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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is a budget-friendly option that is lighter and thus more portable, with a smaller screen size, making it suitable for general use and carrying around. However, the HP Envy 17 offers more storage space, superior processor power, and larger RAM, making it better for intensive tasks such as 3D modeling, machine learning, and engineering work. Both laptops have touchscreens, but the HP has a larger screen and a higher-quality keyboard, webcam, and speakers. The HP Envy 17's drawbacks are its higher price and heavier weight, which makes it less portable than the Acer. 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 HP Envy 17
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good overall build quality
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.5
7.5
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
329.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The HP Envy 17 is good for general use, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is only fair.
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is considered fair for general use because it has an entry-level processor, less RAM, a lower resolution and brightness screen, and is lighter, making it more portable but less powerful for demanding tasks compared to the HP Envy 17. On the other hand, the HP Envy 17 is deemed good for general use as it boasts a high-end processor, double the RAM, a larger and brighter screen, and more storage, though it is heavier and less portable, it excels in performance for more intensive tasks.
Gaming and AI
5.8
6.4
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The HP Envy 17 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 and the HP Envy 17 have modest gaming capabilities due to both laptops being equipped with integrated graphics and standard 60Hz refresh rate displays, which are typical constraints for running high-end games smoothly. Though the HP Envy 17 offers a more robust CPU, enhancing general performance, neither model's GPU nor screen refresh rate excels in the specific demands of gaming or advanced 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
5.9
7.4
3.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Envy 17 is good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is poor.
The HP Envy 17 is better suited for engineering and design tasks due to its higher RAM, a more powerful CPU, and better GPU capabilities than the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14, which is essential for demanding applications such as 3D modeling and simulation. Furthermore, the HP Envy 17 boasts superior screen quality with a higher brightness level and color coverage, enhancing the clarity and detail necessary for intricate design work, although it is heavier and might be less convenient to carry around.
Content Creation
7.0
7.5
3.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The HP Envy 17 and Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 are both good for content creation, though the HP Envy 17 is somewhat better.
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
7.5
3.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The HP Envy 17 is 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
6.8
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
329.0 nits
The HP Envy 17 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering screen quality for general use, the HP Envy 17's higher resolution and panel type ensure crisp, bright visuals, setting it above the fair display of the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14. For engineering and design tasks, the HP Envy 17 again provides a better experience due to a wider color range, critical for detailed color work, which the Acer's fair screen can't deliver as well. However, both laptops have screens not ideally suited for gaming and 3D tasks, as their refresh rates are lower than what's preferable for the smooth visuals that high-paced gaming or intensive 3D rendering require.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
17.3in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
5.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 has very good portability, while the HP Envy 17 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.2
7.2
The HP Envy 17 has good 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
$1,000
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 has a price of $418 and the HP Envy 17 costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 has 8 hours of battery life. The HP Envy 17 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.
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How the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 and the HP Envy 17 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 | HP Envy 17 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$418 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.6'' x 9'' x 0.74'' | 15.7'' x 10.2'' x 0.77'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.31 lbs | 5.49 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.6" | 15.68" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-N305 | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 128 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 40 Wh | 55 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 250 nits | 329 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.2/10 | 7/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
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."
HP Envy 17
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NotebookCheck
Marcus Schwarten | April 2023
"In our test, the HP Envy 17-cr0079ng presents itself as a balanced multimedia laptop. Thanks to its solid CPU performance and dedicated entry-level GeForce, it can also be used for playing video games, as long as the demands aren't too high. Those looking for more can find it in the Dell XPS 17 for example."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 or the HP Envy 17
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 HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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