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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you need a portable laptop with also good performance for tasks like 3D rendering or machine learning, the Acer Swift X with its more potent GPU and higher screen refresh rate might be the better choice, although you may notice it getting warm under heavy usage. However, if you prioritize a larger screen and slightly better build quality, and your tasks are more general use oriented rather than intensive engineering or gaming, the MSI Prestige 15 could be more suitable. Both laptops are similarly priced with comparable battery life, but the Swift X has an edge in battery life for typical usage. 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
- Very good portability
- Very good battery life
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Prestige 15
- The MSI Prestige 15 has no clear advantages over the Acer Swift X (2023).
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.9
6.3
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.0/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and MSI Prestige 15 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Acer Swift X (2023) is somewhat better.
The Acer Swift X has a superior GPU in the Nvidia RTX 3050 and a higher screen refresh rate of 120 Hz, which are crucial for smooth and detailed gaming and 3D rendering, while the MSI Prestige 15 features a less powerful Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU and a standard 60 Hz screen refresh rate, making it less optimal for these tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.0
7.2
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
5.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Swift X (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the MSI Prestige 15 is good.
The Acer Swift X (2023) stands out for engineering and design due to a robust CPU and GPU combo and a higher resolution screen that is ideal for detailed work, while the MSI Prestige 15, with a decent CPU and GPU, incorporates a larger screen for more expansive workspace but offers lower resolution and refresh rate. Portability is slightly favored by the Acer Swift X due to its lower weight, and it also has a higher density pixel screen, enhancing visual clarity for design tasks; however, the MSI Prestige 15 has a quieter operational noise and a somewhat larger battery, potentially offering longer usage without charge.
Content Creation
8.0
7.5
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Swift X (2023) is very good for content creation, while the MSI Prestige 15 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
7.2
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and MSI Prestige 15 are both good for software development, though the Acer Swift X (2023) is somewhat better.
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
8.0
6.8
14.5in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
390.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
298.0 nits
The Acer Swift X has a better screen than the MSI Prestige 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize a sharp and vibrant display for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming, the Acer Swift X delivers with its high resolution and brightness. For engineering and design, where color accuracy is crucial, the Acer Swift X excels with its wider color gamuts. However, for gaming or 3D work the Swift X falls short due to its lower refresh rate, while the MSI Prestige 15 offers a similar experience for general use and creative tasks but doesn't quite match the Acer's color performance.
Battery
10.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The MSI Prestige 15 has 7.5 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.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.5
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
390.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
298.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Acer Swift X (2023) and MSI Prestige 15 are both good for general use.
The Acer Swift X (2023) stands out for general use with its newer Intel i5-13500H processor and higher screen resolution, making it suitable for demanding applications and enjoying high-quality visuals, while also offering great portability and a battery life that supports prolonged off-the-charger usage. The MSI Prestige 15, while a bit heavier and less portable, provides a large screen and effective heat management, making it a solid option for those who prefer a bigger display and intend to use their laptop in a stationary setup with moderate power needs.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.5in
SIZE
15.6in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Swift X (2023) to have very good portability, while the MSI Prestige 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
7.4
The Acer Swift X (2023) and MSI Prestige 15 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
$1,044
$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 MSI Prestige 15 costs $1,044.
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How the Acer Swift X (2023) and the MSI Prestige 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2023) | MSI Prestige 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $1,044 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | January 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | 14.1'' x 9.2'' x 0.74'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.31 lbs | 3.73 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.7" | 14.05" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9" | 9.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-13500H | Intel i5-1240P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 76 Wh | 82 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.5" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 390 nits | 298 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
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."
MSI Prestige 15
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Mario Petzold | December 2022
"The MSI Prestige 15 offers a dazzling 4K image quality, and solid performance. The MSI Prestige 15 appears to consistently implement the guiding principle of throttling the solid and efficient hardware to such an extent that content creation succeeds perfectly. Performance-hungry tasks, on the other hand, are slowed down a little by the reduced power consumption. Conversely, this means that the case remains relatively cool and the dual fan subdued. The battery life also benefits somewhat. So the losses aren't really dramatic because full performance is still available for short bursts."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2023) or the MSI Prestige 15
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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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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