Acer Aspire V3-371 Notebook Review
For the original German review, see here.
Intel launched its new energy-efficient CPU line based on Broadwell architecture at the beginning of this year. Now, a short time later, Acer places its new Aspire V3-371-58DJ subnotebook equipped with the new Intel Core i5-5200U and Intel HD Graphics 5500 on store shelves. However, not only the processor should catch attention because a 240 GB SSD and 8 GB of working memory are also inside the laptop. Furthermore, the 700-Euro (~$800) device can boast with a matte, Full HD screen. To what extent can the Broadwell CPU excel over the Haswell models? We used different contenders to put the test results of Acer's laptop into perspective.
Case
The casing of the Aspire V3 is largely made of plastic components. An aluminum display adorns the review sample's back. A low height of 22 mm and pleasant weight of 1523 grams make Acer's 13.3-inch device an agreeable companion. Sharp transitions, particularly in the front areas below the touchpad, unfortunately ruin the feel of our review sample. Besides that, the ClickPad surface is a bit loose and produces a loud clacking noise during use. The base unit has to be completely disassembled for repairs or upgrades because there are no maintenance covers on the underside. Even the battery cannot be removed without some effort. The thin and very smooth-running display hinges tend to let the display rock.
Connectivity
Not many interfaces are available, and their positioning could also have been more favorable. Apart from the combo-audio jack and SD-card reader, all ports are on the right. That can complicate using peripherals depending on the user's habits. Another drawback is that only one of the two USB ports supports the 3.0 standard.
Communication
Intel's Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 module is installed for wireless communication. It allows Wi-Fi speeds of up to 867 Mbps. Connections via Bluetooth 4.0 are also possible. We ascertain the factual speeds by determining the average download rate in a test. A Fritzbox 7382 SL router with a connected network hard drive was used in this test. The review sample had to compete against an Apple iMac Retina from last year. First, both devices are on the same story as the router and have to overcome a beeline distance of approximately four meters. The Aspire's speed settled to 7.59 Mbps after a few downloads, and that of the iMac was 11.03 Mbps.
The built-in 720p webcam presents a smooth image presentation. The color reproduction is sufficient for occasional videoconferencing although strong image noise is present even in ideal light conditions.
Accessories
The Aspire V3 is shipped with a warranty information card and quick-start guide only. Acer does not offer any model-specific accessories for this line either. Acer only offers the normal standard repertoire.
Maintenance
As mentioned in "Case," the entire base unit has to be taken apart for maintenance. Not even the battery can be removed. The 8 GB of working memory is divided equally on both memory modules, i.e. in the slots. Opening the review sample is not advisable for non-savvy hands because the plastic hooks could break or the casing might even fissure.
Warranty
Acer at least includes a 24-month collect & return service for the end user.
Input Devices
Keyboard
The keyboard scores with its crisp response characteristics. The pressure points are well palpable and the keys are stable, but they have a short and very soft drop. Touch typists will quickly accommodate to the keyboard. The tight spacing between the shift and "<>" keys, and enter and hash keys have not been as nicely solved. Untrained fingers might hit the wrong key here. Acer has found a good solution for the arrow keys. The area above the left and right arrow keys is often left empty. The image up and image down keys have been implemented there in the review sample. The noise development when typing was always agreeable.
Touchpad
The touchpad's size of 10.5 x 6 cm is decent. Its sleek surface is perfect for fast gestures. The keys integrated in the pad feature a pleasant drop but with slightly different pressure points. The responsiveness at the edges is also good. Most multi-touch gestures, such as scrolling on websites, function without problems. Scrolling rarely lagged, but pages were sometimes skipped. There is one major shortcoming: the touchpad in our review sample produced audible noises due to its loose fit in the casing.
Display
A matte, Full HD screen is installed in the 700-Euro (~$800) Acer Aspire V3. Its average brightness of 235.6 cd/m² is enough for home use, but will not induce shouts of joy. HP's ProBook 430 G2 is even darker with 172 cd/m². Our review sample and both named rivals are based on a low-cost TN screen.
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Brightness Distribution: 90 %
Center on Battery: 246 cd/m²
Contrast: 535:1 (Black: 0.46 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 7.45 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.86
ΔE Greyscale 9.13 | 0.5-98 Ø5.1
41% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
44.07% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
64.2% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
42.65% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.29
The low contrast ratio of 415:1 and a black level of 0.59 cd/m² prevent a rich black. The subnotebooks from the past 12 months achieved an average contrast ratio of 712:1 and black level of 0.5 cd/m². Seen only subjectively, the rates are sufficient for an occasional video. A 13.3-inch laptop will unlikely be used for real movie entertainment anyway. Professional use also seems improbable not least due to the low color-space coverage. It is just 41% in the AdobeRGB space and 58% in the sRGB space. The grayscale shift with a DeltaE rate of over 9 also confirms the very visible bluish cast.
Smaller light sources or slightly brighter places indoors will not be distracting owing to the matte screen. The outdoor suitability is limited to shadowy locations. The user should change the workplace when in direct sunlight.
A TN screen is installed in Acer's Aspire V3 that, unfortunately, does not have sufficient viewing-angle stability. Colors and brightness distort extremely when tilting the screen or from lateral views. The opening angle of almost 140 degrees is enough to place the laptop in a work position on the knees.
Performance
Our review sample sports a new Broadwell CPU. An Intel HD Graphics 5500 is integrated in the processor. Acer provides 8 GB RAM and a 240 GB SSD for memory and storage. There are no other configuration options in the current lineup. The older Haswell models are available in many different configurations. This can also be expected in the new product line. Our review sample is predestined for short response times and routine office and multimedia applications.
Processor
Acer's Aspire V3 sports an Intel Core i5-5200U from the new Broadwell line for the very first time. This CPU has a base speed of 2.2 GHz and can achieve a rate of 2.7 GHz in Turbo mode. Intel specifies a peak power dissipation (TDP) of 15 watts. The review sample competes against Asus' UX32LA with an Intel Core i5-4200U for analyzing the performance in relation to the Haswell architecture. The Intel Core i5-4200U runs with a clock rate of 1.6 GHz, and HP's ProBook 430 G2 with an Intel Core i5-4210U runs 100 MHz faster. The Cinebench R15 benchmark gives information about the computing performance of our comparison devices. Intel's Core i5-5200U surpasses the precursor by approximately 12% and even outperforms the performance of Intel's Core i5-4210U by 8%. The Broadwell CPU consistently clocked with the full Turbo rate of 2.7 GHz during the test. The new CPU is also impressive in battery mode since it accomplishes similar scores. More details about the CPU can be found in our FAQ section.
System Performance
Our review sample features a swift hard drive and 8 GB of working memory. Acer's Aspire V3 made a speedy work impression owing to these highly responsive components. PCMark 8 confirms this subjective experience. The review sample scores better in all fields than potential contenders. Although the comparison devices also sport an SSD and enough working memory, the stronger processing and graphics unit of Intel's Core i5-5200U prevails.
| Acer Aspire V3-371-58DJ HD Graphics 5500, 5200U, Kingston RBU-SC100S37240GE | Acer Aspire V3-371-55GS HD Graphics 4400, 4210U, Kingston RBU-SNS8100S3128GD | Acer Aspire V3-371-38ZG Iris Graphics 5100, 4158U, Kingston RBU-SC100S37240GE | Asus UX32LA-R3025H HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, SanDisk SD6SB1M128G1002 | HP Probook 430 G2 HD Graphics 4400, 4210U, Samsung SSD 840 PRO MZ7PD128HCFV-000H1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCMark 8 | -19% | -23% | -14% | -17% | |
| Home Score Accelerated v2 | 2939 | 2419 -18% | 2172 -26% | 2583 -12% | 2391 -19% |
| Work Score Accelerated v2 | 3761 | 3283 -13% | 3065 -19% | 3618 -4% | 3599 -4% |
| Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 3430 | 2571 -25% | 2653 -23% | 2522 -26% | 2495 -27% |
| PCMark 7 | |||||
| Score | 4879 | 4722 -3% | 4037 -17% | 4654 -5% | 4556 -7% |
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | -11% /
-15% | -20% /
-21% | -10% /
-12% | -12% /
-14% |
| PCMark 7 Score | 4879 points | |
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 2939 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 3430 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 3761 points | |
Help | ||
Storage Device
The large, 240 GB SSD installed in the Aspire comes from Kingston. A look at the achieved benchmark scores reveal shortcomings in the important 4K rates. The comparison with HP's ProBook 430 G2 is especially striking. HP's device manages a 50% higher speed in the 4K read rates, and an almost 80% better time in the 4K write rates. Regardless of that, Acer's laptop is still considerably faster than a conventional HDD. More comparisons of SSDs and HDDs can be found in our FAQ.
| Acer Aspire V3-371-58DJ HD Graphics 5500, 5200U, Kingston RBU-SC100S37240GE | Asus UX32LA-R3025H HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, SanDisk SD6SB1M128G1002 | HP Probook 430 G2 HD Graphics 4400, 4210U, Samsung SSD 840 PRO MZ7PD128HCFV-000H1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS SSD | 33% | 51% | |
| Seq Read | 491.3 | 476.7 -3% | 517 5% |
| Seq Write | 285 | 283.8 0% | 323.5 14% |
| 4K Read | 22.47 | 28.79 28% | 33.3 48% |
| 4K Write | 47.94 | 75.4 57% | 85.4 78% |
| 4K-64 Read | 151.9 | 324 113% | 370.2 144% |
| 4K-64 Write | 157.8 | 174.9 11% | 215.3 36% |
| Access Time Read * | 0.124 | 0.096 23% | 0.083 33% |
| Access Time Write * | 0.075 | 0.048 36% | 0.04 47% |
* ... smaller is better
Graphics Card
The processor-integrated Intel HD Graphics 5500 has a core clock of 900 MHz and a memory clock of 800 MHz in our case. An important development of the Broadwell unit is the support of DirectX 11.2 API and OpenCL 1.3/2.0 as well as OpenGL 4.3. A look at the 3DMark 11 benchmarks shows a 20 - 30% advantage over the Intel HD Graphics 4400 precursor. However, an Nvidia GT 820M still presents a 12 - 19% better score than the Intel HD Graphics 5500 incorporated in Acer's laptop. The tide turns in the latest 3DMark (2013), though. Here, the processor-integrated graphics card achieves a clear edge on an Nvidia GT 820M. More comparisons and details about the single graphics units can be found in our benchmark chart of current graphics cards.
Users who cannot use external power when on-the-go do not have to fear any losses. 3DMark 11 achieved an identical score of 1169 points in battery mode.
| Acer Aspire V3-371-58DJ HD Graphics 5500, 5200U, Kingston RBU-SC100S37240GE | Asus UX32LA-R3025H HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, SanDisk SD6SB1M128G1002 | HP Probook 430 G2 HD Graphics 4400, 4210U, Samsung SSD 840 PRO MZ7PD128HCFV-000H1 | Asus X550LD-XX023H GeForce 820M, 4200U, Toshiba MQ01ABF050 | Acer Aspire V3-371-38ZG Iris Graphics 5100, 4158U, Kingston RBU-SC100S37240GE | Acer Aspire V3-371-55GS HD Graphics 4400, 4210U, Kingston RBU-SNS8100S3128GD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DMark 11 | ||||||
| 1280x720 Performance | 1162 | 952 -18% | 781 -33% | 1302 12% | 929 -20% | 963 -17% |
| 3DMark | -20% | -29% | -14% | -34% | -16% | |
| 1280x720 Ice Storm Standard Score | 54754 | 42413 -23% | 36498 -33% | 50055 -9% | 33266 -39% | 44071 -20% |
| 1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Score | 5146 | 4346 -16% | 3928 -24% | 4225 -18% | 3722 -28% | 4512 -12% |
| 1920x1080 Fire Strike Score | 622 | 484 | 763 | 572 | 584 | |
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | -19% /
-19% | -31% /
-30% | -1% /
-5% | -27% /
-29% | -17% /
-16% |
| 3DMark 06 1280x800 Score | 7725 points | |
| 3DMark Vantage P Result | 4798 points | |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 1162 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 54754 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 5146 points | |
Help | ||
Gaming Performance
Opting for a processor-integrated graphics card largely ruins the suitability for playing up-to-date games. Some newer games can only be rendered smoothly using minimum graphics settings. Intel's HD Graphics 5500 is clearly stronger than Intel's HD Graphics 4400 installed in the contenders. In Tomb Raider and BioShock, Asus' UX32LA achieved a 20% lower frame rate and HP's ProBook G2 as much as 42% less on average than our review sample. Thus, it is quite possible to enjoy games like BioShock: Infinite on Acer's laptop. However, the Aspire V3 cannot compete with the power of an Nvidia GeForce GT 820M. For example, Asus' X550LD-XX023H achieves averagely 17% more frames per second. Some current games refused to even start, e.g. Assassin's Creed Unity and Dragon Age Inquisition. More gaming benchmarks can be found in our FAQ section.
| Acer Aspire V3-371-58DJ HD Graphics 5500, 5200U, Kingston RBU-SC100S37240GE | Asus UX32LA-R3025H HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, SanDisk SD6SB1M128G1002 | HP Probook 430 G2 HD Graphics 4400, 4210U, Samsung SSD 840 PRO MZ7PD128HCFV-000H1 | Asus X550LD-XX023H GeForce 820M, 4200U, Toshiba MQ01ABF050 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BioShock Infinite | -22% | -42% | 19% | |
| 1280x720 Very Low Preset | 43.13 | 35.8 -17% | 25.8 -40% | 51.2 19% |
| 1366x768 Medium Preset | 24.2 | 17.9 -26% | 13.6 -44% | 28.6 18% |
| Tomb Raider | -18% | -42% | 15% | |
| 1024x768 Low Preset | 60.6 | 53.6 -12% | 34.5 -43% | 70.4 16% |
| 1366x768 Normal Preset AA:FX AF:4x | 30.4 | 23.3 -23% | 18.1 -40% | 34.7 14% |
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | -20% /
-20% | -42% /
-42% | 17% /
17% |
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anno 2070 (2011) | 71.2 | 41.6 | 22.82 | 9.96 |
| Crysis 3 (2013) | 19.6 | 12 | 8.5 | |
| Tomb Raider (2013) | 60.6 | 30.4 | 19.1 | |
| BioShock Infinite (2013) | 43.13 | 24.2 | 19.53 | 5.9 |
| Metro: Last Light (2013) | 22.5 | 6.1 | 6 | 5 |
| Company of Heroes 2 (2013) | 22 | 17.1 | ||
| Battlefield 4 (2013) | 31 | 21 | 12.8 | 4.3 |
| Need for Speed: Rivals (2013) | 16.8 | 10.7 | ||
| Thief (2014) | 20.6 | 12.6 | 10.1 | |
| Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014) | 31.3 | 28.1 | 13.3 | |
| Watch Dogs (2014) | 20.2 | 13.9 | 4.4 | |
| GRID: Autosport (2014) | 91.3 | 37 | 19.2 | |
| Sims 4 (2014) | 173.3 | 41.4 | 19.4 | |
| Fifa 15 (2014) | 36.6 | 17.4 | ||
| Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (2014) | 21.92 | 15.75 | 8.33 | |
| Alien: Isolation (2014) | 35.6 | 23.1 | 12.3 | 8.8 |
| Ryse: Son of Rome (2014) | 13.9 | 9.3 | ||
| The Evil Within (2014) | 17.7 | 13 | ||
| F1 2014 (2014) | 56 | 37 | 23 | 13 |
| Civilization: Beyond Earth (2014) | 45.3 | 18.4 | 11.6 | |
| Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014) | 32.5 | 16.5 | ||
| Far Cry 4 (2014) | 18.3 | 13.9 | 7 | |
| The Crew (2014) | 21.3 | 16.5 | 7.9 |
Emissions
System Noise
The V3 makes an extremely good impression in terms of fan characteristics. The fan remained noiseless particularly in idle mode. The selected storage prevents the entire laptop from making any noise at all. It took a while before the review sample reached its maximum noise of approximately 39 dB(A) in load. The frequencies the fan produced were all within an inconspicuous range.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 29.6 / 29.6 / 29.6 dB(A) |
| Load |
| 39.8 / 39.9 dB(A) |
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30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
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min:  , med:  , max:  Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance) | ||
Temperature
The inactive fan in idle mode does not adversely affect the temperature development. The Aspire V3 always remained below 26 °C. A clear temperature increase was only noticed during load. However, that will not be in the user's work field. Use on the lap is also quite possible without problems.
We use the stress test to examine the inner temperature development in an extreme scenario. The CPU and GPU are loaded via Prime95 and FurMark, and they are observed for one hour. It is remarkable that the CPU's clock rate never dropped to below 2500 MHz, and thus it remained even over the base speed. The CPU immediately clocked up to its maximum of 2.7 GHz directly after the stress test and achieved the same 3DMark 11 scores as in a cold start.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 34.5 °C / 94 F, compared to the average of 35.9 °C / 97 F, ranging from 21.4 to 59 °C for the class Subnotebook.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 40 °C / 104 F, compared to the average of 39.3 °C / 103 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 24.2 °C / 76 F, compared to the device average of 30.8 °C / 87 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 25.4 °C / 77.7 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(+) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.2 °C / 82.8 F (+2.8 °C / 5.1 F).
Speakers
This laptop will not satisfy users who like to listen to loud music. The review sample is simply too quiet especially for a movie night in bed or on the couch. However, clear mids and trebles produce a pleasant sound. Neither speaker could develop a wide sound spectrum, though. Music lovers should use external solutions.
Energy Management
Power Consumption
Although the hardware in the review sample is now considerably stronger, it does not differ much from the Haswell-based rivals. HP's ProBook 430 G2, however, is still up to 4.1 watts more efficient than the Aspire V3. Asus' UX32LA is particularly consuming with as much as 39.2 watts and is thus clearly above both the Acer's 31.5 and HP's 27.1 watts.
| Off / Standby | 0.1 / 0.2 Watt |
| Idle | 2.7 / 5 / 7.3 Watt |
| Load |
28.7 / 31.5 Watt |
   
| |
Key:
min: ,
med: ,
max: Voltcraft VC 940 | |
Battery Runtime
The new Acer Aspire V3-371 sports a 49 Wh battery. Asus' UX32LA has a higher capacity of one watt hour, and HP's ProBook 430 G2 has to be satisfied with a considerably lower 40 Wh.
The first battery test focuses on the maximum possible battery runtime. We set the screen's brightness to a minimum and enable Windows' energy-saving profile while the communication modules are off. The Battery Eater tool simulates reading texts. The review sample ultimately shut down after 19 hours and 42 minutes and achieves a significantly longer runtime than its rivals.
We check the runtime with browsing via Wi-Fi to simulate a practical scenario. The brightness is set to 155 cd/m² and the radio modules are enabled. The Aspire managed 9 hours and 45 minutes in a jumble of different websites and YouTube videos. It will therefore easily manage a whole workday. The Asus UX32LA surpasses that by one hour, and HP's ProBook 430 G2 is drained in half the time of Asus' laptop.
Lastly, we again use the Battery Eater program to ascertain the minimum battery runtime under real-world load. The Classic test is performed using maximum brightness and Windows' high-performance profile. An outlet is needed after 2.5 hours. Acer once more takes the lead in the round of contenders with this result.
The 13.3-inch laptop is overall convincing and will last a whole workday or a day at university.
| Battery Runtime - WiFi (sort by value) | |
| Acer Aspire V3-371-58DJ | |
| HP Probook 430 G2 | |
| Asus UX32LA-R3025H | |
Verdict
Acer demands just 700 Euros (~$800) for a laptop with a Full HD screen, SSD storage, 8 GB of working memory, and a new Intel Core i5-5200U. We discovered where this price takes its toll right at the beginning. Although an aluminum coating has been selected for the display's back, only the casing's looks are convincing. Acer's Aspire V3 is light, thin and plain. However, sharp transitions and not very promising hinges mar the overall impression. The input devices' design is good, and they have been made even for longer working sessions, but the ClickPad's build is a destructive factor in our review sample. Its unpleasant clacking noise distracts work. Following these initial drawbacks, the review sample slowly started to show its good sides. For example, with its Full HD screen that is also matte, and thus even suitable for occasional outdoor use. The TN screen, unfortunately, cannot provide with sufficient viewing-angle stability, but then again that is difficult to find in this price range alongside the other features. The Aspire V3 shows its strengths in the fields of system and application performance. It especially stands out positively from its rivals based on Haswell processors. The battery life is important for a small 13.3-inch laptop. The Aspire is throughout impressive even here. The laptop will easily run through a whole workday.
Overall, Acer's V3-371 can be called a solid mobile device in its price range. Nevertheless, the manufacturing flaws ruin the impression.
