Review of Acer Aspire 5 A515: Impressive performance, over 6 hours of battery life, all for just 11.3 million VND*

When it comes to finding an affordable laptop with good specs and an attractive design, Acer Aspire 5 A515 is a top choice among users. Join me in this review to explore more about Acer Aspire 5 A515, a laptop from Acer that ticks all the right boxes.

(*)Note: The price of Acer Aspire 5 A515 at Mytour is 11.39 million VND (price may vary depending on the timing and promotional programs).

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Acer Aspire 5 A515 boasts a powerful configuration with Intel Core i3 Gen 13th 

Before diving into details, let's quickly go through the specifications of Acer Aspire 5 A515 for your convenience.

• Display: 15.6-inch size, Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), supports Acer ComfyView Anti-glare technology. 
• Processor: Intel Core i3 Raptor Lake - 1315U.
• Integrated Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics.
• RAM: 8 GB LPDDR5 4800 MHz (non-upgradable).
• Storage: 512 GB SSD NVMe PCIe (replaceable, supports up to 1 TB).
• Battery: 3-cell Li-ion, 50 Wh, 65 W charger.
• Operating System: Windows 11.

Explore more: Latest Intel 13th Gen Raptor Lake Chips: Optimal Performance, Powerful

Acer Aspire 5 A515 is powered by the Intel Core i5 Raptor Lake - 1315U chip. This processor is based on the Alder Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-U/RPL-U series) with 6 cores and 8 threads, consisting of 2 high-performance cores (P cores, Golden Cove architecture) and 4 efficient cores (E cores, Gracemont architecture). The processor has a base clock speed of 1.7 GHz and a maximum turbo frequency of 4.50 GHz.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 comes with 8 GB onboard RAM, and unfortunately, the device doesn't support expandable memory. I appreciate this capacity for its price range, sufficient for multitasking with study and office tasks that typically demand less resource usage.

The 512 GB internal storage of Acer Aspire 5 A515 adequately meets my storage needs. If you want to increase storage space, Acer Aspire 5 A515 can be upgraded to a maximum of 1 TB. The device also supports the Acer Care Center application, making it easy for you to manage your device and optimize your personal experience with deep settings.

To provide you with a more specific overview of the performance of Acer Aspire 5 A515, I'll evaluate its performance using specialized software such as Geekbench 6, Cinebench R23, 3DMark, and PCMark 10. The results I obtained are as follows:

- Geekbench 6:

• Single-core/multi-core: 2,212 points/7,039 points.
• GPU Compute: 10,610 points.

- Cinebench R23 (single-core/multi-core): 1,609 points/6,052 points.

- PCMark 10: 4,911 points.

- 3DMark: 1,276 points.

I am pleasantly surprised and highly impressed by the performance scores achieved by Acer Aspire 5 A515 in the benchmark tests I conducted. The scores are high and even comparable to some devices in a higher price range. Not only does the CPU perform well, but the GPU of the laptop also holds up well with impressive results.

Real-world experience on Acer Aspire 5 A515 aligns closely with the benchmark performance. The laptop exhibits swift processing speed and responsive feedback for basic work and entertainment tasks. Its multitasking capabilities are smooth, handling well even with numerous tabs and windows open during work sessions. I've also successfully used Acer Aspire 5 A515 for basic graphic tasks such as Photoshop, image editing, and basic video editing.

In addition to performance benchmarks, I tested two games, FIFA Online 4 and League of Legends, on Acer Aspire 5 A515. Using MSI Afterburner, I monitored FPS, CPU temperature, RAM consumption, and more to provide you with the most visual insights.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 exhibits solid performance playing FIFA Online 4, maintaining an average frame rate around 60 FPS. However, in certain scenarios like slow-motion replays, scoring goals, or when entering a match, there might be a slight drop in FPS to around 30. Despite this, the overall gaming experience remains quite stable. In terms of in-game graphics, Acer Aspire 5 A515 delivers at a decent level, capturing character movements and providing sufficient detail for a basic entertainment experience without demanding high graphic requirements.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 continues to provide a satisfying gaming experience with League of Legends. Achieving frame rates ranging between 120-130 FPS and occasionally exceeding 140 FPS, the frame rate fluctuation in this game is higher than FIFA Online 4. Nevertheless, the laptop maintains stable performance, allowing you to smoothly experience skillful moves, combat, and other engaging situations.

Graphics in League of Legends are well-represented on Acer Aspire 5 A515 with smooth movements, ensuring you have a good gaming experience without graphic glitches.

In summary, Acer Aspire 5 A515's performance can effectively handle various tasks, from work to multimedia entertainment. Additionally, I used Crystal Diskmark software to measure the read/write speed of the internal SSD in Acer Aspire 5 A515. The results are as follows:

• Read speed: 5.082 MB/s.
• Write speed: 4.004 MB/s.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 demonstrates impressive memory read/write speed results in its price range. This swiftness brings optimal efficiency for handling large data processing tasks. You will significantly save time when moving, modifying, or accessing data files. This also aids in fast application startup, optimizing your work efficiency.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 provides continuous battery usage for over 6 hours, with effective cooling

With its compact design focusing on study and office tasks, I'm keen on exploring Acer Aspire 5 A515's battery life. So, with a 50 Wh capacity, how long can Acer Aspire 5 A515 operate?

To answer the above question, I used the BatteryMon software and divided it into 2 different usage scenarios. The results obtained are:

- Scenario 1: Regular tasks without gaming:

• Battery life: 6 hours 5 minutes.
• Measurement time: 1 hour.
• Screen at 100%, volume at 70%, and power-saving mode off.
• Keyboard backlight on.
• Bluetooth enabled for keyboard and USB mouse connected.

- Scenario 2: Regular tasks with 20 minutes of gaming:

• Battery life: 5 hours 44 minutes.
• Measurement time: 1 hour.
• Screen at 100%, volume at 70%, and power-saving mode off.
• Keyboard backlight on.
• Bluetooth enabled for keyboard and USB mouse connected.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 demonstrated excellent battery life in the test, outperforming the 50 Wh capacity. Even under heavy tasks, the device maintained over 6 hours of usage for regular tasks, showcasing Acer's efficient energy consumption optimization.

In daily usage scenarios with lighter settings, Acer Aspire 5 A515 still provides around 5 to 6 hours of usage for basic tasks such as web browsing, social media, and document editing. This ensures it meets the typical usage needs of users.

Additionally, I utilized HWiNFO64 software to assess the thermal capabilities of Acer Aspire 5 A515, and the results are as follows:

The evaluation of Acer Aspire 5 A515's cooling capability reveals efficient heat dissipation. During heavy tasks, gaming, or extensive multitasking, the device only warms up slightly in the keyboard area, without impacting the user experience. CPU and GPU temperatures recorded in the test were around 43 degrees, a commendable figure for a slim, lightweight laptop with limited cooling fans.

Modern and Elegant Design of Acer Aspire 5 A515

Gone are the days when budget laptops were tagged with unattractive, clunky designs or subpar build quality. In the current market, many budget-friendly laptops showcase appealing, sleek designs, and among them is the Acer Aspire 5 A515.

My initial impression of Acer's laptop was that it must cost around 15 million VND, but upon closer inspection, I was genuinely surprised. This is because the Acer Aspire 5 A515 not only looks stylish but also boasts excellent build quality with securely connected details, without any flimsiness.

Despite being plastic, the surface finish, color, and quality of Acer Aspire 5 A515 make me feel neither cheap nor vulnerable to damage. Especially in the keyboard's central area, there is no indentation during operation.

Despite its large screen, Acer Aspire 5 A515 remains compact with dimensions of 362.9 x 237.5 x 17.99 mm and a weight of 1.7kg. These parameters make the device highly portable, allowing me to easily put it in a backpack and take it anywhere without being cumbersome or heavy.

The A side and the entire surface of Acer Aspire 5 A515 are finished with a matte texture in a gray color, giving it a sleek and elegant appearance. This surface finish also helps Acer Aspire 5 A515 resist sweat and fingerprints while effectively concealing dirt and scratches.

The front face of Acer Aspire 5 A515 maintains a minimalist design, currently popular in study and office laptops. It has a matte surface with the only highlight being the glossy Acer logo and Aspire lettering. With such a minimalistic design, Acer Aspire 5 A515 can easily blend with various user profiles and different usage spaces. It's not overly flashy but still distinct.

The device's edges are flat with slightly curved corners, creating a square and sleek overall look. The two side edges are designed with a subtle diagonal cut, aiming to provide a visual effect that makes the device appear thinner when viewed horizontally.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 employs a compact dual-hinge design with excellent finishing quality. I highly appreciate the smooth experience when opening/closing the device or typing with considerable force without causing screen vibrations, even with its large size. The hinge is designed to elevate the keyboard (Acer calls it Elevated Design), providing a slight tilt to the machine's keyboard when opened. This design allows users to have a comfortable hand position and easier typing operation, reducing wrist fatigue.

However, the keyboard's tilt depends on the screen's opening angle. If the angle is too small, the keyboard's tilt is not pronounced and challenging to notice. Therefore, for a better experience, I recommend opening the screen wider, around 135 - 145 degrees. The A side also has two small rubber pads to prevent the edges from rubbing against surfaces when opened, minimizing scratches, and providing additional elevation when opened. It's a small but thoughtful detail from Acer.

Overall, I highly appreciate the design of Acer Aspire 5 A515 for its aesthetic appeal and practicality. Not overly colorful or conspicuous, the device leaves a lasting impression with its sleek, modern look and comfortable user experience.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 with sufficient connectivity ports

Acer Aspire 5 A515 is equipped with the following connectivity ports:

• HDMI port.
• 3.5mm audio jack.
• 2 USB 3.2 ports.

The connectivity ports on Acer Aspire 5 A515 are not overly diverse but generally meet the basic needs of users. In my experience, I usually use one USB port for a mouse, the other for data transfer, and HDMI for connecting to a projector—just enough for my personal needs. If you want to expand the connectivity options for your device, you may consider purchasing additional adapters or hubs, as there are many reasonable-priced options available across various segments.

Additionally, Acer Aspire 5 A515 also supports advanced wireless connections such as Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.1, allowing you to easily connect with wireless accessories like mice, external keyboards, or headphones. This is a widely favored connectivity method today, and the supporting products are quite diverse.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 Large Screen for Enhanced Viewing

Acer Aspire 5 A515 features a 15.6-inch IPS display with Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), providing a quality that I rate positively in this segment. Specifically, the screen offers a spacious and comfortable workspace, allowing for a more extensive view of content. It is highly convenient for multitasking or enjoying entertainment, and the display quality is sharp with natural color reproduction, though not excessively vibrant.

Acer Aspire 5 A515's display also features a 60 Hz refresh rate. While this specification may not be exceptionally high, considering its place in the laptop segment and the primary use for tasks like studying and office work, it is more than enough to deliver smooth performance in every frame.

The screen has a moderate brightness level, officially rated at 250 nits. It's comfortable for viewing content indoors with ambient light from lamps or in cafes with daylight streaming through windows. However, under intense sunlight, you might face some difficulty viewing content. The display is also supported by Acer ComfyView anti-glare technology.

The screen borders of the laptop are optimally designed to appear thin and neat, effectively reducing the overall size despite having a large display. This enhances portability and provides a more immersive content viewing experience.

Acer Aspire 5 A515 features a responsive keyboard and accurate TrackPad

Acer Aspire 5 A515 comes equipped with a full-size keyboard, including a numeric keypad. The keys are well-sized with a user-friendly layout. The numeric keypad significantly aids in office tasks and data entry.

My typing experience is highly praised with a satisfying key travel, optimal bounce, minimal key noise, and high precision. I appreciate Acer's elegance in design, featuring a diagonal cut at the bottom edge that prevents my hands from hitting the edge while typing.

Acer Aspire 5 A515's touchpad is generously sized, providing a spacious and comfortable workspace. However, due to its large size, there are instances when I accidentally touch the touchpad while typing.

Smooth touchpad experience with high precision, minimal friction. Left and right click buttons are responsive, requiring a bit of force to press.

How much does Acer Aspire 5 A515 cost? 

Acer Aspire 5 A515 is currently available at Mytour for 13.09 million VND (prices may vary based on promotional programs). In my evaluation, this is a very reasonable price for a thin and light laptop suitable for study and office work, offering good specifications and long battery life.

What are your thoughts on the Acer Aspire 5 A515? Feel free to share your opinions below!

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