If top-notch performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering tasks is a priority and you can spend a bit more, consider the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 as it has a more powerful main processor and double the amount of RAM compared to the Acer Nitro 17. However, it has a less capable GPU, which means for intensive gaming and some forms of 3D work, the Acer with its superior GPU might be the preferred choice. The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 also boasts longer battery life and is more portable due to its lighter weight. Both have similar storage capacity and screen size, but the ASUS has a higher screen brightness, making it potentially better for use in bright environments. The Acer Nitro 17, on the other hand, offers a higher refresh rate which can be advantageous for gaming. It's also likely to be the less costly option. 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 Nitro 17
Good for gaming and AI
Good keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for content creation
Good portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
6.9/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Nitro 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is only fair.
The Acer Nitro 17, with its Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, is better suited for smoother gaming and 3D experiences compared to the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17, which has a Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU and a lower refresh rate, though both have quality screens and capable CPUs.
Software Development
7.4/10
7.9/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.7/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 and Acer Nitro 17 are both good for software development, though the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is somewhat better.
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
7.4/10
7.2/10
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
280.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Acer Nitro 17 has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
When considering screen quality for general use, laptops like the Acer Nitro 17 and ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 with high resolutions and bright panels offer crisp, clear visuals that enhance daily tasks such as browsing and video streaming. For engineering and design, the importance of color accuracy is met by these laptops through extensive color gamuts, ensuring that professionals see precise hues and shades for their work. However, for gaming and 3D applications where smooth motion is crucial, they fall short as they lack the high refresh rates necessary to render fast-paced scenes fluidly, despite their adequate resolution and panel technology.
Portability
Poor
Good
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
5.1 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has good portability, while the Acer Nitro 17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$970
$1,500
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Nitro 17 has a price of $970 and the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 costs $1,500.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 to be very good for general use, while the Acer Nitro 17 is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 outshines the Acer Nitro 17 in general use primarily because the Zenbook has double the RAM and a brighter, more color-accurate screen, which enhances multitasking and visual tasks. While both have similar storage capacity and screen sizes, the Zenbook offers better portability and longer battery life, despite the Nitro having a slight edge in GPU performance for tasks like gaming.
Engineering and Design
7.9/10
8.1/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 to be very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Nitro 17 is good.
The Acer Nitro 17 is well-suited for engineering and design work with its robust AMD Ryzen 7 processor, ample RAM, and a powerful RTX 4050 GPU that can manage complex graphical tasks on a high-refresh rate screen, though it's heavier and less portable.
Content Creation
7.8/10
8.2/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 to be very good for content creation, while the Acer Nitro 17 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.
Battery
8.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Acer Nitro 17 has 8 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has 9 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.
Build Quality
7.4/10
7.2/10
The Acer Nitro 17 and ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Acer Nitro 17 and the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 compare to other laptops
"The Acer Nitro 17 isn't an exceptional gaming laptop; it's kind of chunky even among 17.3-inch notebooks, with a lackluster keyboard, and it doesn't outperform comparably priced machines. But there's a lot to like about it, including a good array of ports, a screen that's sharp and bright for work and play alike, and battery life that soundly beats the competition. All this comes at an affordable price. If size and weight aren't big concerns, you'll find the Nitro 17 a dependable big-screen gaming rig. If you crave higher quality, consider a slight step down or up in screen size with the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gen 8 or Alienware m18 respectively."
Get a great deal on the Acer Nitro 17 or the ASUS Zenbook Pro 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 ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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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