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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For intensive engineering tasks and gaming, the Acer Swift X is the better option as it includes a discrete Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU, which greatly outperforms the integrated graphics on the Dell XPS 13. The Acer also has a bigger and higher resolution screen with a faster refresh rate, making for smoother visuals. If portability is a priority, the Dell XPS 13 is lighter and has a slightly higher portability score. Although both have the same amount of memory and storage, the XPS 13 offers better build quality, keyboard quality, and speaker quality according to the comparison, but has a smaller battery capacity, which could impact the battery life. Both are priced in the lower midrange, but the Dell is often less expensive. If you prefer a powerful GPU for graphic-intensive applications, choose the Acer Swift X, but if you value a more portable and higher-quality build, the Dell XPS 13 may be a better fit. 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 Dell XPS 13
- Very good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.9
6.2
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Dell XPS 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Acer Swift X (2023) is somewhat better.
The Acer Swift X (2023) is better for gaming and 3D applications because it has a dedicated Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics card and a higher screen refresh rate of 120Hz, which can deliver smoother visuals, compared to the Dell XPS 13's integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and a standard refresh rate of 60Hz. While the XPS 13's screen quality is commendable, the more capable GPU and refresh rate in the Swift X are more significant factors for gaming and 3D performance.
Engineering and Design
8.0
7.2
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Swift X (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell XPS 13 is good.
The Acer Swift X (2023) boasts a dedicated Nvidia RTX GPU and a 120Hz screen, which makes it suitable for demanding engineering software and design tasks, whereas the lighter Dell XPS 13, with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and a smaller form factor, offers greater portability and a higher-res screen but at the expense of some graphic performance ideal for less intensive design work. Both laptops have solid CPUs and RAM to handle various engineering applications, but the Acer's GPU edge provides an advantage for graphics-intensive tasks, while the XPS 13's portability and superior screen make it a compelling choice for on-the-go professionals who prioritize display quality and mobility.
Screen Quality
8.0
7.2
14.5in
SIZE
13.4in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
390.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
The Acer Swift X has a better screen than the Dell XPS 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Acer Swift X offers a vibrant display with high resolution and good brightness, making it an excellent choice for general use and for engineering or design tasks where accurate color representation is crucial. While the Dell XPS 13 similarly boasts a display with pleasing color and clarity, suitable for everyday tasks and professional design work, its color range might not be as broad as the Swift X's. However, both laptops have screens with lower refresh rates which are less ideal for gaming and 3D applications that benefit from smoother motion and quicker on-screen action.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.5in
SIZE
13.4in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
2.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Dell XPS 13 has excellent portability, while the Acer Swift X (2023) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
8.5
The Dell XPS 13 has very good 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
$850
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Acer Swift X (2023) has a price of $1,100 and the Dell XPS 13 costs $850.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.7
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
390.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
442.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Dell XPS 13 are both good for general use.
The Acer Swift X (2023) offers solid performance with an upgraded main processor and dedicated graphics unit, making it suitable for multitasking and casual gaming, and it has a high-quality, color-accurate screen, balanced by a reasonable battery life and good portability. On the other hand, the Dell XPS 13 boasts an even more portable design with a top-tier keyboard, and its high-resolution display offers great color accuracy and brightness, despite having a less powerful integrated graphics unit, making it less suited for graphics-intensive tasks but excellent for general productivity and media consumption.
Content Creation
8.0
7.7
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 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 Dell XPS 13 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
7.5
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Dell XPS 13 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.
Battery
10.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 13 has 10 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer Swift X (2023) and the Dell XPS 13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2023) | Dell XPS 13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $850 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | August 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.31 lbs | 2.59 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.7" | 11.63" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9" | 7.86" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-13500H | Intel i7-1250U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 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 | 10 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 76 Wh | 51 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.5" | 13.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 390 nits | 442 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 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 | 0 | |
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 | 4 | |
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."
Dell XPS 13
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Monica Chen | April 2023
"In the past, the XPS 13 was a hands-down contender for the best laptop on the market. But the Apple-silicon MacBook has since barrelled onto the scene, and it wipes the floor with most of the ultraportable Windows laptops that cross my desk on a daily basis. This XPS is no exception. Compared to the M2 MacBook Air, battery life is worse."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2023) or the Dell XPS 13
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 Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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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.
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About the laptop team
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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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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.
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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.
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