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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Swift Go 14 is often significantly less expensive than the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) and offers good portability due to its lighter weight, making it a suitable choice for general use and carrying around. Its performance is adequate for everyday tasks with ample storage and memory. However, the MacBook Pro 16 shines with its higher-end processing power and a superior mini LED display with a higher resolution and refresh rate. The MacBook has a longer battery life and excels in tasks such as 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering, but it comes at a higher price point and is heavier, thus slightly less portable than the Acer. Depending on your budget and needs for high-end tasks versus general use and portability, the choice between the two should become clear. 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 Go 14
- Excellent portability
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
- Excellent for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.7
9.0
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
300.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
17.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
9.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is excellent for general use, while the Acer Swift Go 14 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 from 2021 outshines the Acer Swift Go 14 in general use primarily because it offers more RAM for multitasking, a higher resolution and brighter Mini LED screen for better visual clarity, and longer battery life, which boosts its usability during long sessions away from a power source. While the Acer Swift Go 14 is lighter and more portable for users on the go, the MacBook Pro's robust processing power, thanks to its M1 Pro chip, and superior build quality make it more suitable for demanding applications.
Gaming and AI
6.4
7.0
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Swift Go 14 is only fair.
The Acer Swift Go 14 has a lower-tier integrated GPU and a standard screen refresh rate, meaning it will handle less demanding games and 3D tasks, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16, equipped with a much more powerful GPU and a higher refresh rate display, excels in 3D rendering and high frame rate gaming, though it's limited by the availability of popular games for macOS.
Engineering and Design
7.2
8.7
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.5/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Swift Go 14 is good.
The Acer Swift Go 14 is equipped with a capable Intel CPU and its integrated GPU, complemented by a high-definition IPS display, which makes it well-suited for engineering and design tasks; however, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 outshines the Acer with its robust Apple Silicon CPU and a more powerful integrated GPU, alongside a higher-resolution Mini LED display for more detailed and color-accurate work, although it is heavier and less portable.
Content Creation
7.6
8.8
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.5/10
1920 x 1200
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 Swift Go 14 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
8.9
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) is very good for software development, while the Acer Swift Go 14 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
6.8
9.4
14.0in
SIZE
16.2in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Acer Swift Go 14 for general use, AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the MacBook Pro 16 excels with its high-resolution, bright display, offering crisp and vibrant visuals, whereas the Acer Swift Go 14 provides respectable clarity and brightness but doesn't match the MacBook's premium display. In engineering and design, the MacBook Pro's wide color gamut ensures accurate color representation essential for professional work, while the Acer offers decent coverage but may not satisfy those needing precise color fidelity. When it comes to 3D, both laptops fall short due to lower refresh rates, but the MacBook's superior resolution and panel type provide a better experience for tasks that demand less rapid motion.
Battery
8.0 Hours
17.5 Hours
The Acer Swift Go 14 has 8 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
Excellent
Good
14.0in
SIZE
16.2in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.7 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Acer Swift Go 14 has excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
10.0
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Acer Swift Go 14 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$795
$1,999
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Swift Go 14 has a price of $795 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) costs $1,999.
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How the Acer Swift Go 14 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift Go 14 | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$795 | $1,999 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.3'' x 8.6'' x 0.59'' | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.76 lbs | 4.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.32" | 14.01" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.58" | 9.77" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1355U | Apple M1 Pro (10C) | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 17.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 65 Wh | 99.6 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 16.2" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 3456 x 2234 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 300 nits | 497 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1440p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Swift Go 14
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | May 2023
"The Acer Swift Go 14 is a surprising machine. Its performance, display, and battery life leave little to be desired from a device at this price. You might think it’d be cheaper given the “Go” in the name, or thinner given its close competition with thin-and-light laptops, but it manages to strike a decent enough balance between its capabilities and hardware to really stand out as an exceptional value."
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2021)
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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 Swift Go 14 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.
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