It seems that before Google announced the end of Stadia that there would be a launch of new Chromebooks focused on cloud gaming. The gaming-centric Chromebooks are going on sale despite Google pulling the proverbial rug out from underneath Acer and Lenovo's feet. Here we have Acer's take with its cloud-gaming-centric Chromebook 516 GE which packs in a 120Hz IPS display, 12th Gen Intel i5 and i7 powerplants, and the almost requisite gamer feature, a keyboard with RGB lighting.
Acer's Chromebook 516 GE doesn't differ too much from Lenovo's variant, but it does offer 12th Gen Intel Core i7 configurations, although the US will see the i5 version going on sale first. That 120Hz IPS display is 16-inches big with 1600p resolution, and a 16:10 aspect ratio, plus there's also support for ray tracing in the graphics department.
“We’re excited for the Acer Chromebook 516 GE to reach the hands of eager gamers. Between the incredible mix of easy-to-use software and great hardware built for smooth cloud gaming experiences, we think this device will be game-changing for those looking for a way to play their favorite games with a hassle-free, smooth, and high-fidelity experience.” said Chris Daniel, Director of Product for the ChromeOS Platform, Google.“
The first Chromebook 516 GE to go on sale in the US will feature the following specifications:
- Model number: CBG516-1H-53TY
- Intel® Core™ i5-1240P processor
- 8GB Dual-channel LPDDR4X SDRAM
- 256 GB PCIe Gen3, 8 Gb/s, NVMe Solid State Drive
- MSRP: $649.99
- Availability Best Buy, October 2022
Like Lenovo's offering, Acer's Chromebook 516 GE sports a keyboard with RGB lighting, quad speakers, WiFi 6E support, and a pair of USB-C ports. Unlike the Lenovo, the Chromebook 516 GE only has a single USB-A port but makes up for this with the HDMI port that is present.
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is already available in the US at Best Buy for $649, and from December in Europe priced from €999.
