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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Acer Aspire 5 17 and the Dell XPS 13 involves considering how you prioritize portability, performance, and display. The Acer has a larger screen and a numeric keypad, making it suitable for those who prefer a bigger display and additional keyboard functionality. However, the Dell XPS 13 is much lighter and highly portable with better battery life, ideal for users who are on the go. The Dell also has a more powerful processor and double the RAM, which translates into higher performance for more demanding tasks like engineering work or intensive multi-tasking. Both have similar storage capacity and high-quality displays, but the Dell has a higher resolution and superior color accuracy, making it better for color-sensitive work. If you need a larger screen and don't mind carrying a heavier laptop with moderate battery life, the Acer could serve you well, while the Dell is excellent for high-performance tasks, better battery life, and ease of transport. 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 5 17
- The Acer Aspire 5 17 has no clear advantages over the Dell XPS 13.
Advantages of the Dell XPS 13
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Engineering and Design
6.7
7.2
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 13 is good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 5 17 is only fair.
The Dell XPS 13 offers superior processing power and double the memory of the Acer Aspire 5 17, making it better suited for demanding engineering and design tasks, while its higher quality screen displays sharper images and more accurate colors. However, the larger screen size of the Acer enhances visibility for detailed work, albeit with a tradeoff in portability and less vivid color replication compared to the Dell.
Screen Quality
6.2
7.2
17.3in
SIZE
13.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
266.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
The Dell XPS 13 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 5 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Aspire 5 17 may have a larger screen for multitasking and spreadsheets, but may not be as sharp or bright as the Dell XPS 13, which often boasts higher resolution and brightness, making the XPS 13 better for general use. While the Aspire's screen is ample for basic engineering tasks, the Dell XPS 13 likely offers wider color gamuts, providing more precise color representation necessary for professional design work. In contrast, both fall short for gaming and 3D, as their screens don’t prioritize high refresh rates that are vital for smooth visuals in fast-paced scenes, though moderate resolution and panel quality may still suffice for casual use.
Battery
7.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Acer Aspire 5 17 has 7 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 13 has 10 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
Good
Excellent
17.3in
SIZE
13.4in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the Acer Aspire 5 17 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.5
8.5
The Dell XPS 13 has very good build quality, while the Acer Aspire 5 17 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$700
$850
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Acer Aspire 5 17 has a price of $700 and the Dell XPS 13 costs $850.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.3
7.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
266.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Dell XPS 13 and Acer Aspire 5 17 are both good for general use.
The Acer Aspire 5 17's larger screen and keyboard with a number pad make it appealing for users prioritizing comfortable viewing and data entry, despite being less portable and offering shorter battery life than the Dell XPS 13, which boasts a higher screen resolution, better portability, and longer battery life, making it ideal for users who need a performance-oriented laptop with easier mobility. Both laptops have good CPU and RAM for general use, but the Dell XPS 13 provides superior screen quality with better brightness and color coverage, which might be attractive for users who also consume media or engage in creative work.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.2
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Acer Aspire 5 17 and Dell XPS 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Acer Aspire 5 17 and Dell XPS 13 are considered fair for gaming and 3D largely because they both have integrated graphics (Iris Xe) which are not as powerful as dedicated GPUs found in specialized gaming laptops, and they also share a standard screen refresh rate of 60Hz which is lower compared to the higher refresh rates preferred for smoother gaming and 3D experiences. Furthermore, while both have capable CPUs, the Dell XPS 13's higher resolution and screen quality provide slight advantages for visual clarity over the Acer Aspire 5 17.
Content Creation
7.2
7.7
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 13 and Acer Aspire 5 17 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
7.2
7.5
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Dell XPS 13 and Acer Aspire 5 17 are both good for software development.
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.
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How the Acer Aspire 5 17 and the Dell XPS 13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 5 17 | Dell XPS 13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$700 | $850 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | August 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.8'' x 10.1'' x 0.71'' | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.61 lbs | 2.59 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.83" | 11.63" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.1" | 7.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1335U | Intel i7-1250U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 50.3 Wh | 51 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 13.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 266 nits | 442 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Aspire 5 17
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marcus Schwarten | March 2021
"The Acer Aspire 5 17 laptop shows the expected strengths in the test. Besides the usual high build quality, the configuration convinces in most benchmarks and tests. The combination of CPU, GPU, and RAM is absolutely sufficient for the everyday office and browsing tasks of a laptop. It also renders the odd game passably if the requirements aren't too high. We liked the matte display in the test as well as the fairly manageable dimensions despite the screen size. It can also be used outdoors, even if it's certainly not a laptop designed for mobility."
Dell XPS 13
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Monica Chen | April 2023
"In the past, the XPS 13 was a hands-down contender for the best laptop on the market. But the Apple-silicon MacBook has since barrelled onto the scene, and it wipes the floor with most of the ultraportable Windows laptops that cross my desk on a daily basis. This XPS is no exception. Compared to the M2 MacBook Air, battery life is worse."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 5 17 or the Dell XPS 13
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 Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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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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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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