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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Acer Aspire 3 with a Ryzen 5 processor, larger storage, and more RAM will provide better performance and is suitable for more intensive tasks like engineering, 3D modeling, or multitasking. It also has a higher resolution screen which is better for multimedia and productivity, but it's heavier and less portable. The ASUS Vivobook Go 12, with lower storage and RAM, is designed for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and is significantly more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight. The Acer will cost more but is a better choice for demanding work, whereas the ASUS is for those who prioritize affordability and portability over performance. 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 3 14
- Good for general use
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
Advantages of the ASUS Vivobook Go 12
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
Key differences
General Use
7.0
5.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
9.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Acer Aspire 3 14 is good for general use, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has a more powerful processor, more RAM and storage, a larger IPS display with higher resolution and better color representation, which provides a stronger general computing experience compared to the ASUS Vivobook Go 12, which falls short due to its less capable processor, lower amount of RAM and storage, smaller TN display with lower resolution, and poorer color accuracy.
Gaming and AI
5.9
5.4
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
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 3 14 and ASUS Vivobook Go 12 are both poor for gaming and AI, though the Acer Aspire 3 14 is somewhat better.
The Acer Aspire 3 14 affords a fair gaming and 3D experience due to its AMD Ryzen 5 CPU and AMD Radeon GPU, which deliver sufficient performance and graphic handling for less demanding games at a standard screen refresh rate and decent screen resolution. In contrast, the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 falls short due to its less powerful Intel Celeron CPU and integrated Intel UHD Graphics, which are less equipped for gaming, compounded by a lower-resolution TN panel screen that does not support high-quality visuals or smooth gaming experiences.
Engineering and Design
6.1
5.3
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Acer Aspire 3 14 is only fair for engineering and design, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 3 14 is better equipped for engineering and design use due to its more powerful AMD Ryzen processor, higher RAM, superior Radeon GPU, and better screen quality with an IPS panel and full HD resolution. In contrast, the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 falls short in performance for such tasks with a less capable Intel Celeron processor, less RAM, weaker Intel UHD Graphics, and a lower quality TN screen with a lower resolution.
Content Creation
7.2
5.7
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Acer Aspire 3 14 is good for content creation, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 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
7.1
5.7
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
The Acer Aspire 3 14 is good for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 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.
Screen Quality
6.1
5.1
14.0in
SIZE
11.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Acer Aspire 3 14, with better resolution and brightness, provides a clearer and more vibrant display than the ASUS Vivobook Go 12, which may look dull or less sharp. In engineering and design, the Acer offers a wider range of colors, making detailed work more accurate, while the ASUS may fall short in displaying precise hues. When it comes to 3D work, the Acer's higher refresh rate allows for smoother visuals, which is key for gaming or animation, whereas the ASUS may appear choppy or less fluid due to its lower refresh rate.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
11.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.3 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has excellent portability, while the Acer Aspire 3 14 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
5.1
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has only fair build quality, while the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$434
$267
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has a price of $434 and the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 costs $267.
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Key similarities
Battery
9.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has 9.5 hours of battery life. The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 has 10 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer Aspire 3 14 and the ASUS Vivobook Go 12 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 3 14 | ASUS Vivobook Go 12 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$434 | $267 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.9'' x 8.5'' x 0.74'' | 11'' x 7.5'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.09 lbs | 2.31 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.9" | 10.98" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.5" | 7.52" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 7520U | Intel Celeron N4020 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 64 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.5 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 40 Wh | 38 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 11.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | TN | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1366 x 768 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 250 nits | 200 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
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 | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 480p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 3 14 or the ASUS Vivobook Go 12
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.
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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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