Bottom Line: there aren’t many standout features, but the Acer Aspire Vero works well as a productivity laptop for students and other budget-conscious consumers.
Performance-wise, this unit has a 1.30 GHz i5 processor, 8 GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, which is more than capable of handling everyday computing such as word processing, spreadsheeting, and web browsing/web app work. These tasks feel snappy and responsive. That said, I have found the fan speed (and heat load) noticeably increases under moderate workflow. The fan isn’t particularly loud, but it is noticeable when running.
In terms of hardware and design, the Vero has a backlit keyboard with numeric keypad. I think the keys are smaller than full-size, but the typing experience is comfortable. The keypad is a different story. I find it hard to turn my wrist to use my pinky on the top keys, and I can’t see using it for anything more than some light data entry. The fingerprint sensor, embedded in the trackpad, works reliably and is more conveniently placed than on the keyboard. The trackpad itself works reasonably well, although there’s one spot where tapping causes it to bounce just a tiny bit that I find annoying (the hinge starts to move before the full click is engaged thus creating the slight bounce).
Images and text look good on the 15.6” FHD screen, while the speakers deliver adequate but not great sound. For movie watching, the two combine for a standard laptop experience that is on par for the price point (once again, adequate but not great). The webcam offers a FHD resolution and produces a surprisingly good image in low light. There are also a generous number of ports (2 x USB-C/Thunderbolt; 2 x USB-A; HDMI; 3.5mm).
As a final point, the Vero’s “Green PC” design may not be for everyone. Acer touts that the case is made of plastic that incorporates post-consumer recyclables, and it certainly feels like a plastic product in hand although I personally like the texture and design of the case. The “OceanGlass” trackpad is also made of recycled plastic, although I don't think this is as noticeable. Acer also reversed the lettering on the “E” and “R” keycaps, which are backlit in green, but it doesn’t really impact the user experience. Somewhat surprisingly, this model includes a “barrel” charger, where the more green option would have been to include a USB-C one that can be used with other devices.