United States
United Kingdom
India
Deutschland
France
España
Belgium
Netherlands
Poland
Sweden
България
Australia
Singapore
Italia
Magyarország
Ελλάδα
România
Türkiye
中国
日本Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P) review – Budget Workhorse
If you need a budget device but the Acer Extensa 15 (EX215-33) seems underpowered for your needs, the Aspire 5 (A515-58P) may be the way to go in this scenario. While the most punchy CPU option for the Extensa has eight E cores, you can pick an A515-58P with a Core i7-1355U which has an extra pair of P cores and more cache. Also, the Aspire 5 offers double the maximum RAM and a faster Gen 4 SSD slot than its EX215-33 sibling.
The base display is a 1080p TN model with bad viewing angles. Avoid this one unless your budget is extremely tight. This time, we bought a configuration with an IPS that is good enough for unpretentious home or office work.
The limited port selection might surprise some users. Finding a laptop in 2024 with only two USB Type-A ports is quite unusual.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/acer-aspire-5-a515-58m-a515-58p/
Contents
Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box
Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58M / A515-58P) - Specs
- HDD/SSD
- up to 4000GB SSD
- M.2 Slot
- 1x 2280 PCIe NVMe 4.0 x4 See photo
- RAM
- up to 32GB
- OS
- Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, No OS
- Battery
- 53Wh, 3-cell, 50Wh, 3-cell, 53Wh, 3-cell
- Body material
- Plastic / Polycarbonate, Aluminum
- Dimensions
- 362.9 x 237.5 x 17.9 mm (14.29" x 9.35" x 0.70")
- Weight
- 1.77 kg (3.9 lbs)
- Ports and connectivity
- 2x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
- 2x USB Type-C
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
- HDMI
- 2.1
- Card reader
- Ethernet LAN
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11ax
- Bluetooth
- 5.1
- Audio jack
- 3.5mm Combo Jack
- Features
- Fingerprint reader
- optional
- Web camera
- FHD with Temporal Noise Reduction
- Backlit keyboard
- optional
- Microphone
- Microphone with Acer Purified Voice and AI Noise Reduction
- Speakers
- 2x Stereo Speakers
- Optical drive
- Security Lock slot
- Kensington Lock
All Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58M / A515-58P) configurations
Drivers
All drivers and utilities for this notebook can be found here: https://www.acer.com/us-en/support/product-support/A515-58P/downloads?suggest=A515-58P;0
What’s in the box?
We found a bit of paperwork and a 65W barrel plug adapter inside the package.
Design and construction
The Aspire 5 (A515-58P) boasts the typical Acer design for the budget lineup. It looks quite good though, clean, with no additional bags and whistles. The build is fully plastic. The notebook stops the scales at 1.78 kg. The profile thickness is okay for the class – 17.99 mm.
You can’t open the averagely flexible lid with one hand. We applied some pressure on purpose on the whole base. This resulted in a few bends above and below the keyboard deck but nothing serious.
The bezels around the panel are a bit old-school thick. The Web camera on top lacks a privacy shutter. It’s a 720p unit that supports Temporal Noise Reduction technology.
When the lid is opened a bit wider than 90 degrees, the bottom of it raises the rear of the main body which is beneficial for the cooling system.
There is no backlight for the keyboard which could be a big no-go for some of you. The board itself is okay for standard work. The key travel is moderate and the feedback is a bit mushy.
Interestingly, the touchpad of the Acer Extensa 15 (EX215-33) is better than the one in front of us. Its surface isn’t that smooth and the tracking feels mediocre.
The bottom cover houses a large ventilation grill, four rubber feet, cutouts for the speakers, and a battery reset pinhole. The heat is guided via a vent on the rear which points at the lower display bezel. Only a small amount of heat makes its way to the panel during serious CPU loads.
Ports
On the left, there is a power connector, an HDMI 2.1, and a 5 Gbps USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen. 1) port with power-off charging. On the right, you get a Kensington Lock slot, one more 5 Gbps USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen. 1) port, and an Audio combo jack.
Display and Sound Quality, Get our Profiles
| Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P) | B156HAN02.1 (AUO76A8) |
| Diagonal | 15.6 inches (39.6 cm) |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Max Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Pixel Density | 142 PPI |
| ‘Retina’ Distance | Greater than or equal to 60 cm |
Viewing Angles
Viewing angles are good. We take photos from different angles to evaluate the quality.
Also, a video with locked focus and exposure.
Color Coverage
The whole “sail-shaped” map below (Fig. 1) consists of all the colors we can see, while the black crooked line shows all the colors from real-world scenes and nature around us.
Then, we’ve drawn some of the most important and interesting color spaces, compared to the colors the panel of Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P) can show:
Standard/For Web: sRGB – widely used color space for most consumer devices, ideal for Web design and development
For Print: AdobeRGB – used in professional photo editing, graphic design, and print
For Photographers/Video Editors: DCI-P3 – used in high-end film production, post-production, and digital cinema
Premium HDR: Rec.2020 – the widest consumer ITU color standard, covering a massive 75.8% of the visible spectrum, a benchmark for premium HDR content
Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P): the yellow dashed triangle (– – – – – –) represents the range of colors this monitor can display.
In our tests, we calculated the total color coverage of the monitor at 52% of the sRGB color gamut and 41% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
(Fig.1) Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P) covers 52% of the sRGB gamut
Brightness and Contrast
The maximum brightness in SDR mode is 260 cd/m² in the center of the screen and 261 cd/m² averaged across the surface with a maximum deviation of 6%.
The Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) on a white screen at maximum brightness is 6310K.
The contrast ratio is 1500:1.
Uniformity: Luminance, Contrast, and Color Deviation
The figure below shows the results from our uniformity test across different sections of the screen. It’s measured at 181 nits (Windows slider = 69%) — a brightness level we consider typical for standard working conditions.
DeltaE values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users. For those working with colors, screens with DeltaE values no higher than 2.0 are recommended.
Color Accuracy
Let’s check the difference between real colors and those you’ll see on the Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P). We measure that distance in DeltaE – the higher the number, the more different they look.
Values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users, while values below 2.0 are suitable for color-sensitive work. A value below 1.0 means the difference is indistinguishable to the naked eye.
For the next graph, we’ve selected 24 common colors, including dark/light skin, blue sky, green grass, etc.
Before our calibration of the Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P), the Average color accuracy was 5.1 dE (Fig. 2), and with our Design and Office Work profile, it lowered to 3.8 dE (Fig. 3).
(Fig. 2) Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P) in its factory condition
(Fig. 3) Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P) with our display profile
Comparison in the sRGB color space (primaries and D65 white point specified in ITU-R BT.709, sRGB encoding curve).
Here’s an illustration of what the Design and Office Work profile aims to deliver:
Left: No Profile | Drag the slider to see the difference | Right: Design & Gaming Profile
Visibility in dark scenes
Have you ever watched a movie with dark scenes where you could barely see anything? This often happens because many display panels struggle to differentiate the darkest nuances, making them appear the same.
The next figure illustrates how well the display reproduces these dark nuances. The left side of the image shows the display with stock settings, and the right side shows it with our Design and Office Work profile activated.
On the horizontal axis are the grayscale levels, and on the vertical axis – the corresponding display brightness.
You can also check how your display handles the darkest nuances but keep in mind that this also depends on the settings of your current display and the surrounding light conditions.
Response time (Gaming capabilities)
We test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “black-to-white” and “white-to-black” method from 10% to 90% and vice versa.
We recorded Fall Time + Rise Time = 22.2 ms. Short pixel response time is a prerequisite for a smooth picture in dynamic scenes.
After that, we test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “Gray-to-Gray” method from 50% White to 80% White and vice versa between 10% and 90% of the amplitude.
Health Impact: PWM (Screen flickering)
Some use PWM to regulate their brightness, which means that instead of reducing the light intensity, they pulse or flicker. Our brain merges the image, so it appears darker, but this strains both it and our vision, especially when the frequency of the pulses is low. You can read more about that in our dedicated article on PWM.
In the graph below, you see the intensity of light at different brightness levels—on the vertical axis is the brightness of the emitted light, and on the horizontal axis—time.
The light from the backlight of the Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P) display is not pulse-width modulated, providing visual comfort in the discussed aspect.
Health Impact: Blue light emissions
Installing our Health-Guard profile not only eliminates harmful PWM when the laptop uses it to control brightness but also reduces harmful Blue Light emissions while keeping the colors of the screen perceptually accurate.
If you’re not familiar with the Blue light, the TL;DR version is – emissions that negatively affect your eyes, skin, and your whole body. You can find more information about that in our dedicated article on Blue Light.
Health Impact: Screen Reflectance
Glossy-coated displays can cause eye fatigue in high ambient light conditions due to reflections. We measure the level of screen reflection with the display turned off, at a 60° angle.
The reflectance of the Acer Aspire 5’s screen is 64.9 GU.
High Gloss: >70 GU
Medium Gloss: 30 – 70 GU
Low Gloss: <30 GU
Get our profiles
Since our profiles are tailored for each individual display model, this article and its respective profile package are meant for Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P) configurations with B156HAN02.1 (AUO76A8), 1920 х 1080, IPS panel.
*Should you have problems with downloading the purchased file, try using a different browser to open the link you’ll receive via e-mail. If the download target is a .php file instead of an archive, change the file extension to .zip or contact us at [email protected].
Read more about the profiles HERE.
In addition to receiving efficient and health-friendly profiles, by buying LaptopMedia's products you also support the development of our labs, where we test devices in order to produce the most objective reviews possible.
Office Work
Office Work should be used mostly by users who spend most of the time looking at pieces of text, tables or just surfing. This profile aims to deliver better distinctness and clarity by keeping a flat gamma curve (2.20), native color temperature and perceptually accurate colors.
Design and Gaming
This profile is aimed at designers who work with colors professionally, and for games and movies as well. Design and Gaming takes display panels to their limits, making them as accurate as possible in the sRGB IEC61966-2-1 standard for Web and HDTV, at white point D65.
Health-Guard
Health-Guard eliminates the harmful Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) and reduces the negative Blue Light which affects our eyes and body. Since it’s custom tailored for every panel, it manages to keep the colors perceptually accurate. Health-Guard simulates paper so the pressure on the eyes is greatly reduced.
Get all 3 profiles with 33% discount
Sound
In subjective listening, the sound from the Acer Aspire 5’s speakers had deviations in clarity.
Performance: CPU, GPU, Storage
All benchmarks and tests were conducted with the “Performance” preset activated in the AcerSense app. Also, the “Best Performance” mode is applied in the Windows “Power & Battery” menu.
CPU options
You can find this machine with Intel Core i3-1305U, Core i3-1315U, Core i5-1335U, or Core i7-1355U.
Our laptop has a 1315U chip.
Here, we evaluate the CPU's performance using a real-world 3D rendering task, assessing its ability to handle complex computations and rendering workloads efficiently.
Results are from the Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
Single-core performance ensures smooth operation and responsiveness in operating systems, providing a better user experience.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Single-Core test (higher is better)
Multi-core performance is essential for handling complex and demanding tasks, such as Video editing, CAD, and Scientific simulations.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
GPU options
All machines of this Acer series are iGPU-only notebooks.
The gadget that we bought has Intel UHD Graphics (Alder Lake, 64EU) under the bonnet.
The results are from 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Higher is better.
The results are from 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited. Higher is better.
Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58M / A515-58P) GPU variants
Here you can see an approximate comparison between the GPUs that can be found in the Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58M / A515-58P) models on the market. This way you can decide for yourself which Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58M / A515-58P) model is the best bang for your buck.
Note: The chart shows the cheapest different GPU configurations so you should check what the other specifications of these laptops are by clicking on the laptop’s name / GPU.
The results are from 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Higher is better.
Results are from the 3DMark: Fire Strike (Graphics) benchmark (higher the score, the better)
Results are from the 3DMark: Wild Life (Graphics) benchmark (higher the score, the better)
Results are from the Unigine Superposition benchmark (higher the score, the better)
Gaming tests
| Counter-Strike 2 | HD 1080p, Low (Check settings) | HD 1080p, Medium (Check settings) | HD 1080p, Very High (Check settings) |
| Average FPS | 74 FPS | 50 FPS | 18 FPS |
| Gears 5 | Full HD, Low (Check settings) | Full HD, Medium (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Ultra (Check settings) |
| Average FPS | 31 FPS | 21 FPS | 16 FPS | 12 FPS |
Storage performance
Our laptop has a 512GB KINGSTON OM8SEP4512Q-AA. Its read speeds are decent while the write ones are kind of low. On the flip side, the NVMe drive doesn’t become too hot during benchmarking.
[eBook Guide + Tools] How to MAX OUT Your Laptop
You can make your laptop Faster. LaptopMedia has tested thousands of models in the last 15 years, and we have yet to see a notebook that couldn't be made more powerful through modifications.
That's why we decided to bundle everything we know about how to achieve this in an Easy-to-Follow, Step-by-Step, and Laboratory-Tested, all in one project.
Read more about it here:
[eBook Guide + Tools] How to MAX OUT Your Laptop
🛠️ GPU Modifications: vBIOS, Overclocking, Undervolting
⚙️ Building Fast/Reliable RAID configuration
💻 Hardware upgrade tips for best results
🖼 Display enhancing
💾 OS Optimization for best performance
Temperatures and comfort, Battery Life
Max CPU load
In this test we use 100% on the CPU cores, monitoring their frequencies and chip temperature. The first column shows a computer’s reaction to a short load (2-10 seconds), the second column simulates a serious task (between 15 and 30 seconds), and the third column is a good indicator of how good the laptop is for long loads such as video rendering.
Average E-core frequency; CPU temp.; Package Power
| Intel Core i3-1315U (15W TDP) | 0:02 – 0:10 sec | 0:15 – 0:30 sec | 10:00 – 15:00 min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P) | 3.60 GHz @ 2.74 GHz @ 69°C @ 45W | 3.58 GHz @ 2.68 GHz @ 70°C @ 40W | 3.05 GHz @ 2.24 GHz @ 61°C @ 28W |
The dual-heat pipe cooling does a respectable job. The Core i3-1315U maintains a ~ 3.60 GHz / 2.74 GHz P ane E core clock in short and medium loads and 3.05 GHz / 2.24 GHz in long stress which is very good. The temperatures are also under control.
Gaming comfort
The noise during heavy processor loads in “Performance” mode is average.
The keyboard feels slightly warm to the touch when the CPU is doing the heavy lifting.
The CPU clocks are almost the same in “Performance” and “Normal” mode. If you apply the “Silent” profile, you can expect a quiet fan noise and 2.80 GHz / 2.00 GHz P and E core frequency which is still a decent result.
Performance
Normal
SilentBattery
Now, we conduct the battery tests with the Windows Best Power Efficiency setting turned on, screen brightness adjusted to 180 nits and all other programs turned off except for the one we are testing the notebook with. This laptop’s 53Wh battery lasts for around 8 hours and a half of video playback. Оur test was conducted with the “Battery Saver” preset activated in the Windows “Power & Battery” menu and the “Silent” mode applied in the AcerSense app.
Brightness: 180 nits; Display Mode: SDR
Time to Full Discharge: Higher is Better
Disassembly, Upgrade options, and Maintenance
To open this 15.6-inch machine, you have to undo 11 Philips-head screws. Pop the back with a lever tool in the zones behind the hinges. Fully pry the rear with a thin plastic tool and work your way around the sides and the front.
Here’s how the bottom panel looks on the inside.
This laptop has a 53Wh battery. To detach it, pull out the connector towards the unit and undo the two Philips-head screws that fix the battery to the chassis. The capacity is enough for around 8 hours and a half of video playback.
The memory is soldered. Still, you can rely on up to 32GB of LPDDR5-4800MHz RAM in dual-channel mode which is plenty for normal work. The Wi-Fi 6 card on the right of the fan is upgradable.
For storage upgrades, you get just one M.2 slot for 2280 Gen 4 SSDs.
The cooling seems decent. It comprises a single fan, a pair of heat pipes, one top-mounted heat sink, and a heat spreader.
Verdict
The Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P) is a budget device that is suitable for home or office usage if you get one with an IPS panel. The performance is also sufficient for things like Web browsing or editing MS Office documents. The Core i3-1315U of our machine isn’t exactly a powerhouse but its P and E cores boost pretty high to ~ 3.60 GHz / 2.70 GHz in short and medium loads and to 3.05 GHz / 2.24 GHz in longer stress. We didn’t experience any system hiccups while testing the machine.
The 1080p IPS display (B156HAN02.1 (AUO76A8)) isn’t impressive but that’s not a needed thing for such a laptop. The panel is PWM-free and has wide wing angles. That’s all you need for standard work. The 1500:1 contact ratio is good while both sRGB coverage and max brightness are low.
The Acer Aspire 5 is a good choice for users who don’t want to spend a whole fortune on a laptop for casual usage. It offers adequate performance, long battery life, a replaceable Wi-Fi card, and a future-proof max RAM amount of 32GB.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/acer-aspire-5-a515-58m-a515-58p/
Pros
- Good battery life considering the modest 53Wh battery ~ 8 hours and a half of videos
- Well-priced
- Decently solid base
- Lid with a lever design
- Good dimensions for a 15-incher (1.78 kg / 17.99 mm)
- PWM-free (AUO76A8)
- Wide viewing angles + 1500:1 contrast ratio (AUO76A8)
- Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.1
- Good comfort during full system loads
- The Core i3-1315U maintains ~ 3.60 GHz / 2.70 GHz in short and medium loads and 3.05 GHz / 2.24 GHz in longer stress
- Great “Silent” mode that offers 2.80 GHz / 2.00 GHz P and E core frequency + quiet fan
- Up to 32GB LPDDR5
- Upgradable Wi-Fi card
- You can pop the bottom plate pretty easily
Cons
- Plastic build
- Low sRGB coverage and max brightness (AUO76A8)
- Soldered RAM + one M.2 slot
- Limited port selection with just 2x Type-As
TOP 100 GAMING LAPTOPS
TOP LAPTOP RATINGS
HIGHLIGHTS view more
![[December 2024] Global Ranking of the Top 10 Best-Selling Gaming Laptops on Amazon – Acer’s Nitro V 15 Takes the Crown!](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/World-Top-10-Gaming-375x250.jpg)
[December 2024] Global Ranking of the Top 10 Best-Selling Gaming Laptops on Amazon – Acer’s Nitro V 15 Takes the Crown!
Jan 17, 2025![[December 2024] Global Ranking of the Top 10 Best-Selling Laptops on Amazon – a $267 laptop is The Market Leader](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/World-Top-10-375x250.jpg)
[December 2024] Global Ranking of the Top 10 Best-Selling Laptops on Amazon – a $267 laptop is The Market Leader
Jan 17, 2025![[December 2024] Global Ranking of the Best-Selling Laptop Brands on Amazon – Apple Dominates Revenue While Lenovo Leads in Units Sold](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GLOBAL-Best-Brands-375x250.jpg)
[December 2024] Global Ranking of the Best-Selling Laptop Brands on Amazon – Apple Dominates Revenue While Lenovo Leads in Units Sold
Jan 14, 2025![[December 2024] Amazon Canada: Top 10 Best-Selling Laptops – HP Secures the Top Spot, Apple Leads in Revenue](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Best-Selling-Laptops-CA-Top-10-375x250.jpg)
[December 2024] Amazon Canada: Top 10 Best-Selling Laptops – HP Secures the Top Spot, Apple Leads in Revenue
Jan 13, 2025![[December 2024] Amazon Canada: Top 10 Best-Selling Gaming Laptop Series – ASUS TUF Gaming A15 Leads the Pack](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Best-Selling-Gaming-Laptops-CA-Top-10-375x250.jpg)
[December 2024] Amazon Canada: Top 10 Best-Selling Gaming Laptop Series – ASUS TUF Gaming A15 Leads the Pack
Jan 13, 2025
REVIEWS view more
Lenovo Tab M9 (TB310FU) Review – A Budget-Friendly Tablet with Surprising Strengths
Jan 17, 2025Acer Aspire Go (AG15-51P) review – Balancing Affordability and Performance
Jan 14, 2025ASUS ExpertBook B1 (B1503) review – Business Device Tuned for Comfort
Jan 13, 2025Apple iMac (M4) review – There’s One Hidden Crucial Detail No One Talks About!
Jan 07, 2025Acer Nitro 17 (AN17-42) review – The “Performance” Mode is its Secret Advantage Over the Competition
Jan 03, 2025