When deciding between the Acer Nitro 17 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, consider that the Acer Nitro typically offers stronger performance for gaming and intensive tasks due to its larger size, which accommodates more powerful components; however, the Lenovo ThinkBook boasts greater portability because of its smaller size and lighter weight, making it ideal for travel or commuting. The ThinkBook often has a higher price, reflecting its more premium build and features which may appeal to business users, while the Acer provides a cost-effective option for heavy computing needs at the expense of ease of carrying it around. Battery life will generally be longer in less performance-oriented models like the ThinkBook, so for on-the-go usage without a power outlet, it also has an edge. 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 Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Excellent portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.4/10
6.6/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Acer Nitro 17 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is only fair.
The Acer Nitro 17 is equipped with a stronger GPU and a high screen refresh rate which are crucial for smooth gaming and 3D rendering; these features prioritize graphical performance, which is a very important factor for such tasks. However, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while still delivering decent CPU performance and good screen quality, doesn't match the Nitro's capabilities in areas critical for gaming and 3D applications, making it less suitable for those who prioritize those activities.
Software Development
7.4/10
7.9/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Acer Nitro 17 are both good for software development, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
8.2/10
17.3in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
280.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x offers a sharper, brighter display with vivid colors due to its higher resolution and premium panel technology, making it ideal for browsing, watching videos, and document editing. In the context of engineering and design, the ThinkBook excels as well, as it likely covers a wider color gamut, essential for color-accurate work such as graphic design or photo editing. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short because they lack high refresh rates, which are crucial for smooth motion and fast-paced visuals, a detriment to gameplay and real-time 3D rendering.
Portability
Poor
Excellent
17.3in
SIZE
13.5in
6.8 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
1.1in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has excellent portability, while the Acer Nitro 17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$970
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Nitro 17 has a price of $970 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Acer Nitro 17 are both good for general use.
The Acer Nitro 17, with a strong CPU and ample RAM, ensures smooth multitasking and is ideal for media consumption due to its high-quality, larger screen, but its size makes it less portable and it may have a shorter battery life. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x offers a balance of good CPU performance, sufficient RAM, and high screen quality in a more portable package with better battery life, albeit with a smaller display and potentially less immersive sound and gaming experience compared to the Acer.
Engineering and Design
7.9/10
7.9/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Acer Nitro 17 are both good for engineering and design.
The Acer Nitro 17, with its robust CPU, ample RAM, and dedicated GPU, supports demanding engineering applications and offers superior screen quality for detailed design work, though it trades off portability due to its size and weight. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, while still providing a good CPU and sufficient RAM for many engineering tasks, gains points for portability and a high-quality keyboard, making it a strong choice for professionals on the go who prioritize a balance between performance and ease of use.
Content Creation
7.8/10
8.0/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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
8.0 Hours
The Acer Nitro 17 has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has 8 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
7.6/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Acer Nitro 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 Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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 Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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