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Head-to-head · Best Chromebooks Under $500

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 vs ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.3 vs 3.8). ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is best for: Students and hybrid workers who prioritize all-day battery life and fast multitasking in a no-fuss clamshell. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Acer Chromebook Plus 514
Ranked #3 in Best Chromebooks Under $500
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
3 sources$448as of Oct 11

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is the storage-and-value pick: a light 14-inch clamshell with a standout 512GB SSD, snappy Intel Core i3-N305 performance, Wi-Fi 6E, and all-day battery. PCWorld called it a decent budget Chromebook that beats competitors on RAM and storage and felt as quick as pricier peers, while TechRadar praised its speed, display, and sleek design. The screen is a touch dim, but for local storage per dollar nothing here comes close.

Strengths
  • — Huge 512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, far more local storage than rivals
  • — Feels as quick as pricier peers in everyday ChromeOS tasks
  • — Light at just 3.15 pounds and easy to carry all day
Watch-outs
  • — Display tops out around 315 nits and can look dim in bright rooms
  • — Plain design lacks the premium feel of the Lenovo Flex 5i
$448 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Chromebooks Under $500
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
3 sources$439.99as of Oct 11

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is the endurance and performance champion under $500. PCWorld clocked over 13 hours of battery and praised its fast multi-core Intel CPU, generous ports, and comfortable keyboard, awarding it an Editors' Choice. PCMag rates it 4.0 out of 5 and says it proves budget Chromebooks have more to offer than ever before. Its 16:9 1080p display is solid rather than special and the chassis is plainer than the Lenovo, but for stamina and speed per dollar it is hard to beat.

Strengths
  • — Exceptional battery life, over 13 hours in PCWorld's test at low brightness
  • — Strong performance from Intel Core i5/i3 options with up to 10 cores
  • — Generous port selection including USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI
Watch-outs
  • — 16:9 1080p display is competent but no longer stands out
  • — 128GB storage is modest for buyers who keep files locally
$439.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Acer Chromebook Plus 514

It shares the Intel Core i3-N305 with the HP Chromebook Plus 14a but pairs it with a 512GB SSD against the HP's 128GB. The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 also stops at 128GB, though the Acer's battery trails the CX34's runtime. Its display tops out around 315 nits and can look dim in bright rooms.

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

Like the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 and HP Chromebook Plus 14a it is a 14-inch clamshell, but it is listed with an Intel Core i5-1335U where both of those use the Core i3-N305. Its battery ran more than 13 hours, against 8 hours 50 minutes for the HP. Its 128GB of storage matches the HP and is a quarter of the Acer's 512GB.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAcer Chromebook Plus 514ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
CPUIntel Core i3-N305 (8-core)Intel Core i5-1335U (i3 option available)
RAM8GB LPDDR58GB
Storage512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD128GB SSD
Display14" 1920x1080 IPS, 60Hz touch14" 1920x1080 touchscreen, 16:9
Weight3.15 lb3.17 lb
WirelessWi-Fi 6E—
OSChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)ChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)
Battery—Up to 13+ hours
Ports—USB-C, USB-A, HDMI
← See the full ranking of best chromebooks under $500