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Updated January 12, 2024·
To assist you in deciding whether the Acer Swift X (2021) or the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is a better choice for you, consider the following: The Acer Swift X (2021) is known for being budget-friendly while offering decent performance suitable for everyday tasks and some light creative work thanks to its dedicated graphics. It's lightweight, making it quite portable, and generally has good battery life for everyday usage. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is a premium device that provides high-end performance suitable for more demanding applications such as 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming. While it's also portable, being a 2-in-1 device that doubles as a tablet, it comes at a higher price point and may have shorter battery life due to its more powerful components. So if you prioritize a lower price and longer battery life for general use, the Acer Swift X might suit you well. However, if you need top-tier performance for specialized tasks and are willing to invest more, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 could be the better choice, keeping in mind that this might come with a trade-off in terms of cost and possibly battery endurance. 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 (2021)
- Very good battery life
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS ROG Flow Z13
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
7.4
8.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
372.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
511.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for general use, while the Acer Swift X (2021) is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 outshines the Acer Swift X (2021) in general use due to its superior main processor, double the RAM, and a higher resolution touchscreen display, which contribute to faster performance and better multitasking with a crisper visual experience. However, the Swift X offers slightly longer battery life and is noted to have excellent heat management, an important consideration for prolonged use, but sacrifices some portability and screen quality compared to the more compact and vibrant Flow Z13.
Gaming and AI
6.3
7.5
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.2/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Swift X (2021) is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 offers better gaming and 3D performance, as it is equipped with a superior GPU (Nvidia RTX 4050) and a higher screen refresh rate of 165 Hz, compared to the Acer Swift X's lower-tier GPU (Nvidia RTX 3050) and standard 60 Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 features a more powerful CPU, which can enhance gaming and multitasking performance, along with a higher-resolution display, offering better screen quality.
Engineering and Design
7.0
8.4
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.5/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Swift X (2021) is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for engineering and design due to its high-end CPU, double the RAM, and a more powerful GPU compared to the Acer Swift X, making it capable of handling more demanding software effortlessly. However, the Acer Swift X offers good screen quality and sufficient power for several engineering tasks, with improved portability and longer battery life, making it a viable option for less intensive use and on-the-go work.
Content Creation
7.5
8.2
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for content creation, while the Acer Swift X (2021) 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
7.3
8.0
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for software development, while the Acer Swift X (2021) 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
6.9
8.4
14.0in
SIZE
13.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
372.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
511.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has a better screen than the Acer Swift X for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering the Acer Swift X and the ASUS ROG Flow Z13, the Swift X's screen is well-suited for tasks like web browsing and video streaming due to its resolution and brightness, making it a solid choice for general use. However, the Swift X falls short for gaming and 3D applications, where the refresh rate is crucial for smooth motion and the laptop does not meet the high standards required. The ASUS ROG Flow Z13, on the other hand, offers exceptional color accuracy and range, making it ideal for engineering and design professionals who need precise color representation, but similar to the Swift X, it lacks the high refresh rate critical for the best gaming and 3D experiences.
Battery
10.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has 6.5 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.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
13.4in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has excellent portability, while the Acer Swift X (2021) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
8.5
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has very good build quality, while the Acer Swift X (2021) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$580
$1,600
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Acer Swift X (2021) has a price of $580 and the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 costs $1,600.
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How the Acer Swift X (2021) and the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2021) | ASUS ROG Flow Z13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$580 | $1,600 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | 11.9'' x 8.1'' x 0.54'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.06 lbs | 2.6 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.7" | 11.89" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.4" | 8.11" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5600U | Intel i9-13900H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 56 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 13.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 372 nits | 511 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7.3/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 4K | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Swift X (2021)
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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."
ASUS ROG Flow Z13
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | March 2022
"The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a gaming tablet with powerful Alder Lake i9 CPU. The ROG Flow Z13 impresses with its good cooling. After our review, the impression is predominantly positive. Besides a very fast Alder Lake CPU and stable gaming performance, especially the cooling system is surprisingly effective and quiet. You can use the integrated speakers without any issues while gaming. The 1200p display in the 16:10 format also impresses with good color reproduction and high brightness. Since the battery runtimes aren't particularly long as it is, we wouldn't recommend the optional 4K panel."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2021) or the ASUS ROG Flow Z13
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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