Galaxy Chromebook 2 and Acer Spin 713 Face-Off

If you’re in the market for a premium 2-in-1 convertible Chromebook, there are plenty of options on the market. Two of the most impressive were recently announced at CES: the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 and Acer Spin 713. If you’re already sold on the use case for a premium ($500+) Chromebook, the guide below will help you decide between these two top competitors in the convertible Chromebook space.

Whatever chromebook you choose, don’t forget to pick up a Chromebook extended warranty from Upsie to protect your new purchase.

Now, on to the review!

First, the similarities. Both offer a slick Chrome OS experience in an impressive-looking device that functions in laptop position. They can be folded back as a stand-type or tent-type tablet experience, or folded flat as a landscape or portrait style tablet. Both are built from premium materials that look like they will hold up well over time, including aluminum bodies.

Both ship with gorgeous screens that are touch- and stylus-friendly, though there are some differences here. And both ship with real SSDs, not the cheaper eMMC technology found in older and cheaper Chromebooks. They also both offer Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth connectivity.

In fact, both of these Chromebooks are powerful enough (in the right configuration) to function as full Windows laptops in their own right. Yet they’re built using the speed and responsiveness of Chrome OS, giving users an entirely different experience than what they get with Windows.

There are some distinct differences between the two devices, which may help you decide which one is best for you.

While both Chromebooks contain high-end touchscreens, there are some significant differences.

Samsung is well-known for its displays, and it doesn’t disappoint in the Galaxy Chromebook 2. The 13.3-inch full HD display features QLED technology, which Samsung first pioneered in their television lineup. This is the first Chromebook with QLED tech, and the screen will look better than standard LEDs, no question.

Acer’s display is slightly larger at 13.5 inches and features a 3:2 aspect ratio, which is arguably better for seeing more content at once. It’s an IPS panel with a higher resolution (2256 x 1504), and it features Acer’s VertiView tech for sharpness and readability. It’s a good-looking display, and the aspect ratio is a nice option for some. But overall, Samsung’s display wins out in terms of total quality.

Connectivity is a big differentiator. The Galaxy Chromebook 2 is pretty minimal, with just two USB-C ports, a MicroSD slot, and a headphone jack. That’s it.

The Spin 713, on the other hand, offers two USB-C ports (at least one is 3.2), one USB-A port, an audio jack, a MicroSD slot, and an HDMI output. You’ll also find a physical power button and volume rocker along the sides of the device.

The base model of the Galaxy Chromebook 2 is a bit underwhelming, with a Celeron processor and just 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. The pricier model fixes all three, with a Core i3 processor and double the RAM and storage.

On the other hand, the Spin 713’s base model features the same Core i3 processor, RAM and storage as the upgraded Galaxy Chromebook 2. The upgraded models move up significantly in storage and power, all the way up to a Core i7 chip.

The Galaxy Chromebook 2 makes some needed adjustments over last year’s $1000 model. This iteration starts at just $550 for the Celeron configuration. That said, most users ought to spring for the $700 configuration, which jumps up to a 10th-generation Core i3 mobile chip and doubles memory and storage to 8 GB and 128 GB, respectively.

The Acer Spin 713 starts at $629, but the base model is much more powerful, packing a Core i5 processor in, plus a full HDMI port and one USB-A port (in addition to USB-C, which is all you get on the Galaxy Chromebook 2).

Both the Galaxy Chromebook 2 and Acer Spin 713 are impressive devices in the premium (or semi-premium) Chromebook market. They are winners, especially if the convertible and touchscreen features are important to you. Whichever you choose, an extended laptop warranty from Upsie is the perfect complement to your new device. You’ll be protected against both defects and accidental damage, with a low upfront cost and an even lower deductible.

Some of the best coverage around for way less than you’d expect: that’s what you get with an Upsie extended warranty.