Acer Chromebook Spin 713 review: The classic workhorse

Sometimes you simply need a single machine that (nearly) does it all. Whether it’s for work or play, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is the Millennium Falcon of Chromebooks. It may not look like much, but it’s got it where it counts.
We put it through its paces in the Android Authority Acer Chromebook Spin 713 review.

About this Acer Chromebook Spin 713 review: We reviewed the Spin 713 after using the machine for more than a week. It was running the latest version of Chrome OS and did not receive any updates during the review period. Acer supplied the review unit to Android Authority .
See also: Best Chromebooks
What is the Acer Chromebook Spin 713?

The Chromebook Spin 713 is a premium, convertible laptop that covers the gamut of potential uses. The spin form factor means the machine can serve as a laptop or a slate, and everything in between. I found the hinge to be strong and sturdy. It holds the Spin 713 at whichever angle you choose.
Acer gave the Spin 713 an aluminum chassis that it says meets mil-std 810G for durability. This means it can handle drops (1.22m), humidity and moisture, vibration, and temperature extremes. In other words, it can take some abuse. I used it for an afternoon outdoors in the heat and it held its own.

The Spin 713's MIL-STD rating means it can handle a fair amount of abuse.

As the name implies, this is a 13-inch Chromebook. Acer kept the size (265mm x 207mm x 14.8mm) and weight (1.37kg) in check. The aluminum means it has some heft to it, although it isn’t too, too heavy.

It isn’t much to look at. The conservative dress makes it a perfect corporate machine, but consumers may find it a bit bland. I like the metallic coloring, though some variety would have been nice. The polished chamfered edges on the top half are a nice touch.
A solid complement of ports provides plenty of flexibility. The left edge houses a USB-C and a USB-A port, as well as a microSD card reader and headphone/mic jack. Along the right you’ll find a second USB-C port, as well as the power button, volume toggle, and HDMI port.

In all, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has a balanced selection of features, build quality, and usability.
See also: Best Chromebooks under $300
How’s the screen?

A single screen option is available for the Spin 713. It measures 13.5 inches across the diagonal with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Acer claims this provides 18% more viewable space than a comparably sized 16:9 screen. The CineCrystal display features LED backlighting and a rich resolution of 2,256 by 1,504 pixels. The touch screen is covered by antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass and has viewing angles of up to 170 degrees.
It’s quite good. We didn’t perform any objective testing of the display, but my eyes know a good screen when they see one. I’m thankful for the better-than-full-HD resolution, which is sharp and...