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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're considering the Acer Aspire 1 and the Gateway 14.1" and are mindful of your budget, the Gateway may be the more economical choice. However, be aware that lower-priced laptops often have less powerful hardware, which can affect performance during demanding tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning tasks, or gaming. The Acer Aspire 1, while more expensive, is likely to have better processing capabilities, which means it can handle more intensive workloads more effectively. Additionally, consider battery life; higher-priced laptops typically offer longer battery life, which is important if you need to use the laptop on the go. Portability is another factor; lighter and thinner laptops are more portable, but might sacrifice some performance or screen size. Balance your needs between performance and budget, as well as how you plan to use the laptop – whether for general use, which may not need high specifications, or for more specialized tasks that require a robust system. 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 Gateway 14.1".
Advantages of the Gateway 14.1"
- Very good portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
5.2
6.0
15.6in
SIZE
14.1in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
208.0 nits
The Acer Aspire 1 has a better screen than the Gateway 14.1" for software development, while the Gateway 14.1" has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Acer Aspire 1 likely has a lower resolution, limited brightness, and an inferior panel type, which makes its display appear less vibrant and sharp, a particular drawback for general use where reading text and viewing content comfortably is essential. For engineering and design tasks, accurate color representation is crucial, and since the Gateway has only fair screen quality, it probably lacks wide color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, limiting color precision for professional work. The importance of refresh rate for 3D tasks implies the Gateway's display doesn't refresh as quickly, which could result in less fluid visuals in gaming and less responsive interaction in 3D applications.
Battery
6.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Acer Aspire 1 has 6 hours of battery life. The Gateway 14.1" has 8 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
14.1in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.3 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Gateway 14.1" has very good portability, while the Acer Aspire 1 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$244
$99
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Acer Aspire 1 has a price of $244 and the Gateway 14.1" costs $99.
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Key similarities
General Use
5.8
5.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
208.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Acer Aspire 1 and Gateway 14.1" are both poor for general use.
The Acer Aspire 1 is rated poorly for general use primarily because its Intel Celeron N4500 CPU and 4GB of RAM are not strong enough for demanding tasks, and its TN panel screen offers inferior viewing angles and color accuracy compared to IPS displays. Similarly, the Gateway 14.1" suffers in general use due to an even less powerful Intel Celeron N4020 CPU and the same amount of limited RAM, although it boasts a better IPS screen, its smaller storage capacity and poorer keyboard quality also detract from the user experience.
Gaming and AI
5.6
5.4
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Acer Aspire 1 and Gateway 14.1" are both poor for gaming and AI.
The Acer Aspire 1 and the Gateway 14.1" are both equipped with entry-level Intel UHD GPUs and standard 60Hz screen refresh rates, which makes them less suited for gaming and 3D visuals that require more powerful graphics handling and smoother on-screen action. Additionally, while both have full HD screens, the quality of visuals for gaming may not meet the expectations set by higher-end laptops designed specifically with gaming and 3D performance in mind.
Engineering and Design
5.5
5.5
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
4.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Acer Aspire 1 and Gateway 14.1" are both poor for engineering and design.
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
5.8
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Aspire 1 and Gateway 14.1" are both poor for content creation.
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
5.8
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
4.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Aspire 1 to be only fair for software development, while the Gateway 14.1" is poor.
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.
Build Quality
5.5
5.1
The Acer Aspire 1 and Gateway 14.1" both have poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Aspire 1 and the Gateway 14.1" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 1 | Gateway 14.1" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$244 | $99 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.4'' x 0.78'' | 13.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.19 lbs | 3.35 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.3" | 13.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.4" | 8.78" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Intel Celeron N4020 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 36.7 Wh | Unknown | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 14.1" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | TN | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 200 nits | 208 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Acer Aspire 1
See more
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."
Gateway 14.1"
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | September 2021
"The Gateway Ultra Slim 14" is surprisingly quiet with long battery life. The inexpensive Gateway excels at maximizing performance per dollar with lots of RAM and storage, super-quiet fan, and a long battery life. It can even house up to two M.2 SSDs which we weren't expecting from such a cheap system. However, the iffy reliability of the keyboard and USB-C port on our test unit means users should double-check for these potential issues immediately after purchasing."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 1 or the Gateway 14.1"
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 Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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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.
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