM no longer means what it used to mean as far as potential performance degradation.

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2
0
tvandinterr/chromeos10d agonegative

The 516 GE came out in 2022, hence the 2032 AUP. Support is calculated from platform release, not purchase date.

View Original Comment
1
0
PasdeLezardr/chrome10d agopositive

I think you got a lemon. I have the same model and it's been solid. I have a kajillion tabs open and it doesn't slow down, and I can stream the notoriously hinky NBA League Pass games without buffering like they do through the TV.

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1
0
OSP_amorphousr/chrome10d agopositive

This exact laptop was my best tech purchase of 2024. Buy a deck for gaming and you're set.

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1
0
Jobles4r/ChromebookGaming10d agopositive

Balatro and ffvii run great. The only other one I've tried was sims 4 and I couldn't get it to run but didn't try that hard. Everything that I play is on GeForce now though, so I haven't really felt a lot of motivation to test out steam.

View Original Comment
1
0
jasesun23r/chromeos10d agopositive

It's great for me. A week after I bought it it went on sale for $400 and best buy credited me the difference. Big screen which I like. Speakers could be better. The grill makes them look big but it's only a small speaker. It's fast. Really no complaints for my use.

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1
0
MinimumStandard4963r/chrome10d agopositive

I have the same one, and didn't install apps as I couldn't get the quality I wanted on it. If I stream I use the browser version. I ended up buying a galaxy tab s9 for higher quality video. The computer is my go to for anything web based and it's fine for that.

View Original Comment
1
0
CyberSyndian99r/chrome10d agopositive

I have this very CB 16gb with an installed 2TB name drive and use it at work and most of the time I am running a Windows VM, a Kali Linux VM / emulated/ kvm and other local Linux apps such as termius and other web apps on multiple screens with zero issues.

View Original Comment
1
0
greenlion22r/chrome10d agopositive

I've had 4 Acer chromebooks and they've all been great. I mean, it's possible the OP got a lemon or they made a bad batch, but I've been using Acer chromebooks since they started making them and I've never had an issue with any of them.

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1
0
Guitman09r/chromeos10d agonegative

I haven't noticed the issue with RAM on mine, but yes it is a power hog! I get better battery life out of my asus cx5500 that has 80% battery health. I charge it 2 times a day when using it for about 6 hours.

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1
0
RNFZNZr/chromeos10d agonegative

Just bought mine and I got the same problems. 2,30 GB ram out of 7,75 GB available after restart. Fans are very loud too.

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1
0
Meemo-r/chromeos10d agonegative

I just make 2 hours with 100% battery and approx 66% screen brightness. I think I'll get the new lenovo plus for battery. Other than the battery, I'm happy with performance. 2 hours is subpar.

View Original Comment
1
0
cheekyritzr/chromeos10d agonegative

I got a Lenovo 5i 120hz chromebook, the direct competitor to this, and feels almost the same. I also have very audible fan noise and RAM usage, app crashing, etc.

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1
0
Davepazr/chromeos10d agonegative

I was doing some research for a trip, so had a few travel blogs open in tabs. Memory pressure makes the laptop fans kick in. Seems like every Chromebook model is 8GB, which is not enough. I'm constantly going through tabs and closing the memory hogs.

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1
0
clemdaner/chrome10d agonegative

It's the most useless laptop I've ever owned. Every software I try to download, including the driver for my new printer, is not compatible. I didn't know you had to get a special printer just for the Chromebook - how non-nimble! Useless!

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1
0
rtwright68r/chromeos10d agonegative

Battery life is not nearly as long as my HP C1030, but I would expect that for a large 120hz screen. I can live with the battery life since most of the time it can be plugged in. For the price I'm not going to complain too much.

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1
0
Pencil_Sharpener_Pror/ChromebookGaming10d agopositive

I have the same laptop, I have dbz: kakarot, crash trilogy, spyro trilogy, cuphead, crab game, mad max, overwatch 2 and lethal company running on it. Though you can always just download the game to see if it works, and then refund if it doesn't.

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1
0
alphageistr/chromeos10d agopositive

I'm picking mine up from Best Buy today during my lunch break. It was the 8gb model, but it was $449 new (not the demo unit). I'll mainly be using mine for email, bill payments and PS5 Remote Play.

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1
0
SteveNYC_2r/chromeos10d agopositive

I think it's still a great device. The price has come down even further. Great screen, really good processor. Can sit on your desk all day long and still, when you want to bring it around the house or anywhere else, you got a great laptop. It's still a no-brainer to me.

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1
0
mi7chyr/chrome10d agonegative

Try removing the Play Store virtual machine since it takes up resources.

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