In 2023, Google partnered with various PC makers to create it Chromebook as well as a– a new line of spin removed on a laptop running its own OS. The idea was to offer a more powerful version of the Chromebook for those who wanted that extra oomph. And before Christmas, Google sent me a new Chromebook Plus from Acer so I could check out the gaming capabilities of this device. After a few weeks with it, I'm happy to report that this is a solid laptop that I might buy in the future. But it's not a good way to play most games.
The Acer 516 GE is the highlight Chromebook as well as a I was sent to review. And before I jump into my problems with streaming, I should clarify that the device itself is slim, modern, has a strong battery life, and has never given me any technical issues. Watching videos, writing, and surfing the web using the Acer Chromebook Plus was a very pleasant experience.
In the past, I've used Chromebooks and I didn't like it. The stripped down ChromeOS powered laptops have been around for a decade or so now, but whenever I touched one, I was always disappointed by the lack of performance and functionality.
Now, in 2025, as more web-based apps and mobile hardware have become very fast, using a Chromebook is not very painful. In fact, while using the Acer 516 GE I forgot it was a Chromebook, as do many things I do every day on a computer – check the email have, chat with colleagues, read news, and write stories – done through a browser anyway. As a result, I never had a problem using the Acer 516 GE. Well, until I tried to play games.
Picture: Acer / Google
The 516 GE Chromebook Plus heavily marketed as a gamer-focused device. Google sent it to me, a writer at My citybecause it seems to be a gamer friendly device. But if you know anything about ChomeOS and Chromebooks, you know that these things can't play high-end games. The solution? The power of the cloud.
That is the main selling point of the 516 GE. You don't need to download games or worry about technical requirements. Just log into your favorite game streaming service and play things like Game cyberpunk 2077 or Fortnite immediately. And maybe, in another five years, this promise will come true, but for now streaming games is still a bad way to play stuff.
I tried Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077, and Complaint 5 using various methods including Game Pass, Nvidia Geforce Now, and Amazon Luna. And while some were better than others, none of them matched the experience of playing a game natively on a device like a console or PC.
Picture: Acer / Google
Now, you can install Steam on the 516 GE (it has a special feature to allow this) and using what I think is Proton, I was able to play some 2D games to play as Vampire Will last and Balatro ok on the 516 GE. But that's not impressive in a world where my phone can do that too. No, the big selling point of this device is being able to play top AAA video games on the go without downloading and without having to shell out thousands of dollars on a dedicated gaming laptop.
Unfortunately, in 2025, even with Google Fiber internet (which I have), the 516 GE cannot provide the lag, choppiness, and visual artifacts you encounter when streaming games away.
So, if you're looking for a powerful Chromebook that can play basic 2D games and retro stuff (I was able to get one). blink run on it without any issues) then the 516 GE is worth checking out. Just don't expect it and its game streaming capabilities to replace your Switch, Steam Deck, or PS5 anytime soon.
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