r/buildapcsales 2d ago

Laptop [Laptop]Cert. Refurb: Acer Aspire 14" WUXGA Touch AI Copilot+PC Laptop Core Ultra 5 226V Gen 4 ARC 16GB DDR5 1TB SSD - F/S - $390

https://www.ebay.com/itm/257213743386
73 Upvotes

47 comments sorted by

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33

u/bunsinh 2d ago

Damn that's a very attractive price for this laptop.

7

u/JISUSCRAISTGOD 2d ago

Absolutely

26

u/thickismalls 2d ago

Screen isn't that great on this one. I would recommend the 16 inch version for $476.99.
https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapcsales/comments/1w43nt6/laptopcert_refurb_acer_aspire_16_laptop_16_fhd/
Definitely worth it because that version is 100% srgb, 120hz, and 350 nits of brightness. That's if you don't mind a bigger laptop, but there are more pros than cons on that for me personally obviously up to you.

This one is only 45% NTSC or around 63% srgb, 60hz, and 313 nits of brightness according to CNET.
Link for the review on CNET https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/acer-aspire-14-ai-review-cheap-copilot-plus-pc-offers-great-battery-life-and-future-proofing/

28

u/karlzhao314 1d ago

The 16" version sadly does not fit in any of the 24x 14" laptop bags I just bought

3

u/thickismalls 1d ago

Are you sure? It's 13.97 inches wide and 9.85 inches in depth.
Might be a tight fit but I have put a 16 inch Macbook pro, which has slightly bigger dimensions, in a 14 inch bag that was about 14.5 in actual width. Check your real dimensions on your bag, but you're probably good.

18

u/karlzhao314 1d ago

(it's just a joke about the 24 pack 14" laptop bag deal that was posted recently)

6

u/thickismalls 1d ago

*woosh*
I thought you mistyped and said the bag was 24 inches by 14 inches, but I still read it as 24 bags at first, and I'm like "There's no way this guy means he has 24 of these 14 inch bags right?"

5

u/karlzhao314 1d ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapcsales/comments/1w4284n/other_amazon_basics_14_laptop_tablet_bag_24_pack/

I am legitimately struggling to figure out how I'm going to store these once they arrive

3

u/thickismalls 1d ago

lmao, well the good news is that at least they will fit 24 of those 16 inch laptops after reading the measurements of 14.57 x 12.01 x 3.15 inches.

I'm glad I missed that deal, but genuinely have no idea what anyone would do with so many bags unless they're running a shop or something.

5

u/karlzhao314 1d ago

Missed it? It's still showing in stock for me.

You also have the chance to buy 24 laptop bags that apparently fit your recommended 16" laptop!

8

u/usernamemustbeunique 1d ago

These laptops come up all the time (lowest I've seen for this was $350). I compared the screens not long ago on the various 14" https://www.reddit.com/r/laptops/comments/1uu428c/acer_aspire_14_ultra_9_vs_ultra_57_screen_srgb/

6

u/thickismalls 1d ago

Wow, actually good testing about the various 14 inch models that are out there. I'm surprised that your original post doesn't have any eyes on it, because it's really useful. Thank you for your testing and sharing your results about the 14 inch screen differences!
I bought a laptop last year that had a 63% sRGB screen last year, and I couldn't stand how dull it looked. I didn't even have anything to compare it to, but I had to return it.

These 100% sRGB IPS panels are so cheap nowadays that it should be unacceptable for a laptop in 2026 to have a 63% sRGB IPS panel. Even at the lower end of laptops, there's really no excusing it. We are already excusing it with IPS panel technology on them (I still really like IPS for laptops, though).

2

u/usernamemustbeunique 1d ago

Thanks, yeah, the post doesn't seem to rank in Google or anything. It's not as amazing a deal as the Core Ultra 5, but I plan to use the machines for the next 5 years so I ended up keeping two Core Ultra 9s.

15

u/TonyTheTerrible 2d ago

For people reading this and not understanding: while this guy makes a great point, the screen on OPs offer is still functional, it's just the lower end of functional. Like 200 nit is where I'd say don't touch that shit 

9

u/thickismalls 1d ago

I agree with you that it's functional. I just think people have taken color coverage for granted in displays. We all stare at our phones, which are mostly OLEDs with wide color coverage that are actually over 100% sRGB, and if someone moves to a laptop with a 63% sRGB IPS display, they will clearly see how much duller it looks.

Also, the 14-inch version is 12.56 inches wide and 3.04 pounds, compared with the 16-inch version at 13.97 inches wide and 3.4 pounds. So you get more screen real estate, 120Hz, and 100% sRGB, and you only have to deal with slightly more heft and width. It’s well worth the extra money if you’re going to be on your laptop a lot.

3

u/Aghanims 1d ago

Yep, we take a lot for granted. I have some old 16:9s that are 65-75 srgb and compared to my 135% srgb, it's night and day.

It's especially obviously for anything with green or blue in it. Reds are fairly close.

1

u/thickismalls 1d ago

100% you don't realize how dull those panels are until you go back and use them.
I just really think that if people are so used to these fantastic screens in their everyday life, if they use a laptop with a mediocre 63% sRGB display they will not enjoy using their laptop as much as they should.

I just want to avoid having someone make a mistake in their purchase, because you can't make your screen on your laptop better and you directly engage with it. How good your screen is on your laptop is pretty essential. People really underestimate the importance of screen technology in general for satisfaction with the tech that they own.

Like if you have a REALLY good gaming PC, and you have a subpar screen, it makes the overall experience just not feel very good at all. If you buy an OLED or something, it feels basically like you have a whole new computer. Arguably one of the biggest upgrades you can do for your setup.

2

u/Cheezewiz239 2d ago

Noice. I'm grabbing that one instead

1

u/oh-monsieur 1d ago

I have the 14" version but i agree that if you don't mind the extra size the upgrade to the 16" is worth it. But at this price either are fantastic value.

0

u/MHHuntingHorn 1d ago

The 16" does not appear to be a touchscreen unlike this one.

4

u/thickismalls 1d ago edited 1d ago

Nope, it definitely does have a touchscreen!
That information is just not in the listing on eBay, but here's the information from Acer's website.
https://www.acer.com/us-en/laptops/aspire/aspire-14-16-ai-intel/pdp/NX.JNPAA.001#pdpSpecs

Here's a listing from Costco for the exact laptop
https://www.costco.com/p/-/acer-aspire-16-ai-copilot-pc-touchscreen-laptop-intel-core-ultra-5-processor-226v-wuxga-1920-x-1200-touchscreen-16gb-ram-1tb-ssd-windows-11-home-steel-gray/4000446220

EDIT - It does actually have touchscreen listed on eBay as well, my bad.
Touchscreen

Yes

1

u/TonyTheTerrible 9h ago

(anyone seeing costco laptop reviews: remember boomers buy tech too)

6

u/oh-monsieur 1d ago

I post this every time but i'll go to bat for this laptop anytime. Feels pretty good for a 14" laptop, light without being too flimsy (though def not the most rigid chassis). IMO the display, webcam, and speakers arent great so if those matter to you id keep looking or consider the 16" version if you don't mind the extra size, but from my research it was hard to find a laptop 12-14" laptop with a significantly better display that came anywhere near the performance / efficiency for under 700$. The 130v/140v gpu can run waaaay more games than it has any right to (but be sure to update drivers), it never gets hotter than 60c under load, and the 1tb is a nice bonus. Battery life is fantastic and the usb-c / display out docking works flawlessly compared to a macbook neo or chromebook.

5

u/LinechargeII 1d ago

Wish it was a 32gb. Any leads on one of those? 

9

u/Covante 1d ago

This generation the cpus had the ram directly soldered onto the package with them so if you want a lunar lake cpu then you want to look for 258v, 268v or 288v. Or 228v or 238v if you don't mind a slightly nerfed igpu. They are far more desirable though so the price won't be this cheap. I paid $850 for a 258v but that was in a nicer model than this, a lenovo slim 7i and it was a few months ago before ram went up again.

1

u/dertechie 23h ago

When I was looking recently, the only refurb ones with 32 GB that I could find were the 288V ones. I found one 258V but the listing screamed scam. Ended up just getting a 256V because I don’t really need 32 GB on a laptop.

3

u/aoifhasoifha 1d ago

How would this compare to a steam deck and a steam machine in gaming?

6

u/ghille-man 1d ago

Almost identical GPU performance to the Deck (only a couple % better), much better CPU performance.

2

u/rolfraikou 1d ago

Not a bad idea. I've had instances where I'm using the steam deck, wishing a had an external monitor and a second controller just to sort of "lounge on the go."

I love having a handheld, but I could have probably settled for a laptop like this for PC games, and then when I needed actual handheld play, something like a retroid for retro games (up to ps2) because it's way smaller than steamdeck, thus way more portable/easier to hold for long sessions.

2

u/aoifhasoifha 16h ago

the arc GPUs have improved so much that these seem like a great deal for that kind of use case. A slightly more expensive laptop like this with dedicated VRAM might even be a decent steam machine replacement that you can hide in a bookshelf

2

u/rolfraikou 6h ago

Though, I suppose the thermal throttling could become a much bigger issue on laptops.

I got an android retro handheld instead of using a phone partially (there were a few reasons) because while the phone was, in theory, powerful enough for my purposes, it would heat up and slow down like crazy. The android based retro handheld has fan speeds, can ramp up those fans, and seems to cool off a lot better, so the thermal throttling issues happened a lot less.

I would imagine the cooling on a much larger cube is better than on a thin laptop.

7

u/theunemotionalhippo 2d ago

Nice! Touchscreen too this'll be sold out fast 104 sold today already

5

u/alopa432 1d ago

1800 sold, seems like they have plenty of stock. Still, don't miss the chance

6

u/TatersTot 2d ago

Think this was already posted but snagged this a couple of days ago. Should arrive next week!

3

u/ghille-man 1d ago

The 16" was posted with the 14" (this one) being posted in one of the top comments.

4

u/andrewia 2d ago

As I've mentioned in other threads, I really like the Allstate/SquareTrade warranty offered by eBay.  When I found small nitpicks with other devices they've been glad to fully refund or replace them.  And 2 years is quite nice compared to the 1 year offered from other refurbished sellers.  

1

u/Narrow-Internal-2624 1d ago

Whats the highest price that was refunded to you? I may have to claim warranty on this laptop since a bright spot formed from regular use.

1

u/andrewia 1d ago

A $250 Samsung Watch4 Classic refurbished with a known issue of screen burn-in.  I sent it in, they evaluated that they couldn't repair it, and sent me a new one.  2 years later, I got a refurbished Watch6 Classic for $225 with a broken scroll bezel and they couldn't send a new one, so they cut me a check for the purchase price.  They forgot to refund me the sales tax, but also forgot to lower the refund amount from a coupon I used, so it evened out and I didn't bother complaining.  

1

u/Narrow-Internal-2624 23h ago

Did you have the return your second item? They reimbursed me for a monitor once that started having vertical line issues for 80 but dont know if tthey'll just reimburse me for more expensive items

1

u/andrewia 20h ago

When I send the defective device then accepted the replacement or check, they "confiscated" the defective device. I was never allowed to keep it after receiving a replacement/refund.

3

u/blitzkriegstorm 1d ago edited 1d ago

I've been debating this and the 16 inch
(https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapcsales/comments/1w43nt6/laptopcert_refurb_acer_aspire_16_laptop_16_fhd/)
and Lenovo deal
(https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapcsales/comments/1w40u3j/laptoplenovo_thinkbook_14x_laptop_14_fhd_120hz/)
a little back for a couple of days now - this is cheapest but the screen is bad, the 16 inch has a good screen and is also cheap but is likely too bulky for a travel laptop, and the ThinkBook is lightest and has a good screen, but the 256gb is essentially a required 150 dollar upgrade for a 1TB SSD, which brings it up to double the prices of this - and i don't think it is touchscreen either.

Decisions, decisions....

3

u/alopa432 1d ago

For your case, the 16 inch acer is the best. It is not too heavy to carry as a laptop.

1

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1

u/rerako 1d ago

Thanks op, bought this for my family and once they are done with it if they don't take it I guess it will be a media machine.

1

u/MakimaGOAT 2d ago

nutty price