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Updated January 10, 2024·
For general use, the Acer Swift X is more affordable and lightweight, making it suitable for everyday tasks and easier to carry around, but with lower performance compared to the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X. If you need higher performance for 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering software, the ASUS, with its more powerful CPU, GPU, and double the RAM and storage, would serve you better. The Acer offers better battery life but falls short in screen size, screen technology, and resolution where the ASUS excels with a larger, more vibrant OLED touchscreen. If budget allows and portability isn't your primary concern, the ASUS is the superior option for demanding tasks and creative work. 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 battery life
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X
- 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
- Best in class speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.4
8.3
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
372.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
354.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for general use, while the Acer Swift X (2021) is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is preferred for general use due to its superior main processor, double the RAM for smooth multitasking, and a higher resolution OLED screen that enhances visual experience, albeit at the cost of reduced portability and shorter battery life compared to the lighter, longer-lasting Acer Swift X. While the Swift X provides commendable performance for general tasks with its capable CPU and sufficient RAM, its IPS screen and battery life balance performance with portability, making it a practical choice for users who prioritize moving around easily with their device.
Gaming and AI
6.3
7.5
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.6/10
1920 x 1080
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 ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is good for gaming and AI, while the Acer Swift X (2021) is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X offers better gaming and 3D capabilities due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and a higher resolution OLED screen as compared to the Acer Swift X which comes with a less powerful Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU and a lower resolution IPS screen, although both laptops have similar screen refresh rates. The Zenbook also has a larger screen which can make gaming and 3D tasks more immersive but may affect portability compared to the smaller Swift X.
Engineering and Design
7.0
8.6
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
6.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Swift X (2021) is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X stands above the Acer Swift X (2021) for engineering and design primarily because it has a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, a higher-tier GPU, and a superior screen with an OLED display and higher resolution, which are all crucial for demanding tasks and fine detail work.
Content Creation
7.5
8.5
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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
8.2
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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
8.3
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
372.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
354.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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, the Acer Swift X provides adequate resolution and brightness, but may not have the vibrant colors and crispness offered by the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X's superior panel type and resolution. When considering engineering and design, the ASUS outshines the Acer due to its wider color gamuts, ensuring more accurate color representation critical for these tasks. However, both fall short for gaming and 3D applications where high refresh rates are key for smooth visuals; their screens are not designed with this focus, prioritizing other display characteristics instead.
Battery
10.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has 7 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
5.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Swift X (2021) has very good portability, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$580
$1,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Swift X (2021) has a price of $580 and the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X costs $1,300.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
7.6
7.6
The Acer Swift X (2021) and ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X 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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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer Swift X (2021) and the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2021) | ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$580 | $1,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.06 lbs | 5.29 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.7" | 13.98" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.4" | 9.88" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5600U | Intel i7-12700H | |
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 | 7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 96 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 16" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 372 nits | 354 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
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 Zenbook Pro 16X
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marc Herter, Alex Wätzel | November 2023
"The new Zenbook Pro 16X is more powerful, quieter and doesn't need to shy away from dedicated workstations and gamers. It is also comparatively compact, and our test device is the best Zenbook that we've reviewed so far. It seems equally suitable for content creators and gamers or anyone looking for a very powerful laptop that is still slim."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2021) or the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X
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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