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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and battery life at a lower cost, the Acer Swift 3 stands out with a lighter frame and longer battery endurance, suitable for general use and multitasking with a touch-enabled screen. However, if your work involves 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 offers superior performance with a more robust processor and dedicated graphics card, a high-refresh-rate display for smoother visuals, and better color accuracy, making it well suited for engineering and intensive tasks, but with a higher price point and reduced battery life. 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 Swift 3
- Very good portability
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow X16
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3
7.6
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Swift 3 is only fair.
The Acer Swift 3 is equipped with an integrated graphics solution and a standard screen refresh rate, which is less suitable for gaming and 3D applications compared to the ASUS ROG Flow X16, which features a dedicated high-performance graphics card and a higher screen refresh rate that greatly enhances gaming and 3D performance. Additionally, the ASUS model offers a better CPU and higher screen quality, factors that contribute further to its superior gaming and 3D capabilities.
Engineering and Design
7.1
8.3
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Swift 3 is good.
The Acer Swift 3, with its mid-range CPU and integrated GPU, is tailored for engineering and design users who need solid performance and a quality screen without the top-tier power, which is reflected in its lower price point and greater portability. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Flow X16, equipped with a high-end CPU and dedicated graphics card, is superior for more demanding engineering and design tasks, offering enhanced performance and a higher-resolution, larger screen at a higher cost and decreased portability.
Screen Quality
6.8
8.5
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
309.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
502.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has a better screen than the Acer Swift 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
The Acer Swift 3 provides a balance of resolution and brightness suitable for general tasks, and its color accuracy is adequate for engineering and design work, but it lacks the high refresh rates desired for smooth 3D graphics and fast-paced gaming. The ASUS ROG Flow X16 ups the ante with superior brightness and resolution, enhancing the visual experience for both everyday and professional design use, and its broader color gamut ensures more precise color representation. However, despite its strengths, it does not prioritize the high refresh rates crucial for gaming and 3D rendering, which may detract from the fluidity and responsiveness in those applications.
Battery
12.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Acer Swift 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has 5.5 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
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Swift 3 has very good portability, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
8.5
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 has very good build quality, while the Acer Swift 3 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$500
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Swift 3 has a price of $500 and the ASUS ROG Flow X16 costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
8.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
309.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
502.0 nits
12.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.4/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS ROG Flow X16 to be very good for general use, while the Acer Swift 3 is good.
The Acer Swift 3 offers a good balance for general use with its strong CPU, ample RAM, full HD touchscreen, and 12-hour battery life in a very portable design, while the ASUS ROG Flow X16 stands out with its superior CPU and graphics, higher resolution touchscreen, and better speaker and keyboard quality, but it is less portable and has a shorter battery life. The Swift 3 is well-suited for productivity with reduced operating noise and heat, whereas the Flow X16's ample storage and top-tier screen quality cater to more demanding tasks like gaming or creative work, but it's heavier and its gaming prowess can lead to more heat and noise.
Content Creation
7.6
8.0
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
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 ASUS ROG Flow X16 to be very good for content creation, while the Acer Swift 3 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
7.6
7.7
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The ASUS ROG Flow X16 and Acer Swift 3 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 Swift 3 and the ASUS ROG Flow X16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift 3 | ASUS ROG Flow X16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$500 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | August 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.6'' x 8.3'' x 0.63'' | 14'' x 9.6'' x 0.76'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.76 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.6" | 13.98" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.3" | 9.57" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1240P | AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 12 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 56 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 309 nits | 502 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Acer Swift 3
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sebastian Jentsch | February 2022
"With the Swift 3, Acer delivers a 14-inch laptop with a sleek, slim metal chassis. The latter is of high quality and sturdy enough for everyday use, which is a real plus point among the 700-Euro (~$798) models. A new feature is Thunderbolt 4 in the Type-C format for peripherals or even displays (DisplayPort via Type-C). Unfortunately, a card reader is still missing, and the RAM is completely onboard, so there are no upgrade options here. Acer's 14-incher is affordable, yet it does everything most would want from a truly mobile laptop: Long battery life, a great display, quality, sufficient ports, light weight, and low noise and heat emissions."
ASUS ROG Flow X16
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | June 2023
"Above all else, the Asus ROG Flow X16 is one thing - versatile! It is a thin, mobile work device, it's a 2-in-1, tablet, a powerful workstation and even a gaming PC. But something even more surprising: It does all of these things really well without making any big blunders. It's anything but a lazy compromise. Because, despite its compact dimensions and 2-in-1 functionality, the hardware isn't throttled and boasts, at least in turbo mode, above-average performance."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift 3 or the ASUS ROG Flow X16
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 ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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