Acer Aspire 5 15 vs Acer Nitro 5 17

The Acer Nitro 5 17 has a more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate which are crucial for smooth gaming and 3D performance, while the Acer Aspire 5 15, although capable, has less graphical prowess and a standard refresh rate screen, making it less suited for these tasks. Despite this, both have capable CPUs and decent screen quality, but for those activities, the GPU and refresh rate are the determining factors, giving the Nitro 5 the edge for gaming and 3D applications.

The Acer Aspire 5 15 with an Intel i5 processor and Iris Xe graphics offers ample ability for engineering tasks, yet its performance is outdone by the Acer Nitro 5 17, which boasts a more powerful AMD Ryzen 7 processor and an Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU, delivering superior capability for design and engineering applications that require high-end processing and graphical power. While both laptops feature quality screens and sufficient RAM, the Nitro’s better GPU and CPU significantly enhance tasks like 3D modeling or CAD work, though it is less portable due to its larger size and weight, potentially affecting ease of use for on-the-go professionals.

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.

When considering general use, the Acer Nitro 5 17 offers superior viewing experience due to its higher resolution and brightness compared to the Acer Aspire 5 15, making images and text crisp and easier to view in various lighting conditions. For engineering and design tasks, the Nitro 5's better coverage of color gamuts ensures more accurate color representation, which is crucial for detailed visual work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short as they lack the high refresh rates needed for smooth motion, although their resolutions and panel types provide decent image clarity.

PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.

The Acer Aspire 5 15 with its lighter weight and smaller screen is more portable and has enough processing power and memory for everyday tasks, while its screen offers decent color coverage and brightness, making it suitable for general use. On the other hand, the Acer Nitro 5 17, although less portable due to its larger size and heavier weight, features a more powerful CPU and high-quality screen which, along with better heat management and a longer-lasting battery, make it a versatile option for both general use and more demanding applications.

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.

Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.