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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 22, 2024·
If you're on a tight budget, the Acer Aspire 1 offers basic functionality for everyday tasks like browsing the internet and using office applications, but if you're looking for high performance for tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or gaming, the MSI Creator M14, while more expensive, provides stronger performance and is better suited for those needs. The MSI also usually has a better build quality and screen, but it will be heavier, affecting portability. The Acer Aspire 1, on the other hand, may have longer battery life due to its less powerful components, making it more suitable for on-the-go usage where power outlets are not readily available. 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 MSI Creator M14
- 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
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.8
8.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The MSI Creator M14 is very good for general use, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 has a less powerful CPU and less RAM, leading to slower performance for general tasks, while its screen quality and battery life are inferior, affecting overall user experience and mobility. On the other hand, the MSI Creator M14 offers a robust CPU and more RAM, ensuring smooth operation, a high-quality screen for clearer visuals, greater portability, and longer battery life, which all contribute to a more satisfying and versatile everyday use.
Gaming and AI
5.6
7.3
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The MSI Creator M14 is good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 typically has less powerful graphics processing capabilities and lower screen refresh rates which impede smooth gaming and 3D rendering, while the MSI Creator M14 boasts a stronger GPU and higher refresh rates favorable for such demands. Additionally, although the MSI also tends to have a better CPU and screen quality which contribute to the overall experience, these aspects are less critical than the GPU and refresh rate for gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
5.5
8.4
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Creator M14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 has less powerful CPU and GPU and lower RAM, which might struggle with demanding engineering software, while the MSI Creator M14's higher-quality CPU, ample RAM, and superior GPU are tailored for such tasks, along with a better screen for detailed work. Additionally, the MSI offers a comfortable keyboard and quieter operation which are preferable for long work sessions, even though it may be less portable than the lightweight Acer.
Content Creation
5.9
8.0
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator M14 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
7.8
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator M14 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
7.5
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The MSI Creator M14 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 1 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Acer Aspire 1's screen may lack sharpness and vibrancy due to lower resolution and brightness, whereas the MSI Creator M14 offers a more vivid and crisp display that enhances everyday activities like browsing and media consumption. In engineering and design, the MSI Creator M14 stands out for its wider color gamuts, providing more accurate color representation which is crucial for professional visual work, whereas the Acer Aspire 1 falls short in this aspect and may not depict colors true to reality. When it comes to gaming and 3D applications, the MSI Creator M14's lack of a high refresh rate can make fast-paced visuals seem less smooth compared to laptops designed specifically for gaming, while the Acer Aspire 1's overall poor screen quality further impacts the immersion and responsiveness desired in these scenarios.
Battery
6.0 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Acer Aspire 1 has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Creator M14 has 4.5 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.
Build Quality
5.5
7.8
The MSI Creator M14 has 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
$1,500
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Aspire 1 has a price of $244 and the MSI Creator M14 costs $1,500.
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Key similarities
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI Creator M14 and Acer Aspire 1 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer Aspire 1 and the MSI Creator M14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 1 | MSI Creator M14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$244 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.4'' x 0.78'' | 12.4'' x 9.2'' x 0.88'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.19 lbs | 3.53 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.3" | 12.39" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.4" | 9.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 128 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 4.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 36.7 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | TN | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 200 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 7.5/10 | |
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 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 1 or the MSI Creator M14
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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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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