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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 22, 2024·
For price-sensitive buyers, the Acer Swift 3 offers value, with respectable performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, at a lower price point. However, the Framework Laptop 16 is designed for higher-end performance and is better suited for demanding applications such as 3D modeling, machine learning, and gaming, thanks to its more powerful components. The Framework also emphasizes repairability and upgrades, possibly extending its useful life compared to the Acer. In terms of portability, the Acer Swift 3 is typically lighter and easier to transport, while the Framework’s larger and heavier build, though less travel-friendly, accommodates a bigger screen and higher-end hardware. Battery life will generally be longer on less powerful and smaller laptops like the Acer Swift 3, but if performance and upgradability are critical for your work or play, the additional investment in the Framework Laptop 16 could be justified. 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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.1
8.1
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Swift 3 is good.
The Acer Swift 3, with its solid CPU and ample RAM, handles engineering software efficiently, and its decent screen quality is suitable for design work; however, it's lighter and easier to carry, making it a good balance between performance and portability. The Framework Laptop 16 offers even better CPU performance and higher RAM capacity, coupled with a superior GPU that excels in demanding design applications, and its premium screen enhances visual tasks, trading off a bit of portability for top-notch performance and a great visual experience.
Content Creation
7.6
8.1
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is 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.
Screen Quality
6.8
8.4
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
309.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Acer Swift 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Swift 3 suits general users with its adequate resolution and brightness, but it doesn't offer the wide color gamuts crucial for detailed engineering and design work, nor does it have the high refresh rate desired by gamers. The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) excels in both general use and professional design tasks due to its superior resolution, brightness, and broader color gamut coverage, ensuring precise color work, but like the Swift 3, it falls short for gaming because of its lower refresh rate. Both laptops are not ideal for gaming or 3D applications where smoother visuals prioritized by high refresh rates are more important than resolution or color fidelity.
Battery
12.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Acer Swift 3 has 12 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
8.0
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
$1,699
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Swift 3 has a price of $500 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
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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
490.0 nits
12.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Acer Swift 3 is good.
The Acer Swift 3 delivers an affordable balance between performance and portability with a decent processor, enough memory for everyday tasks, and a battery that will last through work or study sessions, though its screen quality doesn't match higher-end laptops. The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) steps up with superior CPU performance, higher quality display, and better screen estate for multitasking, geared towards those needing more power and better visuals for complex applications, with the flexibility to upgrade components like storage, but this comes with a higher price and a slight compromise on portability due to its larger size.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.8
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Acer Swift 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Acer Swift 3, equipped with a modest GPU and typical screen refresh rate, provides adequate performance for casual gaming and basic 3D tasks, while the Framework Laptop 16, with a similar GPU capability and screen refresh rate, also handles these activities to a comparable level, although neither is designed for high-end gaming or complex 3D rendering. Both laptops benefit from decent CPUs and screen quality which support the gaming and 3D experience, but do not push them into the realm of specialized gaming or professional 3D workstations.
Software Development
7.6
8.0
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the Acer Swift 3 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.
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How the Acer Swift 3 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift 3 | Framework Laptop 16 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$500 | $1,699 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | July 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.6'' x 8.3'' x 0.63'' | 14'' x 10.6'' x 0.71'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.76 lbs | 4.63 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.6" | 14.04" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.3" | 10.63" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1240P | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 12 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 56 Wh | 85 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 | 490 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
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 | 2 | |
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."
Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift 3 or the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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 Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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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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