If you prioritize high-resolution graphics for detailed engineering work and can accommodate a heavier and larger laptop, the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 would be suitable due to its larger screen, superior color coverage, and battery capacity. However, if portability and a lighter weight are crucial for you, along with decent performance for general use and some gaming, the Acer Swift X (2022) would be a better fit, even though it may not deliver the same level of performance in computationally intensive tasks as the ThinkPad P16. Both laptops are in a similar price range, with the Acer Swift X being slightly less expensive and the ThinkPad P16 slightly more so. 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
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkPad P16
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
Excellent speakers
Excellent keyboard
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
8.3/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Swift X (2022) is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 stands out for engineering and design due to a more powerful CPU and GPU, higher screen resolution and brightness, which benefit detailed and color-sensitive tasks, at the cost of heavier weight and less portability compared to the lighter Acer Swift X (2022). While the Acer Swift X (2022) also offers a solid CPU and GPU, its screen quality and resolution are lower, though it provides better portability for those who prefer a lighter device for on-the-go use.
Software Development
7.7/10
8.4/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 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
7.0/10
8.2/10
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
330.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
569.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has a better screen than the Acer Swift X for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, clarity, detail, and easy readability are key; the Acer Swift X offers decent resolution and brightness, but the Lenovo ThinkPad P16's superior screen offers higher resolution and brightness, enhancing overall viewing comfort. In the context of engineering and design, accurate color reproduction is critical; the ThinkPad P16 likely covers a broader spectrum of colors (like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB), leading to more precise work in color-sensitive projects. However, for gaming and 3D applications, despite both having poor screen quality due to lower refresh rates, the resolutions and panel technologies may still provide a passable experience for casual use but will fall short for enthusiasts seeking fluid motion and rapid response times.
Portability
Very Good
Poor
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
6.5 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
1.2in
The Acer Swift X (2022) has very good portability, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6/10
8.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has 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.
Cost
$1,313
$1,449
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Swift X (2022) has a price of $1,313 and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 costs $1,449.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad P16 to be very good for general use, while the Acer Swift X (2022) is good.
The Acer Swift X is suitable for general use with a capable CPU, sufficient RAM, high-quality screen, and great portability due to its lighter weight and good battery life, while the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 offers similar CPU and RAM capabilities with a larger, high-resolution screen, but is less portable because of its higher weight and larger size, even though it also has long battery life. Both laptops have quality keyboards and speakers, with the ThinkPad P16 having the edge in overall build quality, but the Swift X is notably better in terms of heat management and operating noise, making it a quieter and cooler choice for everyday tasks.
Gaming and AI
6.6/10
6.9/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.5/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 and Acer Swift X (2022) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 features a Nvidia RTX A1000 GPU, which is more powerful for gaming and 3D applications than the Nvidia RTX 3050 found in the Acer Swift X, despite both having similar screen refresh rates. While both laptops offer high screen quality and capable CPUs, the superior GPU in the ThinkPad P16 provides better performance for tasks demanding high graphics processing power.
Content Creation
7.8/10
8.2/10
7.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
2240 x 1400
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo ThinkPad P16 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.
Battery
10.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 has 10 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.
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How the Acer Swift X (2022) and the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 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."
"It's only a few months since we gave the MSI CreatorPro X17 one of our rare 4.5-star ratings and our top mobile workstation honor, but the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 matches that achievement in a more premium overall build. Ultimately, its build quality, screen, and keyboard give our latest Editors' Choice nod to the Lenovo—it's enough of a monster on almost all fronts that it simply cannot be ignored."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2022) or the Lenovo ThinkPad P16
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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