If you're on a tight budget and mostly handle everyday tasks, the Acer Swift X offers good value and is generally more affordable. On the other hand, the Framework Laptop 16 is pricier but focuses on repairability and upgradeability, which could save you money in the long run if you plan to keep your laptop for many years and wish to upgrade components yourself. The Framework also aims to be more sustainable. For demanding tasks like 3D work, machine learning, or gaming, the Framework's likely to deliver better performance. The Acer, however, will be lighter and more convenient to carry around. 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)
Very good portability
Very good battery life
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
8.1/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Swift X (2022) is good.
The Acer Swift X offers a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a dedicated GPU, making it well-suited for demanding engineering and design software, while its high-quality screen provides crisp visuals for precise work. Meanwhile, the Framework Laptop 16, with similar high-end CPU and RAM specs, also features a modular design that allows for easy upgrades and repairs, enhancing its longevity, and it boasts a quality screen, though it is a bit heavier, slightly affecting portability.
Screen Quality
7.0/10
8.4/10
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
330.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the Acer Swift X for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Swift X offers a balanced screen experience for general use and engineering tasks with adequate brightness, resolution, and panel type, providing clear visuals and color representation critical for everyday tasks and precise design work. In contrast, the Framework Laptop 16 elevates this experience with a higher quality display that ensures richer colors and sharper details, making it better suited for professionals who prioritize screen quality in their general and engineering software applications. However, neither is optimal for gaming or 3D applications due to lower refresh rates, which impacts how smoothly motion is rendered on screen, a key factor for immersive and responsive gaming experiences.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Swift X (2022) has very good portability, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,313
$1,699
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Swift X (2022) has a price of $1,313 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be very good for general use, while the Acer Swift X (2022) is good.
The Acer Swift X offers solid performance with its CPU and ample RAM, making it suitable for everyday tasks, along with a quality screen and a balance between battery life and portability, but the Framework Laptop 16 stands out with a higher-quality display and superior CPU, which enhances performance for various applications, and it also boasts exceptional portability with better battery life, despite potentially being more expensive. However, both laptops provide sufficient storage and have decent keyboards and speakers, but the Framework Laptop 16 may manage heat and operating noise a bit more effectively, giving it an edge for prolonged use.
Gaming and AI
6.6/10
6.8/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Acer Swift X (2022) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Acer Swift X offers a dedicated GPU that's capable of handling games and 3D tasks, but its screen refresh rate is not optimal for the most fluid gaming experiences. Meanwhile, the Framework Laptop 16 provides a similar level of graphics performance and, while its screen quality is solid, its refresh rate also does not cater to high-end gaming demands where smoother visuals are a priority.
Content Creation
7.8/10
8.1/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be 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
7.7/10
8.0/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to be 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.
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 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.
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 (2022) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer Swift X (2022) and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
"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."
"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 (2022) 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
132,495
Recommendations made
28,708
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
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.