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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is a budget-friendly option with moderate performance, suitable for general use, and features a touchscreen. It's lighter and thus more portable but has lower storage capacity and memory than the MacBook Pro. The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is on the pricier side, offers high performance for engineering tasks, 3D work, and machine learning, and boasts excellent build quality as well as longer battery life. The MacBook Pro isn't as portable due to its larger size and heavier weight. If cost isn't an issue and you need a top-performing laptop for resource-intensive tasks, the MacBook Pro is the better choice. If you're looking for something more affordable for everyday use that's easy to carry around, the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 could serve you well. 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 Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
- Excellent for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.5
9.0
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
17.5 Hours
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is excellent for general use, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is only fair.
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 has modest specifications, with an entry-level CPU, minimal RAM, and a lower quality screen, yet it offers decent portability and silent operation; it is well-suited for basic tasks and offers the versatility of a 2-in-1 device. In contrast, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) boasts a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a superior Mini LED screen, delivers excellent battery life, but comes at a higher price and increased weight, qualities that make it ideal for more demanding applications and ensure a premium general use experience.
Gaming and AI
5.8
7.0
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is poor.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is good for 3D due to its more capable Apple M1 Pro GPU, higher screen refresh rate, and superior screen quality, which together enhance visual performance and fluidity for 3D applications. On the other hand, the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is fair for gaming and 3D, as its GPU is less powerful, and it has a lower screen refresh rate, which may result in less smooth visuals; additionally, many popular games may not run on the MacBook due to operating system compatibility.
Engineering and Design
5.9
8.7
3.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.5/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 has modest processor and graphics capabilities, adequate RAM for basic tasks, and a standard screen, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) boasts a powerful CPU and GPU, abundant RAM, and a superior high-resolution Mini LED display, making it well-suited for demanding engineering and design applications. Additionally, the MacBook Pro offers excellent portability despite its larger screen and longer battery life, along with a high-quality keyboard and minimal operating noise, further enhancing its suitability for professional use.
Content Creation
7.0
8.8
3.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.5/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is very good for content creation, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 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
6.9
8.9
3.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is very 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.
Screen Quality
6.2
9.4
14.0in
SIZE
16.2in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 for general use, AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 boasts a high-resolution display with excellent brightness and color accuracy, appealing to users who prioritize visual clarity and vibrant colors, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin's display quality, although adequate, doesn't match the MacBook Pro's superiority in resolution and brightness. In engineering and design, the MacBook Pro's color gamut coverage, which includes DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, ensures that professionals see precise, true-to-life colors, a critical feature for detailed work, whereas the Aspire 3 Spin offers a fair range but lacks the breadth of coverage important for high-end design tasks. When it comes to 3D applications and gaming, the MacBook Pro's screen may have impeccable resolution and color, but its standard refresh rate holds it back from delivering the smooth visuals of higher-refresh displays, which are more desirable for fast-paced, immersive experiences; the Aspire 3 Spin, while having a lower quality display overall, also falls short for these uses due to its poor refresh rate.
Battery
8.0 Hours
17.5 Hours
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 has 8 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 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
16.2in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
4.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 has very good portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
10.0
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$418
$1,949
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 has a price of $418 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) costs $1,949.
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How the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$418 | $1,949 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.6'' x 9'' x 0.74'' | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.31 lbs | 4.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.6" | 14.01" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9" | 9.77" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-N305 | Apple M1 Pro (10C) | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 128 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 17.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 40 Wh | 99.6 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 16.2" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 3456 x 2234 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 250 nits | 497 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14
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Rtings
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."
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | February 2023
"The Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023: M2 Max challenges GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The new MacBook Pro 16 2023 with the M2 Max SoC is the most powerful laptop Apple has on sale right now. While we do not get the expected performance and efficiency improvements from completely new 3 nm chips, which we expected ahead of the launch, the 2023 model is still a solid update. The CPU of the M2 Max can be up to 20 % faster than the old model and we also see an advantage of 25-30 % for the GPU with 38 cores. However, both components also consume more power, so the efficiency did not change that much under maximum load."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 or the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
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 Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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