The review is useful because it shows what Intel's new budget "Wildcat Lake" silicon delivers in a real laptop. It also shows where the savings come from.
What Trusted Reviews tested
The reviewer spent about two weeks with the laptop. The configuration was a Core 5 320, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and Windows 11. The headline measurements, all from the reviewer's own testing, are below.
| Area | Reviewer's result |
|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 | 1,761 single-core, 6,959 multi-core |
| Geekbench 6 | 2,446 single-core, 7,591 multi-core |
| 3DMark Time Spy | 1,732 |
| SSD (CrystalDiskMark) | 4,606.98 MB/s read, 2,589.96 MB/s write |
| Peak SDR brightness | 365.3 nits |
| Contrast | 1430:1 |
| Colour coverage | 99% sRGB, 81% DCI-P3, 77% Adobe RGB |
| Battery (PCMark 10 video loop, 150 nits) | 18 hours 15 minutes |
| Charging | 53 minutes to 50%, close to two hours for a full charge |
The reviewer measured a 1430:1 peak contrast ratio and 365.3 nits of peak SDR brightness. He called that fine indoors and workable outdoors, but short of the best panels he has tested. Acer's own specification sheet lists a 350-nit panel with 100% sRGB. Those are different kinds of figures, a manufacturer rating and a lab measurement, so don't set them against each other.
The chip is called "Core 5 320", not "Core Ultra 5"
Trusted Reviews is inconsistent about the processor name. The body text says "Intel Core Ultra 5 320". The spec table says Core 5 320. Intel's own product listing gives the name as Intel Core 5 processor 320. It sits in the Intel Core Series 3 family, a product line formerly code-named Wildcat Lake. Intel lists six cores and six threads, split into two Performance cores and four Low Power Efficient cores. The maximum turbo is 4.6GHz, with a 15W base power and a 35W maximum turbo power. The integrated graphics have two Xe-cores.
The name matters for shoppers. "Ultra" belongs to the more capable Panther Lake line. This chip is a cut-down, value-oriented part, and the review's modest multi-core and graphics numbers fit that.
Where the review is strongest
- Portability and build. The chassis is aluminium and the laptop measures 12.9mm thin. The reviewer calls it a rare budget machine that doesn't feel cheap.
- The screen. A 120Hz refresh rate on a 1920×1200 IPS panel makes everyday scrolling feel smoother. The reviewer rates the colour accuracy well above the washed-out panels common at this price. He also notes a slightly cool white point of around 7500K.
- Ports. There are two Thunderbolt 4-capable USB-C ports, one USB-A port and a headphone jack. The reviewer points out that you can keep older USB-A accessories.
- Battery. The 70Wh cell lasted over 18 hours in a video-loop test. Acer claims up to 19 hours of video playback, 16 hours of web browsing and 12 hours under MobileMark 30. Acer says results vary with configuration and settings, and the two sets of figures use different workloads.
The compromises
- 8GB of RAM. The reviewer says it is fine for basic work. Heavy multitasking will push it hard.
- Keyboard flex. The keys feel crisp, but the deck gives under pressure.
- No HDMI. External displays need USB-C or a dongle.
- Performance ceiling. Single-core results hold up in daily use. Multi-core and 3D results are only fine, and the reviewer likens the graphics to first-generation Snapdragon X.
- Bundled software. Acer's utilities include AcerSense and Acer Jumpstart. The reviewer also found an odd Booking.com taskbar shortcut.
Why it isn't a Copilot+ PC
The reviewer says the laptop lacks the AI horsepower to count as a Copilot+ PC. That means it misses features such as generative tools in Photos and Paint, and the Windows Studio webcam effects. Microsoft's guidance ties Copilot+ features to an NPU that can run at 40+ TOPS. Acer says this model has a dedicated NPU delivering up to 17 TOPS, and Intel lists 16 TOPS for the chip. Both are well short of the Copilot+ bar.
Two caveats apply. Intel's 20 TOPS figure for this chip belongs to the GPU, not the NPU, so it doesn't change the picture. And a laptop that isn't a Copilot+ PC is still a full Windows 11 machine. Intel's listing says the chip supports Windows Studio Effects, so the reviewer's claim that the webcam effects are missing may not hold for every case. Check before buying if that matters to you.
Check the configuration before you buy
Memory and processor options differ by region, and other reviews of the same laptop show it.
- Acer's launch announcement lists up to 16GB of LPDDR5 and up to a Core 7 350 for the model family. It also says specifications, prices and availability vary by region.
- Trusted Reviews says you can go up to 12GB and a Core Ultra 7 355. That processor name looks inconsistent with Acer's Core 7 350 listing.
- Tom's Guide tested the same $699 / £699 model with 8GB of RAM, a Core 5 320 and 512GB of storage. It reports that a Core 7 350 configuration with 12GB of RAM costs over £1,000 at the Acer store.
- Expert Reviews and ITPro both tested units with 16GB of RAM. ITPro warns that retail units may be slower than its sample.
Before you pay, read the exact model number and installed RAM on the product page. The review's price and verdict apply to the 8GB configuration.
How it stacks up, according to the reviewer
Trusted Reviews says the Samsung Galaxy Book6 is more capable on paper, with 16GB of RAM, a faster SSD and slightly longer battery life. It also costs more and has a weaker 60Hz screen. The reviewer calls the Asus Zenbook 14 (2026) slightly more powerful and stylish, but says its Arm chip is dated for the price. He calls the Apple MacBook Neo a tempting option if you're happy to switch to macOS. These are the reviewer's judgments, and the review does not provide a full benchmark table for those rivals.
Bottom line
For people who want a light Windows laptop with a good screen, a USB-A port and strong battery results, the review makes a convincing case. For heavy multitaskers, 8GB of RAM is the reason to look at a higher-spec model.
Correction (October 22, 2026): The intro gave the UK price as £749.99. That is wrong: Currys UK lists the reviewed configuration (Core 5 320, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) at £699.00, and Acer's launch materials say pricing starts from £699. The price is now given as $699.99 or £699.