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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Swift X is more portable and slightly better for general use, including everyday tasks such as web browsing, office work, and media consumption. In contrast, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16, with its more powerful processor, additional RAM, and better GPU, is tailored for more intensive tasks such as 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering work. It also has a larger, higher resolution screen and a significantly longer battery life, making it better suited for gaming and creative work. However, it is heavier and bulkier, which may be a drawback if you plan to carry your laptop frequently. Both laptops are similarly priced and offer good value, but your choice should be guided by whether portability or higher performance is more critical for your needs. 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 portability
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the ASUS TUF Gaming A16
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good overall display quality
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.3
7.4
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Swift X (2021) is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is better suited for gaming and 3D work due to its more advanced GPU and a significantly higher screen refresh rate which provides smoother visuals, compared to the less powerful GPU and lower screen refresh rate of the Acer Swift X. While the Acer Swift X is decent for less demanding tasks and offers some gaming capability, the ASUS's superior CPU and higher screen quality further contribute to a more fluid and immersive experience.
Engineering and Design
7.0
7.7
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Acer Swift X (2021) are both good for engineering and design, though the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 is somewhat better.
The Acer Swift X (2021) is equipped with a solid CPU and dedicated Nvidia GPU, making it suitable for engineering and design tasks, but with a larger screen and more powerful AMD CPU and GPU combo, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offers improved performance in demanding applications alongside a higher screen refresh rate, which can be beneficial for both detailed work and gaming. While both laptops feature good battery life and screen quality, the Acer is more portable and quieter in operation, whereas the ASUS has double the RAM for multitasking and more robust speakers, better suited for an immersive engineering and gaming experience.
Screen Quality
6.9
7.5
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
372.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
294.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has a better screen than the Acer Swift X for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, both the Acer Swift X and the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 offer clear visuals with sufficient brightness and resolution, ensuring a pleasant viewing experience for activities like web browsing, document editing, and video streaming. Engineering and design professionals would find the color accuracy and coverage of both laptops adequate for most tasks, but not optimal for the most color-sensitive work due to limitations in their color gamuts. However, for Gaming and 3D, the lower refresh rates of these laptops may result in less fluid motion and responsiveness, which can be a drawback for fast-paced games and rendering real-time 3D graphics.
Battery
10.0 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has 12 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
Good
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.8 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Acer Swift X (2021) has very good portability, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$580
$930
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Acer Swift X (2021) has a price of $580 and the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 costs $930.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
372.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
294.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
12.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Acer Swift X (2021) are both good for general use.
The Acer Swift X (2021) is designed with portability in mind, weighing less and offering a very good battery life, along with satisfactory CPU performance and RAM for typical tasks; its screen offers high brightness and good color coverage which is beneficial for general multimedia use. Alternatively, the ASUS TUF Gaming A16, while heavier and larger hence less portable, provides a larger screen and higher CPU performance and RAM, catering effortlessly to more demanding applications and multitasking, further enhanced by superior heat management, making it suitable for both general use and gaming.
Content Creation
7.5
7.6
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Acer Swift X (2021) are both 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
7.3
7.3
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 and Acer Swift X (2021) are both 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.
Build Quality
7.6
7.2
The Acer Swift X (2021) and ASUS TUF Gaming A16 both have 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 (2021) and the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2021) | ASUS TUF Gaming A16 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$580 | $930 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | April 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.97'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.06 lbs | 4.85 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.7" | 13.98" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.4" | 9.92" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5600U | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 12 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 90 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 372 nits | 294 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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 TUF Gaming A16
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PCWorld
Dominic Bayley | May 2023
"The A16 makes an excellent case against more expensive laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 and the MSI Katana GF76, especially if you’re into 1080p gaming. However, although its affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance or a robust chassis. But for me, the biggest factor that sets it apart from these options is its incredible battery life. In my time reviewing laptops, I can’t remember when I last saw a gaming laptop lasted 11 and a half hours on a single charge, which makes the A16, in my book, truly outstanding."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2021) or the ASUS TUF Gaming A16
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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