If your main concern is budget and portability for basic tasks like web browsing or document editing, the Acer Aspire 1 would be an appropriate choice, as it's less expensive and lighter. However, its performance for general use is modest, and it's not suited for intensive gaming or demanding applications like 3D rendering or machine learning. On the other hand, the MSI Vector GP76, while more expensive and heavier, provides significantly higher performance suitable for gaming, engineering software, and creative work, along with a high-refresh-rate screen, but has a shorter battery life and is less portable than the Acer. 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 portability
Good battery life
Advantages of the MSI Vector GP76
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.8/10
8.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
264.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
5.8/10
The MSI Vector GP76 is very good for general use, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 has a lower-end CPU, less RAM, and a poorer quality TN screen, making it less suited for demanding tasks and multitasking which are essential for general use, whereas the MSI Vector GP76 has a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a high-quality IPS display with better color accuracy and viewing angles, contributing to a much more capable and enjoyable general use experience. However, the Acer Aspire 1 is lighter and offers silent operation due to its fanless design which may appeal for basic portability needs, but the MSI Vector GP76, despite being bulkier and having a higher operating noise, provides significantly better performance and screen quality.
Gaming and AI
5.6/10
8.4/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Vector GP76 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 has an entry-level graphics unit and a standard screen refresh rate, making it less suitable for gaming and 3D applications, while the MSI Vector GP76 is equipped with a high-end graphics card and a much higher screen refresh rate, providing a more immersive and responsive experience suitable for intensive gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
8.7/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Vector GP76 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1, with a basic Intel Celeron processor, minimal RAM, and integrated graphics, struggles with demanding engineering and design applications, while the MSI Vector GP76, equipped with a high-performance Intel i7 processor, ample RAM, and a powerful Nvidia RTX GPU, excels in handling intensive tasks.
Content Creation
5.9/10
8.0/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Vector GP76 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
7.6/10
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Vector GP76 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
7.9/10
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
264.0 nits
The MSI Vector GP76 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 1 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Aspire 1, with lower resolution and brightness, is less suitable for those who prioritize a vibrant and sharp display for everyday activities, engineering, or multimedia content creation. The MSI Vector GP76 offers better resolution and color accuracy, making it an excellent choice for engineers and designers who require precision for graphical work. However, its lower refresh rate may not provide the smoothest experience for high-speed gaming or detailed 3D rendering.
Battery
6.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Acer Aspire 1 has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Vector GP76 has 4 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
Poor
15.6in
SIZE
17.3in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
6.3 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The Acer Aspire 1 has good portability, while the MSI Vector GP76 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.5/10
8.0/10
The MSI Vector GP76 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
$1,760
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Aspire 1 has a price of $244 and the MSI Vector GP76 costs $1,760.
"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."
"The MSI Vector GP76 12UGS is a gaming laptop on speed. The advantages are clear: The Vector GP76 is a real gamer with its 360 Hz display and super-fast response times. In addition, the Core i7-12700H has double the power of the CPU in its predecessor and another highlight is the Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti with a real power consumption of 150 watts. This places the device in the top range of our database. The Vector can also operate rather quietly, offers a full sound range, improved battery runtimes, a key-configurable RGB keyboard, a very stable chassis and good upgrade options. Moreover, the display produces a nice, rich and clear picture."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 1 or the MSI Vector GP76
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.
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
127,995
Recommendations made
27,733
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.