Acer Swift 3 Vs X: Which 2-in-1 Laptop Reigns Supreme In 2024?

In the realm of ultraportable laptops, two contenders that consistently garner attention are the Acer Swift 3 and the Acer Swift X. Both devices boast impressive features, sleek designs, and portable form factors, making them ideal for professionals, students, and travelers alike. However, discerning which one is the better choice can be a challenge. To help you make an informed decision, this comprehensive comparison delves into the key differences between the Acer Swift 3 and the Acer Swift X, examining their specifications, performance, design, display, battery life, and more.

Performance: Powering Through Tasks with Efficiency

At the core of any laptop’s capabilities lies its performance. The Acer Swift 3 and Swift X offer distinct performance profiles, catering to different user needs.

Acer Swift 3: Everyday Productivity and Multitasking

The Acer Swift 3 is equipped with a range of processors, including Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 options, providing a balance between power and efficiency. These processors are well-suited for everyday tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and basic photo editing. For multitasking and moderate productivity workloads, the Swift 3 delivers smooth performance, handling multiple applications simultaneously without significant lag.

Acer Swift X: Creative Powerhouse with Dedicated Graphics

The Acer Swift X takes performance to the next level with its inclusion of dedicated graphics cards. Powered by NVIDIA GeForce MX350 or GTX 1650 GPUs, the Swift X excels at graphics-intensive tasks such as video editing, graphic design, and light gaming. These dedicated GPUs provide a noticeable performance boost, enabling users to seamlessly handle demanding applications and enjoy smoother gaming experiences.

Design: Sleek and Portable Aesthetics

Both the Acer Swift 3 and Swift X prioritize portability and style in their designs.

Acer Swift 3: Lightweight and Travel-Friendly

The Acer Swift 3 impresses with its lightweight chassis, weighing in at around 2.65 pounds. Its slim profile and compact dimensions make it a perfect companion for those who value portability. The Swift 3’s sleek design, often featuring a metallic finish, exudes a professional and sophisticated look.

Acer Swift X: Striking Balance of Style and Functionality

The Acer Swift X combines style and functionality in its design. Its aluminum chassis adds a touch of elegance while ensuring durability. Although slightly heavier than the Swift 3, weighing around 3.06 pounds, the Swift X maintains a slim profile and a compact footprint. Its unique color options, such as Safari Gold and Steam Blue, set it apart from the typical silver and black laptops.

Display: Visual Clarity and Immersive Experiences

The Acer Swift 3 and Swift X offer different display options, catering to diverse user preferences.

Acer Swift 3: Crisp and Clear IPS Display

The Acer Swift 3 typically features a 14-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD). The IPS panel provides wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction, making it suitable for everyday use, web browsing, and office applications. While the display is not as vibrant or color-accurate as higher-end options, it delivers a crisp and clear viewing experience.

Acer Swift X: Vivid and Color-Accurate OLED Display

The Acer Swift X boasts a stunning 14-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels (2.8K). OLED technology offers exceptional contrast ratios, deep blacks, and vibrant colors, resulting in a truly immersive viewing experience. The higher resolution also provides sharper details and more screen real estate for multitasking and creative work.

Battery Life: Powering Through the Day

Battery life is a crucial factor for ultraportable laptops, especially for those who rely on their devices for extended periods away from an outlet.

Acer Swift 3: All-Day Battery for Productivity

The Acer Swift 3 is equipped with a 48Wh battery, which provides a respectable battery life of up to 11 hours on a single charge. With moderate use, including web browsing, document editing, and video streaming, users can expect the Swift 3 to last through a full workday or a long commute.

Acer Swift X: Balanced Battery Life for Creative Work

The Acer Swift X features a slightly larger 59Wh battery, offering a battery life of up to 7 hours during intensive tasks such as video editing or gaming. However, for less demanding workloads, the Swift X can provide up to 12 hours of usage, making it suitable for creative professionals who need a balance between performance and portability.

Additional Features: Enhancing the User Experience

Beyond their core specifications, the Acer Swift 3 and Swift X offer additional features that enhance the user experience.

Acer Swift 3: Practical Features for Everyday Use

The Acer Swift 3 comes equipped with a backlit keyboard, improving typing accuracy in low-light conditions. It also features a fingerprint scanner for secure and convenient login. Additionally, the Swift 3 includes a variety of ports, including USB-C, USB 3.2, and HDMI, providing versatile connectivity options.

Acer Swift X: Creative-Centric Features

The Acer Swift X caters to creative professionals with its dedicated NVIDIA graphics card, which accelerates graphics-intensive applications. It also features a larger 1TB SSD, providing ample storage space for creative projects and multimedia files. Additionally, the Swift X includes a Thunderbolt 4 port, enabling faster data transfer speeds and the ability to connect to external displays and peripherals.

Acer Swift 3 vs X: Which One Should You Choose?

The Acer Swift 3 and Swift X are both excellent ultraportable laptops, but their strengths lie in different areas.

Choose the Acer Swift 3 if:

• You prioritize portability and everyday productivity.
• You value a lightweight and compact design.
• You primarily use your laptop for basic tasks and multitasking.
• You prefer a longer battery life for all-day use.

Choose the Acer Swift X if:

• You require a dedicated graphics card for graphics-intensive tasks.
• You value a high-resolution OLED display for immersive visuals.
• You need a larger SSD for storing creative projects and multimedia files.
• You want faster data transfer speeds and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.

In a nutshell: The Ultimate Choice for Your Needs

Ultimately, the choice between the Acer Swift 3 and Swift X depends on your individual requirements and preferences. If you prioritize portability, everyday productivity, and all-day battery life, the Acer Swift 3 is an excellent choice. However, if you demand dedicated graphics performance, a stunning OLED display, and creative-centric features, the Acer Swift X is the superior option. Consider your specific needs, usage patterns, and budget to determine which ultraportable laptop best suits your lifestyle and workflow.

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

Q: Which laptop is better for gaming, the Acer Swift 3 or Swift X?

A: The Acer Swift X is the better choice for gaming due to its dedicated NVIDIA graphics card, which provides significantly better performance in graphics-intensive games compared to the integrated graphics found in the Acer Swift 3.

Q: Can I upgrade the RAM and storage on the Acer Swift 3 and Swift X?

A: The Acer Swift 3 and Swift X typically have soldered RAM, which means it cannot be upgraded. However, some models may have a single SODIMM slot that allows for RAM expansion. As for storage, both laptops usually come with a single M.2 SSD slot, allowing you to upgrade the storage capacity by replacing the existing SSD with a larger one.

Q: Which laptop has a better keyboard and touchpad?

A: Both the Acer Swift 3 and Swift X feature backlit keyboards with a comfortable typing experience. However, some users may prefer the slightly larger keycaps and deeper travel on the Swift X’s keyboard. As for the touchpad, both laptops offer responsive and precise multi-touch gesture support, with the Swift X’s touchpad being slightly larger.