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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize battery life and a high-quality display, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is a superior choice over the Acer Swift X 16, and it's also better suited for professional creative work due to its color accuracy and screen resolution. However, it comes at a premium price and is slightly heavier, which might affect portability. The Acer Swift X 16 is more affordable and offers a balance between performance and cost, with a decent screen and enough power for general use and light engineering tasks. It is also equipped with a dedicated Nvidia GPU which can be advantageous for some 3D applications and moderate gaming. Keep in mind that while MacBook Pro's M2 Pro chip excels in optimized applications, it may not support all Windows-specific engineering software. 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 16
- The Acer Swift X 16 has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023).
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
- Excellent for general use
- Excellent for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
8.2
9.1
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
402.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
487.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
17.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for general use, while the Acer Swift X 16 is very good.
The Acer Swift X 16 is equipped with an AMD Ryzen processor and a Nvidia RTX GPU, making it suitable for general use with a good balance of performance, screen quality with an IPS display, and a respectable 8 hours of battery life. On the other hand, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) offers a higher performance Apple M2 Pro chip, superior display with Mini LED technology for better screen quality, and significantly longer battery life of 17.5 hours, but it is slightly heavier and may be less portable.
Engineering and Design
8.2
8.8
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and Acer Swift X 16 are both very good for engineering and design, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Acer Swift X 16 provides strong performance for engineering and design tasks with a capable CPU, high RAM capacity, and a dedicated GPU, plus a screen that boasts high Adobe RGB color space coverage, making it ideal for detail-oriented visual work. On the other hand, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) matches high performance with an M-series CPU, generous RAM, impressive GPU capabilities, and excellent screen quality, while also offering a balance of portability, comfortable keyboard, superior speakers, and minimal operating noise.
Content Creation
8.3
9.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) is excellent for content creation, while the Acer Swift X 16 is very 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
8.0
8.9
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and Acer Swift X 16 are both very good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (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
8.2
9.3
16.0in
SIZE
16.2in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
402.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
487.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a better screen than the Acer Swift X 16 for general use, AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the MacBook Pro's screen outshines the Swift X with a higher resolution and superior brightness, offering crisper visuals and more vivid colors on the panel. In engineering and design, the MacBook's wider color gamuts deliver more accurate color reproduction, which is critical for detailed work. However, both fall short for 3D applications where refresh rate is key, as their screens don't offer the high refresh rates favored for smooth motion in fast-paced visuals.
Battery
8.0 Hours
17.5 Hours
The Acer Swift X 16 has 8 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 17.5 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.
Build Quality
7.6
10.0
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has best in class build quality, while the Acer Swift X 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,250
$2,423
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Acer Swift X 16 has a price of $1,250 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) costs $2,423.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
7.0
7.4
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3456 x 2234
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Unknown
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) and Acer Swift X 16 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Acer Swift X 16 is equipped with an Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics card and a higher screen refresh rate, making it better suited for gaming and 3D applications, whereas the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) has an integrated Apple M2 Pro GPU and a lower refresh rate, which can handle 3D tasks well but is less optimal for gaming, especially considering the limited compatibility of popular games with macOS.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.2in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
4.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Acer Swift X 16 and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Acer Swift X 16 and the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X 16 | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,250 | $2,423 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.7'' | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.66'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.19 lbs | 4.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.02" | 14.01" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 9.77" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | Apple M2 Pro (12C) | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 17.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 76 Wh | 99.6 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 16.2" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 3456 x 2234 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 402 nits | 487 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Swift X 16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCWorld
Matthew S. Smith | September 2023
"Acer’s Swift X 16 is an excellent choice for shoppers who want a 16-inch laptop and care more for performance than attractive design or long battery life. The Swift X 16’s gorgeous OLED display, spacious keyboard, and big touchpad make it pleasant to use in basic day-to-day tasks. It also has an AMD Ryzen 9 processor and Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics, which combine to deliver good performance in a wide variety of productivity applications and games. A few minor mistakes, like poorly-placed USB-C ports that lack DisplayPort, will turn off some shoppers, but those who can accept its shortcomings will find the Swift X 16 a versatile daily driver."
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | February 2023
"The Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023: M2 Max challenges GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The new MacBook Pro 16 2023 with the M2 Max SoC is the most powerful laptop Apple has on sale right now. While we do not get the expected performance and efficiency improvements from completely new 3 nm chips, which we expected ahead of the launch, the 2023 model is still a solid update. The CPU of the M2 Max can be up to 20 % faster than the old model and we also see an advantage of 25-30 % for the GPU with 38 cores. However, both components also consume more power, so the efficiency did not change that much under maximum load."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X 16 or the Apple MacBook Pro 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 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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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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