If you're on a budget and looking for a good balance between performance and portability, the Acer Swift X is a cost-effective choice that offers solid performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. However, if you value the ability to customize and upgrade your laptop over time, and you need a more powerful system for demanding activities like 3D modeling, machine learning, or heavier gaming, investing in the Framework Laptop may be beneficial. The Framework is also known for its commitment to sustainability through its modular design. On the downside, the Framework Laptop is usually more expensive and may be heavier, affecting its portability. 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 portability
Very good battery life
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.0/10
8.4/10
14.5in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
390.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Acer Swift X for general use, gaming and AI, and content creation.
For general use, both the Acer Swift X and the Framework Laptop 16 excel due to their high-resolution displays and bright panels, providing clear and vibrant imagery for daily tasks like browsing and video streaming. Their displays also cover a wide range of colors, making them suitable for engineering and design work where precise color representation is critical. However, for Gaming and 3D applications that require fast image changes, both laptops' screens are less ideal as they lack high refresh rates, resulting in less fluid motion during fast-paced scenes.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.5in
SIZE
16.0in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Swift X (2023) has very good portability, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,100
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Swift X (2023) has a price of $1,100 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Acer Swift X (2023) is good.
The Acer Swift X offers a solid combination of CPU performance, RAM, and portability that suits everyday tasks well, with its screen quality and battery life noted for delivering a balanced general-use experience. The Framework Laptop 16, on the other hand, excels with its premium screen and top-tier CPU, providing snappier multitasking and a higher-quality visual experience, making it a preferred option for those who prioritize performance and display sharpness in their general use, despite being slightly less portable.
Gaming and AI
6.9/10
6.8/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Acer Swift X has a dedicated GPU that handles gaming and 3D applications adequately, but the screen refresh rate may not be the highest for the most fluid visuals in fast-paced games. The Framework Laptop 16 also comes with a competent GPU and its modular design allows for some potential upgrades; however, its refresh rate and default CPU might limit peak performance in high-end gaming and complex 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.0/10
8.1/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Acer Swift X (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Acer Swift X offers a strong CPU, ample RAM, and a high-quality GPU that makes it suitable for demanding engineering tasks and graphic design, plus a high-resolution screen for clear visuals. The Framework Laptop 16 provides a similar level of performance with the added benefit of a customizable design, allowing you to upgrade components over time, alongside its own high-quality display, but it may be heavier to carry and have louder operating noise compared to the Swift X.
Content Creation
8.0/10
8.1/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Acer Swift X (2023) are both very good for content creation.
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
7.9/10
8.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
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 X (2023) 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.
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 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.
Build Quality
7.6/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to have 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.
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How the Acer Swift X (2023) and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
"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."
"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 X (2023) 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.
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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