A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Selecting between the Acer Nitro 5 17 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 depends on your priorities. The Acer Nitro 5 17 is less expensive and offers a larger screen, higher refresh rate for gaming, and superior performance for 3D rendering and engineering applications, making it a strong choice for gaming and intensive computational tasks. Its downsides include shorter battery life and heavier weight, making it less portable. In contrast, the MacBook Pro offers a high-resolution Mini LED display, exceptional speaker and webcam quality, and a significantly longer battery life. Its lightweight design enhances portability while the high build quality and keyboard score suggest a premium experience. However, it comes at a higher cost. If portability, display quality, and battery life are critical, and you're willing to pay a premium, choose the MacBook Pro; if cost and performance for gaming or engineering are more important, go with the Acer Nitro 5 17. 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 17
- The Acer Nitro 5 17 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021).
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
- Excellent for general use
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Good portability
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.8
9.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
307.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
17.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
6.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is excellent for general use, while the Acer Nitro 5 17 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a high-quality screen, efficient CPU, and longer battery life which gives it an edge for general use, providing a balance of performance and portability despite its higher cost. The Acer Nitro 5, while offering solid CPU and sufficient RAM for everyday tasks, is bulkier and has shorter battery life making it less ideal for on-the-go use but it usually comes at a more accessible price point, which can be important for budget-conscious customers.
Gaming and AI
7.7
7.0
7.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Acer Nitro 5 17 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) are both good for gaming and AI, though the Acer Nitro 5 17 is somewhat better.
The Acer Nitro 5 17 is geared towards gaming, featuring a high refresh rate screen and a powerful Nvidia GPU which are very important for gaming performance; while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a capable GPU for 3D work, but gaming is limited as many popular titles are not available on MacOS.
Engineering and Design
8.0
8.7
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.5/10
7.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and Acer Nitro 5 17 are both very good for engineering and design, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is somewhat better.
The Acer Nitro 5 17 is equipped with a high-performance GPU and ample RAM, ideal for demanding engineering and design tasks, but its heavier and larger size makes it less portable than the sleeker Apple MacBook Pro 16, which also offers superior screen quality and a powerful custom CPU suitable for similar professional applications, in a more travel-friendly form factor with longer battery life. However, the Acer's additional ports and gaming-oriented features might appeal more to those looking for versatility and expandability, while the MacBook excels in display and build quality, with its refined ecosystem favoring users deeply ingrained in Apple's software environment.
Content Creation
7.8
8.8
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is very good for content creation, while the Acer Nitro 5 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
8.9
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is very good for software development, while the Acer Nitro 5 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
8.2
9.4
17.3in
SIZE
16.2in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
307.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Acer Nitro 5 17 for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Nitro 5 has a display that excels in clarity and vibrancy for general and engineering use due to its resolution, brightness, and color coverage, making it suitable for detailed work and viewing, but it falls short for gaming and 3D applications because of its lower refresh rate, which can limit the smoothness of motion. The Apple MacBook Pro boasts superior screen resolution and panel technology, offering exceptional brightness and a wide color gamut that ensures accurate color rendering for professional design tasks, but its standard refresh rate is not ideal for high-end 3D gaming which often demands faster screen updates. Both laptops provide great visuals for general use and engineering design with their high-quality displays, yet neither is optimized for the rapid frame changes required by immersive 3D experiences.
Battery
6.0 Hours
17.5 Hours
The Acer Nitro 5 17 has 6 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 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
17.3in
SIZE
16.2in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.7 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has good portability, while the Acer Nitro 5 17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2
10.0
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Acer Nitro 5 17 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$830
$1,949
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Nitro 5 17 has a price of $830 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) costs $1,949.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer Nitro 5 17 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Nitro 5 17 | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$830 | $1,949 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.9'' x 11'' x 0.98'' | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.95 lbs | 4.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 15.89" | 14.01" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 11.02" | 9.77" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 5800H | Apple M1 Pro (10C) | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 17.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 57.5 Wh | 99.6 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 16.2" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3456 x 2234 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 307 nits | 497 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.1/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
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 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Nitro 5 17
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | August 2021
"The Acer Nitro 5 17 is a solid mid-range gamer. The Nitro 5 does not belong to the top group of RTX 3070 notebooks: Compared with the RTX 3070 notebooks tested so far, the computer delivers below-average frame rates - this is due to the 100-watt TGP. The GPU performance can be increased a bit with a firmware update. The device scores with a high level of CPU performance. Throttling is not a concern. CPU and GPU can produce their performance constantly. The laptop heats up moderately under load. The noise development is on the usual class level."
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | February 2023
"The Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023: M2 Max challenges GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The new MacBook Pro 16 2023 with the M2 Max SoC is the most powerful laptop Apple has on sale right now. While we do not get the expected performance and efficiency improvements from completely new 3 nm chips, which we expected ahead of the launch, the 2023 model is still a solid update. The CPU of the M2 Max can be up to 20 % faster than the old model and we also see an advantage of 25-30 % for the GPU with 38 cores. However, both components also consume more power, so the efficiency did not change that much under maximum load."
Get a great deal on the Acer Nitro 5 17 or the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
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 Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Acer Nitro 5 17 vs. Gigabyte A5
VS
Compare Acer Nitro 5 17 vs. Apple MacBook Air (2020)
VS
Compare Acer Nitro 5 17 vs. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i
VS
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) vs. HP Omen 17
VS
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) vs. Gigabyte Aorus 15P
VS
Compare Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) vs. Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
127,395
Recommendations made
27,603
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
Featured in
