A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Swift X (2021) is more suited for those needing a laptop with greater battery life and performance for general use, while the ASUS Zenbook 14X caters to users requiring better screen quality and color accuracy, which benefits creative work like photo editing. Both are similarly priced with portable designs, but the Acer offers a higher general use and heat management performance. Conversely, the ASUS comes with a higher-resolution screen and better overall build quality. The choice between the two depends on whether longer battery life and general use performance or screen quality and creative capabilities are prioritized. 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
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook 14X
- Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.0
7.7
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Acer Swift X (2021) are both good for engineering and design, though the ASUS Zenbook 14X is somewhat better.
The Acer Swift X (2021) is tailored for engineering and design use with a robust Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics unit and a capable AMD Ryzen 5 processor, but has half the RAM of the ASUS Zenbook 14X, which also offers a powerful Intel i7 processor and an Nvidia MX550 GPU for such tasks, alongside double the RAM for multitasking and enhanced screen quality due to its OLED display. Despite both being quite portable, the Zenbook 14X has slightly better speakers and screen colors, while the Swift X stands out with a quieter operation and superior heat management.
Screen Quality
6.9
8.3
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
90Hz
372.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
339.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook 14X has a better screen than the Acer Swift X for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
In choosing between the Acer Swift X and the ASUS Zenbook 14X, screen characteristics play a pivotal role. For general use, the ASUS's superior resolution and brightness make it stand out for clarity and visibility in various lighting conditions. In contrast, the Swift X, despite its competent display for everyday tasks, doesn't match the Zenbook's vibrancy and sharpness; however, both fall short for gaming and 3D applications due to lower refresh rates that can't deliver the fluid visuals required by these demanding scenarios.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook 14X has 5.5 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.
Cost
$580
$777
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Acer Swift X (2021) has a price of $580 and the ASUS Zenbook 14X costs $777.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
372.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
339.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.6/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Acer Swift X (2021) are both good for general use.
The Acer Swift X (2021) offers a balance for general use with its AMD Ryzen CPU and Nvidia GPU, providing good performance and a solid battery life in a lightweight package, while the ASUS Zenbook 14X steps up screen quality with an OLED display, higher RAM for smoother multitasking, and has a very high-resolution display, but trades off on shorter battery life. Both laptops manage heat effectively, have quality keyboards, and ample storage, but the Zenbook's higher-end screen and additional RAM may make it more appealing to those who prioritize visual quality and performance over longer unplugged usage.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.5
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
90Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Acer Swift X (2021) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Acer Swift X has a dedicated GPU which enables decent gaming and 3D performance, but the ASUS Zenbook 14X, while also having a capable GPU, offers a higher screen refresh rate that can provide a smoother visual experience for fast-paced games and animations. However, the CPU and screen quality, which are also important for these activities, are solid in both models, ensuring they can handle most tasks within this realm competently.
Content Creation
7.5
7.6
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The ASUS Zenbook 14X 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
7.4
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook 14X 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Acer Swift X (2021) both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
7.8
The ASUS Zenbook 14X and Acer Swift X (2021) 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 Zenbook 14X compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2021) | ASUS Zenbook 14X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$580 | $777 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | April 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.67'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.06 lbs | 3.09 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.7" | 12.25" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.4" | 8.71" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5600U | Intel i7-1260P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 63 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 372 nits | 339 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
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 | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
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 Zenbook 14X
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sebastian Jentsch | April 2022
"With the Zenbook 14X, Asus has a 14-incher in its range that is - mostly - a joy to use. First, there is the colorful OLED panel with 3K resolution that displays the sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces. The Zenbook is also at the forefront in terms of workmanship, input devices and connections with 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports and a generous keyboard layout. A pleasure to use, the Zenbook 14X is a solid, very well-built subnotebook that sits well on the table. A runtime of five hours, however, is below average for a high-end subnotebook nowadays. The OLED screensaver causes increased power consumption when in idle mode."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2021) or the ASUS Zenbook 14X
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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