Acer has earned a reputation for manufacturing affordable, high-performing laptops suited for a range of needs. As a leading PC brand, Acer offers various laptop lineups targeting budgets users, gamers, creatives, professionals, students and more.
When choosing the best Acer laptop in 2024, key factors to consider include:
Budget – Acer laptops range from under $350 to over $2,000. Setting a budget helps narrow choices.
Performance – Processing power, GPUs, RAM and storage affects speed. Assess needs like gaming, content creation, coding etc.
Portability – Laptop weight and battery life matter for frequent travelers. Lighter models trade performance.
Features – Touchscreens, convertible designs, high-res displays etc. impact price but may suit needs.
Below are the 6 best Acer laptops spanning budgets, performance levels and use cases.
1. Acer Swift X – Best Overall Acer Laptop
Key Specs:
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800U Processor
- NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU
- 16GB LPDDR4X RAM
- 512GB SSD Storage
- 14” FHD IPS Display
The Acer Swift X delivers exceptional overall performance and visuals in a slim, portable chassis making it the best Acer laptop option for 2024.
Powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and RTX 3050 Ti graphics, the Swift X breezes through demanding creative and engineering workloads. The 16GB RAM also facilitates smooth multitasking and gaming. The 14-inch IPS screen produces crisp, vibrant visuals backed by over 7 hours of portable battery life.
At just 3.06 pounds, the aluminum-clad Swift X is lightweight enough for daily commutes while still packing a decent port selection. For an affordable price, you get a highly capable Acer laptop able handle intensive tasks across school, work, gaming and content creation.
Pros:
- Great performance for price
- Lightweight and portable
- Sturdy premium design
- Vibrant 14” display
- 7+ hours battery life
Cons:
- No Thunderbolt support
- 512GB storage limits some users
Price: $999
Best For: School, work, gaming and creative applications
2. Acer Swift 3 – Best Acer Laptop for Battery Life
Key Specs:
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 16GB LPDDR4X RAM
- 1TB NVMe SSD Storage
- 14” FHD IPS Display with Gorilla Glass
While Swift X delivers better overall performance, the Acer Swift 3 offers a brilliant blend of solid speed and extraordinary endurance thanks to its latest 12th Gen Intel hardware.
Processing and graphics speeds are snappy enough for most school and office tasks. The generous 16GB RAM enables easy multitasking while the 1TB SSD provides capacious storage. The 14-inch 1080p touchscreen display is sharp and responsive.
But where the Swift 3 truly excels is battery life – lasting over 15 hours on a charge. Combined with its thin, 3 pound chassis, all-day portability is this Acer laptop’s standout feature.
Pros:
- Excellent battery life (15+ hrs)
- Light and portable
- Vibrant 14” touchscreen
- Generous RAM and SSD storage
Cons:
- Weak integrated graphics
- No dedicated GPU option
Price: $949
Best For: All-day battery for school/work usage
3. Acer Predator Triton 500 SE – Best Acer Laptop for Gaming
Key Specs:
- 12th Gen Core i9-12900H CPU
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD Storage
- 16" WQXGA 165Hz Display
The Predator Triton 500 SE represents Acer’s most formidable gaming laptop offering for 2024. The latest Intel 12th Gen H-series CPU and Nvidia’s flagship RTX 3080 Ti GPU combine to deliver elite triple-A gaming performance.
The vibrant 16-inch 16:10 display hits butter-smooth 165Hz refresh rates enabled by Nvidia G-Sync and Advanced Optimus technologies. The ample 32GB DDR5 RAM powers extensive multitasking capabilities while the multi-zone RGB keyboard sets the atmosphere.
Weighing 5.29 pounds, the aluminum-constructed Triton 500 SE isn’t the most portable but compensates with desktop-caliber gaming speeds aided by Acer’s patented cooling technologies. Overall, this heavyweight Acer laptop sets the bar for high-end gaming.
Pros:
- Top-tier gaming performance
- Fluid 165Hz G-Sync display
- Generous RAM and storage
- Appealing 4-zone RGB keyboard
- Advanced cooling system
Cons:
- Expensive
- Large footprint with short battery life
Price: $3,499
Best For: Hardcore gaming enthusiasts
4. Acer Spin 5 – Best 2-in-1 Acer Laptop
Key Specs:
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
- 13.5" VertiView 2K Touchscreen Display
For those wanting touchscreen versatility from their Acer laptop, the Spin 5 convertible 2-in-1 hits the mark in 2024. Able to freely rotate 360 degrees into various modes, the Spin 5 adapts on demand as a tablet, tent, stand or traditional laptop.
Under the hood, a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU leads the charge aided by 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and a speedy 1TB PCIe SSD. Performance can handle most productivity and creative work albeit slower than traditional clamshell laptops.
The 13.5-inch, 2256 x 1504 resolution VertiView touch display impresses with responsive interactions, Dolby Vision visuals and 16:10 aspect ratio. With a sub-3 pound weight and 12+ hour rated battery, the Spin 5 maintains respectable mobility.
Pros:
- 360-degree versatile 2-in-1 form factor
- Bright VertiView touchscreen display
- Good general performance
- Long battery life for a convertible
Cons:
- Tablet mode ergonomics needs work
- Weaker graphics than Swift X
Price: $1,099
Best For: Creators desiring 2-in-1 functionality
5. Acer Aspire 5 – Best Budget Acer Laptop
Key Specs:
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7
- 12GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB PCIe NVME SSD
- 15.6” Full HD LED Display
The Aspire 5 lineup comprises Acer’s most affordable traditional laptops without sacrificing essential productivity. The ample 12GB RAM enables smooth multitasking while the quad-core 11th Gen Intel processor tackles light workloads.
The 15.6-inch 1080p display lacks vibrancy but yields enough sharpness for document editing and web browsing. Connectivity like Wi-Fi 6, HDMI and USB ports check practicality boxes alongside sub-$500 pricing.
With a 4.19 pound weight and 6+ hour rated battery life, the Aspire 5 manages respectable mobility for a budget laptop. Just expect to lower graphical settings for basic gaming and avoid intensive creative workloads.
Pros:
- Very affordable price
- Sufficient performance for light work
- Respectable battery life
- SSD and HDD storage options
Cons:
- Basic 15.6” screen lacks vibrancy
- Bulky size compared to premium options
- Struggles with demanding programs
Price: $459
Best For: Tight budgets needing productivity
6. Acer Swift Edge – Best Ultraportable Acer Laptop
Key Specs:
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P
- Intel Iris X Graphics
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 1TB PCIe SSD Storage
- 16" 4K OLED Display
If you want a featherweight Acer laptop for frequent travel, the Swift Edge delivers exceptional portability without sacrificing premium speed.
Weighing just 2.2 pounds, the magnesium-aluminum Swift Edge is astoundingly light for its 16-inch screen size. Battery life stays reasonable at 7+ hours for a panel pushing 4K resolutions.
Performance stands out with Intel’s 12th gen processors taking advantage of 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and a zippy 1TB PCIe SSD. The vibrant OLED display brings colors to life with true blacks and high brightness ideal for HDR content.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight at 2.2 pounds
- Gorilla Glass protected 16” 4K OLED display
- Capable 12th Gen Intel performance
- Good battery life for screen size/resolution
Cons:
- Expensive
- Runs warm under load
- Limited ports
Price: $1,599
Best for: Frequent travelers prioritizing extreme portability
What to Know Before Buying an Acer Laptop
When choosing your ideal 2024 Acer laptop model, be sure to consider the following:
Operating System – Acer sells laptops preinstalled with Windows 10/11 or ChromeOS depending on model and price tier. Assess if your workflow requires standard Windows or if you can get by with ChromeOS’ web-based ecosystem.
Build Quality – Budget Acer laptops forgo metal chassis and premium materials for affordability. Expect decent build quality but less rigorous durability from entry models compared to high-end designs.
Upgradability – Many Acer laptops allow users to upgrade internal components like RAM and storage themselves after purchase. Upgradable options increase device lifespan vs closed designs.
Expandability – Ensure your prospective Acer laptop includes necessary ports like USB Type-C or Thunderbolt to support accessories and external devices. Verify wi-fi standards suit networking needs.
Repairability – Out-of-warranty repairs can prove costly for laptops. Research which models have accessible components vs difficult to service constructions to gauge future maintainability.
Technical Support – Acer provides 24/7 phone & chat support plus extended warranty plans that may offset future repair costs relative to laptop price.
Are Acer Laptops Worth Buying In 2024?
Acer laptops absolutely offer excellent value depending on the model and specifications chosen. Mid-range and budget offerings cater well to general productivity and essential gaming. Flagship options keep up with rivals as creative and gaming workhorses.
While building quality and after-sales support may still lag behind top-tier brands for some Acer devices, the expanded capabilities and decreased costs stay enticing for savvy buyers. Just be diligent assessing the limitations of cheaper models compared to pricier alternatives before purchase.
For students, families and professionals seeking quality laptop performance on a budget though, Acer deserves strong consideration in 2024.
