Acer Swift X 14 vs. Dell XPS 14: the underrated winner Leave a comment

The Swift X 14 is available in two configurations, with a $1,400 base mannequin with an Intel Core Extremely 7 155H chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, and a 14.5-inch 2.8K OLED show. For $1,700, you get 32GB of RAM and a a lot quicker RTX 4070.

The XPS 14 is much more costly. It begins at $1,699 for the Core Extremely 7, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, Intel Arc graphics, and a 14.5-inch FHD+ IPS show. In the identical configuration because the Acer’s low-end mannequin, it’s $2,499. When configured to match the Swift X 14’s high-end mannequin, however with the slower RTX 4050, the XPS 14 prices $2,699. Then, with 64GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD, the XPS 14 is a whopping $3,699.

The XPS 14 must be quite a bit higher to justify such greater costs. And it’s not.

The XPS 14 is without doubt one of the most trendy laptops made right now. It incorporates a number of progressive options, together with a zero-lattice keyboard, a hidden haptic touchpad, and a row of LED contact operate keys. Whether or not these make the XPS 14 a greater laptop computer is open to debate, notably the operate keys that present no haptic suggestions. The Swift X 14 is a extra conventional machine, and its design is a bit of chunky and makes the XPS 14 look extremely streamlined by comparability. The Dell is without doubt one of the better-looking 14-inch laptops, and in the event you’re on the lookout for an excellent aesthetic, the XPS 14 delivers.

Each are well-built laptops crafted from all aluminum. Neither has any bending, twisting, or flexing within the chassis or lid. The XPS 14 is smaller because of insanely skinny show bezels, and it’s additionally significantly thinner whereas additionally being heavier. That makes it really feel quite a bit denser in hand, which gives the look of upper high quality that’s not essentially there.

So far as the XPS 14’s keyboard goes, the keys have shallow, snappy, and exact switches with massive keycaps, however the lack of spacing takes some getting used to. The Swift X 14’s keyboard is deeper and likewise has exact switches with a extra conventional format. The XPS 14’s haptic touchpad works effectively, so long as you don’t lose monitor of the perimeters. It’s higher than the Swift X 14’s extra pedestrian mechanical touchpad.

Connectivity favors the Swift X 14, which has extra ports and glorious legacy assist. You’re way more restricted with the XPS 14. Each laptops have similar wi-fi connectivity.

Each laptops even have comparable 1080p webcams, and each have Neural Processing Items (NPUs) that assist Microsoft’s Studio Results Software program for hardware-assisted blurring, face monitoring, and different options. The XPS 14 has an infrared digicam for Home windows 11 Hey facial recognition, and each laptops have fingerprint readers embedded of their energy buttons.

Each laptops use the 28-watt Intel Core Extremely 7 155H chipset with 16 cores (six Efficiency, eight Environment friendly, and two Low Energy Environment friendly) and 22 threads. It’s a stable performer for demanding productiveness customers. We reviewed the XPS 14 with the marginally quicker Core Extremely 9 165H, which isn’t presently an choice.

The Swift X 14 will be geared up with each the entry-level Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 and the a lot quicker RTX 4070, which is uncommon in non-gaming 14-inch laptops. The XPS 14 affords both Intel Arc built-in graphics or the RTX 4050. Whereas the RTX 4070 isn’t given as a lot energy within the Swift X 14 as it’s in 16-inch laptops, and the Acer doesn’t have the identical thermal efficiency, the GPU choice makes the Acer considerably quicker than the Dell.

That’s most obvious within the PugetBench Premiere Professional benchmark that runs in a reside model of Adobe’s Premiere Professional and makes use of the GPU to hurry up numerous duties. On this benchmark, the Swift X 14 was 46% quicker. It was additionally 65% quicker within the Cinebench R24 GPU take a look at, whereas additionally being quicker within the CPU portion. It has higher thermals than the XPS 14.

Merely put, the Swift X 14 is a a lot quicker laptop computer than the XPS 14. That’s for demanding productiveness customers, creators, and avid gamers. The truth is, it’s a good gaming laptop computer in its personal proper.

The Swift X 14 and XPS 14 each supply 14.5-inch 16:10 OLED shows, the Dell in a barely sharper 3K (3200 x 2000) decision in comparison with the Acer’s 2.8K (2880 x 1800) panel. Each run at 120Hz, and the XPS 14 additionally has an FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS show for higher battery life.

In response to our colorimeter, the Acer’s OLED show is best. It’s brighter and has wider colours, whereas each have the know-how’s traditional inky blacks. Each are nice shows for quite a lot of makes use of.

The XPS 14 has a four-speaker audio system with upward-firing tweeters and side-firing woofers. It places out loud, clear sound with some bass. The Swift X 14 has simply two upward-firing audio system which might be simply OK by comparability.

Each laptops are moderately skinny and light-weight, with the XPS 14 being a bit heavier.

Neither laptop computer will get nice battery life, however the XPS 14 is stronger. It noticed 8.25 hours in our web-browsing take a look at and 10 hours in our video-looping take a look at, in comparison with the Swift X 14’s 7.25 hours in each assessments. The XPS 14 with the IPS show got here in at 12 hours and 15 hours, a really robust exhibiting.

The XPS 14 is a extra ultramodern laptop computer with some standout — and controversial — design options. It’s moderately quick, has an excellent OLED show, and may be very effectively constructed. It’s additionally costly — and arguably overpriced given the parts.

The Swift X 14 is far quicker, has a good higher OLED show, and it’s additionally well-built. It’s a clunkier design and never almost as great-looking. Nevertheless it’s much more inexpensive, and really engaging given the efficiency. It’s the higher alternative for most individuals.

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