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.

The short answer

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Students and hybrid workers who prioritize all-day battery life and fast multitasking in a no-fuss clamshell. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Chromebooks Under $500

Acer Chromebook Plus 514

4.4

$395as of Jun 7

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
— 16:9 1080p panel is less spacious than the Lenovo's 16:10 screen
— Plain design lacks the premium feel of the Lenovo Flex 5i

$395 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Chromebooks Under $500

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

4.5

$409as of Jun 7

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 80% and calls it an excellent pick around $400. 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
— PCMag noted it lost some ground on battery versus the prior generation in heavier use
— 128GB storage is modest for buyers who keep files locally

$409 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Acer Chromebook Plus 514

The Acer 514's defining edge is its 512GB SSD, dwarfing the 128GB storage on the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34, and HP Chromebook Plus 14a. It shares the i3-N305 platform with the HP 14a but pairs it with far more storage and a lighter chassis. Its widescreen panel is less spacious than the Flex 5i's taller screen and dimmer than ideal.

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

The CX34's standout is battery life, beating the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (~9 hours) by a wide margin. Like the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 and HP Chromebook Plus 14a it is a 14-inch clamshell, but it offers stronger CPU options than the Acer's i3-N305 and the HP. Its widescreen 1080p panel is less spacious than the Flex 5i's taller, more square display.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Acer Chromebook Plus 514	ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34
CPU	Intel Core i3-N305 (8-core)	Intel Core i5-1335U (i3 option available)
RAM	8GB LPDDR5	8GB
Storage	512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD	128GB SSD
Display	14" 1920x1080 IPS, 60Hz touch	14" 1920x1080 touchscreen, 16:9
Weight	3.15 lb	3.17 lb
Battery	50Wh, all-day	Up to 13+ hours
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6E	—
OS	ChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)	ChromeOS (Chromebook Plus)
Ports	—	USB-C, USB-A, HDMI

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