Acer ALG Review: Is This Budget Laptop Really Worth It?

In the world of laptops, sleekness and performance go hand in hand. Today, we’re diving deep into a mid-range laptop that promises to strike a balance between performance and portability: the Acer (insert model here). We’ll cover every detail, from design to benchmark results, and by the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether this device is the right pick for you.

Pros:

Sleek, lightweight design
Durable build quality
Comfortable RGB keyboard
Decent CPU performance
Good port selection
Effective cooling system
Affordable price point

Cons

Limited gaming performance
Average display quality
No Type-C power delivery
Mediocre battery life
Unresponsive trackpad
No full-size SD slot

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Design and Build

Before diving into the test results, let’s talk numbers and design. This model has undergone a few notable tweaks, making it lighter, tipping the scales at around 1.99 kilograms. It’s also slim, ranging between 20mm and 25mm thick, which is quite sleek compared to many other options in its price range.

Design Inspiration and Build Quality

When comparing this laptop to other Acer lines, such as the Nitro and Aspire series, it leans more towards a non-gamer look like the Aspire but borrows some design elements from the Nitro series. The exhaust style and the lines on the top lid are just two examples. Despite its budget-friendly price, the laptop impresses with a minimalistic design featuring a two-tone finish. We’ve got the Steel Gray edition, where the top half is gray, and the bottom half is black.

Key Design Highlights:

Minimal flex: Both the top lid and keyboard deck feel solid with minimal wobble.
Aluminum top cover: Paired with polycarbonate for durability.
Hinges: Sturdy, allowing you to open the laptop with one hand.

But does this solid design translate into smooth usage? Let’s look at the keyboard and trackpad.

Keyboard, Trackpad, and Ports

The lower half of the laptop features a full-size RGB backlit keyboard, with comfortable keycaps and decent key travel. While it may not be the most premium keyboard on the market, it’s more than adequate for the price.

The trackpad offers basic tactile feedback, though it’s not the most responsive compared to pricier models.

Ports

In terms of ports, the laptop doesn’t disappoint, offering a variety of connectivity options, including a Type-C port, USB 3.1, and even a Mini DisplayPort. However, there’s no power delivery or DisplayPort output through the Type-C, which may be a slight downside for some users.

Display Details:

Screen size: 15.6 inches, 300 nits brightness (average, making outdoor use difficult).
Color Accuracy: 45% NTSC and 63% sRGB (adequate for basic tasks, but not for color-critical work).
Refresh rate: 60Hz, which feels slightly underwhelming for a laptop in this price range.

Now, let’s talk about cooling and performance under heavy loads.

Cooling System and Benchmarks

The cooling system design is practical, with exhaust vents moved to the back and sides. Inside, the dual-fan setup manages both the CPU and GPU with two heat pipes shared between them, ensuring decent airflow for intense tasks.

Key Performance Points:

Processor: Intel i5-12450H with 8 cores and 12 threads, built on the efficient 6nm fabrication process.
Performance: Handles everyday tasks and basic editing smoothly, but for heavy workloads like 3D rendering or After Effects, expect some lag.
Cooling: During extensive stress tests, temperatures ranged from 89-96°C on the CPU, with the fans keeping things under control at noise levels of 55-65 dB.

Gaming and Battery Life

The gaming performance of this laptop is decent but has its limitations. Running Forza Horizon 5 at 1080p on medium settings produced an average of 65 FPS, providing smooth gameplay. On the other hand, Red Dead Redemption 2 struggled at 18 FPS, making it virtually unplayable. Titles like GTA 5 and The Witcher 3 hit playable ranges with moderate settings.

Battery Performance:

Usage: Lasts about 4 hours during light use (web browsing, streaming).
Gaming: Not ideal for gaming on battery as performance significantly drops.

Now, for the final question—how does this laptop stack up overall?

The Final Verdict

So, what’s the takeaway from this laptop?

The sleek design and solid build impressed me, but the performance of the 35W RTX 2050 left me wanting more.

If you’re looking for an all-rounder that handles casual use and light gaming, this laptop is worth considering. But if gaming performance is your priority, alternatives like the Ideapad Gaming offer more bang for your buck at the same price point.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to drop your comments below and share your thoughts on this model.