In 2023, Google collaborated with various PC manufacturers to introduce Chromebook Plus—a fresh line of its streamlined take on a laptop powered by its own OS. The concept was to deliver a more robust version of the Chromebook for those seeking that additional power. Just before Christmas, Google sent me a new Chromebook Plus from Acer to evaluate its gaming performance. After spending a few weeks with it, I'm pleased to say that it's a reliable laptop that I might consider purchasing in the future. However, it's not ideal for playing most games.

The Acer 516 GE is the specific Chromebook Plus model I received for review. Before diving into my streaming concerns, I should mention that the device itself is sleek, modern, offers solid battery life, and didn't present any technical problems. Watching videos, writing, and browsing the web on the Acer Chromebook Plus was an enjoyable experience.

In the past, I have used Chromebooks and found them unsatisfactory. These ChromeOS-powered laptops have been around for about a decade, but every time I used one, I was let down by their lack of performance and functionality.

Now, in 2025, as more applications are web-based and mobile hardware has significantly advanced, using a Chromebook isn't a chore. In fact, while using the Acer 516 GE, I often forgot it was a Chromebook because many of my daily tasks—checking emails, chatting with colleagues, reading news, and writing articles—are conducted through a browser. Consequently, I had no issues using the Acer 516 GE until I attempted to play games.

The 516 GE Chromebook Plus is heavily promoted as a gaming-oriented device. Google sent it to me, a writer at Kotaku, because it is marketed as a gamer-friendly device. But if you're familiar with ChromeOS and Chromebooks, you know they can't handle high-end games. The solution? The power of the cloud.

That's the main selling point of the 516 GE. You don't need to download games or worry about technical specifications. Simply log into your preferred game streaming service and start playing titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Fortnite instantly. Perhaps in another five years, this promise will be fully realized, but for now, streaming games is still not the best way to play.

I tested Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077, and Gears 5 using various methods, including Game Pass, Nvidia Geforce Now, and Amazon Luna. While some experiences were better than others, none matched the quality of playing a game natively on a console or PC.

You can install Steam on the 516 GE (it has a special built-in feature for this), and using what I assume is Proton, I managed to play some 2D games like Vampire Survivors and Balatro without issues on the 516 GE. But in a world where my phone can do that too, it's not impressive. No, the major selling point of this device is its ability to play high-end, AAA games on the go without downloading and without spending thousands on a dedicated gaming laptop.

Unfortunately, even in 2025, with Google Fiber internet (which I have), the 516 GE can't eliminate the lag, choppiness, and visual artifacts encountered while streaming games.

So, if you're seeking a powerful Chromebook capable of playing basic 2D games and retro titles (I managed to run Turok on it without any issues), then the 516 GE is worth considering. Just don't expect it and its game-streaming features to replace your Switch, Steam Deck, or PS5 anytime soon.

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