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, being less expensive, offers moderate battery life and performance for general use, and better suitability for gaming with its dedicated Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics card, but it weighs more and has a lower portability score. On the other hand, the Framework Laptop, while costlier and less suitable for intensive gaming due to its integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, has a unique advantage in upgradability with available RAM and storage slots. It is lighter, thereby more portable, and offers exceptional webcam quality and customizable ports. The Framework's display is higher resolution with a taller 3:2 aspect ratio, enhancing productivity, especially for engineering use. 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
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
- Good overall display quality
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.9
7.4
14.0in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
372.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
472.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 13 has a better screen than the Acer Swift X for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, and content creation.
The Acer Swift X and Framework Laptop both have displays with adequate resolution and brightness for browsing, document editing, and video streaming, which are primary activities in general use. Their color gamut coverage is likely solid, meeting the needs of professionals in engineering and design who require accurate color representation for tasks such as CAD and graphic design. However, both laptops fall short for gaming and 3D work as they lack the high refresh rates needed for smooth visuals and fast-paced rendering, which can be essential for an immersive experience in those applications.
Battery
10.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 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
$1,079
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Acer Swift X (2021) has a price of $580 and the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) costs $1,079.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
372.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
472.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.8/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Acer Swift X (2021) are both good for general use.
The Acer Swift X (2021) offers a balance of performance with an AMD Ryzen CPU and dedicated Nvidia graphics, a decently sized screen, and sufficient storage, making it suitable for general use with some additional graphics power for creative tasks or light gaming. On the other hand, the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) provides great portability with a lighter weight and compact build, a high-resolution screen, and is designed for repairability and customization, although it has less storage but compensates with better screen quality and modern ports, ideal for users who prioritize a future-proof and portable machine for general use.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.3
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Acer Swift X (2021) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Acer Swift X (2021) and the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) both offer GPUs suitable for fair gaming and 3D performance, with the Acer incorporating a dedicated Nvidia RTX 3050 and the Framework Laptop using integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics; however, the Acer's dedicated GPU provides better performance for such tasks. Both laptops have standard 60Hz screen refresh rates which might limit smoother gameplay experiences, but the higher screen resolutions and quality offer pleasing visuals, with the Framework Laptop having a slight edge in screen clarity and brightness.
Engineering and Design
7.0
7.3
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Acer Swift X (2021) are both good for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.5
7.5
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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
7.6
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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
13.5in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023) 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2021) | Framework Laptop 13 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$580 | $1,079 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | May 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | 11.7'' x 9'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.06 lbs | 2.95 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.7" | 11.7" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.4" | 9.01" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5600U | Intel i5-1340P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 55 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 372 nits | 472 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 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."
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
Wired
Scott Gilbertson | July 2023
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2021) or the Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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 Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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