This Chromebook thinks it’s for gamers - Acer Chromebook 516GE
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Save $25 with our offer code shortcircuit at vessi.com Chromebooks are known for being cheap and straightforward laptops meant for offices, schools, and basic use, but that's about to change with Acer's new gamer-focused Chromebooks meant for game streaming apps. Does Adam think it makes sense, or should you just stick to playing Fortnite on your phone? Want us to unbox something? Make a suggestion at lmg.gg ► SUBSCRIBE ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Instagram: @shortcircuityt TikTok: @linustech Facebook: @ShortCircuitYT CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Gaming? 0:30 Unboxing 0:50 Design and IO overview 2:23 Sponsor - Vessi 2:57 Keyboard impressions 3:34 Display quality 4:24 Speaker test 5:13 Webcam impressions and other specs 6:04 Potential ways to game 7:05 Some downsides to gaming on this 7:52 Playing Cyberpunk 2077 8:43 Gaming impressions and thoughts on price 9:48 Who should buy a Chromebook? 10:47 Overall thoughts 11:43 Outro
The video opens by positioning gaming Chromebooks as a new category, challenging the traditional view that Chromebooks are only for web browsing and basic productivity. The host walks through the Acer Chromebook 516GE, starting with an unboxing that reveals a 65-watt charger and a notably large chassis for a Chromebook. They highlight connectivity options including full-size HDMI, USB-A, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, and an Ethernet jack, emphasizing the model’s strength for game streaming and eventual local use through Linux on ChromOS. The build quality is discussed, noting a two-tone brushed aluminum top with a plastic bottom, solid overall feel, and a clever design that props the laptop up slightly for airflow. Throughout, the emphasis remains on game streaming as the Chromebook’s core strength rather than raw local gaming power, with the display described as a 2560 by 1600 IPS panel that supports a 120 Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals in games and menus. The speaker performance is tested and found to be loud but lacking bass, while the webcam and microphone quality are acknowledged as average for a mid-range laptop, reinforcing the sense that this device is a compromise between a gaming Chromebook and a productivity laptop. The host then delves into performance aspects, noting an Intel Core i5-1240P with eight gigs of RAM and 256 GB of NVMe storage, highlighting that this is a higher-end configuration for a Chromebook and beneficial for Linux and potential Steam support when native Chrome OS game access expands. The discussion shifts to practical gaming via game streaming services, arguing that 2.5 Gbps Ethernet and a high-refresh display optimize streaming, while cautioning about some limitations like memory headroom and peripheral software that may not have Chrome OS apps yet. The verdict centers on price, with a callout that at $650 you’re weighing competing Windows laptops with similar or better specifications, and the host ends by clarifying Chrome OS’s role and whether this device is a good fit for a gamer who values streaming and Chrome OS features over traditional desktop gaming performance.
Topics · Technology · Gadgets · Gaming · Laptops · Product Review
Questions answered
- What is the Acer Chromebook 516GE primarily designed for?
- It is designed primarily for game streaming on Chrome OS, with hardware and features that support streaming services and a productivity-focused display and input options.
- Does the device include a dedicated discrete graphics card?
- No, it uses integrated Intel Xe graphics.
- Is the price of $650 considered good for its specs according to the video?
- The host says it is competitive but notes that similar Windows laptops can offer better local gaming performance, so the value depends on prioritizing Chrome OS and streaming features over raw local GPU power.