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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Acer Aspire 1 is a budget-friendly option with a larger screen and a longer battery life, ideal for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing, but it might struggle with more demanding applications due to its basic processor and lower RAM. On the other hand, the ASUS Zenbook S 13 is a more premium device with a higher-resolution OLED display and significantly more processing power and memory, making it well-suited for demanding tasks like 3D rendering or engineering software. However, these features come at a higher cost and the screen is smaller, which might not be ideal for those who prefer larger displays. The choice between these two models depends on your needs for performance and display quality versus budget constraints and desired screen size. 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 Aspire 1
- The Acer Aspire 1 has no clear advantages over the ASUS Zenbook S 13.
Advantages of the ASUS Zenbook S 13
- Very good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Best in class portability
- Very good battery life
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.8
8.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
365.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
11.0 Hours
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for general use, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 has a weaker CPU, less RAM, and a lower-quality TN screen which contribute to its poor rating for general use, whereas the ASUS Zenbook S 13 with its powerful CPU, substantial RAM, and high-quality OLED display ranks very good for the same tasks. Additionally, the Aspire 1 is heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less portable and convenient compared to the lighter Zenbook S 13, which offers a longer battery life and thus better portability.
Gaming and AI
5.7
6.8
2.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
2.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 has an entry-level integrated GPU suitable for basic tasks, whereas the ASUS Zenbook S 13 includes a higher-performing Iris Xe graphics chip, allowing for better gaming and 3D performance. Additionally, the Zenbook's higher-quality OLED screen with better brightness and color range improves the visual experience, despite both laptops having the same screen refresh rate.
Engineering and Design
5.5
7.9
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
2.4/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is good for engineering and design, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
The Acer Aspire 1 has a basic Intel Celeron processor, minimal RAM, and standard integrated graphics, which limit its capacity to handle the demands of engineering and design software, while its TN screen offers lower color coverage and brightness, making it less suited for detail-oriented work.
Content Creation
5.9
8.5
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for content creation, while the Acer Aspire 1 is poor.
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
6.1
8.4
3.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
4.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
6.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 is very good for software development, while the Acer Aspire 1 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
5.2
8.1
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1800
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
365.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has a better screen than the Acer Aspire 1 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Acer Aspire 1, with its lower resolution and dimmer screen, will not provide the clarity and brightness needed for comfortable everyday usage or the precision required for engineering applications. The ASUS Zenbook S 13, on the other hand, offers a high-resolution and bright display that enhances the experience for both general users and professionals in engineering, with accurate colors essential for design work. However, since the ASUS Zenbook S 13 lacks a high refresh rate, it is less suited for gaming and 3D tasks that benefit from smoother motion and rapid on-screen changes.
Battery
6.0 Hours
11.0 Hours
The Acer Aspire 1 has 6 hours of battery life. The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has 11 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
Good
Best in Class
15.6in
SIZE
13.3in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.2 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.4in
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has best in class portability, while the Acer Aspire 1 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.5
7.6
The ASUS Zenbook S 13 has good build quality, while the Acer Aspire 1 has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$215
$1,193
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer Aspire 1 has a price of $215 and the ASUS Zenbook S 13 costs $1,193.
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How the Acer Aspire 1 and the ASUS Zenbook S 13 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Aspire 1 | ASUS Zenbook S 13 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$215 | $1,193 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | April 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.3'' x 9.4'' x 0.78'' | 11.7'' x 8.5'' x 0.46'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.19 lbs | 2.2 lbs | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4500 | Intel i7-1355U | |
Graphics | |||
Graphics | UHD Graphics | Iris Xe | |
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | |||
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | No | No | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 11 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 36.7 Wh | 63 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | TN | OLED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1800 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 200 nits | 365 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Keyboard Lighting Color | |||
Keyboard Lighting Color | N/A | White | |
Warranty Period | |||
Warranty Period | 1 year | 1 year | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 5.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Aspire 1
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Joshua Goldman | May 2020
"There are no surprises and nothing's extraordinary here but this laptop's price. For those in need of an inexpensive Windows laptop for undemanding tasks, though, the Acer Aspire 1 offers just enough to get the basics done and a larger screen to do them on."
ASUS Zenbook S 13
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | May 2023
"The Asus Zenbook S 13 is the slimmest OLED ultrabook worldwide struggles with annoying fans. The new Zenbook S 13 leaves us with mixed feelings, particularly since last year's model was so good. Asus has completely reworked the device, making the laptop noticeably slimmer. The result also looks good and the case makes a great impression, particularly also in terms of the stability. The new plasma ceramic surface feels great, and there are no problems with fingerprints. In addition, it now includes some of the known connections such as an HDMI port and a regular USB-A connection, which is a good achievement in such a slim device."
Get a great deal on the Acer Aspire 1 or the ASUS Zenbook S 13
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 ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
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