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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Aspire 3 14 offers better performance due to its AMD Ryzen 5 processor and ample storage space, making it suitable for general use and some engineering tasks. However, it is costlier and less portable due to its larger size and weight. The Gateway 11.6" is more affordable and highly portable given its smaller size and lighter weight, but has less storage, lower RAM, and a Celeron processor, limiting its performance for intensive tasks. It may suit basic computing needs like browsing and office applications. Neither is suited for intensive gaming or high-end engineering work. 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 Gateway 11.6"
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
7.0
5.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
9.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
5.3/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.1/10
The Acer Aspire 3 14 is good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Acer Aspire 3 14 is rated fair for general use as it has a more powerful AMD Ryzen 5 processor, more RAM, and a better screen resolution than the Gateway 11.6", which has a basic Intel Celeron processor and lower screen resolution, earning a poor rating for general use. Additionally, while both laptops are similarly portable and have good battery lives, the Acer's larger storage and screen offer an advantage for everyday tasks.
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 Gateway 11.6" are both poor for gaming and AI, though the Acer Aspire 3 14 is somewhat better.
The Acer Aspire 3 14 possesses the AMD Radeon 610M GPU and a full-HD display, which accounts for its fair gaming and 3D abilities, whereas the Gateway 11.6" is equipped with the less powerful Intel UHD Graphics 600 GPU and a lower-resolution screen, making it poor for gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
6.1
5.4
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 Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Acer Aspire 3 14, with its AMD Ryzen 5 processor, ample RAM, and more powerful GPU, offers adequate performance for engineering and design tasks, whereas the Gateway 11.6" is hindered by a weaker Intel Celeron processor, less RAM, and inferior integrated graphics, making it poorly suited for demanding applications. Additionally, while both have IPS displays, the Acer's higher resolution contributes to better screen quality essential for detailed work, a factor in which the Gateway's lower resolution display falls short.
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
IPS
The Acer Aspire 3 14 is good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" 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 Gateway 11.6" 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
5.7
14.0in
SIZE
11.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Acer Aspire 3's screen supports various everyday tasks with acceptable clarity and brightness, making it suitable for general use despite average resolution and panel technology. However, its limited color gamut coverage hinders high-fidelity color rendering, which is crucial for engineering and design work. The low refresh rate of the Acer Aspire 3, alongside its unremarkable resolution and basic panel type, detracts from the immersive experience needed for Gaming and 3D applications.
Battery
9.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has 9.5 hours of battery life. The Gateway 11.6" 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
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
11.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Gateway 11.6" 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 Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$440
$89
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has a price of $440 and the Gateway 11.6" costs $89.
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How the Acer Aspire 3 14 and the Gateway 11.6" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 3 14 | Gateway 11.6" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$440 | $89 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | August 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.9'' x 8.5'' x 0.74'' | 11'' x 7.5'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.09 lbs | 2.6 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.9" | 11" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.5" | 7.5" | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 40 Wh | Unknown | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 11.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
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 | 9.2/10 | |
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 | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 0 | |
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 Gateway 11.6"
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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