For high performance in intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning and gaming, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i is a better option as it has a superior GPU and better overall engineering performance. However, it's heavier and slightly less portable than the Acer Swift X, which offers better battery life for general use and a higher portability score. The Acer has a higher screen color accuracy, making it suitable for tasks where color representation is crucial. Both are similarly priced and have the same RAM, storage capacity, and display types with sharp resolutions. If portability and screen color fidelity are your priorities, go for the Acer Swift X, but if you need top-notch performance and are not too concerned about carrying a heavier laptop, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i is the better choice. 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
Very good speakers
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i
Very good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.9/10
8.0/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i is very good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Swift X (2023) is only fair.
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i excels in gaming and 3D applications due to its higher-tier Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which makes fast-moving visuals smoother compared to the Acer Swift X, which has a mid-range Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU and a lower refresh rate, thus providing good but not as fluid gaming and 3D experiences. Both laptops have similar screen quality and powerful CPUs, but these GPU and refresh rate differences are key for intensive tasks like gaming and 3D rendering.
Screen Quality
8.0/10
8.0/10
14.5in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
390.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
343.0 nits
The Acer Swift X has a better screen than the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i for engineering and design, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has a better screen for gaming and AI.
If you prioritize a high-resolution display and vibrant colors for tasks like web browsing or document editing, the Acer Swift X is well-suited due to its bright and sharp screen. For engineering and design work, the Acer Swift X stands out with a display that supports broad color gamuts, offering more accurate color reproduction which is essential for these fields. However, for gaming or 3D work, where smooth motion is key, both the Acer Swift X and the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i may not be ideal, as they lack the high refresh rates needed for optimal visual fluidity.
Battery
10.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has 7 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
Fair
14.5in
SIZE
16.0in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Acer Swift X (2023) has very good portability, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i are both good for general use.
The Acer Swift X (2023) offers a good balance for general use with a solid CPU and RAM, high-quality screen, and excellent portability and battery life, appealing to users needing a versatile and mobile laptop. In contrast, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i has a more powerful CPU and larger storage, better suited for demanding applications, but with reduced battery life and portability, catering to users who prioritize performance over mobility.
Engineering and Design
8.0/10
8.4/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i and Acer Swift X (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Lenovo Legion Slim 5i stands out for engineering and design use due to its more powerful Intel i7 processor, superior Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics, and a larger 16-inch display over the Acer Swift X's Intel i5 processor, Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics, and 14.5-inch screen.
Content Creation
8.0/10
8.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i 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
7.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i 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.
Build Quality
7.6/10
7.4/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and Lenovo Legion Slim 5i both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,100
$1,055
$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 Lenovo Legion Slim 5i costs $1,055.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer Swift X (2023) and the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i 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 Lenovo Legion Slim 5 Gen 8 acknowledges that a gaming laptop doesn’t have to be as thick as possible and can still ensure adequate cooling when the muscles need flexing. To this end, in the Slim 5 Gen 8, it finds a neat balance of refined, trimmed-down design that still lets its internals cruise (even above their max power ratings). Lenovo then added in some high-end build quality with an altogether excellent keyboard that’s useful for both work and play."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2023) or the Lenovo Legion Slim 5i
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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 Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
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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