The 10 Best Acer Laptops
This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in February of 2018. Buying a new portable computer can be a daunting task, thanks in large part to the exorbitant prices of some of the most popular new models. Acer, however, actually specializes in bringing cutting-edge models with slim form factors straight to your door, no matter your budget. They offer a wide array of laptops, hybrids, and 2-in-1s perfect for students or professionals on the go. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Swift 3
2. Predator Helios 300
3. ConceptD 3 Pro
Editor's Notes
December 23, 2020:
Acer's current lineup offers both budget-friendly and high-performance machines. The Spin 311 and Chromebook 715 are great choices for Chromebooks, and the Aspire 3 offers passable processing power at a low price for a Windows machine. On the other end of the spectrum, the TravelMate P6 is ideal for traveling professionals, the Predator Helios 300 and Predator Triton 500 have excellent gaming hardware, and the supremely interesting ConceptD 3 Pro has one of the best displays on the market, while the Spin 5 is one of the highest-resolution 2-in-1s currently available at its price point.
By far the most interesting, and easily the best value, though, is the Acer Swift 3. Its powerful Ryzen CPU, sleek and light construction, and bevy of advanced features make it an almost unheard-of bargain for its cost.
September 05, 2019:
Acer's reputation has increased significantly in the last few years as their reliability and quality control have gotten much better. If you're in the market for an affordable and useful laptop, they're a great choice. You'll notice, though, that their naming conventions are somewhat inconsistent, as models like the Aspire 5 come in wildly different configurations and at very different prices. If you're going for the ultimate in affordability and insist on using Windows 10, the AMD version of the Aspire 5 is a great the way to go. It's only a few hundred bucks and the hardware inside it is actually pretty impressive. For just a couple hundred more, you can go with the Ryzen-equipped Aspire 3, which is just about as cost-effective but simply offers more processing power. If you're cool with using Chrome OS, their Chromebook is particularly inexpensive, but the operating system itself can be a little restrictive.
If you're willing make a decent investment, there are several great options to choose from. We particularly like the LTE version of the Swift 3, as very few laptops right now have integrated 4G modems. If you want to play games, it's awfully hard to beat the Helios 300 for the price, and the Spin 3 and 5 are fantastic convertible 2-in-1s that make media consumption especially easy.
If you're okay with dropping notably more cash, there are good options for you as well. The Switch 7 Black is their latest detachable, and it's a bit surprising how much power they've packed into it. Incidentally, this research was done and note written on a Switch Alpha 12, which is a 3-year-old detachable with a 6th-gen Intel CPU, and it's still going strong after many months of full-time use; newer models have improved on it with better heat dissipation and slightly increased battery life, but the battery is still a bit limiting, in part because of the super-high-resolution screen. And if you want the most power you can possibly get, the Triton 500 is built around some of the most advanced graphics and processing technologies yet developed, but again, you will pay for the high-quality hardware.
4. Spin 5
5. Predator Triton 500
6. Nitro 5
7. Chromebook 715
8. TravelMate P6
9. Spin 311
10. Aspire 3
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.