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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Swift X 16 offers a higher-resolution display with a faster refresh rate and is lighter, making it more portable and better for tasks that benefit from a sharper and smoother display, like designing or video editing. However, the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has a larger screen, double the RAM for better multitasking, and a slightly longer battery life, ideal for intensive tasks like 3D rendering or machine learning. Both have similar storage, battery size, and the same GPU, but the Zenbook's more powerful processor could handle engineering software with more ease. If portability and display quality are priorities, the Acer might suit you, while for heavy multitasking and computational power, consider the ASUS. 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
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17
- The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 has no clear advantages over the Acer Swift X 16.
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.2
7.2
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
402.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Acer Swift X 16 has a better screen than the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and software development.
The Acer Swift X 16's display offers vivid colors and sharp images, making it great for everyday tasks and detailed engineering work where color accuracy is key. However, its refresh rate is lower, which is less ideal for gaming or 3D work where smooth motion is critical. The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 also presents strong color fidelity and resolution for both day-to-day use and professional design, but like the Swift X, its refresh rate doesn't cater to the high demands of gaming and 3D modeling.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
17.3in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
5.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Swift X 16 and ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 both have good portability, though the Acer Swift X 16 has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,250
$1,500
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Swift X 16 has a price of $1,250 and the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 costs $1,500.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.2
8.3
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
402.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.7/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.1/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 and Acer Swift X 16 are both very good for general use.
The Acer Swift X 16 with its higher screen resolution and lighter weight is good for general use, offering portability along with a sharp display, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 leverages a more powerful CPU and greater RAM, enhancing performance for demanding tasks despite being less portable and having a lower-resolution screen. Both have quality speakers and keyboards, robust build, and manage heat and noise well, making them versatile for a range of activities.
Gaming and AI
7.0
6.9
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.1/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Unknown
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Swift X 16 to be good for gaming and AI, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 is only fair.
The Acer Swift X 16 offers a higher screen refresh rate, which is beneficial for smoother visuals in gaming and 3D applications, while both the Acer and ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 are equipped with the Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics card, known for good gaming and 3D performance, though the ASUS has a more powerful CPU and larger screen but a lower refresh rate. Screen quality in both laptops is comparable due to similar panel technology and resolution, with the ASUS offering a wider screen but at a standard refresh rate which is less optimal for fast-paced gaming compared to Acer's higher refresh rate.
Engineering and Design
8.2
8.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Acer Swift X 16 and ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Acer Swift X 16 stands out in engineering and design use due to its combination of a robust CPU, ample RAM for multitasking, and a capable GPU that is supported by a high-quality display with a high refresh rate and good color coverage, which is essential for design accuracy. The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17, while also strong in CPU and double the RAM, offering exceptional multitasking capabilities, and possessing the same GPU, is slightly less optimal for design due to a lower resolution and refresh rate screen, but it compensates with larger screen size and superior speaker quality, though it is less portable due to a heavier build.
Content Creation
8.3
8.2
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Acer Swift X 16 and ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 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
8.0
7.9
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.7/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Acer Swift X 16 to be very good for software development, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 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
8.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X 16 has 8 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 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
7.2
The Acer Swift X 16 and ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 both have 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 16 and the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X 16 | ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,250 | $1,500 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.8'' x 0.7'' | 15.6'' x 10.2'' x 0.74'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.19 lbs | 5.18 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.02" | 15.55" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.81" | 10.18" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 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 | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 76 Wh | 76 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 17.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 402 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X 16 or the ASUS Zenbook Pro 17
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 ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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