Acer’s Chromebook 14 is a two-sided story. For one, it shows the remarkable progress that we’ve made around what a $300 laptop can and should be. It’s made of aluminum, has a fantastic keyboard / trackpad combo, and a crisp 1080p display. And it does Chromebook things (web browsing, email, Google Docs, YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, etc.) adequately.

But on the other end, the Chromebook 14 is hindered by its lack of a touchscreen — just as Google prepares to usher Android apps into Chrome OS. You’ll be able to use those apps, sure, but navigating smartphone apps with a keyboard and trackpad is about as unholy as eating pizza with a fork and knife. Still, only a year or two ago, your $300 would’ve gone toward something far worse.

The Chromebook 14 presents itself spectacularly well. Acer’s glossy metal logo contrasts nicely with the brushed-aluminum lid. It weighs 3.42 pounds, which isn’t really toss-in-a-bag portable. It’s nowhere close to MacBook or ultrabook territory. Nor is the Chromebook 14 particularly thin; when closed, its lid sits ever-so-slightly higher than my 15-inch MacBook Pro, despite product dimensions claiming it’s only 0.67 inches — clearly Acer measured the laptop’s thinnest point. Even so, if you’ve got a messenger bag or backpack, it’s not like you’ll have any issue hauling Acer’s latest Chromebook to Starbucks.

A PREMIUM LOOK AND FEEL FOR A LOW PRICE
Open up the lid and you’re met with a 14-inch, 1080p IPS LCD. Displays are frequently an area where Chromebook makers skimp to hit an affordable price point, but I can’t really say that Acer has done so here. The screen is sharp and reasonably color accurate (if a little on the dull and warm side). Viewing angles are also satisfactory. My number one complaint about the Chromebook 14’s screen is that it doesn’t get as bright as other laptops. That might prove annoying if you’re using it in a very bright room or direct sunlight, but on the plus side, the display does a great job mitigating glare. Oh, and it’s not a touchscreen, so swiping web pages and tapping on links is out. That’s not a major headache now, but considering where Chrome OS is going, it could turn into one. More on that later.