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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize saving money and still want decent performance for general use and some gaming, the Acer Swift X with its lower cost could serve you well. The Swift X offers good performance with its dedicated Nvidia graphics but has less RAM and a smaller battery compared to the Dell XPS 15. On the other hand, if you're willing to invest more for a laptop that is better suited for intensive tasks like engineering, machine learning, or professional-grade graphics and video editing, the Dell XPS 15 might be the better choice. It has a larger, higher resolution display, more RAM, and a more robust battery which will be beneficial for demanding applications, but it is heavier and less portable than the Acer Swift X. Each laptop runs Windows 11 and has a solid-state drive for storage, but the Dell’s higher cost reflects its more premium build and better suitability for power users. 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
Advantages of the Dell XPS 15
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.4
8.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
372.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.7/10
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for general use, while the Acer Swift X (2021) is good.
The Dell XPS 15 outshines the Acer Swift X (2021) in general use due to its higher RAM capacity which is advantageous for multitasking and more demanding tasks, as well as its superior screen quality, offering wider color coverage for vivid visuals. While the Acer Swift X maintains a very good level of performance with a capable CPU and quality screen, its lower RAM is less suited for intensive workloads, and despite being lighter for better portability, the Dell has a longer battery life which supports extended use when away from power sources.
Engineering and Design
7.0
8.1
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell XPS 15 is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Swift X (2021) is good.
The Acer Swift X (2021) is equipped with an AMD processor and Nvidia GPU, which together with its 8GB of RAM and quality IPS screen makes it a solid choice for engineering and design; however, the Dell XPS 15 outmatches it with a more powerful Intel processor, Intel Arc GPU, and double the RAM at 16GB, alongside a higher-resolution screen that offers better color accuracy and contrast ratios, hence providing a more robust solution for demanding tasks. The XPS also has a larger screen and battery, but it is heavier and less portable than the Swift X, making the Acer a better option for those who prioritize mobility.
Content Creation
7.5
8.3
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell XPS 15 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
8.1
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Dell XPS 15 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
7.4
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
372.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
606.0 nits
The Dell XPS 15 has a better screen than the Acer Swift X for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Swift X and Dell XPS 15 both feature panels with sufficient resolution and brightness, making them well-suited for general tasks like browsing and video streaming. For engineering and design, both laptops have displays with wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color representation which is essential for professional photo editing and CAD work. However, their screens have lower refresh rates, which is less ideal for gaming and 3D modeling where smoother motion and quicker screen updates are crucial.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
15.6in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Swift X (2021) has very good portability, while the Dell XPS 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
8.5
The Dell XPS 15 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
$1,000
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Acer Swift X (2021) has a price of $580 and the Dell XPS 15 costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.8
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
9.1/10
The Dell XPS 15 and Acer Swift X (2021) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell XPS 15 has a more powerful GPU in the form of the Intel Arc A370M, which, along with a superior battery life and a larger screen with better resolution, provides a higher quality gaming and 3D experience than the Acer Swift X that features an Nvidia RTX 3050 with a smaller screen and less battery capacity. However, despite both having the same screen refresh rate, the Dell's larger and higher-quality display can also contribute to a more immersive gaming and 3D experience, although the Acer may offer better portability due to its lighter weight and smaller size.
Battery
10.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The Dell XPS 15 has 10 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.
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How the Acer Swift X (2021) and the Dell XPS 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2021) | Dell XPS 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$580 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | 13.6'' x 9.1'' x 0.71'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.06 lbs | 4.21 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.7" | 13.57" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.4" | 9.06" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5600U | Intel i7-13700H | |
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 | 10 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 86 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 372 nits | 606 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
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 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 3 | |
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."
Dell XPS 15
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | May 2023
"The 2023 Dell XPS 15 is more or less exactly what you'd expect from the company flagship. Its fresh components deliver measurably superior power and longevity, while the machine's premium build and design remain intact. It may not be overly exciting, but XPS loyalists and upgraders should be more than happy."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2021) or the Dell XPS 15
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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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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