Acer’s new MediaTek Kompanio Ultra Chromebook just leaked out

Just yesterday, I was scratching my head about the curious case of the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra. We have this fantastic, powerful, and incredibly efficient ARM chip that is a perfect fit for Chromebooks, yet only one device—the excellent Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14—was using it. We were left wondering, where are all the other devices?

Well, the second (and expected) shoe has just dropped, and it’s a very welcome surprise to start out the week. Leaking out via an earlier-than-planned Best Buy product listing, we now have our first look at the new Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514; and as we’d hoped, it’s packing that fantastic MediaTek Kompanio Ultra chip.

What we know about the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514

While the device isn’t available for purchase just yet, the Best Buy listing gives us a fantastic, detailed look at what to expect from this sweet new Chromebook. And from the looks of it, Acer has put together a seriously compelling package. Here are the key specs:

• Processor: MediaTek Kompanio Ultra
• RAM: 12GB LPDDR5X
• Storage: 256GB UFS
• Screen: 14-inch 16:10 WUXGA (1920×1200) touchscreen @ 300 nits
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz
• Form Factor: 2-in-1 Convertible (“Spin”)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7
• Ports: 2 x USB-C 3.2, 2 x USB-A 3.2, Headphone/Mic,
• Camera: 1080p
• Dimensions: 15.5mm x 313mm x 232mm
• Weight: 3 pounds

These are some seriously impressive specs for a Chromebook Plus. The 16:10 IPS touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate is a welcome sight, and the combination of 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage means this device should be an absolute multitasking champ. The port selection, upward-firing speakers, convertible form factor, and relative light weight should make this a very compelling option for sure.

The Kompanio Ultra finally gets another home

I’m thrilled to see ‘Hylia’ finally arriving for sure and even more excited for the amazing Kompanio Ultra to be finally making its way into more devices. This SoC’s blend of raw power and stellar efficiency is a winning formula, and putting it inside a versatile, 14-inch convertible form factor like the Spin 514 is a great move by Acer. We can expect this device to be fast, have incredible battery life, and be completely silent and cool thanks to its fanless design.

With a Best Buy listing already live, it’s a safe bet that an official announcement and release for the new Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 are just around the corner. How it will compete with the very-excellent Lenovo Chromebook Plus 514 will definitely be a talking point moving forward, but we obviously need a release date before that can really happen.

Of course, we expect Acer to be sending one over ASAP, and when we get it in-hand, we’ll be going in for a deep-dive with the second (and currently only other) Kompanio Ultra device on the market. Will the addition of a convertible chassis, 120Hz screen, and (possible) USI pen support be enough to sway potential buyers away from the incredible Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14? Time will tell, and we’ll be here with more details as they emerge.