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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Swift X is priced lower and offers a decent balance for general use, engineering, and even light gaming thanks to its dedicated Nvidia GPU, but its display and build quality aren't as premium as the MacBook's. If you prize a laptop with higher build quality, better display for color accuracy, and longer battery life, and do not mind a slightly higher price, the Apple MacBook Pro with its M1 Pro chip might be the better choice. The MacBook Pro's display benefits include a higher brightness and refresh rate, which could be crucial for creative professionals. However, for tasks requiring Windows-specific software or a preference for gaming capabilities, the Swift X could be the way to go due to its broader compatibility and discrete graphics card. 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 (2022)
- The Acer Swift X (2022) has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021).
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
- Best in class overall build quality
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class speakers
- Best in class keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.8
8.4
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
330.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
479.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
13.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the Acer Swift X (2022) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) exceeds the Acer Swift X (2022) in terms of general use primarily because the MacBook has a more powerful CPU and GPU, a higher quality screen with better resolution and brightness, and longer battery life. Additionally, the MacBook Pro is noted for its superior keyboard quality, speaker quality, and better heat management, although it is slightly heavier and less portable than the Acer Swift X.
Engineering and Design
7.5
8.2
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Swift X (2022) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14, with its Apple M1 Pro chip and a high-resolution Mini LED screen, surpasses the Acer Swift X which runs on an Intel processor and uses an IPS display, making the MacBook better for engineering and design due to higher computational power and superior screen quality. However, the Acer Swift X is more portable due to its lighter weight, and has a high-quality keyboard and ample connectivity options that are suitable for engineering tasks, though it may not match the overall performance and display fidelity of the MacBook.
Content Creation
7.8
8.4
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for content creation, while the Acer Swift X (2022) 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
7.7
8.3
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for software development, while the Acer Swift X (2022) 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.
Screen Quality
7.0
9.2
14.0in
SIZE
14.2in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
330.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
479.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Acer Swift X for general use, AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the MacBook Pro 14 boasts a high-resolution display with vivid brightness and panel technology that delivers crisp and clear visuals, while the Acer Swift X, though having a good screen, may not match the MacBook's exceptional display characteristics. Within engineering and design, the MacBook Pro 14's wider color gamuts ensure accurate color reproduction crucial for detailed work, surpassing the Swift X which, while suitable, doesn't offer the same breadth of color fidelity. However, for 3D applications that rely on smooth motion, the Swift X may fall short due to a lower refresh rate, just as the MacBook Pro 14 doesn't cater to the highest standards in refresh rate needed for these tasks.
Battery
10.0 Hours
13.5 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 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 14 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Acer Swift X (2022) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,313
$1,905
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Swift X (2022) has a price of $1,313 and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) costs $1,905.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.6
6.8
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.7/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Acer Swift X (2022) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Acer Swift X (2022) is equipped with Nvidia's RTX 3050 GPU and offers a screen refresh rate of 60hz, making it capable for gaming but less smooth for fast-paced action, whereas the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) includes a higher-performing Apple M1 Pro GPU with a 120hz screen refresh rate for more fluid 3D rendering. However, the MacBook Pro's advantage in screen refresh rate and GPU performance may be less impactful for popular gaming titles, which are often not available on macOS.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.2in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Acer Swift X (2022) both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Acer Swift X (2022) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2022) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,313 | $1,905 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.3'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.61'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.09 lbs | 3.5 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.3" | 12.31" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.4" | 8.71" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1260P | Apple M1 Pro (8C) | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 13.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58.7 Wh | 69.6 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14.2" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2240 x 1400 | 3024 x 1964 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 330 nits | 479 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 8.6/10 | |
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 | 720p | 1080p | |
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 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
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Acer Swift X (2022)
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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."
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | January 2023
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2022) or the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
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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