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Updated March 21, 2024·
If you're on a budget and mainly use your laptop for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and watching videos, the Acer Aspire 3 might suit your needs, and you'll save money. However, if you require advanced features for tasks like 3D design, video editing, or gaming, investing in the MSI Creator might be worthwhile despite the higher cost, as it generally offers better performance and a higher quality display, which are crucial for such intensive applications. Keep in mind that the MSI Creator is also likely to be heavier and have a shorter battery life, making it less ideal if portability is a priority for you. 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
- Very good portability
- 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
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.0
8.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
9.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The MSI Creator M14 is very good for general use, while the Acer Aspire 3 14 is good.
The Acer Aspire 3 14, suitable for everyday tasks, is lighter and easier to carry around, but the MSI Creator M14 offers higher performance with better CPU, more RAM, and superior screen quality. However, the MSI may have a shorter battery life due to its more powerful hardware, and it's typically priced higher than the Acer Aspire 3.
Gaming and AI
5.9
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 3 14 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 3 14, while adequate for light gaming, may struggle with demanding 3D tasks due to a less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate, which can result in less fluid visuals during fast-paced games. On the other hand, the MSI Creator M14 offers smoother gameplay and better 3D performance thanks to its superior GPU and higher screen refresh rate, although this may come at a higher cost and impact battery life.
Engineering and Design
6.1
8.4
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Creator M14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 3 14 is only fair.
The MSI Creator M14 is equipped with a stronger CPU, more RAM, and a more powerful GPU, enhancing its ability to handle demanding tasks like engineering software and design work, and it also boasts a higher-quality screen for detailed visuals. Meanwhile, the Acer Aspire 3 14, while less capable in these critical areas, offers greater portability and a quieter operating experience, which may appeal to those prioritizing convenience and a less intrusive noise level.
Content Creation
7.2
8.0
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Creator M14 is very good for content creation, while the Acer Aspire 3 14 is good.
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
7.8
4.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator M14 and Acer Aspire 3 14 are both good for software development, though the MSI Creator M14 is somewhat better.
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
7.5
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The MSI Creator M14 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 3 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Aspire 3 14 delivers adequate clarity and brightness for everyday tasks such as browsing and video streaming, but for engineering and design professionals, the screen might not reproduce colors as accurately due to limited color gamut coverage. The MSI Creator M14’s screen offers better color accuracy and a wider color range, which helps in detailed visual work like photo editing and CAD software, ensuring that designs are seen in true-to-life colors. However, both laptops are not ideal for gaming or 3D modeling since they lack the high refresh rates necessary for smooth motion and fast-paced visuals.
Battery
9.5 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has 9.5 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has very good portability, while the MSI Creator M14 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
7.8
The MSI Creator M14 has good build quality, while the Acer Aspire 3 14 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$434
$1,500
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Aspire 3 14 has a price of $434 and the MSI Creator M14 costs $1,500.
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How the Acer Aspire 3 14 and the MSI Creator M14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 3 14 | MSI Creator M14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$434 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.9'' x 8.5'' x 0.74'' | 12.4'' x 9.2'' x 0.88'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.09 lbs | 3.53 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.9" | 12.39" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.5" | 9.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 7520U | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.5 Hours | 4.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 40 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 250 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.4/10 | 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 | 6.3/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 3 14 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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