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Updated January 12, 2024·
If you need better performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the Acer Swift X with a dedicated NVIDIA graphics card is a suitable choice despite its higher cost. In contrast, if you prefer a more affordable option for general use such as web browsing and office applications, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1, with its basic integrated graphics and lower price, can meet those needs. However, be aware that the Acer will likely offer a sharper display and longer battery life, balancing its lack of portability due to a heavier build, while the Lenovo is lighter and might be more convenient for on-the-go use despite shorter battery life and a less vivid screen. 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)
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall build quality
- Very good battery life
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
- The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has no clear advantages over the Acer Swift X (2021).
Key differences
General Use
7.4
6.1
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
372.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
239.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.3/10
The Acer Swift X (2021) is good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
The Acer Swift X boasts a stronger CPU, more RAM, and a superior graphics card, which translates to better overall performance and the IPS screen offers a higher resolution for clearer visuals, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 has a less powerful CPU and graphics, less RAM, and uses a TN panel with a lower resolution, affecting its ability to handle multitasking and deliver a crisp display. Additionally, the Acer has a larger battery capacity, contributing to longer battery life and making it more suitable for extended use away from power sources compared to the Lenovo model, which has a smaller battery and might not last as long.
Gaming and AI
6.3
5.5
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Acer Swift X (2021) is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Acer Swift X incorporates a more powerful Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics card, which allows for better gaming and 3D performance compared to the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14", which comes with the significantly less capable Intel UHD Graphics 600. Both laptops have similar screen refresh rates, but the superior GPU in the Acer Swift X greatly enhances its suitability for demanding visual tasks such as gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.0
5.5
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
4.4/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Acer Swift X (2021) is good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Acer Swift X (2021) is deemed suitable for engineering and design due to its powerful AMD Ryzen CPU, abundant RAM, dedicated Nvidia RTX GPU, and a high-quality screen, which are essential for demanding applications. In contrast, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" falls short for such tasks with its basic Intel Celeron processor, limited RAM, integrated graphics, and a lower-resolution screen, all leading to underwhelming performance in computation and graphical tasks.
Content Creation
7.5
6.2
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
The Acer Swift X (2021) is good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
6.4
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
The Acer Swift X (2021) is good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
5.3
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1366 x 768
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
TN
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
372.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
239.0 nits
The Acer Swift X has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Acer Swift X offers a sharper image and more vibrant colors due to a higher resolution and broader color gamut coverage, making it suitable for engineering and general use, but its refresh rate may not be high enough for the smooth visuals demanded by gaming and 3D applications. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14", with lower resolution and inferior color coverage, fails to deliver the clarity and color accuracy necessary for both general tasks and professional design or engineering work. Moreover, its modest refresh rate limits its ability to provide fluid motion in gaming and 3D contexts, where higher rates are preferred to avoid visual lag or stuttering.
Build Quality
7.6
6.0
The Acer Swift X (2021) has good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$580
$150
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Acer Swift X (2021) has a price of $580 and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" costs $150.
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Key similarities
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Acer Swift X has 10 hours of battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" 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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Acer Swift X (2021) and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Acer Swift X (2021) and the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Swift X (2021) | Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$580 | $150 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | January 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | 12.9'' x 9.3'' x 0.7'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.06 lbs | 3.09 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.7" | 12.88" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.4" | 9.25" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5600U | Intel Celeron N4020 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 64 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 59 Wh | 32 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | TN | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1366 x 768 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 372 nits | 239 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.6/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
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 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Tom Brant | August 2021
"The IdeaPad 1 14 is a simple machine, but it’s well-designed and has nearly everything you’d expect from a no-nonsense laptop that allows you to check emails and get schoolwork or other light tasks done with relative ease. A "true" 128GB SSD (as opposed to an eMMC drive) and a roomy 14-inch full HD display are arguably the star attractions, with the comfortable keyboard and reasonably modern styling playing important backup roles."
Get a great deal on the Acer Swift X (2021) or the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
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 Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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Why trust us
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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About the laptop team
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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