In the last few months, many companies have released new laptops with Intel’s 12th-generation processors. People have been talking about a new laptop from Acer called the Swift 3 (2022), which has a new P-series processor and other changes. Because of that, can the Acer Swift 3 beat out the Dell XPS 13, one of the best laptops you can buy right now? We want to know.
Here, we’ll compare the Acer Swift 3 to the Dell XPS 13 in terms of specs, performance, etc. Remember that the XPS 13 hasn’t been updated with new Intel chips yet, so it’s essential to keep that in mind (though there is the new Dell XPS 13 Plus if you want to check that one out). So, the Acer Swift 3 has some significant advantages in terms of speed. If that’s not enough, let’s look at these laptops and see what you need to know.
Acer Swift 3 (2022) vs Dell XPS 13: Specs
| Acer Swift 3 (2022) | Dell XPS 13 (9310) | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 12th generation Intel Core i5-1240P (12 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.4GHz, 12MB cache)12th generation Intel Core i7-1260P (12 cores, 16 threads, up to 4.7GHz, 18MB cache) | 11th generation 15W Intel Core i3-1115G4 (2-core, 4-thread, up to 4.1GHz, 6 MB cache)11th generation 15W Intel Core i5-1135G7 (4-core, 8-thread, up to 4.2 GHz, 8 MB cache)11th generation 15W Intel Core i7-1165G7 (4-core, 8-thread, up to 4.7 GHz, 12MB cache)11th generation 15W Intel Core i7-1185G7 (4-core, 8-thread, up to 4.8GHz, 12MB cache)11th generation 15W Intel Core i7-1195G7 (4-core, 8-thread, up to 5GHz, 12MB cache) |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe graphics | Intel UHD Graphics (Core i3)Intel Iris Xe graphics |
| Display | 14-inch 16:9 Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS14-inch 16:9 Quad HD (2560 x 1440) IPS | 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge non-touch, 500-nit, anti-reflective13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge touch, 500-nit, anti-reflective13.4-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge touch, 500-nit, anti-reflective13.4-inch 3.5K (3456 x 2160) InfinityEdge OLED touch, DisplayHDR 500, 400 nits, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, anti-reflective |
| Storage | Up to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD | 256 GB SSD512GB SSD1TB SSD2TB SSD |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4X16GB LPDDR4X | 8GB LPDDR416GB LPDDR432GB LPDDR4 |
| Battery | 3-cell (unspecified capacity), up to 10.5 hours65W charger | 4-cell, 52Wh battery45W charger |
| Ports | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C)2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A1 x HDMI 2.03.5mm headphone jack | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C)3.5mm headphone jackmicroSD card reader |
| Audio | Dual stereo speakers | Stereo speakers (2.5W x 2 = 4W peak) with Waves MaxxAudio Pro |
| Camera | Full HD 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction | 720p HD 2.25mm webcam |
| Windows Hello | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint readerFacial recognition with IR camera |
| Connectivity | Intel Wi-Fi 6EBluetooth 5.2 | Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (2 x 2)Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Color | Safari GoldSnow BluePure Silver | Platinum Silver with Black carbon fiber palm restFrost with Arctic White woven glass fiber palm rest |
| Size (WxDxH) | 320.04 x 210.82 x 16 mm (12.6 x 8.3 x 0.63 in) | 295.7 × 198.7 × 14.8mm (11.64×7.82×0.58 inches) |
| Weight | Starting at 1.25kg (2.76 lbs) | Starting at 1.2kg (2.64lbs) |
| Price | Starting at $849.99 | Starting at $1,119.99 |
Performance: Intel 12th-generation processors
This is one of the main things we’ve already talked about with these two laptops. The processors are one of them. The new Acer Swift 3 (2022) comes with 12th-generation Intel processors. They come from the new P series, which has a 28W TDP, and the 12th generation. In the past, this series didn’t exist. Instead, the Dell XPS 13 has 11th-generation 15W processors in it. In this case, it’s a big deal because the new processors can get so much more performance, but they will also use more power.
That’s not all that’s different. These new processors also have a hybrid architecture that blends performance cores with more efficient ones, making them faster and more energy-efficient. This hybrid design generally allows for more cores and threads, which means better performance. We can get a sense of how well the processors in these laptops work by looking at the Geekbench 5 scores they get.
| Intel Core i7-1260P (see test) | Intel Core i7-1195G7 (average) | Intel Core i5-1240P (see test) | Intel Core i5-1135G7 (average) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 5 (single/multi-core) | 1,655 / 9,318 | 1,447 / 4,828 | 1,469 / 8,788 | 1,243 / 4,180 |
We should point out that these are early results for 12th-generation processors, and they’re based on tests done by one person alone. At some point, when the 12th-generation CPUs have been more widely tested, we should be able to figure out the average numbers for them. This should help give you an idea of how much faster your computer will be. Keep in mind that a computer’s CPU speed isn’t the only thing that affects its speed when used in the real world.
There will be one thing that isn’t going to be very different. This is the GPU. They both have built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics. The 11th-generation and 12th-generation laptops haven’t changed much from one to the other.
Some other things you might want to think about, too. There are new P-series CPUs in the Acer Swift 3. They have a higher TDP, which means that the battery life will be less. These processors use more power and make more heat, which means they need a more extensive cooling system, which takes up space for other parts like the battery. There is a big difference between the Acer Swift 3 (2022) and the Dell XPS 13. The Swift 3 has a much smaller battery than the XPS 13, and it claims to last up to 10.5 hours.
On top of that, the Dell XPS 13 can have up to 32GB of RAM, while the Acer Swift 3 can only have up to 16GB of RAM. Both laptops can have up to 2TB of storage on the SSD.
Display and audio: The Dell XPS 13 has a 16:10 display
Thanks to new processors, the Acer Swift 3 has a lot more power, but the screen isn’t as good. If you want to buy the Swift 3, you can get it in Full HD (1920 x 1080) or Quad HD (2560 x 1440) resolution. The Quad HD screen is new, and it’s a big help if you want a clearer picture. It has a 14-inch screen, which is a little bigger than the one on the XPS 13, which is good news for people who like giant screens.
However, the Dell XPS 13 has a significant advantage in the screen’s aspect ratio. It has a 13.4-inch screen and a 16:10 aspect ratio, taller than the Swift 3’s screen. Taller displays are becoming more common in high-end laptops, and they’re great for productivity because they have more vertical space and a more extensive surface area. You can fit more content from a website or more tracks in a video editing timeline when you have a taller screen.
If you want to change the screen’s look, you can do that with Dell’s XPS 13. There are three different screen options for the base model: Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) OLED, 3.5K (3456 x 2160) OLED, or 3840 x 2400 OLED. It’s good to look into the OLED option because you can get true blacks, vivid colors, and a better contrast ratio. Plus, both of these options also have touchscreens.
Both laptops have stereo speakers with two speakers on each side for sound. There’s a good chance you’ll prefer the speakers on the XPS 13. In general, Dell’s XPS line has some of the best laptop speakers.
As for the webcam, that’s where the Acer Swift 3 makes a lot of changes to how things work. The Dell XPS 13 has a 720p webcam, but it also has a minuscule 2.25mm sensor. That means it doesn’t pick up as much light, making the picture look grainy even in good lighting. Full HD 1080p webcam: The 2022 Acer Swift 3 now has a full HD webcam, so you’ll be able to see better in meetings and calls and look your best.
Dell’s XPS 13 has a lot of advantages, but one of them is that it has facial recognition and a fingerprint sensor. There is only one fingerprint sensor on the Acer Swift 3. It is only for Windows Hello.
Design: The Dell XPS 13 is more portable
We should say it anyway because the Dell XPS 13 is more portable than the Acer Swift 3. The Dell XPS 13 has a smaller screen than the Acer Swift 3. Many things make the XPS family unique. This is one of them. Acer Swift 3 is thicker than Dell XPS 13. Dell XPS 13 is smaller, but Acer Swift 3 is more comprehensive than Dell XPS 13. As a whole, the laptop is not as tall as Acer’s. A little lighter, but the difference isn’t that big.
As far as how they look, that’s up to you. Both laptops have something good about them. When you buy Dell’s XPS 13, you get it in a very cool two-tone look. You can get a platinum (silver) exterior with a black carbon fiber interior or a frost (a lighter shade of silver) exterior with a white woven fiberglass interior. You can choose which one looks better to you.
On the other hand, the Acer Swift 3 comes in many different colors. Besides silver, you can get it in Snow Blue or Safari Gold. These two choices have a two-tone look to them, too, which isn’t bad. The Safari Gold model has a lid with a more striking gold tone, while the base is more subdued. The Snow Blue model has a blue lid, but the base has a more greenish tone. It doesn’t matter which way you look at it; these are still high-quality cars. Read also; Xiaomi 12 Pro review: Pure class or one to pass?
Ports: The Acer Swift 3 has more of them
The Dell XPS 13’s ultra-compact form isn’t without flaws, and the laptop’s port selection can be limited. Only two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader are included. With Thunderbolt support, you can charge the Dell XPS 13 laptop, connect external monitors, and other accessories with a single connector, so you’re not short on alternatives. Still, a Thunderbolt dock costs a lot of money, so it’s not a solution everyone wants.
The Acer Swift 3 offers two Thunderbolt 4 connections and two USB Type-A connectors, HDMI, and a headphone jack, allowing you to connect a few peripherals right out of the box. It’s possible to click a mouse, keyboard, and one external display without adapters or docks, which could significantly benefit. A microSD card reader is omitted, which may be inconvenient for some users.
The two laptops have identical wireless connectivity. Both support the most current Bluetooth standard, but the Acer Swift 3 has Wi-Fi 6E, which uses a new 6GHz band for significantly faster rates. Because the Dell XPS 13 only supports Wi-Fi 6, it cannot use the new 6GHz band.
Acer Swift 3 (2022) vs Dell XPS 13: Final Thoughts
After weighing all of these factors, picking one of these laptops may be more difficult. The Acer Swift 3 performs better, and it comes with a higher-resolution webcam and more connections, making it more adaptable right out of the box. However, the increased performance comes at the expense of the battery life.
The Dell XPS 13, on the other hand, features a far more fascinating display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and some excellent upgrade choices. It’s also smaller and lighter, making it more portable and longer battery life. On the other hand, the port arrangement is limited, and the webcam isn’t perfect. Read more; Acer Swift 3 (2022) vs HP Envy x360 13: Which should you buy?
It might also be worth waiting to see if Dell plans to update the Dell XPS 13 with 12th-generation processors or look at the Dell XPS 13 Plus we discussed earlier. You’ll get all of the same features as the current model and performance that’s comparable to the Acer Swift 3.
The pricing difference is also worth noting since the Dell XPS 13 starts at over $1,000 with an Intel Core i3 processor (albeit it does come with an Ultra HD+ display). The Acer Swift 3 has a reduced starting price of $849.99, including a Core i5 processor. Because the Acer Swift 3 is a more mainstream laptop, you get more excellent performance for your money.
The Acer Swift 3 isn’t yet available for purchase, so you’ll have to wait for a little if you like it. Meanwhile, if it hasn’t gone online since we published this post, you can check it out on Acer’s website. You can buy the Dell XPS 13 below if you like it. Otherwise, you may explore what other possibilities are available by looking at the best Acer laptops or the best Dell laptops available now.
