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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Aspire 1 is much less expensive than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020), but this comes with tradeoffs in performance and features. The MacBook Pro offers better build quality, display, and performance, ideal for more demanding tasks like engineering or creative work. It's also more portable, has a higher-quality screen, and is silent in operation due to its fanless design. In contrast, the Acer Aspire 1 is a budget laptop with lower specifications suitable for general use like web browsing and document editing. Its larger screen may be less portable, and performance for intensive tasks will be limited in comparison. If budget is a primary concern, and you need a machine for basic tasks, the Acer Aspire 1 may suffice, but for a superior experience and heavier workloads, the MacBook Pro is a more fitting choice despite its higher price. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer Aspire 1
- The Acer Aspire 1 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020).
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Very good portability
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.8
7.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
20.0 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for general use, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 is poorer for general use as it has a less powerful Intel Celeron processor, less RAM, and a lower-quality TN screen, which affects the smoothness of operation, multitasking ability, and viewing experience compared to the Apple MacBook Pro 13's superior Apple M1 chip, higher RAM, and high-resolution IPS display. Furthermore, the MacBook Pro offers significantly better battery life and a more portable form factor, enhancing its overall usability and convenience for everyday tasks.
Gaming and AI
5.6
6.3
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1, with an entry-level GPU and a standard screen refresh rate, is not suited for gaming and 3D applications that demand higher graphics performance. On the other hand, the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) featuring a more capable GPU and a higher-quality display panel can handle 3D tasks more effectively, yet its MacOS might limit game compatibility compared to the Windows platform on the Acer.
Engineering and Design
5.5
7.3
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 may hinder engineering and design tasks due to its lower-tier Intel Celeron processor, basic integrated graphics, and lower-quality TN screen, whereas the Apple MacBook Pro 13 provides a more powerful M1 chip, superior integrated GPU, and a higher-quality IPS display, making it well-suited for such demanding applications. Additionally, the MacBook Pro offers more memory which is crucial for engineering software, and despite being more portable, it also has a significantly better screen for precise design work.
Content Creation
5.9
7.8
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for content creation, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
6.1
7.8
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for software development, while the Acer Aspire 1 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
5.2
7.6
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 1 for general use, AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Aspire 1 may have a lower resolution and dimmer display, making it less suitable for tasks where clear, vibrant visuals are key, whereas the MacBook Pro 13 offers a high-resolution, bright screen with accurate colors, enhancing the experience for general use and design work. The MacBook Pro 13, with its high-quality display, covers a wide color gamut, providing the color accuracy and range essential for professional engineering and design tasks. However, for 3D applications and gaming, the MacBook Pro's standard refresh rate limits the smoothness of motion, while laptops with higher refresh rates could offer a more fluid visual experience, even if their other screen qualities are less impressive.
Battery
6.0 Hours
20.0 Hours
The Acer Aspire 1 has 6 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Good
Very Good
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has very good portability, while the Acer Aspire 1 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.5
10.0
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has best in class build quality, while the Acer Aspire 1 has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$244
$1,249
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Aspire 1 has a price of $244 and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) costs $1,249.
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How the Acer Aspire 1 and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 1 | Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$244 | $1,249 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | October 1, 2020 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.4'' x 0.78'' | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.61'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.19 lbs | 3 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.3" | 11.97" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.4" | 8.36" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Apple M1 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 20 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 36.7 Wh | 58.2 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | TN | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 200 nits | 491 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 3 | |
Shopping
Acer Aspire 1
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Joshua Goldman | May 2020
"There are no surprises and nothing's extraordinary here but this laptop's price. For those in need of an inexpensive Windows laptop for undemanding tasks, though, the Acer Aspire 1 offers just enough to get the basics done and a larger screen to do them on."
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2022
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 1 or the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
About Acer
Acer is a prominent Taiwanese electronics brand which makes a wide range of laptops, with multiple product lines catering to personal use, gaming, and business use. They are renowned for having exceptional value for money, as they frequently offer good specifications at a lower price than other manufacturers.
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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