The Acer Aspire 1 A114-32 delivers reliable everyday computing in an affordable, portable package. It’s a compelling budget laptop option with solid specs for basic tasks, a vibrant 1080p display, and all-day battery life. Our in-depth review covers this entry-level Aspire model’s key features, performance, and trade-offs.
Specifications
At the core of the Aspire 1 A114-32 is an Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core chip with 1.1GHz base clock speed and 2.8GHz burst speed when turbo boost kicks in. This is paired with 4GB of DDR4 RAM – sufficient for light multitasking but not complex workloads with multiple apps open.
Storage comes via 64GB of eMMC flash memory, adequate for the operating system and everyday programs but filling quickly with large files or media collections.
The 14-inch IPS display features a sharp 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution with Acer’s BlueLightShield technology to reduce eye strain. For graphics, the integrated Intel UHD 600 GPU handles casual games, video playback and basic creative apps but can’t manage intensive 3D gaming or design programs.
Ports include two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 2.0 port, HDMI out, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. You also get 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, a 720p webcam, and dual stereo speakers. The 39Wh battery provides up to 10 hours of use.
The Aspire 1 runs Windows 10 Home in S mode out of the box, with a 1-year Microsoft 365 Personal subscription included for access to Office apps and OneDrive cloud storage.
Benefits
Smooth Performance for Daily Tasks – The Celeron CPU and 4GB of RAM easily handle light productivity, web browsing, streaming video and music, and basic image/document editing. Office apps open quickly and run responsively, even with a few Chrome tabs open. The eMMC flash storage keeps boot times short as well. Simple games from the Windows Store also run reasonably well.
Vibrant Full HD Display – Thanks to its 1080p resolution and Acer’s VisionCare tech to reduce eye fatigue, the 14-inch screen renders webpages, documents, photos and videos with excellent clarity and colours. 178-degree viewing angles maintain vivid image quality from different positions. According to Acer, BlueLightShield decreases exposure to blue light wavelengths by up to 30%.
Highly Portable with Long Battery Life – Weighing just 1.79 kg, the Aspire 1 travels easily in bags and backpacks. Acer claims up to 10 hours of battery life with mixed-use, which translates to 4-6 hours of active web browsing and productivity. Giving you ample time away from an outlet throughout the work or school day.
Reliable Wireless Connectivity – With the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2, you stay linked to networks and peripherals with fast, stable speeds. The strategically placed wireless antenna maintains a consistent signal even at longer ranges. Bluetooth enables pairing wireless headphones, speakers and other accessories.
Free Microsoft 365 Subscription – The included 1-year Microsoft 365 Personal membership (over £50 value) provides access to online, updated versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook. You also get 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage for documents and media files that can be accessed from anywhere.
Downsides
Limited Internal Storage – 64GB is sufficient for Windows installation and a selection of everyday programs and apps, but it fills up quickly when installing larger software packages or saving photos, videos and other media files. Expanding storage via the microSD slot or external USB drive is recommended.
No Optical Drive – There is no built-in DVD or CD drive for playing physical media. An external USB optical drive can be added if needed.
Entry-Level Processor and RAM – Performance is ample for basic daily use, but the Celeron chip and 4GB RAM reach their limits with extensive multitasking or more demanding programs. Upgrading to 8GB would help minimize slowdowns when pushing the hardware limits.
Basic Integrated Graphics – Casual games, video playback up to 1080p, and basic photo editing are handled well by the Intel UHD 600 GPU. But intensive 3D gaming, video rendering, CAD programs or heavy graphic design tasks will require a laptop with dedicated graphics.
Verdict
With solid construction, entry-level specs and a vibrant Full HD display packed into an affordable, portable chassis, the Acer Aspire 1 A114-32 hits a sweet spot for budget-conscious students and home users. It handles essential daily computing like web access, productivity, streaming and simple gaming smoothly, even for extended periods of battery power.
While the eMMC storage, Celeron processor and 4GB RAM impose some limits on performance for complex creative work or heavy multitasking, it still delivers plenty of capability for the sub-£250 price point (August 2023). For an easy-to-tote-around laptop focused on the web, documents, media and communications, the Aspire 1 A114-32 is a compelling choice.
Check out the current priceAcer Aspire 1 A114-32 NX.GW9EK.00C