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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a cost-effective laptop with higher storage and RAM, the Acer Swift X (2023) could be the better option. It also has dedicated Nvidia graphics, which makes it well-suited for 3D work, machine learning tasks, and gaming. However, it's heavier and offers less battery life than the MacBook Pro 13 (2020). The MacBook Pro, while usually more expensive and with less storage and RAM, delivers better battery life and a high-quality build. It's also lighter, which enhances portability, and the integrated M1 chip offers efficient performance for engineering and general tasks. 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 X (2023)
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
- Best in class overall build quality
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.9
6.3
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Acer Swift X (2023) is somewhat better.
The Acer Swift X, with its Nvidia RTX 3050 and higher screen refresh rate, provides a more fluid and visually rich gaming and 3D experience than the Apple MacBook Pro 13, which has an integrated Apple M1 GPU and a standard refresh rate. Additionally, the wider range of games compatible with Windows over macOS makes the Acer a more versatile choice for gaming.
Engineering and Design
8.0
7.3
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Acer Swift X (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good.
The Acer Swift X (2023) with its more powerful Nvidia GPU and Intel CPU is better suited for tasks requiring high performance like 3D modeling, while its IPS screen ensures good color accuracy for design work. In comparison, the Apple MacBook Pro 13" (2020) has a less powerful but highly efficient M1 chip, which offers excellent battery life and a quieter working environment due to its fanless design, and its high-resolution IPS screen provides excellent color fidelity for design accuracy.
Screen Quality
8.0
7.6
14.5in
SIZE
13.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
390.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
The Acer Swift X has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 for gaming and AI, and content creation.
The Acer Swift X offers a high-resolution, bright display suitable for everyday tasks and detailed engineering work, but its slower refresh rate hinders the smoothness required for high-end gaming and 3D applications. The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a vibrant, sharp screen with a wide color gamut that appeals to professionals in engineering and design, ensuring accurate color representation, yet also lacks in refresh rate, diminishing its effectiveness for 3D tasks. Both laptops are optimized for visual clarity and color accuracy over gaming performance, so users focused on general use and creative work would be satisfied, whereas gamers or 3D designers may seek alternatives with faster screens.
Battery
10.0 Hours
20.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 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
Very Good
14.5in
SIZE
13.3in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Acer Swift X (2023) both have very good portability, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
10.0
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has best in class build quality, while the Acer Swift X (2023) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,100
$1,249
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Swift X (2023) has a price of $1,100 and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) costs $1,249.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.7
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
390.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
20.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
8.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) are both good for general use.
The Acer Swift X (2023) is appreciated for general use due to its solid CPU and RAM configuration, high-quality screen, and portability, making it capable of handling everyday tasks efficiently while being easy to carry around. On the other hand, the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) also shines in general use with its high-resolution Retina display and Apple M1 chip for fast performance, along with a silent, fanless design, and a lightweight form factor contributing to its strong portability and excellent battery life.I will start by searching the document for relevant information regarding the Acer Swift X (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) to address the factors that make them good for general use.
Content Creation
8.0
7.8
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Swift X (2023) to be very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) 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
7.9
7.8
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) 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 X (2023) and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2023) | Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $1,249 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | October 1, 2020 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.61'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.31 lbs | 3 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.7" | 11.97" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9" | 8.36" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-13500H | Apple M1 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 20 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 76 Wh | 58.2 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.5" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 390 nits | 491 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 3 | |
Shopping
Acer Swift X (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sebastian Jentsch | March 2022
"The Swift X is an Acer for entry-level gaming. With the entry-level graphics chip, our Acer not only beats every single current AMD and Intel iGPU, but also Intel's dGPU Iris Xe Max. However, despite being a GDDR6 version, the GTX does not match the expectations set by its own counterparts from our database. This may be a result of the single fan, which only produces moderate noise levels under load. The performance level of the thin and light 1.4 kg (~3.09 lbs) 14-inch laptop is impressive nonetheless."
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2022
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2023) or the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
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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