Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023): laptop Review, Specs, and more

The Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023) truly stands out with its remarkable commitment to sustainability, surpassing any other product I’ve assessed. Additionally, it excels as a reliable everyday computing device. While its design leans towards the older side, and the keyboard and trackpad offer serviceable performance at best, it’s important to note that you’ll be investing a bit extra for its eco-friendly features. Nevertheless, if you’re in the market for a new day-to-day laptop and prioritize environmental concerns, it unquestionably justifies the cost.

ACER ASPIRE VERO 15 (2023): A BRIEF OVERVIEW

The Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023) proves its mettle as a commendable computer. Acer has gone to great lengths to prioritize eco-friendliness in this model. In fact, it may well be the first laptop I’ve encountered that wholeheartedly embraces the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” mantra. It achieves this by minimizing material usage, incorporating recycled materials, and ensuring recyclability at the end of its lifespan.

Crucially, if you don’t require the utmost portability offered by top-tier Ultrabooks, this laptop is likely to satisfy your needs. Nevertheless, it doesn’t quite attain the pinnacle of laptop excellence.

While it delivers solid all-around performance, it bears the marks of a slightly outdated design, essentially carrying a $750 laptop’s capabilities with an $850 price tag. Yet, its avant-garde approach to reducing its carbon footprint, if not its design, comes with a price tag. If you’re willing to invest for the sake of the environment, you may encounter some minor drawbacks, but nothing insurmountable, unless you demand a more specialized computing solution.

ACER ASPIRE VERO 15 (2023): COST & AVAILABILITY

What’s the price? It’s set at $849.99 / AU$1,699 (approximately £672.72).
When can you buy it? It’s already on the market.
Where is it sold? Exclusive to the US and Australia.

The Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023) made its debut on digital shelves in the summer of 2023, carrying a seemingly reasonable price tag of $849.99 / AU$1,699 (around £672.72). Equipped with a 13th-Gen Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, it boasts commendable power for its cost.

However, its 15-inch FHD display and somewhat dated design may leave you with a sense of affordability. Given its slightly boxy appearance, one might have expected a more wallet-friendly price point. Nevertheless, Acer’s dedication to eco-friendliness through innovative techniques and technology could account for the approximately $100 premium.

While the UK market lacks the Aspire Vero 15 – offering instead a similar 14-inch model – Australians have two variants to choose from: an Intel Core i5 with 8GB RAM (AU$1,399) or an Intel Core i7 with 16GB RAM (AU$1,699). Notably, the Crimson Green color option, as reviewed here, is exclusive to the US.

Despite my reservations about the price, alternative laptops with a strong focus on reducing carbon footprint are limited. Older Acer Vero models, some of which are similarly priced, are among the few options. Alternatively, you could consider the Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED, a more compact and elegant laptop, albeit at a higher cost of $1,399.99 / £1,499.99 / AU$2,099.

Price rating: 3.5 / 5

ACER ASPIRE VERO 15 (2023): TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Currently, the Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023) is available in a single configuration in the US, although this may change in the future.

Here’s the breakdown of the Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023) specifications:

• Price: $849.99 / AU$1,699 (approximately £672.72)
• CPU: 13th-Gen Intel Core i7-1355U
• GPU: Intel UMA Graphics
• RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
• Storage: 512TB SSD
• Display: 15-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
• Ports: 1x HDMI, 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm audio
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E & Bluetooth 5.0
• Camera: QHD webcam
• Weight: 3.97 lb (1.8 kg)
• Dimensions: 0.70 x 14.2 x 9.3 inches (17.78 x 360.68 x 236.22 mm)

ACER ASPIRE VERO 15 (2023): DESIGN

The Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023) boasts an impressive commitment to eco-friendliness. Acer has managed to reduce the printed circuit board surface area by 52%, incorporated 50% post-consumer recycled material in keycaps, increased chassis recycled content to 40%, and used 50% recycled material in the power adapter. Even the trackpad is crafted from ocean-bound plastic, and the paint-free chassis enhances sustainability. The packaging, composed of 90% recycled paper, is fully recyclable and can double as a laptop stand, albeit with mixed reviews.

However, while its ecological stance is commendable, the laptop’s aesthetic design falls somewhat short of modern trends. In my view, it resembles a laptop from 2018 and carries a weight of almost 4 lbs, despite its robust durability.

The saving grace lies in its unique color choices, including Crimson Green, alongside the classic non-paint finishes like Cobblestone Gray and Mariana Blue from Acer’s Vero line.

Regarding the hardware, the 15.6-inch IPS display offers standard 1080p resolution, suitable for routine tasks but lacking a wow factor. The keyboard provides reasonable key travel with sturdy keycaps, although the ergonomics could be improved. It boasts a full-sized layout with a slightly condensed numpad on the right and features convenient backlighting.

The generously sized trackpad incorporates a fingerprint reader in the top right corner. However, its size may lead to inadvertent touches, and there’s a bit more give than desired. While not the worst trackpad, there’s room for improvement.

In terms of connectivity, the laptop offers a commendable selection. In addition to two USB-C ports, it includes two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, a Kensington lock, and an audio jack. Unfortunately, both USB-C ports are positioned on the same side, which can be a minor inconvenience.

Design rating: 4 / 5

ACER ASPIRE VERO 15 (2023): PERFORMANCE

Impressive all-around performance.
The speakers are decent, though not exceptional.
Equipped with a 1440p webcam, capped at 30 fps.

ACER ASPIRE VERO 15 (2023): LAPTOP BENCHMARKS

Let’s delve into the benchmark results for the Acer Aspire Vero 15:

3DMark: Night Raid: 17,319; Fire Strike: 4,922; Time Spy: 1,789
GeekBench 6: 2404 (single-core); 9026 (multi-core)
25GB File Copy: 47.0
Handbrake 1.6: 8:56
CrossMark: Overall: 1461 Productivity: 1474 Creativity: 1435 Responsiveness: 1498
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm: 34.299 fps
Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 11:23:30
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 6 hours 8 minutes

Upon my initial encounter with the Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023), I didn’t anticipate a powerhouse. Although it isn’t tailored for resource-intensive tasks like running Cyberpunk 2077 or rendering 3D projects, it capably handles everyday computing.

Fueled by a 13th-Gen Intel Core i7 and 16GB of RAM, it adeptly manages multiple open tabs, streaming, and even light gaming. Curiosity led me to test various games at 1080p, including CS: GO, Civilization VI (also used for benchmarking), and GTA IV. The first two ran smoothly, while the latter exhibited some stuttering, making it playable but not ideal. Importantly, even under pressure, it maintains a comfortable temperature.

The laptop’s performance benefits from not having to power a demanding display. Sporting a 1080p screen, it may not rival the latest laptops with OLED screens and HDR support. Its color coverage, like several aspects of the laptop, is good but not outstanding, with 112.5% sRGB and only 79.7% DCI-P3.

As for the speakers, they achieve respectable volume and deliver an okay audio experience compared to many other computer speakers. They possess a somewhat boxy sound profile but handle streaming and music playback competently.

For video conference calls, the inclusion of a 1440p webcam is a plus, although the 30 fps cap is a limitation. Acer compensates with software features like auto-framing and background blur to enhance the camera’s utility.

Performance rating: 4 / 5

ACER ASPIRE VERO 15 (2023): BATTERY

Exceptional battery life.
Four distinct performance modes to conserve battery.
In our Battery Informant benchmark, the Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023) achieved an impressive 11 hours and 23 minutes. While it may not compete with powerhouses like the 15-inch MacBook Air, it offers more than ample endurance to last you throughout the day.

Furthermore, the VeroSense app offers four performance modes tailored for battery usage, including one that optimizes battery life by disabling USB charging.

Battery rating: 4.5 / 5

SHOULD YOU BUY THE ACER ASPIRE VERO 15 (2023)?

Attributes Notes Rating

Price This computer offers solid performance but is slightly overpriced for its sustainability features. Availability is limited outside the US. 3.5 / 5

Design Its sustainability efforts are impressive, but its design appears somewhat dated. The keyboard and trackpad could be improved. 4 / 5

Performance It delivers ample power for everyday tasks, though it’s not suitable for heavy-duty computing. 5 / 5

Battery While not outstanding, the battery life is excellent for most users. 4.5 / 5

Average rating Strong all-around performance within an eco-friendly package, slightly hindered by dated design and average keyboard and trackpad. 4 / 5

Buy it if:

You prioritize environmental sustainability. The Acer Aspire Vero 15 showcases cutting-edge sustainability with recycled materials and reduced resource usage.

You need dependable all-around performance. This laptop effortlessly handles daily computing tasks, such as streaming, content creation, and research.

You require diverse connectivity options. The laptop offers a variety of ports, including HDMI.

Don’t buy it if:

You demand a high-performance machine. While capable, the Acer Aspire Vero 15 falls short for gaming or resource-intensive tasks. Consider a laptop with discrete graphics.

You’re unwilling to invest in sustainability efforts. This laptop commands a premium due to its eco-friendly features. If environmental concerns aren’t a priority, you might find better value elsewhere.

ACER ASPIRE VERO 15 (2023): ALSO CONSIDER

Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023) Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (2023) Dell XPS 13 (2022)

Attribute	Acer Aspire Vero 15 (2023)	Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (2023)	Dell XPS 13 (2022)
Price	$849.99 / AU$1,699 (approx. £672.72)	$1,399.99 / £1,499.99 / AU$2,099.00	Starting at $899 / £854 / AU$1,898
CPU	13th-Gen Intel Core i7-1355U	13th-Gen Intel Core i7-1355U	Intel Core i5-1230U – Intel Core i7-12700H
GPU	Intel UMA Graphics	Intel Iris Xe Graphics	Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM	16GB LPDDR5	32GB LPDDR5	8 – 32GB
Storage	512TB SSD	1TB M.2 NVMe SSD	512 GB – 1 TB SSD
Screen	15-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)	13.3-inch, 16:10, 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED	13.4-inch, FHD+ (1920 x 1200p)
Ports	1x HDMI, 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm audio	2x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x 3.5mm	2x USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6E & Bluetooth 5.0	Wi-Fi 6e (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Camera	QHD webcam	1080p FHD webcam with IR function	720p at 30fps, no privacy shutter
Weight	3.97 lb (1.8 kg)	2.2 lbs (1kg)	2.59 lb (1.17 kg)
Dimensions	0.70 x 14.2 x 9.3 inches (17.78 x 360.68 x 236.22 mm)	11.66 x 8.52 x 0.46 inches (296.2 x 216.3 x 10.9mm)	11.63 x 7.85 x 0.55 inches (295.4 x 199.4 x 13.99 mm)

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