Considering your budget preferences, the Acer Aspire 1 is the more cost-effective option and it provides satisfactory performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video streaming. However, if performance for more demanding applications such as 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming is a priority, the ASUS ROG Flow X16, while more expensive, offers significantly better capabilities with its high-end processor and advanced graphics card. The ASUS also has features like a higher-quality display and it can be used as a laptop or a tablet, providing versatility. The Acer, on the other hand, is lighter and may have longer battery life due to its less powerful components, making it more suitable for users needing basic functionalities with increased portability. 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
Good battery life
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow X16
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.8/10
8.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
502.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.5 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.4/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good for general use, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 falls short in everyday use due to its less capable Intel Celeron processor, minimal RAM, and lower-quality TN screen, while its strength in silent operation and light weight doesn't fully compensate for its short battery life.
Gaming and AI
5.6/10
7.6/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 is not suitable for gaming and 3D applications because it uses an entry-level Intel GPU and has a standard screen refresh rate, which limits its ability to render fast-moving images smoothly. In contrast, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 excels in these areas with its powerful Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card and a high refresh rate screen, delivering better performance and a more fluid visual experience.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
8.3/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.2/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
5.9/10
8.0/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very 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
6.1/10
7.7/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 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
5.2/10
8.5/10
15.6in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
502.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 1 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
If you prioritize a sharp, vibrant display for everyday tasks like browsing and watching videos, the ASUS ROG Flow X16's high resolution and brightness offer a superior viewing experience over the Acer Aspire 1. For engineering and design work, the ASUS' wide color gamut ensures more accurate color representation, important for detailed graphics work, while the Acer's display might not render colors as faithfully. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fast-paced visuals are critical, despite the ASUS having a better overall screen, it might not match other specialized gaming laptops with higher refresh rates, which can deliver smoother motion and a more responsive gameplay experience.
Build Quality
5.5/10
8.5/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has very good 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
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Aspire 1 has a price of $244 and the ASUS ROG Flow X16 costs $1,300.
"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."
"Above all else, the Asus ROG Flow X16 is one thing - versatile! It is a thin, mobile work device, it's a 2-in-1, tablet, a powerful workstation and even a gaming PC. But something even more surprising: It does all of these things really well without making any big blunders. It's anything but a lazy compromise. Because, despite its compact dimensions and 2-in-1 functionality, the hardware isn't throttled and boasts, at least in turbo mode, above-average performance."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 1 or the ASUS ROG Flow X16
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 ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
123,795
Recommendations made
26,823
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.