The Acer Nitro 17 offers solid performance for gaming and can handle demanding applications, but it's heavier and less portable, with a shorter battery life compared to the Framework Laptop 16. The Framework Laptop is lighter, with a focus on sustainability and repairability, and it delivers good performance that suits general use and some engineering work; however, it may not match the gaming capabilities of the Nitro, and it usually comes at a higher price. Your decision should balance your needs for performance in gaming or intensive tasks against the value of portability, battery life, and the premium for a more sustainable and upgradable design. 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
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
6.8/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Acer Nitro 17 offers a powerful GPU and a high screen refresh rate, providing smooth visuals and rendering that suits demanding games and 3D tasks, while the Framework Laptop 16 has a fair GPU capability for moderate gaming, its screen refresh rate is lesser, which might not be as fluid for fast-paced games, although its screen quality and good CPU offer a satisfying experience for less intensive use.
Software Development
7.4/10
8.0/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the Acer Nitro 17 is good.
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
8.4/10
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
280.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Acer Nitro 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
Both the Acer Nitro 17 and Framework Laptop 16 offer displays that excel in resolution and brightness, making them suitable for general use where clarity and the ability to see the screen in various lighting conditions are key. Engineering and design professionals who need accurate color representation will appreciate the wide color gamuts on these laptops, even though they are not built exclusively for these tasks. However, their lower refresh rates make them less ideal for gaming and 3D work, where smoother motion and rapid screen updates are critical for an optimal experience.
Portability
Poor
Good
17.3in
SIZE
16.0in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability, while the Acer Nitro 17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4/10
8.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has very good build quality, while the Acer Nitro 17 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$970
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Nitro 17 has a price of $970 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Acer Nitro 17 is good.
The Acer Nitro 17, with its capable CPU and ample RAM, ensures smooth everyday performance but is bulky and has modest battery life, making it less ideal for on-the-go usage; whereas, the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) offers a balance of a high-quality CPU, plentiful RAM, and an excellent screen, in a more portable form with better battery life, suitable for a range of tasks including those requiring mobility. The Framework Laptop also allows easier upgrades for storage, and its design focuses on maintaining quieter operating noise and cooler performance, which adds to its user comfort for extended general use.
Engineering and Design
7.9/10
8.1/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Nitro 17 is good.
The Acer Nitro 17 is equipped with a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, and a dedicated GPU, making it well-suited for demanding engineering software, while its larger screen offers a high-quality display for detailed design work. Although the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) also features a strong CPU, high RAM capacity, and quality screen for similar tasks, its design emphasizes portability and repairability, which may slightly compromise on the highest possible performance you'd get from a bulkier option like the Nitro but offers a balance for those on the go.
Content Creation
7.8/10
8.1/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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 Framework Laptop 16 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.
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How the Acer Nitro 17 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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."
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
Get a great deal on the Acer Nitro 17 or the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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 Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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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