Considering the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 and Acer Aspire 5 15, if you prefer a more affordable and versatile device that can transition between a laptop and tablet, the Aspire 3 Spin 14, which is fanless and therefore operates silently, may suit you. On the other hand, if you desire a laptop with more storage, increased memory, and a better processor which can handle more demanding tasks, you may lean towards the Aspire 5 15. It's important to consider the difference in screen size as well—the Aspire 3 Spin 14 has a smaller display but a higher resolution and aspect ratio, compared to the Aspire 5 15's larger but standard resolution screen. The Aspire 5 15 also boasts a backlit keyboard and may offer superior graphics capabilities, which could be beneficial if you plan to use visually intensive applications. 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 Spin 14
Very good portability
Advantages of the Acer Aspire 5 15
Good for general use
Good for software development
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.5/10
7.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
275.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Acer Aspire 5 15 is good for general use, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is only fair.
The Acer Aspire 5 15 offers a more powerful CPU and double the RAM compared to the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14, enhancing performance for more demanding tasks. While the Aspire 5 also has a larger screen with higher brightness and more storage, it is slightly heavier and has shorter battery life, meaning it's less portable but better suited for intensive workloads.
Engineering and Design
5.9/10
6.6/10
3.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
2.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Aspire 5 15 is only fair for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14, with an Intel i3 processor, basic UHD graphics, and a smaller RAM, delivers fair performance for engineering and design, but this is balanced by its higher resolution touchscreen and 2-in-1 convertible flexibility. Conversely, the Acer Aspire 5 15 packs a punch with a superior Intel i5 processor, advanced Iris Xe graphics, and double the RAM, offering good capabilities for more demanding engineering tasks, though it lacks a touchscreen and the 2-in-1 feature, which may affect its versatility in certain design scenarios.
Screen Quality
6.2/10
6.2/10
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
275.0 nits
The Acer Aspire 5 15 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 for content creation, and software development.
For general use, both laptops provide adequate resolution and brightness on their panels, allowing for comfortable viewing of documents and web browsing, but their overall screen quality might not be as vivid or sharp compared to higher-end displays. When it comes to engineering and design, the color accuracy and range might be limited on these models, which is crucial for precise color work but may still be sufficient for less color-sensitive tasks. Gamers and those involved in 3D would find the refresh rates on these laptops lacking, leading to less fluid motion and responsiveness compared to models with faster screens, though for casual gaming or 3D tasks they could still be serviceable.
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 has 8 hours of battery life. The Acer Aspire 5 15 has 7 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.
Cost
$418
$450
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 has a price of $418 and the Acer Aspire 5 15 costs $450.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Aspire 5 15 to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 and Acer Aspire 5 15 are considered fair for gaming and 3D because both have integrated graphics, which are less powerful than dedicated gaming GPUs, and standard screen refresh rates of 60Hz, which do not provide as smooth an experience as higher rates found in dedicated gaming laptops. The Aspire 5 holds an edge with a stronger CPU and slightly better screen quality, but neither laptop's hardware is optimized for the most demanding gaming or 3D tasks.
Content Creation
7.0/10
7.3/10
3.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Aspire 5 15 and Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 are both good for content creation.
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
6.9/10
7.3/10
3.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Aspire 5 15 to be good for software development, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 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.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 to have very good portability, while the Acer Aspire 5 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2/10
6.5/10
The Acer Aspire 5 15 and Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 both have only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 and the Acer Aspire 5 15 compare to other laptops
Olivier Martin, Ryan Lim, and Yannick Khong | November 2023
"The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is okay for school use. It feels reasonably well-built, and its compact design makes it easy to carry around. The battery lasts around seven hours of light use, so you only have to plug it in for a short time to get through a typical school day. The overall user experience is so-so; the display looks sharp but dim, and the touchpad is fairly responsive, albeit small."
"The Acer Aspire 5 15 is a good value office laptop with reasonable battery life. The combination of slim exterior, relatively low weight (approx. 1.7 kg) and 8 hour real-life battery runtime makes the Acer Aspire a truly mobile laptop. The modest Tiger Lake processor supports this area and simultaneously ensures an affordable price point. The Aspire produces little noise and stays cool. The screen (FHD, IPS) might not win any prizes but is entirely appropriate for the price."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 or the Acer Aspire 5 15
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.
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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