Competitors of the Aspire are, for example, Lenovo's IdeaPad U330p and Asus' ASUSPRO Essential PU301LA-RO064G . The IdeaPad features a touchscreen, but the laptop is also available as a non-touch version and with a matte screen.

A few weeks ago, we tested two identically built 13.3-inch laptops dubbed Acer Aspire V3-331-P982 ( Pentium 3556U , HD Graphics (Haswell) ) and Acer Aspire V3-371-36M2 ( Core i3-4030U , HD Graphics 4400 ). Both offer a very good battery life at a relatively moderate price. Therefore, it is now time to look at the top model in the series. The Aspire V3-371-55GS features a matte Full HD screen, a Core i5 processor, and a solid-state drive. It costs around 700 Euros (~$895). Our report reveals whether the laptop is compelling.

The rigidity and build of the small laptop is satisfactory, though not outstanding. The casing has the common weaknesses: It can be dented slightly beside the keyboard and under the touchpad. The base unit can be twisted, but the extent is still within acceptable limits. The lid proves resistant to twisting attempts due to its aluminum backing. It can however be warped anyway. Image distortions only become visible in some spots when pressure is applied to the back. The hinges made a very good impression; they keep the lid firmly in position and barely wobble. Opening the lid with one hand is possible.

Our review sample is clad in white. However, it is also available with a black casing under the name Aspire V3-371-52VR. Acer largely makes use of plastic casings. Only the lid's back is aluminum. The laptop is quite handy with a weight of roughly 1.5 kilograms (~3.3 lb) and a thickness of approximately 22 mm (~0.86 inches). There is no maintenance cover, but accessing the hardware is not a big challenge. The base tray can be lifted off easily using a putty knife after removing all screws on the underside.

Owners of the Aspire will have to be satisfied with only a few interfaces. Just the bare minimum of ports is available. The other competitors do not offer much more either. Both have an extra USB 2.0 port, and the Asus laptop also features a VGA port. The interfaces are positioned well; the areas beside the wrist rest remain free from cables.

Communication

The Wi-Fi chip in the Aspire comes from Atheros (AR5BWB222). It supports the 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi standards. The Wi-Fi reception fluctuated greatly, and the Wi-Fi display usually only presented two to three bars, even in the router's direct vicinity (approx. 3 meters; ~9.8 ft). However, we also noticed five or just one bar. The reception quality is primarily dependent on the position in the room. This behavior was also observed in the Aspire V3-331-P982 and Aspire V3-371-36M2 sister models. We assume that this is due to the Wi-Fi antennas. They are installed in the base unit instead of the lid as is generally the case. Nevertheless, the transmission speed was consistent. The Gigabit Ethernet chip in the Aspire comes from Realtek (AR81681/8111), and is found in many laptops. A Bluetooth 4.0 module is also in the device. The integrated webcam shoots muddy pictures in resolutions up to 1280x720 pixels.

Accessories

The usual accessories in the form of a quick start poster and warranty information are included for the device.

Operating System

The Aspire is sold with Windows 8.1 (64-bit) preloaded. No recovery DVD for the laptop is included. Acer only supports 8.1, and does not provide drivers for Windows 7.

Maintenance

As mentioned before, the base unit's underside is easy to remove. The working memory, hard drive, battery, and the fan can then be accessed. The laptop is equipped with two working memory banks that are both fitted with a 4 GB module. Acer relies on a solid-state drive in the M.2 format (double-length). The SSD could be replaced with a higher capacity model. Corresponding models with a capacity of 256 GB are currently available at a starting price of about 130 Euros (~$166). It would also be possible to exchange the battery in case of a defect. It is only fastened by two screws.

Warranty

Acer includes a two-year warranty on the Aspire. Both the IdeaPad and Asus laptop also come with a two-year warranty. The Aspire's warranty can be extended. For example, a three-year warranty costs approximately 80 Euros (~$102).