Acer Extensa 15 EX215-57 2024 (Intel Core i5-13420H, 16GB, 512GB, 15.6" FHD)

Acer Extensa 15 (2024) Overview

Performance

Let’s start with its processor. The laptop runs on the Intel Core i5-13420H, which is an 8-core, 12-thread processor from Intel's 13th Gen lineup with a boost clock of up to 4.6GHz. Being an H-series chip, it draws up to 45W and hence is able to deliver more multi-core throughput than the 15W U-series processors you find in most thin-and-light budget laptops. Thus, it is still a very good processor for office work, multitasking, and compiling code. 

That said, the i5-13420H is a 3-year-old chip at this point, and in 2026 it's not particularly exciting, to be honest. The Acer Aspire 15 at a similar price point comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS, which uses a newer architecture, offers stronger CPU and GPU performance, and includes a proper NPU for AI workloads. However, compared to many U-series laptops in this price range, it can still be a better option.

The Intel UHD graphics are functional for display output and basic tasks, but as you know, people don’t trust integrated graphics for a reason; GPU-accelerated workloads will feel limited. The 16GB of DDR5 RAM runs in single channel since it's one stick across two SO-DIMM slots. You can add a second 16GB stick later, which would enable dual-channel and improve integrated GPU performance. For storage, you get a 512GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD, which is typical these days.

Display

The 15.6-inch FHD IPS panel featured in this laptop is useful for working in rooms with overhead lighting or near a window, as it has a matte finish, but the 300 nits of brightness and 45% NTSC color coverage are weak numbers even by budget standards. One would sooner find out that colors are going to look flat, outdoor use will be a struggle, and anything involving color accuracy, photo editing, design work, or even just watching content in a bright room won't be a great experience on this screen.

The 60Hz refresh rate is also expected at this price. For productivity use it's fine, but it's worth knowing that some competitors nearby offer 120Hz panels.For example, consider the Dell 15 DC15250 2025, which, for all its weaknesses, still comes with a 120Hz refresh rate at such a low price. 

If you're buying this laptop, budgeting for an external monitor is worth considering. The two USB-C ports both support DisplayPort output, and the HDMI 2.1 port handles 4K displays, so the connectivity is there to compensate for the built-in panel's shortcomings.

Build and Keyboard

The chassis is made of polycarbonate and ABS plastic in a silver finish. It's not going to feel premium by any means, but this is what you can expect at this price. To be honest, it's also more than enough for daily use, and the silver finish handles fingerprints better than glossy alternatives. At 1.80 kg, it's on the lighter side for a 15.6-inch laptop.

The full-size keyboard includes a numeric keypad, although there is no backlight, unfortunately, which is a noticeable omission in 2026. Most competitors have moved on from unlit keyboards, even on budget models.

Battery and Ports

The laptop comes with reasonable sized battery of 53Wh. The battery life for normal tasks lasts around 7 to 8 hours. Similarly, it gets the juice from a 65W USB-C charger. 

It features two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, one HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. For connectivity, the laptop features the standard  Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. A 720p webcam is provided, which is also functional enough for video calls. Similarly, you also get dual stereo speakers and dual microphones with Acer's Purified.