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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the Acer Nitro 5 and the MSI Stealth Studio, consider that the Nitro offers a balance suitable for gaming with robust graphics capabilities, while the Stealth Studio is tailored for creative professionals with features aimed at intense graphic design, video editing, and 3D modeling. The Stealth Studio is likely slimmer and lighter, enhancing portability, but could have less battery life than the Nitro because of its powerful hardware. The Nitro is a solid choice for general use and gaming, but if your work involves resource-heavy applications, the investment in the Stealth Studio's specialized features will be beneficial. 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 Nitro 5 17
- The Acer Nitro 5 17 has no clear advantages over the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio.
Advantages of the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
- Very good for general use
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Excellent for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.8
8.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
307.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
6.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.0/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for general use, while the Acer Nitro 5 17 is good.
The Acer Nitro 5 17, with capable CPU and RAM, offers a solid performance for everyday tasks; however, its larger screen and weight reduce portability and its battery life isn't its strongest suit. On the other hand, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, while more expensive, boasts a superior screen, more power for demanding applications, and better overall portability, though its high performance can lead to shorter battery life and increased heat.
Gaming and AI
7.7
9.1
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is excellent for gaming and AI, while the Acer Nitro 5 17 is good.
The Acer Nitro 5 17 offers a robust GPU and high screen refresh rate which are key for smooth gaming and 3D performance, while the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, with a superior GPU and equally high refresh rate, delivers enhanced visuals and even better frame rates for the most demanding games and 3D applications. The Stealth also benefits from a more powerful CPU and higher screen quality, contributing to sharper images and overall responsiveness, important for a premium gaming and multimedia experience.
Engineering and Design
8.0
9.0
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is excellent for engineering and design, while the Acer Nitro 5 17 is very good.
The Acer Nitro 5 17 is equipped with a capable CPU, ample RAM, and a decent GPU, making it suitable for demanding engineering software, while its screen quality offers clarity for detailed design work, however it compromises slightly on portability due to its size. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio, with its higher-end CPU, superior RAM, and more powerful GPU, excels in handling even more complex engineering tasks and rendering with better screen resolution, but it also comes with a premium in price and is less portable due to its larger screen and build.
Content Creation
7.9
8.5
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for content creation, while the Acer Nitro 5 17 is good.
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
7.4
8.3
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.5/10
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio is very good for software development, while the Acer Nitro 5 17 is good.
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
8.2
8.4
17.3in
SIZE
18.0in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
307.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
305.0 nits
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has a better screen than the Acer Nitro 5 17 for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When selecting a laptop for general use, the Acer Nitro 5 17's impressive resolution and brightness make it an excellent choice, offering clear and vivid visuals for everyday tasks. For those in engineering and design, the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio stands out with its wide color gamuts, providing accurate colors crucial for professional creative work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, despite their high-resolution displays, neither laptop offers a high refresh rate, which can limit the smoothness and responsiveness critical for a superior gaming experience.
Build Quality
7.2
8.0
The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has very good build quality, while the Acer Nitro 5 17 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Acer Nitro 5 17 has 6 hours of battery life. The MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio has 6 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
Fair
Fair
17.3in
SIZE
18.0in
5.9 lbs
WEIGHT
6.1 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Acer Nitro 5 17 and MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$2,899
$2,900
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Acer Nitro 5 17 has a price of $2,899 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio costs $2,900.
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How the Acer Nitro 5 17 and the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer Nitro 5 17 | MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,899 | $2,900 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 15.9'' x 11'' x 0.98'' | 15.8'' x 11.4'' x 0.94'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.95 lbs | 6.15 lbs | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 5800H | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | |
Graphics | |||
Graphics | RTX 3080 (100 W) | RTX 4080 (150 W) | |
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | |||
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus | No | Yes | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 57.5 Wh | 99.9 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 17.3" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 307 nits | 305 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Keyboard Lighting Color | |||
Keyboard Lighting Color | RGB | RGB | |
Warranty Period | |||
Warranty Period | 1 year | 1 year | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Acer Nitro 5 17
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Sascha Mölck | August 2021
"The Acer Nitro 5 17 is a solid mid-range gamer. The Nitro 5 does not belong to the top group of RTX 3070 notebooks: Compared with the RTX 3070 notebooks tested so far, the computer delivers below-average frame rates - this is due to the 100-watt TGP. The GPU performance can be increased a bit with a firmware update. The device scores with a high level of CPU performance. Throttling is not a concern. CPU and GPU can produce their performance constantly. The laptop heats up moderately under load. The noise development is on the usual class level."
Get a great deal on the Acer Nitro 5 17 or the MSI Stealth 18 AI Studio
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 MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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