If performance is a top priority and you engage in 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering work, the MSI Vector GP76 with its more powerful graphics card and double the RAM might better suit your needs despite being more expensive and having a shorter battery life than the Acer Nitro 17. On the other hand, if you're looking for a less expensive option that still offers solid performance for general use and gaming with a longer battery life, the Acer Nitro 17 could be the way to go, although it is slightly heavier and has a less powerful graphics card. Both laptops have a comparable screen size and resolution, but the MSI has a higher refresh rate, which could be advantageous for fast-paced gaming. 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 battery life
Very good speakers
Advantages of the MSI Vector GP76
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
8.4/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Vector GP76 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Nitro 17 is good.
The MSI Vector GP76's superior GPU, the Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti, and its much higher screen refresh rate make it excellent for gaming and 3D applications, offering smoother and more detailed visuals compared to the Acer Nitro 17, which has a capable yet less powerful Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and a lower refresh rate. While both laptops feature quality displays and capable CPUs, the MSI's higher-end GPU and screen refresh rate are especially critical for the most demanding gaming and 3D scenarios.
Engineering and Design
7.9/10
8.7/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Vector GP76 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Nitro 17 is good.
The MSI Vector GP76 is rated higher for engineering and design tasks primarily due to its more advanced CPU, double the RAM, and a more powerful GPU, all of which are very important for such applications. In contrast, the Acer Nitro 17, while offering solid performance with its CPU and GPU, has less RAM, contributing to it being seen as slightly less capable for demanding engineering and design work.
Screen Quality
7.4/10
7.9/10
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
280.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
264.0 nits
The MSI Vector GP76 has a better screen than the Acer Nitro 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, both the Acer Nitro 17 and MSI Vector GP76 offer panels with adequate resolution and brightness, which enhances visibility and clarity, essential for daily tasks like browsing and document editing. In engineering and design, the importance shifts towards accurate color representation, which both laptops deliver well through their color gamuts, ensuring designs and models appear true to life. However, for gaming and 3D, the lower refresh rates on these laptops may hinder the smoothness and responsiveness that high-paced visuals demand, making them less ideal for those specific activities.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Acer Nitro 17 has 8 hours of battery life. The MSI Vector GP76 has 4 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
8.0/10
The MSI Vector GP76 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
$1,760
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Nitro 17 has a price of $970 and the MSI Vector GP76 costs $1,760.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Vector GP76 to be very good for general use, while the Acer Nitro 17 is good.
The MSI Vector GP76 edges out the Acer Nitro 17 for general use largely due to its superior RAM and more powerful CPU, which are better for handling multiple applications and intensive tasks, though it is less portable and has a shorter battery life. Both offer adequate storage and quality screens, but the MSI model also has higher-quality peripherals like the keyboard, and better heat management, which contribute to a smoother user experience, despite being heavier and more cumbersome to transport than the Acer.
Content Creation
7.8/10
8.0/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
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 MSI Vector GP76 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.
Software Development
7.4/10
7.6/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Vector GP76 and Acer Nitro 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.
Portability
Poor
Poor
17.3in
SIZE
17.3in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
6.3 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
1.0in
The MSI Vector GP76 and Acer Nitro 17 both have poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Acer Nitro 17 and the MSI Vector GP76 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 MSI Vector GP76 12UGS is a gaming laptop on speed. The advantages are clear: The Vector GP76 is a real gamer with its 360 Hz display and super-fast response times. In addition, the Core i7-12700H has double the power of the CPU in its predecessor and another highlight is the Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti with a real power consumption of 150 watts. This places the device in the top range of our database. The Vector can also operate rather quietly, offers a full sound range, improved battery runtimes, a key-configurable RGB keyboard, a very stable chassis and good upgrade options. Moreover, the display produces a nice, rich and clear picture."
Get a great deal on the Acer Nitro 17 or the MSI Vector GP76
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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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