Acer Aspire 5 17 vs MSI Stealth GS66

The MSI Stealth GS66 outperforms the Acer Aspire 5 17 in gaming and 3D tasks thanks to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics card and a higher screen refresh rate of 360Hz, compared to the less capable integrated graphics on the Acer and its 60Hz screen. While both laptops have IPS displays with Full HD resolution, the advanced GPU in the MSI Stealth GS66 is pivotal for gaming performance and the higher refresh rate ensures smoother visuals in fast-paced games.

The MSI Stealth GS66 is considered very good for engineering and design use because it has a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and a high-end GPU suitable for demanding tasks, coupled with a excellent screen quality with higher color coverage, essential for precise design work, whereas the Acer Aspire 5 17 has more modest specifications like a less powerful CPU and GPU, lower RAM, and a screen with less color accuracy, making it fair for less demanding engineering applications but less ideal for intensive design tasks. While both have good portability, the MSI has a superior keyboard and remains quieter under load, which contributes to a better overall experience for professional use.

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.

For general use, the Acer Aspire 5 17's screen provides a good balance between clarity and brightness, but it may not stand out in resolution or panel quality compared to more premium laptops. The MSI Stealth GS66 offers a superior viewing experience with higher resolution and a better panel, making colors more vivid and text sharper, which is quite beneficial for detailed engineering and design work. However, both laptops have lower refresh rates, which makes them less ideal for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion and quick refreshes are key for optimal experience.

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

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

The Acer Aspire 5 17, with a moderate processor, adequate RAM, and a large IPS display, is affordable and well-suited for everyday tasks, and its long battery life enhances its portability despite a bigger screen. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth GS66 boasts a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, a high-quality screen with faster refresh rates, and superior speakers and keyboard, making it a better fit for performance-intensive applications, although it's more expensive and has shorter battery life.

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.