Syed Imran Haider 
Many people are under the impression that Chromebooks are budget devices, but this is a mistake. In recent years, a series of premium Chrome OS laptops have been introduced. Acer has also introduced the Vero 514, which is focused on sustainability as it uses recycled plastic.
Design and build
Similar to other products that belong to this range, the Vero 514 boasts a unique speckled finish, which is because of the materials used. 30% of the plastic that makes up the chassis has been recycled by consumers. Therefore, the grey finish is actually the natural color of the materials that have been used for making the device. The design is minimalist, but it does have dark grey and yellow puncturing.
There may be concerns about durability due to the plastic casing, but the Vero 514 is actually quite robust. The hinge is quite tough and it is likely to last for years. However, the device is not light or thin, given that it is 20.8mm thick and weighs 1.4 kg. A thicker design means there are lots of ports. Each side has a USB-C port that can be used for data transfer, or charging.
There is also a 3.5mm audio jack, a full-size HDMI port along with a USB-A port. There is also a Kensington lock slot.
Keyboard, trackpad and webcam
Since the device is a big one, the Vero 514 is capable of having a full-size keyboard. The placement of the keys is also quite appealing and you will have no issues with typing. You can also rest your palms comfortably because there is plenty of space. There is backlighting and several brightness settings. The trackpad is a tad difficult to use because it does not use the usual glass. The ocean-bound plastic makes things a bit difficult to click and you need concentration and precision for using it.
The webcam, on the other hand, has been prioritized by Acer, which boasts a 1080p sensor that gives a sharp image and offers good color accuracy. The microphone in the device also delivers crisp and clear audio, which makes the Vero 514 a good choice for video calls. There is also a physical privacy shutter given for the webcam, but no face unlock or fingerprint sensor.
Screen and speakers
The display of the Vero 514 is 14inch Full HD and the 1920 x 1080 IPS panel, but Acer has used ‘ComfyView’ technology, which means the screen comes with a matt coating. This makes things easy to read and the screen is also less reflective. However, this affects image quality in a negative way because colors lack vibrancy and seem washed out.
There is no touchscreen and the refresh rate stands at 60Hz, which is quite limiting, making the screen a weakness. The speakers give detail and clarity in terms of sound, but they do lack bass.
Specs and performance
As opposed to other Chromebooks, the Vero 514 comes with full Intel Core processors. There is the option of choosing from i3, i5 and i7 from the 12th gen range. With 8GB RAM, they offering outstanding performance. The Vero 514 remains responsive and gives solid performance.
The Verdict
Since it is Acer’s first attempt at sustainability, the Vero 514 is a good device and it stands out, given that it does not skimp in terms of performance and has lots of power for doing everyday tasks.
