For a number of years, Acer’s TravelMate sequence has been suffering in opposition to the fan golf equipment of the Dell Latitudes, in opposition to the great popularity of the Lenovo ThinkPads, and in opposition to the industry air of secrecy of the HP ProBooks. It is not simple to get a foot within the door within the section of mainstream industry laptops, and this may highest be accomplished the usage of massive bulk gross sales to companies.
We’ve got been accompanying the TravelMates of their struggles for years. They did not do a nasty task, and with the TravelMate P6 TMP614P we even had a candidate that completed 88% in our lab, which corresponds to “excellent.” However the similar was once by no means the case for the P4 fashions, and the former TravelMate P4 completed 86%. The outcome was once that our suggestions at all times went to the ThinkPads that regularly presented the simpler price-performance ratio and proceed to dominate the Most sensible 10.
Will this even be the case right here, or will Acer be capable of dangle its flooring with the 2024 TravelMate P4? At between 900 and 1,000 Euros (~$979-1,087), the 14-inch computer falls into the midrange, so it has to compete in opposition to ProBooks, merely provided Latitudes, and Lenovo’s E sequence ThinkPads. Whilst the apparatus is not the most efficient with the Raptor Lake Core i5, 512 GB, and eight GB of RAM, it will have to draw in some price-conscious consumers. As well as, Acer has totally made over the enter gadgets and positions of the connections in comparison to the TravelMate P4 TMP414-51-59MR predecessor. Will this be sufficient, although?
The easy, mouse-gray case can also be regarded as the embodiment of inconspicuousness. Those that are touring with the TravelMate will unquestionably no longer draw any consideration. However that is high-quality, since as a back-office computer, it wishes qualities instead of ornamental chrome strips. The angular 14-inch case provides a excellent however no longer superb robustness. The palm relaxation and keyboard space do not have any give in any respect, even if making use of some drive. The 16:10 shape issue of the show ends up in a deep palm relaxation that still provides various house for massive palms to really feel at ease. The hinges stay the show tightly in position, so it does not transfer when sporting the computer round. The show lid can also be opened to a complete 180 levels.
The 14-inch computer is 1 cm wider and deeper than a DIN A4 paper, with a width of 31.9 cm (12.6 in). Either one of the ThinkPads are fairly extra compact, having smaller show bezels with the similar show diagonal, which saves a couple of millimeters relating to width and intensity. Although midrange workplace laptops do not you have to be as slender as conceivable, the thickness is not the similar for they all: At 22 mm (~0.87 in) within the again and 19 mm (~0.75 in) in entrance, our Acer check unit is thicker than the ThinkPad, ProBook, LifeBook, and Latitude. Those values are at all times specified with out the ft, and including their peak, the TravelMate even reaches 27 mm (~1.06 in) within the again and 21 mm (~0.83 in) in entrance.
Acer provides two Thunderbolt connections in type of USB Sort-C ports, additionally together with USB 3.2 with 50 Mbit. This may will let you use inexpensive Sort-C docks in addition to robust Thunderbolt docks. The Thunderbolt ports reinforce Energy Supply and also are in a position to output DisplayPort alerts. At the side of the HDMI port, the computer provides as much as 3 video outputs. The cardboard reader is positioned within the entrance of the computer, which is unusual.
We check the cardboard reader with our AV-PRO 128-GB V60 microSD reference card. Its dangerous outcome represents the bottom of our measurements.
The verbal exchange module is an M.2-2230 card at the mainboard. The Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX211 additionally comprises reinforce for Bluetooth 5.3. In line with the producer, the chip will have to be in particular robust in dense WLAN environment with dozens of routers and loads of attached gadgets, as an example through providing diminished latencies. Bluetooth 5.3 helps low power audio alerts. The TravelMate passes our check (with surrounding Wi-Fi noises deactivated) with flying colours, taking part in within the best league. As required for a industry computer, the TravelMate additionally features a stressed out Ethernet connection. The Realtek Gigabit NIC has a regular fold-out port.
Cautious customers can lock the 720p digital camera with a handbook shutter. The digital camera delivers applicable colours, however handiest in sunlight or excellent lighting fixtures stipulations.
The fingerprint reader is built-in into the facility key, with the Kensington Lock in shut proximity.
The TravelMate can also be charged and operated the usage of a proprietary Acer charger with a mini persistent plug. However what’s incorporated and without a doubt the simpler selection is a 65-Watt USB-C charger that may then even be used for different gadgets. Whilst you’ll be able to additionally price the Acer with a weaker USB-C charger, the charging procedure will then take longer and below load (with brief PL1 intake bursts of 55 Watts!), it is going to additionally draw persistent from the battery.
The TravelMate moves an excellent determine within the topic of repairs and upgrades. In case the cooling ribs of the warmth pipe are grimy, there’s a gap for blowing in pressurized air. The ground quilt can also be got rid of briefly and simply the usage of a small Torx screwdriver. After putting off the screws, the quilt can also be lifted with out the usage of every other gear. Then you get get right of entry to to 2 RAM slots, one in every of which is excited about 8 GB. The battery is screwed in, and the SSD is in a slot as an M.2-2280 module. The isn’t any 2nd M.2 SSD slot.
Acer provides a 3-year guaranty for its TravelMates in Germany. The guaranty duration can fluctuate in different international locations.
We wrote this overview at the TravelMate P4 and had been in a position to paintings successfully with the enter gadgets, with no need any duration of familiarization with the keyboard. In comparison to the predecessor, Acer has enlarged the ClickPad considerably.
Acer makes use of a chiclet rubber dome keyboard that may be illuminated in two steps. It now provides a great distance between the keys. Their crisp drive level together with the tight key stroke creates a pleasing typing revel in, and the keyboard does not have any give in anywhere. Whilst typing is not totally silent, it comes shut. The keys have a discretely raveled floor that permits sliding the hands. The F and J keys are marked for contact typists as standard. The keys do not come with a secondary stage task for the quantity block that’s not there anymore. Although the up/down keys are smaller, they’re nonetheless simply usable. A good level is the Fn task of the arrow keys with House, Finish, PgUp, and PgDn.
Whilst some may no longer just like the inclusion of the on/off button on the best proper of the keyboard, the producer made an effort to stop unintentional triggering: The button has a different body and nearly no stroke, so you need to press onerous to cause it.
The ClickPad measures 14.5 cm (~5.7 in) within the diagonal and is positioned precisely within the heart. We by no means felt that we needed to deactivate it whilst typing, even if you’ll be able to nonetheless do that the usage of an Fn key. The stroke is brief, and we will be able to in point of fact handiest press at the backside part of the realm since it will take an excessive amount of drive above. The press noise is unobtrusive, since it’s quiet and uninteresting. Because of the fast stroke, the drive level does not really feel transparent sufficient. All multitouch gestures are supported. The pad floor is smoother than the encircling palm rests, additionally permitting hands to seek out their manner through contact handiest.
The 14-inch computer makes use of a non-reflective BOE IPS panel with a solution of one,920 x 1,200 pixels. That is the 16:10 structure as an alternative of 16:9 (1,920 x 1,080), which provides extra peak with the similar width when running on Excel sheets or paperwork, as an example. Two Home windows can also be positioned conveniently side-by-side. One of the most competition be offering the next solution in the similar fee section, akin to 2,240 x 1,400 with the ThinkPad E14 G5-21JSS05C00. Although this may permit becoming 4 smaller Home windows at the display screen, the writing can be too small for the eyes of many customers. We proceed to assume that Complete HD is an acceptable solution for 14 inches, and extra is not wanted for workplace utilization.
The weak point of the panel lies in its low colour house protection (59% sRGB). Unaffected through this, we get a crisp symbol within the workplace with the top distinction having a good impact. Because of the matte floor, the colours don’t seem to be colourful however quite faded, however that is extra eye-friendly for its designed goal. PWM is not used for brightness legislation, which brings some aid to delicate customers. Whilst the reaction instances are gradual, they’re totally applicable for an workplace computer.
An extra calibration is not profitable, because the DeltaE of the Grayscale is handiest diminished from 2.3 to 0.8. Whilst that is nonetheless an development, more often than not the eyes are not able to understand any distinction from the unique with deviations under 3.0. The ColorChecker DeltaE is diminished marginally from 5.5 to five.0, which is a long way from the mystical 3.0. This panel isn’t fitted to skilled symbol processing, as is proven through the Calman colour calibration instrument.
In day by day operation, the most important weak point lies within the low most brightness of 253 cd/m² (heart). That is enough indoors, however in summer season at the balcony or within the park, it is going to make running tougher. The aid of the utmost brightness to 213 cd/m² (heart) in battery operation is not serving to right here both. We understand some clouding within the backside left and proper corners, however handiest with a black symbol.
Taking a look on the show from the aspect, it will get considerably darker – however this has not anything to do with a privateness measure fighting others from having a look at your display screen. The writing remains to be obviously readable, although.
The i5-1335U processor was once offered in January of 2023 and goals a scalable functionality construction with two Efficiency cores and 8 Potency cores. An extended battery existence with low persistent intake is extra essential than consistent functionality on all cores right here, so this seems to be precisely the suitable SoC for the back-office with hours of sitting idle. The SoC is accompanied through a 512 GB SSD from Kingston, with 433 GB of that also to be had to the person. The running reminiscence is equipped through an 8-GB module that may be simply expanded with a 2nd one. The utmost growth is 2x 16 GB.
We ran the Efficiency assessments the usage of the “Absolute best Efficiency” Home windows mode.
The R15 consistent load check evaluates how the SoC behaves below steady most load. Is it in a position to repeatedly care for top issues within the benchmark? The solution isn’t any, because the Intel Core i5-1335U begins at a below-average stage after which stays there. Whilst the height functionality of this SoC may succeed in 1,547 issues, the TravelMate handiest reaches 1,238 issues. The i5-1345U sibling SoC begins upper at 1,541 issues however then slides down to one,310 issues on common. In conclusion, the Acer computer does not succeed in the total possible of the chip, and the functionality of the P cores stays unused.
Why is that? 4.6 GHz, the utmost of the 2 P cores is not even reached at first of the benchmark, with the log viewer appearing 4.3 GHz handiest within the first two runs. The common of the P cores within the loop lies at 3.58 GHz. The E cores run at 3.3 GHz additionally handiest at first, ahead of their common drops down to two.45 GHz.
Acer has adjusted to temperature limits to get decrease floor temperatures right here, and once 90 ºC (194 ºF) are handiest slightly touched, the rate is throttled considerably. Within the SoC persistent intake, we will be able to obviously see 55 watts (in short) and 28 watts (long run) as markers.
However this does not make the Acer TravelMate P4 a nasty workplace computer. However, those that want the most efficient conceivable top and loyal functionality for his or her packages can be higher served with a Dell Latitude 7440 or Lenovo ThinkPad E14 G5.
The PCMark 10 and Crossmark benchmarks evaluation the applying functionality of a computer, trying out the combo of SSD garage, RAM, iGPU, and processor. Our TravelMate P4 puts on the very backside right here, even acting under the typical of subnotebooks. Then again, it’s unsure whether or not the variations are noticeable in apply with Phrase, Excel, and browser packages, since even the highest performer in PCMark 10, the Lenovo ThinkPad E14 G5, handiest has an 8% benefit (13% in Crossmark).
Latencies are delays, as a consequence of the time the gadget must maintain motive force duties. They fear the cooperation between more than a few gadgets such because the audio, touchpad, SSD, card reader, or garage controller. If we measure top latencies, they’re the expressions – or snapshots in time – of suboptimal or misguided instrument drivers. Updates, together with the ones of the BIOS, can treatment latencies. Throughout audio manufacturing, a top DPC latency can result in stutters or delays within the audio. The TravelMate presentations quite top latencies after we open massive web pages and play 4K YouTube movies, adopted through hanging rigidity at the CPU.
The Kingston SSD is not able to rise up in opposition to the huge box of competition with the Samsung and Western Virtual garage and stays confined to the decrease center of the sector. As is regularly the case, the consistent functionality drops considerably over the years. This is identical with different fashions, however the beginning stage of the Kingston may be less than that of the WD PC SN740 within the ThinkPad E14 G5, as an example.
The built-in Intel-Xe graphics unit with humble 80 EUs is one of the smallest and least robust iGPU that may lately be present in laptops. However this does not make it dangerous according to se, because it does not must do greater than supporting interpreting duties when taking part in YouTube movies or browser video games.
Since it’s not supposed for gaming, the Intel Xe falls brief in all of the older check video games as anticipated. The similar is much more so the case with extra present video games from 2023 akin to General Struggle Pharao, which is handiest playable within the Low preset and Complete HD solution. The 3-D functionality does not drop in battery operation, and there’s no want for any considerations with browser video games.
The check of The Witcher 3 runs at an excessively low stage (8-9 fps). Whilst the competition with an AMD Vega iGPU carry out fairly higher, they’re additionally nonetheless a long way from handing over any playable values. We added one of the crucial lately maximum robust built-in graphics playing cards that may be present in industry laptops (HP EliteBook 845 G9 6F6H9EA) to the whole score: As a substitute of 70 issues within the functionality score, the AMD Radeon 660M additionally handiest will get 67 issues. In abstract, such an AMD iGPU could make a distinction in some particular person video games, however it may not essentially carry out higher on common than the Intel Xe.
The only fan accomplishes its task with out generating any noise: with just a little of surrounding noise from other people or different on a regular basis noises within the workplace, that is infrequently audible. However in Balanced mode, the fan does not ever stay totally silent, and ten browser tabs will stay it working repeatedly even at handiest 3-7% CPU load. In “Absolute best Energy Financial savings” mode, the fan turns off once in a while, however will then rev up once more after handiest a short while. We wish to have it working repeatedly. Below load, the fan revs as much as 36 or 48 dB(A), however this handiest occurs right through longer replica processes or consistent computing duties. The ear-deafening 48 dB(A) are extra of a theoretical risk as a consequence of our rigidity check situation.
The computer is increased through a protracted rubber strip that raises the again fairly upper than the entrance. This does not serve to supply extra writing convenience however improves the cooling, and air is drawn against the warmth pipe throughout the backside in addition to the keyboard.
The just about repeatedly working fan has a good impact: Whilst typing this overview, the temperature stays at 35 ºC (95 ºF) within the keyboard space above the SoC and at 28 ºC (82 ºF) within the spaces to the suitable and under. Below load, the middle warms up considerably, however the surrounding spaces do not – or handiest somewhat. A have a look at the competition presentations some massive variations – to the good thing about the TravelMate. A Thinkpad E14 (AMD model) can warmth as much as 55 ºC (131 ºF) right through the tension check, since its upper functionality additionally has its prices.
The TravelMate P4 runs via our classical rigidity check with an first of all top persistent intake of fifty watts. After a minute, it’s already throttled down to twenty-eight watts after which stays at that stage for the remainder of the check. The P cores exertions in short at 4.4 GHz however are then throttled to three.3 GHz. After 4 mins, they vary between 2.4 and three.0 GHz. Throughout this situation, we measured the utmost temperatures discussed above.
The stereo audio system are positioned at the left and proper facets of the keyboard, warding off dampened sounds when the computer is put on a blanket or for your lap. Many laptops have their audio system positioned at the backside as an alternative. The sound nonetheless leaves one thing to be desired, particularly since decrease frequencies – to not point out bass – are totally lacking. The mids are overemphasized, and the utmost quantity is handiest average. The twin-array microphone data our voice very obviously (with AI noise suppression lively), however that is handiest the case proper in entrance of the computer as much as a meter distance (which can reduce the background noises). The Realtek Audio Console lets you alter the traits, switching between a private or convention name, as an example. In sum, the TravelMate supplies superb stipulations for making workforce calls, however fails when taking part in song or motion pictures.
The below-average functionality of the Core i5 additionally has a bonus, which is a low persistent intake. 35 watts below most load is the results of throttling. Within the competition, this is not the case to the similar stage, and so they devour between 57 and 64 watts, with the Intel fashions hanging on the best. We examine the TravelMate’s persistent intake with exterior observe to that of an AMD ThinkPad E14. When functionality is demanded, the ThinkPad consumes extra persistent, however it wishes fairly much less right through idle operation.
The TravelMate assists in keeping up within the batter existence assessments, and eight to ten.5 hours with a 56-Wh battery are excellent effects. With a discounted brightness of 150 cd/m², we succeed in 10:33 hours, permitting the TravelMate to simply surpass the 2 ThinkPad E14 fashions. Then again, that is nonetheless no longer a best worth, because the Dell Latitude 7440 (57 Wh) presentations lasting 2:20 hours longer.
The Battery Eater Vintage Take a look at ends up in a minimal runtime of 143 mins. After we wrote this overview at the TravelMate (with a brightness diminished to one/3, Wi-Fi, and Balanced mode) the 14-inch computer lasted nearly 9 hours.
The TravelMate P4 turns understatement into an issue for the bosses: an not easily seen functionality, mouse-gray visuals, a easy Complete HD show, the bottom warmth construction, and the quiet sound of the audio system. Those that wish to boast with their computer will have to unquestionably keep away from the 14-inch computer from Acer.
The place the uninteresting back-office spouse is used, it fulfills its tasks to, let’s consider, 95%.
The small aid is for the whole susceptible brightness of the IPS panel this is additional lowered in battery operation. This may create some difficulties for a house workplace within the solar.
We see the strengths of the computer in a excellent battery lifetime of 8 to ten.5 hours, along with a powerful case that most commonly remains cool. The low warmth construction and gear intake are a results of a Core i5 working under its capacities, however infrequently someone will understand this when running with internet packages and Excel spreadsheets. What is going to then be way more essential is sensible issues akin to with the ability to blank the fanatics or improve the running reminiscence, as an example. On this regard, Acer provides a excellent instance through offering a gap to blow pressured air for cleansing the fanatics, or providing simple removing of the ground plate.
Acer does not forgo a stressed out Ethernet connection and in addition features a speedy and really present Wi-Fi chip. A keyboard that straight away allowed us to kind at a quick tempo, and a big 14-cm ClickPad positioned within the heart are some new benefits. As well as, Acer has remodeled the design. And in any case, the 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports change into related if you need to use an impressive docking station.
Whilst the show is not the most efficient, it provides an enlarged workspace for paperwork and Excel with its 16:10 structure.
A keyboard providing excellent comments and a big ClickPad on a forged palm relaxation are essential for common typists, and we had been briefly in a position to put in writing this overview on it, with no need any time for familiarization.
In case you are in search of the most efficient price-performance ratio, the Lenovo ThinkPad E14 G5 with an Intel or AMD chip is an choice. In particular the AMD fashion is the simpler selection for power-hungry customers, if they want one thing for round 1,000 Euros (~$1,087). Each the Lenovo ThinkPad E14 G5-21JSS05C00 and Lenovo ThinkPad E14 G5 i7-1355U completed similar total rankings, however relying at the configuration, they convey extra {hardware} for the cash (relating to RAM, SSD, or solution) and are much more upgradable (with a 2nd SSD slot!). The drawback of the ThinkPad E is a normal guaranty lasting handiest one year.
We advise evaluating the costs for more than a few configurations. As an example, Amazon lists the Acer TravelMate P4 TMP414-51 with equivalent specifications as our check configuration for round $740 and a extra robust twelfth gen Core-i7 model with a 1-TB SSD and 16 GB of RAM for ~$1,052.
Allow 48h for review and removal.