Some of the best laptops money can buy manufactured by HP and Acer. Both brands contain something for everyone, but a few particularly intriguing possibilities exist. In the case of Acer, the Swift 3 update in 2022 is a real eye-catcher. It hasn’t arrived yet, announced earlier this year, but it’s not far off, with an April release date planned.
The HP Envy x360 13 is a similarly attractive little laptop. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a high-end, high-priced Ultrabook at first appearance. However, it is undoubtedly one of the greatest HP laptops now available, and it will not break the bank. However, it is yet to be updated with the latest Intel processors. Nonetheless, how do these two similarly priced but drastically different-looking laptops compare?
Specification:
| Acer Swift 3 (2022) | HP Envy x360 13 | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel 12th Gen processors | Intel Core i5-1135G7Intel Core i7-1165G7AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAMD Ryzen 7 5800U |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe | Intel Iris XeAMD Radeon |
| Display | 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) touch14-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) touch | 13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) OLED, 100% DCI-P3, touch, 400 nits (Intel)13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, 100% sRGB, touch, 400 nits (AMD) |
| Storage | Up to 2TB SSD | 256GB PCIe SSD512GB PCIe SSD |
| RAM | TBA | 8 GB DDR4-2933 MHz16GB DDR4-2933 MHz |
| Battery | TBA | 51Whr battery65W charger |
| Ports | 2 USB-C2 USB-AHDMI 2.13.5mm headphone microphone combo | Thunderbolt 4/USB-C 42 USB Type-A3.5mm headphone microphone combo |
| Audio | DTS audio | Dual speakersBang and Olufsen tuned audioHP Audio BoostDual-array microphones |
| Camera | 1080p FHD webcamAcer Temporal Noise Reduction | 720p HD webcam |
| Windows Hello | TBA | Fingerprint reader |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2×2)Bluetooth 5 |
| Color | YellowBlueSilver | Natural silver aluminum |
| Size (WxDxH) | TBA | 30.65 x 19.46 x 1.64 cm |
| Weight | TBA | 1.32 kg |
| Price | From $850Available from April (EMEA)Available from June (North America) |
Performance:
When it comes to the current edition of the Acer Swift 3, there are still some features to be unveiled, but it’ll undoubtedly join the ranks of the finest Acer laptops. But we know that it will be powered by Intel 12th Gen processors instead of the AMD and Intel chips used in the HP Envy x360 13.
Specific performance details on the Acer Swift 3 remain unknown until we know which of the Intel 12th Gen range will be included. However, the Intel 12th Generation CPUs outperform the 11th Generation, especially in multi-core tasks.
The same can be said of the Ryzen 5000 U-series, which is still excellent but is now a last-generation processor. It does have to go for it that AMD-powered variants of the Envy x360 13 are a touch cheaper, which could be a reasonable tradeoff.
Integrated graphics are also the game’s word, with both Acer and HP opting for Intel Iris Xe. Both aren’t gaming laptops, but the difference in performance isn’t significant. The AMD Ryzen-powered Envy x360 is an alternative from HP. AMD’s integrated graphics are outstanding, and in some circumstances, they will outperform Intel. However, regardless of which of these laptops you choose, you’ll receive comparable graphics performance.
Display:
One of the most noticeable differences between these two laptops is the display. And not simply in terms of size. The Acer Swift 3 has a 14-inch display, while the HP Envy x360 has a 13.3-inch collection. Both have the same 16:9 aspect ratio and a Full HD 1080p touchscreen option.
But that’s about it in terms of resemblances.
In terms of resolution, Acer gets the upper hand with the Swift 3’s QHD 2560 x 1440 option, but HP sticks to 1080p for all Envy x360 13 models. Extra pixels are always welcome, but at this size, the benefits are minor, and battery life suffers.
The Envy x360 13 from HP, on the other hand, has an OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 color compatibility. Colors are just better looking and more accurate, so if you’re interested in creative work, this is a no-brainer. It isn’t the brightest display, but it is a good one; nonetheless, it is only available on the Intel version of the laptop. The AMD model switches to an IPS panel with 100 percent sRGB compatibility, more in line with the Swift 3.
The HP Envy x360 13 also boasts a convertible design, which means the display folds around. Although Windows 11 isn’t the ideal operating system for tablets, it is functional. With this display setup, you may use the laptop as a tablet, just like a standard notebook, or put it up comfortably to watch a movie. It’s entirely up to you.
Acer Swift 3 (2022) vs HP Envy x360 13: Design, ports, and battery
With the latest edition of the Swift 3, Acer has chosen a different approach to design. While its predecessors were intelligent and fashionable, they didn’t stand out from the pack. With the 2022 model, all of that changes.
You may purchase it in a meeting-room-friendly silver or go for a bolder look with the blue or yellow alternatives. Neither will appeal to everyone, but Acer has you covered if you’re looking for something unique, something that stands out, and is, well, fun.
The HP Envy x360, on the other hand, is all business. It’s only available in one color, but it’s a surprise, and even the new HP logo lends some flair to the lid. Read more; Intel Core i7-12700K vs AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
It’s practically a tie to what you can connect to each of these laptops. With an incorporated HDMI 2.1 port, the Acer Swift 3 has an advantage for external display users. Still, otherwise, you’re looking at a sprinkling of USB-C, USB-A, and Thunderbolt 4 ports, albeit the latter doesn’t apply to the AMD version of the Envy x360 13.
The battery is another essential aspect for every laptop shopper. Unfortunately, the battery specifications for the Acer Swift 3 have yet to be disclosed. The HP Envy x360 13 has a good 51Whr battery, which should be plenty to get you through a typical day, and a 65W charger backs it up.
Acer appears to be going with USB-C charging on the Swift 3, which gives it an extra point because you’ll be able to charge your laptop, phone, and tablet with the same charger. Because the HP Envy x360 13 still uses a traditional connector, you’ll need to bring along its charger. Read also; Dell Updates Precision Laptops With Intel, Nvidia Hardware.
Acer Swift 3 (2022) vs HP Envy x360 13: Pricing and availability
The good news is that both are reasonably priced. The bad news is that the Acer Swift 3 isn’t yet available, and the much worse information is that a North American launch is expected in June. It should be available in April for eager consumers in the EMEA region, with pricing starting at $850 or regional equivalents.
As a result, the HP Envy x360 13 is the only one available right now; thus, it’s the one to acquire. However, if you’re not in a rush, it might be worth waiting till the Acer Swift 3 is out. The two are both highly comparable and pretty distinct, so if you’re leaning towards the Acer, you should hold off on making your final selection for a little longer.
HP is expected to update the Envy x360 13 with the latest generation processors, but there’s no indication of when that will happen. Meanwhile, the newest model is still a great convertible laptop at a fantastic price.
