When deciding between the Acer Swift X 16 and the Framework Laptop 16, consider that the Acer is often less expensive and may offer reliable performance for everyday tasks and some light creative work. However, if you prioritize the ability to upgrade and repair your device, the Framework Laptop stands out for its modular design, allowing you to replace components easily. If your usage includes heavier tasks or you have a concern for long-term sustainability, the additional investment in the Framework could be worthwhile. On the flip side, if portability and saving money are more critical, the Acer Swift X may be 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 16
Good for gaming and AI
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.2/10
8.4/10
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
402.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Acer Swift X 16 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
When considering screen quality for general use, both the Acer Swift X 16 and the Framework Laptop 16 boast high-resolution displays with bright, vibrant panels, which are crucial for sharp text and vivid images. For engineering and design tasks, these laptops' screens cover a wide range of color gamuts, ensuring that colors are accurately represented for professionals who need precise color fidelity. However, for gaming and 3D applications where the smoothness of motion is key, the screens fall short due to lower refresh rates, making them less ideal for fast-paced visual content that benefits from quicker screen updates.
Cost
$1,250
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Swift X 16 has a price of $1,250 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
The Acer Swift X 16 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for general use.
The Acer Swift X 16 offers a balance of CPU power and RAM that ensures smooth operation for everyday tasks, with a quality screen, good battery life, and portability making it well-suited for users on the go. The Framework Laptop 16 (2023), while also providing strong performance and a high-quality screen for general use, stands out with its modular design allowing for easier upgrades and repairs, potentially extending its lifespan and offering a degree of customization in areas like storage and port selection.
Gaming and AI
7.0/10
6.8/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is only fair.
The Acer Swift X 16 stands out for gaming and 3D tasks due to its more powerful GPU and higher screen refresh rate, which are critical for smooth visuals and fast-paced action. The Framework Laptop 16, while offering decent performance with an adequate CPU and good screen quality, falls short in providing the same level of graphic capabilities and fluidity in refresh rate for optimal gaming and 3D experiences.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.1/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Acer Swift X 16 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very good for engineering and design.
The Acer Swift X 16, with its powerful CPU, ample RAM, and dedicated GPU, delivers robust performance for engineering software and design applications, while providing a high-quality screen for detailed visuals. The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) offers similar performance capabilities and is renowned for its repairability and customization, allowing for future upgrades, and with both, you'll find decent portability and acceptable keyboard and speaker quality, although during heavy tasks, they might run loud.
Content Creation
8.3/10
8.1/10
9.1/10
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 Acer Swift X 16 and Framework Laptop 16 (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
8.0/10
8.0/10
9.1/10
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
The Acer Swift X 16 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) are both very 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.
Battery
8.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X 16 has 8 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.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
16.0in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Swift X 16 and Framework Laptop 16 (2023) both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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 16 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 16 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
"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."
"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 16 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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