Choosing a laptop largely depends on your priorities. If sticking to a budget while getting a decent performance for everyday tasks is your goal, the Acer Swift X is a solid choice. However, if you need a laptop with a more modern build, better performance for demanding tasks, and customizability, the Framework Laptop is worth the investment. The Framework also offers an environmentally friendly design due to its repairability and upgradable components. Keep in mind, the Framework's higher price point reflects its newer technology and modular features, which may be beneficial in the long run. 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 Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.4/10
8.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
372.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.3/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for general use, while the Acer Swift X (2021) is good.
The Acer Swift X offers a balance of performance and portability, with a capable CPU and sufficient RAM for everyday tasks, plus a screen that is clear and vibrant, but its battery life isn't as long-lasting as some might need. The Framework Laptop 16 comes with a higher-quality build, including a sturdier keyboard and better screen, along with great battery life and a powerful CPU for more demanding applications, yet it may be less portable and comes at a higher price.
Engineering and Design
7.0/10
8.1/10
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.0/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Acer Swift X (2021) is good.
The Acer Swift X delivers strong performance for engineering software due to its high-quality CPU and GPU, ensuring smooth handling of demanding tasks, while its vivid screen and ample RAM further bolster its capability for complex designs. The Framework Laptop 16, with its upgradable components, premium keyboard, and high-resolution screen, offers a customizable experience for engineers and designers, although its heavier build makes it less portable than lighter laptops.
Content Creation
7.5/10
8.1/10
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
7.3/10
8.0/10
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.1/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) 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
6.9/10
8.4/10
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
372.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
490.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 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, with its respectable resolution and brightness, makes it a good fit for general tasks and ensures detailed designs in engineering work due to accurate color reproduction. The Framework Laptop 16 steps up with a display that provides richer colors and sharper images, making it a superior option for both everyday users and professionals who demand high fidelity for design tasks. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short as they lack the high refresh rates needed for smooth motion and immersive visual experiences.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
16.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
4.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Swift X (2021) has very good portability, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$580
$1,699
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Acer Swift X (2021) has a price of $580 and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) costs $1,699.
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Acer Swift X (2021) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Acer Swift X features a dedicated graphics card and a decent screen refresh rate, making it a good choice for moderate gaming and 3D tasks, while the Framework Laptop 16 offers a high-quality build and screen but may not have as robust a GPU or high screen refresh rate, which are crucial for the best gaming and 3D experience. Despite this, the Framework's better screen quality and capable CPU make it a competent machine for these tasks, just not optimally designed for the highest performance in gaming and 3D applications.
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The Framework Laptop 16 has 9 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.
Build Quality
7.6/10
8.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Framework Laptop 16 (2023) to have 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.
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How the Acer Swift X (2021) and the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) compare to other laptops
"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."
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2021) or the Framework Laptop 16 (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.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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