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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 21, 2024·
If budget is a primary concern and you're looking for a machine capable of handling gaming or more graphic-intensive tasks, the Acer Nitro 5 offers good value with solid performance for its price. However, if you require a laptop for creative work such as video editing or design, and you need better color accuracy and a more premium build, the MSI Creator M14, while pricier, provides enhanced display quality and is designed with content creators in mind. The MSI is also typically more portable due to its lighter and more compact form. Remember, investing more usually brings in features like a better screen and build quality, but if these aspects are less critical to your needs, saving money with the Acer might be the smarter choice. 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 5 15
- The Acer Nitro 5 15 has no clear advantages over the MSI Creator M14.
Advantages of the MSI Creator M14
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Good portability
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.9
8.4
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Creator M14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Nitro 5 15 is good.
The MSI Creator M14 typically offers higher-end CPU and GPU options along with more RAM, which are essential for demanding engineering software and design tasks, plus it often has superior screen quality for fine detail work. In contrast, the Acer Nitro 5 15 provides solid performance but may fall behind in screen sharpness and color accuracy; however, it offers a balance between power and budget, which could be appealing for those with less intensive needs or tighter funds.
Screen Quality
6.9
7.5
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
262.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The MSI Creator M14 has a better screen than the Acer Nitro 5 15 for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, screen quality largely depends on crisp text and bright visuals, so the Acer Nitro 5 15 and MSI Creator M14 both have capable panels with adequate resolution and brightness. In engineering and design, color accuracy is vital, and the MSI Creator M14 stands out by covering wider color gamuts, ensuring more precise color reproduction. However, for gaming and 3D work, high refresh rates are crucial for smooth motion, and both laptops may not satisfy those needs due to their lower refresh rates, making them less suited for these specific tasks.
Battery
5.5 Hours
4.5 Hours
The Acer Nitro 5 15 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Creator M14 has 4.5 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.
Portability
Fair
Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.0in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The MSI Creator M14 has good portability, while the Acer Nitro 5 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2
7.8
The MSI Creator M14 and Acer Nitro 5 15 both have good build quality, though the MSI Creator M14 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$800
$1,500
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Nitro 5 15 has a price of $800 and the MSI Creator M14 costs $1,500.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
8.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
262.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
5.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator M14 to be very good for general use, while the Acer Nitro 5 15 is good.
The Acer Nitro 5 15, with sufficient CPU and RAM, meets the needs for general use, and its gaming-oriented features ensure smooth operation, but it's heavier and has shorter battery life, making it less portable for on-the-go use. In contrast, the MSI Creator M14, with its superior screen quality, longer battery life, and lighter build, offers a more portable solution with ample power for everyday tasks; however, it might come at a higher cost.
Gaming and AI
7.5
7.3
7.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.7/10
The Acer Nitro 5 15 and MSI Creator M14 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Acer Nitro 5 15, with its powerful GPU and high screen refresh rate, is tailored for smooth and immersive gaming and 3D experiences. Meanwhile, the MSI Creator M14, while also offering a strong GPU and a quality screen, provides a balance of good performance for gaming and professional creative tasks, but may have a slightly less responsive display compared to the Nitro 5 for fast-paced games.
Content Creation
7.5
8.0
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI Creator M14 to be very good for content creation, while the Acer Nitro 5 15 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
7.8
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The MSI Creator M14 and Acer Nitro 5 15 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.
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How the Acer Nitro 5 15 and the MSI Creator M14 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Nitro 5 15 | MSI Creator M14 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$800 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.7'' x 1.06'' | 12.4'' x 9.2'' x 0.88'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.51 lbs | 3.53 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.19" | 12.39" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.67" | 9.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-12500H | Intel i7-13620H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.5 Hours | 4.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 262 nits | 350 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Acer Nitro 5 15
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | June 2022
"The Acer Nitro 5 is a fast QHD gaming notebook. The Nitro 5 is a well-balanced gaming laptop for just under US$ 2400. A Core i7-12700H CPU and a GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU enable QHD gaming at high to maximum settings, accompanied by fast PCIe-4-SSD (1 TB) and 16 GB of RAM. Acer delivers a solid QHD gaming notebook with the Nitro 5 AN515-58. However, the laptop is not completely free of shortcomings. The CPU and GPU can work at consistently high clock rates. The laptop heats up noticeably under load, but not excessively. Noise development is on the usual class level. Once again, however, Acer needs to improve the fan control."
Get a great deal on the Acer Nitro 5 15 or the MSI Creator M14
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.
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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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