Acer Swift 3xvsAlienware m17 R4

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Acer
Acer Swift 3x
Swift 3x

Quick Stats

Acer Swift 3x boasts enhanced performance with Intel's dedicated GPU, particularly in Adobe Photoshop and transcoding tasks.
The Acer Swift 3x's build quality is subpar due to a squishy deck and inaccurate touchpad.
The Acer Swift 3x's display falls short of expectations at this price point due to lackluster brightness and color accuracy.
The Acer Swift 3x features Intel's first dedicated GPU, Iris Xe Max, with integrated GPU.
Alienware
Alienware m17 R4
m17 R4

Quick Stats

The Alienware M17 R4 delivers impressive performance, exceeding expectations with smooth gameplay and reliable processing capabilities always.
The M17 R4 boasts top-notch build quality, solid feel, and attention to detail, a major strength of the laptop overall.
The standout feature of Alienware M17 R4 is its high-quality display options with seamless gaming experience.
The Alienware M17 R4 boasts impressive features including high-end display and GPU options.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Acer Swift 3x
Winner
#603
Alienware m17 R4
#607
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Acer Swift 3x
#429
Winner
Alienware m17 R4
#448
Display
Acer Swift 3x
#562
Winner
Alienware m17 R4
#589
Performance
Acer Swift 3x
#719
Alienware m17 R4
#183
Winner
Build
Acer Swift 3x
#123
Winner
Alienware m17 R4
#430
Features
Acer Swift 3x
#8
Winner
Alienware m17 R4
#684

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Acer Acer Swift 3x
Alienware Alienware m17 R4
up to 16GB
up to 32GB
up to 2000GB SSD
up to 8000GB SSD
Intel Core i7-1165G7
Intel Core i9-10980HK
Intel Iris Xe Max
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (Laptop, 165W)
2x 2280 PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 See photo
N/A

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Acer Swift 3x

Strengths

The dedicated GPU works well with integrated GPU to provide better performance
Tons of ports, including HDMI, USB, and Thunderbolt 4
This laptop can handle streaming at 1080p at 60 FPS without dropping frames
Heat management is great, with minimal overheating
Iris XC Max provides a good performance increase in applications that utilize it properly
Transcoding and rendering tasks are significantly faster with both GPUs working together
This laptop has tons of ports, including HDMI, USB, and Thunderbolt 4
The keyboard is very comfortable to type on
It's great for actual streaming, thanks to its Iris XC Max GPU

Weaknesses

The build quality and materials used are not in line with the competition
The deck feels squishy, and the touchpad is inaccurate
The display is only 1080p, which is not ideal at this price point
It doesn't come close to the screen brightness or color accuracy of a MacBook Air at the same price
The webcam is only 720p, which is not great for working from home
Fan noise can be very loud when in performance mode
Battery life is limited, with around 5 hours of use before needing to charge (advertised as 17 hours)
Not much of a performance increase compared to the standard Iris XC GPU
The price point is high at $1200, considering it's not a gaming laptop

Alienware m17 R4

Strengths

The Alienware M17 R4 has impressive performance and cooling, which was a surprise given its previous reputation for overheating.
The new 360Hz display is a nice addition, offering smoother visuals and more syncing options for content creators.
The build quality of the laptop is solid, with a distinctive style that feels premium and well-made.
The thermals on this model were actually pretty darn good, which was a pleasant surprise considering Alienware's usual thermal issues.

Weaknesses

The battery life of the M17 R4 is short, especially when using the 360Hz display, with around 2 hours of battery life.
The lack of ram slots and soldered-on RAM is a drawback for users who need to upgrade their memory.
The Wi-Fi card is also soldered on board, which limits flexibility for users who want to upgrade or replace it.
The higher-end model's 330W charger is bulky and unwieldy, making it a hassle to carry around.
Read Full Reviews

Acer Swift 3x

The Acer Swift 3X is Intel's first laptop to feature their dedicated GPU in 20 years. This innovation aims to improve performance in certain applications by combining the integrated Iris Xe and dedicated GPUs. While it offers some benefits, such as increased performance in transcoding and streaming, its effectiveness varies depending on the application. We'll explore whether this laptop delivers on its promise of enhanced power without breaking the bank.

Alienware m17 R4

The Alienware M17 R4 is a powerhouse laptop that delivers exceptional performance, impressive cooling, and sleek design. Its distinctive style makes it stand out from the crowd, and the build quality is solid, despite some potential issues with quality control. The thermal management system impressively keeps the CPU in check, allowing for smooth gaming experiences. With options for 360Hz or 4K displays, this laptop caters to both gamers and content creators, making it a compelling choice for those seeking ultimate performance.

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read Acer Swift 3x ReviewRead Alienware m17 R4 Review

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