The new Acer Chromebook 516GE is part of the new Chromebook generation. Gone are the old Chromebooks that were only good for writing an email and typing a word document; in come the powerful Chromebooks that can handle actual gaming.

The Acer Chromebook 516GE has a wonderful 120Hz, 16:10 screen, and under the hood, it can pack either an Intel Core i7-1260P or Intel Core i5-1240P, along with up to 16GB LPDDR4X memory. It doesn't have a dedicated Nvidia or AMD GPU, but the onboard Intel Iris XE graphics do a great job.

It's a marvelous device, and this is what we loved about the Acer Chromebook 516GE.

What Is a Gaming Chromebook?

The words "gaming" and "Chromebook" are rarely seen together. Portable devices running Google's Linux-based ChromeOS aren't traditionally at the top of the list when you think about gaming on the go, yet a new generation of gaming-capable Chromebooks has slowly crept onto the market.

With game streaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox Game Pass, and Amazon Luna all now offering Chromebook services, and the Play Store rammed full of high-quality games and cross-platform ports, there has never been a better time to try and push gaming onto Chromebooks.

Game streaming is currently the name of the game if you want Triple-A titles on your Chromebook. But services like Steam are on the cusp of launching on ChromeOS proper, and there is support for other libraries like Epic Games and GOG through Heroic Games Launcher (Epic Games is also available through Nvidia GeForce Now). And that's without getting into the Steam Link Android app, which enables you to stream Steam games from one computer to another.

So while "gaming Chromebook" may feel like an oxymoron, the times are changing fast, and the Acer Chromebook 516GE is leading the way.

Acer Chromebook 516GE Design

You'll immediately notice how big the Acer Chromebook 516GE is compared to other Chromebooks and even other laptops. It's a 16-inch Chromebook, which is larger than the 11.6"-14" Chromebooks you'll typically see.

The build quality is good, the 516GE feels well made, and the rear of the display has a nice brushed metal effect for some extra style points. Despite the size of the machine, it doesn't weigh all that much (considering its size), with the Chromebook 516GE clocking in at 1.7kg.

Acer Chromebook 516GE Specs and Features

Acer has built a well-equipped gaming Chromebook. It comes in two configurations:

• CBG516-1H-75ZB: 2.1GHz Intel Core i7-1260P, 16GB LPDDR4X RAM, 256GB SSD
• CBG516-1H-58L7 : 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-1240P, 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, 256GB SSD

We have the Core i5 version for review. Intel uses three different types of laptop processors: U, P, and H. Intel's "P" processors are designed as a midway between its ultra-low power "U" processors and its more power-hungry "H" processors.

Both models come equipped with the same 16" WQXGA (2560 x 1600) 16:10 IPS 120Hz screen, which is one of the 516GE's best features.

The 16:10 aspect ratio gives you more screen area for gaming, and you really notice it in racing games and first-person shooters. The extra screen real-estate provides that little bit more immersion in your experience, and along with the slimline bezel, it's a nice touch.

Furthermore, the 120Hz refresh rate is another big plus point for the Chromebook 516GE. It makes every game experience buttery-smooth, and it's such a noticeable difference from a 60Hz panel.

I also like the Chromebook 516GE keyboard. It's a cut above what you'll find on most other Chromebook models and is a pleasure to type and game on. Acer has highlighted the WASD keys with a special white outline, and the keyboard has RGB lighting with minimal controls. The RGB keyboard lighting controls are found in the Chrome Settings menu.

Another interesting and extremely useful 516GE feature is the integrated 1080p webcam. Where you'll still find premium laptops shipping with a paltry 720p webcam, Acer has given users the goods.

Gaming on the Acer Chromebook 516GE

While there are some really decent Android titles available for the Chromebook, the real draw of a gaming Chromebook is through game-streaming services. For this review, I mainly used Nvidia GeForce Now, as it connects and syncs with various game platforms such as Steam and Epic Games, and it has several performance tiers for you to choose from (and Amazon Luna isn't available in the UK, still!).

One small thing to note is that my internet connection isn't the greatest; living in a small village at the end of the UK does have its drawbacks.

I started the process with the Nvidia GeForce Now free tier, which works well but uses weaker hardware than the two premium tiers. You'll get a reasonable level of performance from the GeForce Now free tier, but I did notice some glitching and other visual artifacts in games like Assetto Corsa Competizione, which is a demanding game that you need to look its best to become immersed and deliver your best performances.

However, in slower-paced games, visual issues are less evident. I took the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection for a spin using the free tier, and there was very little difference between the streamed version and running the game on my main rig (Ryzen 5800X, GTX 1070, 32GB RAM—yes, I know I need a new GPU).

But the difference is telling when you upgrade GeForce Now Priority, which gives you access to GeForce Now servers that use RTX 2080 GPUs, which are more powerful than the GTX cards of the free tier. The performance in Assetto Corsa Competizione is night and day, delivering up to 60 FPS and RTX and generally removing any stuttering and other visual issues.

So, gaming on the Acer Chromebook 516GE with Nvidia GeForce Now is a clear winner, especially if you're a premium user. You'll have an even better experience subscribing to the RTX 3080/RTX 4080 tier.

Android Gaming

Game streaming isn't all the Chromebook 516GE is capable of. You can fire up Android's Play Store and load up your favorite Android games, too, though this has some limitations. Many Android games aren't designed for a much larger screen and won't scale properly. Others that you would expect to work on a larger screen simply don't, which is frustrating, as the 516GE has more than enough performance to cope with these titles.

For example, Dead Cells threw up a series of errors no matter what configuration I attempted, while Slay the Spire couldn't resize and crashed repeatedly. However, other more demanding titles like Asphalt 9 worked well, and the gameplay was smooth, and Stardew Valley looks brilliant on the 516GE's QHD screen.

Steam Link

You'll note that three of those titles are actually Android ports. If you want to play the original games on the Chromebook 516GE, you can via Steam Link, which enables you to stream your Steam library from one computer to another.

Like other streaming services, the quality of your Steam Link experience depends on your internet connection. During testing, my internet was particularly patchy, leading to some streaming issues. However, this was nothing to do with the Chromebook 516GE, and I still completed several rounds of Vampire Survivors.

Steam on ChomeOS Beta

The final way I tested games on the Chromebook 516GE was by using Steam on ChromeOS Beta. While Nvidia GeForce Now and Steam Link bring your game libraries to a Chromebook, neither is perfect. That's why Steam has ported its platform to ChromeOS proper, allowing you full access to most of your gaming library.

Once installed, the Steam on ChromeOS Beta works just like any other Steam installation. You head to your library, choose a game to download, and you're ready. It makes the prospect of Chromebook gaming that bit more enticing, knowing that you won't have to bother with game streaming and other workarounds.

At least for some games. The Acer Chromebook 516GE is a great Chromebook, but it's still powered by an Intel Iris XE onboard graphics chip, which comes with limitations. So while the Chromebook 516GE happily spun up Vampire Survivors, Command & Conquer Remastered, Dwarf Fortress, and other less graphically intensive games, it struggles with anything more demanding. That said, if you're happy to play in 720p and on low settings, you can get some more recent major titles up and running. But when you have the option of streaming, honestly, you're far better off doing that. At least then, you're putting the 516GE's excellent screen to proper use!

Overall, gaming on the Acer Chromebook 516GE is a great experience. You'll encounter small issues along the way, but that's the nature of game streaming; you're always going to suffer minor internet issues. Furthermore, remember that the 516GE isn't packing the latest RTX 4000-Series or AMD 7000-Series GPU. It's running on Intel Iris XE integrated graphics, which means there will always be limitations—but that's also what makes gaming on the 516GE such fun.

Acer Chromebook 516GE Battery Life and Benchmarks

Chromebooks don't have the same range of benchmarking tools available as a Windows laptop, but there are still some handy Chromebook benchmarking options.

One of the most popular options is CrXPRT2, where the Chromebook 516GE scored a phenomenal 195 (after five rounds of testing), which puts it above the highly-rated Acer Spin 713 (164) and Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 (181).

The 516GE also scored highly in the Kraken Javascript Benchmark, delivering 499.2 (which is right up there with the best Chromebook models), and did similarly well in the JetStream 2 benchmark, delivering 215, which is, again, a high score for a Chromebook.

When you think "gaming laptop," great battery life probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. Yet the Chromebook 516GE has excellent battery life, lasting for between six and seven hours while gaming. And while I was just sitting and typing and watching videos, the battery life lasted even longer, regularly topping eight hours.

Furthermore, as the Chromebook 516GE charges using USB-C, you'll refill the battery rapidly, too.

Acer Chromebook 516GE Ports and Inputs

Before discussing the wide range of Chromebook 516GE ports and inputs, a special mention must be given to Acer for adding a USB-C charging port to each side of the device. Why more manufacturers don't add this functionality to laptops, especially those using USB-C to charge instead of a proprietary barrel charger, is beyond me. This tiny quality of life change makes all the difference when you're gaming on the go, depending on where the nearest outlet is!

The 516GE has a full array of ports, which you don't always find on a Chromebook. You'll find an HDMI port, two USB 3.2 Type-C, a USB 3.2 Type-A, and perhaps the most rare port of all (for a Chromebook)—a 2.5G Ethernet port.

Is a Gaming Chromebook Worth It?

The Acer Chromebook 516GE Intel Core i5 currently retails for $579, which makes it a fantastic prospect.

Although the idea of a gaming Chromebook is still fresh and the market a little thin on competitors, the 516GE has powerful hardware, an excellent, high-quality screen, an extensive array of ports, and substantial battery life, and could well have stolen a march on the gaming Chromebook competition.