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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you favor more storage and better multitasking capabilities with more RAM, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is a better option. It also has a higher resolution and a newer processor, which could provide a smoother experience for demanding applications. On the other hand, the Acer Swift X offers a dedicated Nvidia RTX graphics card for better gaming and 3D performance. However, the Dell's battery life is shorter than the Acer's. If portability is a priority, the Acer is lighter and offers a longer battery life, making it more suitable for on-the-go use. Both have similar screen sizes and are in a lower midrange price bracket, but the Acer may provide somewhat better value for general gaming and graphics work, while the Dell excels in general productivity with its professional software capabilities. 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 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
- Good overall display quality
Key differences
General Use
7.4
7.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
372.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
326.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Acer Swift X (2021) are both good for general use, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.
The Acer Swift X is well-suited for general use due to its balance of a capable AMD CPU, sufficient RAM, and high-quality IPS screen, all housed within a lightweight frame that offers easier portability and a battery that sustains longer periods of typical usage; whereas the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus excels with a higher-end Intel CPU, double the RAM for more demanding tasks, and a superior screen resolution, but it's slightly heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for on-the-go use despite its better performance for more intensive applications. Both models feature quality keyboards, decent heat management, and are equipped with enough storage for everyday needs, though the Dell offers more storage space.
Engineering and Design
7.0
7.8
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Acer Swift X (2021) are both good for engineering and design, though the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is somewhat better.
The Acer Swift X, with a dedicated Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU, is well-suited for tasks that benefit from strong graphics performance, whereas the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus caters to intense processing needs with a high-performance Intel i7 CPU and a greater amount of RAM, useful for demanding engineering software. While the Swift X offers a good balance of portability and power, making it a versatile option for design work on the go, the Inspiron 14 Plus, despite being a bit heavier, provides a higher resolution display for finer detail in design tasks, but may not be as convenient for frequent travel.
Screen Quality
6.9
7.0
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
372.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
326.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has a better screen than the Acer Swift X for content creation, and software development.
The Acer Swift X and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus both offer displays with adequate resolution and brightness suitable for general tasks like browsing, watching videos, and document editing, ensuring a clear and vibrant viewing experience. For engineering and design, although their color gamut coverage may not reach professional-grade levels, they are satisfactory for non-critical design work, allowing for decent color accuracy. However, for gaming and 3D applications, where high refresh rates are crucial for smooth motion, these laptops fall short, as their screens prioritize resolution and color over the faster refresh rates that gaming and real-time 3D rendering demand.
Battery
10.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus has 6 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
$1,200
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Swift X (2021) has a price of $580 and the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.6
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus and Acer Swift X (2021) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Acer Swift X, with its modest GPU and standard screen refresh rate, won't handle gaming and 3D tasks as well as the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus, which offers a more powerful GPU and a higher refresh rate for smoother visuals. While both have capable CPUs and decent screen quality, the superior GPU and refresh rate of the Dell make it a more suitable choice for more demanding gaming and 3D applications.
Content Creation
7.5
7.9
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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
7.7
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2240 x 1400
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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
3.7 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Swift X (2021) and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
7.4
The Acer Swift X (2021) and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 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 Dell Inspiron 14 Plus compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2021) | Dell Inspiron 14 Plus |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$580 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | July 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | 12.4'' x 9'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.06 lbs | 3.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.7" | 12.36" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.4" | 8.96" | |
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 | 1 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 64 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2240 x 1400 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 372 nits | 326 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 8.1/10 | |
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 | 6.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
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."
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | August 2022
"The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is for power users on a budget. If you're looking to maximize CPU and GPU performance on your next 14-inch laptop, then consider the pricier Razer Blade 14 or Asus Zephyrus G14. If you're looking for a thin-and-light 14-inch Ultrabook, then the Asus Zenbook 14 or LG Gram 14 may be better options. For the best of both worlds, however, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7420 rides a fine line between extreme performance and portability while keeping prices at reasonable levels. Frequent travelers who rely on performance beyond what the Core U-series and integrated graphics series can offer will find the Dell to be a solid solution."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2021) or the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
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 Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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