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The battle of Acer vs HP seems never-ending as the two laptop giants keep on innovating their devices. That’s because both brands check almost all boxes to stay in the lead from top-notch performance to longevity.
That’s where the average users like you may get confused. Which one to go for – Acer or HP?
This article will answer this question for you.
Acer vs HP Comparison
HP is a veteran computing brand known for producing a range of robust laptops. Nonetheless, a notable downside with these manufacturers is their relatively higher price tags that allow the other brands to compete.
One such brand is Acer which produces equally impressive computing devices for users, especially laptops, bearing affordable price tags.
So, both HP and Acer have their strengths and weaknesses and a subsequently different userbase.
Therefore, if you have previously not tried any of the two, this detailed head-to-head Acer vs HP comparison will surely help you decide better.
The Best Acer and HP Laptops
These are the top 3 laptops from Acer:
– the best Acer laptop
CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor (up to 4.7GHz, 4 cores, 8 threads, 12MB Intel Smart Cache)
RAM: 16GB onboard LPDDR4X memory
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Display: 14 Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS Widescreen LED-backlit
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Max Graphics
– Good value for money
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3. Acer Nitro 5
– Best Acer for gaming
CPU: Intel Core i7-11800H Processor (up to 4.6GHz, 8 cores, 16 threads, 24MB Intel Smart Cache)
RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz memory (2 DDR4 Slots Total, Maximum 32GB)
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Display: 17.3 FHD widescreen LED-backlit IPS display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 144Hz refresh rate
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti (4GB dedicated GDDR6 VRAM)
Below is a list of the top 3 HP laptops:
– the best HP laptop
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700U (1.8 GHz base clock, up to 4.3 GHz max boost clock, 8 MB L3 cache, 8 cores, 16 threads)
RAM: 32GB DDR4
Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Display: 15.6 diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, micro-edge, BrightView, 250 nits, 45% NTSC
GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
– budget HP laptop
CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 4.2 GHz
RAM: 8GB DDR4 SDRAM
Storage: 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080, Full HD, IPS, micro-edge, and anti-glare display
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
3. HP OMEN
– the best HP laptop for gaming
CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11800H
RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM
Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
Display: 16.1 QHD 165Hz, 2560 x 1440 Anti-glare, Energy-efficient, IP,S micro-edge, LED
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Graphics with 8GB GDDR6 video memory
A quick look at the brands’ background
Acer
Today, Acer produces a wide range of premium laptop models at affordable rates. It started in 1976, in Taiwan, as a company distributing electronic parts. The firm then continued adapting to the evolving needs of the tech industry to become a firm producing computing goods. Acer runs its operations in roughly 40 countries globally, with over 7000 employees.
HP
HP or Hewlett-Packard is an American tech giant. Its journey began in 1939 as a hardware firm. But it then steered its direction towards computing, eventually leading the road to become a computing giant.
HP is famous for its high-quality laptops that warrant longevity without compromising performance. Nonetheless, this robust quality comes at a sometimes unaffordable price for many, hence paving the way for rivals to step into this market. But for those who are willing to pay, HP laptops are worth the money.
Design
HP may win the battle of Acer vs HP for the more aesthetically inclined users. That’s because HP almost always succeeds in introducing innovations to its laptop designs.
A classic example of HP’s aesthetic productions is HP Spectre x360. This 15.6-inch 2-in-1 (touchscreen) laptop boasts a classy black color with metallic finishing all around, diagonal vents, and a sleek look. HP has further topped it up with performance-rich specifications. Hence, you can find an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB DDR4 RAM, 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics in it.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean that you can never find a catchy Acer laptop. While you may not find its designs as impressive as HP’s, it still succeeds at bringing unique looks to its devices.
The Acer Swift 3 is a gorgeous laptop with a super-cool design. The classy silver finish, FHD screen, ergonomic keyboard, and colossal trackpad add to the device’s aesthetics. It also encases power-packed specifications, including an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, Radeon Graphics, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, and 8GB memory.
Build Quality & Hardware
Here again, Acer slightly lags behind HP as the latter generally offers laptops with robust hardware. Usually, you’ll find HP enclosing premium quality components from Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, and others. This even applies to its chassis. While Acer also sources components from premium brands, their overall build quality is enough to last for some time.
Although, it doesn’t mean that you can’t trust Acer. For example, the Acer Aspire 5 is one such laptop that encases reliable specifications, including an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U dual-core processor, 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD, 4GB memory, and AMD Radeon Vega 3 mobile graphics. So you can certainly buy this laptop if you need a super-sleek laptop for regular use.
However, if you compare its HP counterpart, the HP 15 2021, you’ll find here an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 512GB PCIe SSD, 8GB memory, and Intel Iris Xᵉ Graphics. Of course, this comes at a price, but it’s worth the money is given its premium specs.
Performance
Comparing Acer vs HP once again gives the latter an edge.
Here also, you should keep in view that Acer looks more inclined towards producing budget-friendly laptops that can get the job done. Hence, you can’t expect them to support intensive activities (unless you use a model designed for such purposes).
On the contrary, HP laptops are designed to accomplish multi-tasking and serve the users for extended periods. Hence, while these laptops are pricey, you won’t face any extensive device heat-up or lags in their performance, even during the most power-intensive activities.
Durability
As explained above, HP laptops usually feature high-end components that ultimately improve their performance. Consequently, these top-notch specifications ensure product longevity as well.
For example, most HP laptops feature robust casing that withstands rough handling. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can go rough with your laptop. But you don’t have to worry about screen damages or keyboard issues upon slight impacts.
Likewise, HP laptops also boast huge batteries that can last for more than 8 hours on average and do not need replacement before two years (at the least).
On the other hand, Acer might be disappointing as its laptops usually feature average quality builds. Therefore, you have to be careful while handling your Acer machines if you want them to last long. Also, do not expect the batteries to keep functioning efficiently for years.
Nonetheless, you can still find some exceptional Acer laptops that do not fit this description. For example, the Acer Aspire 5 battery can last up to 7.5 hours on average, while the machine can accompany you for some time if you remain careful.
Budget laptops
Up till now, you have compared Acer vs HP based on the laptops’ build, performance, and durability. But what if you merely need a computer that doesn’t cost you a fortune?
Well, things might change here as Acer takes the lead in producing budget-friendly laptops. You can easily get a good laptop for everyday use from Acer, like the Acer Chromebook 314, for under $300. It’s an impressive Chromebook featuring an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, 4GB memory, 14-inch FHD IPS display, and 64GB eMMC drive. Hence, it is perfect for kids, school students, or regular users who need a modest portable machine.
However, an HP laptop bearing similar specifications, the HP X360 14a, may cost you $300 or a bit more.
Nonetheless, if you have specific brand choices, then, fortunately, you’ll find a range of budget-friendly laptops with both Acer and HP.
Customer Service & Warranty
Besides price, the next main thing that determines the care from a brand for its customers is after-sales support and product warranty. Of course, from a buyer’s perspective, the better these two offers are from a brand, the more reliable it would appear.
Interestingly, both Acer and HP offer good warranties for their laptops. However, comparing the two makes HP a winner here. Specifically, HP mainly rolls out its laptops with a standard 1-year warranty. In contrast, Acer warranties are not great as it often expects its customers to pay extra for services that could be covered under standard warranties.
But, there’s a catch. While Acer warranties may not be impressive, they surpass HP in customer support.
Despite offering an online support agent in addition to its usual technical support, HP customers often complain about the lack of response. You may seldom get to connect to their support agents for urgent help.
Acer, however, aces here. It not only provides responsive support via phone (though, it may not always be fruitful) but also offers more helpful online support. Together with its affordable price tags, Acer becomes the winner here.
Price
As evident, Acer leaves HP behind in terms of affordable pricing for its laptops. And this isn’t true for its typical budget series only. Instead, you will notice the affordable price tags with almost every device they produce.
This price variation is clearly attributed to the laptops’ overall hardware and build quality. It doesn’t mean that Acer is cheap, rather it only shows that the company merely charges you for the specs it offers. If you can afford to pay more, the high-end Acer laptops are worth the money. Still, the vendors have strived to keep their costs a bit lower than HP to capture the market.
For instance, the Acer Aspire 7 is an impressive gaming laptop that you can get for under $800. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 Hexa-core mobile processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, and 512GB NVMe SSD.
However, its HP counterpart, HP OMEN 15 gaming laptop, costs you over $1200. While it also features 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics, and 512 GB SSD, it takes the lead with AMD Ryzen 7 processor, which adds to its overall cost.
Use cases
Apart from the budget and specifications, what matters the most while buying laptops is the intended use.
For instance, if you’re an avid gamer, you can’t compromise on a budget-friendly Chromebook. Whereas, for students, laptops with huge graphics and RAM are a bit too much to afford.
So, below we compare Acer vs HP laptops according to different use cases.
Gaming
Gaming is one such area where HP remains the boss. Their HP Omen gaming series is undoubtedly huge as it is equipped with powerful graphics, memory, SSD, and more. The HP Omen 17 is one such example that boasts Intel Core i7 (10th Gen), 16 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, and 512 GB SSD. This gaming giant also exhibits an impressive design – just perfect for avid gamers.
Likewise, their HP Pavilion Gaming 15.6” laptop is available for under $800. And it encloses good specs to get listed among the top gaming laptops of today. Its notable specs include an Intel Core i5 processor (9th Gen), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, 256 GB SSD, and 8 GB SDRAM.
In contrast, this HP Pavilion’s Acer counterpart, the Acer Nitro 5 (AN5), also bears similar specifications. However, it lags behind HP in aesthetics. As a result, its design looks bulkier, and the model weighs more (5.07 lbs).
But that’s not the only gaming laptop from Acer. The Acer Predator Helios 300 is right there to satiate your gaming needs with an Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics, 512GB NVMe SSD, and 16GB memory. However, despite bearing a cheaper price tag than HP Omen 17, it lags also behind in performance and aesthetics. So perhaps, this laptop is more suitable for pro-gamers looking for a budget-friendly machine.
Business
Like gaming, Acer vs HP seems neck and neck race in the case of business machines. But again, HP gets the leverage of its brand credibility, hardware durability, and lag-free performance, making it a favorite among business users.
HP’s Elitebook x360 1040 G7 and the Elite Dragonfly series are known for their robust performance, top-notch specifications, and longevity for business activities.
Nonetheless, Acer has also stepped into this niche with some excellent laptops and, of course, lower price tags to lure users. The Acer Concept D7 Ezel is one such example that features impressive build quality for business users. Its main specs include Intel Core i7 (10th Gen) processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD.
However, these huge specifications also come at a higher cost. Hence, it better suits the pro users and may not be preferred for regular business users.
Studying
Buying an Acer machine can be a win-win for school and college students looking for a budget-friendly laptop. For instance, the Acer Aspire 5 laptop is a perfect machine for school students as it offers modest specs.
Similarly, you can generally get any good Acer laptop according to your budget to execute your day-to-day educational activities.
Nonetheless, students getting a professional IT degree, such as aspiring graphics designers and programmers, may find HP a better option. While it costs more, it keeps you stress-free for a few years – enough to meet your educational needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Comparing Acer vs HP generally gives the latter an edge. Leveraging its years of experience and popularity, HP certainly knows how to grab the market. However, Acer’s biggest strength is the affordable costs that make it attractive for users.
Acer generally keeps a lower price tag on its products, making its laptop affordable for many. For those who want a modest device serving them without glitches, Acer seems a good option without breaking the bank.
HP produces powerful laptops that warrant durability, longevity, and seamless performance. Thanks to the embedded top-notch specs, HP laptops are worth the money.
Conclusion
Both HP and Acer own a significant market share today by producing dedicated laptops aimed at a specific customer base. That’s where the comparison of Acer vs HP ends in a draw.
Certainly, HP’s years-old existence and market experience have empowered it to produce attractive machines. HP checks all the boxes from design, aesthetics, and innovation to premium hardware, build quality, and performance.
Nonetheless, the only yet notable weakness of HP is where Acer takes the lead – the price. Acer knows what an average user wants, regardless of the use case. Therefore, it offers multiple laptop models bearing modest hardware – enough to do the job. And for that, expectedly, it doesn’t charge much.
Hence, the outcome of the Acer vs HP battle lies within you – the end-user. If you want a humble machine to serve the purpose without blowing your budget, then Acer laptops are for you. But if you are ready to invest a fortune in a quality laptop that takes away your stress for a few years – then HP is all you need.
Which laptop is best used for all applications…HP or Acer?
It is hard to say without knowing what applications you are going to use. Both brands have great models for all kinds of work, but you should choose Acer if you have a low budget and HP if you are looking for a high-end, gaming laptop.