Dell vs. Acer: A Quick Laptop Brand Comparison 
Dell and Acer have established strong reputations with diverse computer consumers, from regular users to gamers, students, and even businesses.
But, with a diverse range of models catering to many user needs, knowing the differences between them is crucial to determine the brand that deserves a worthwhile investment.
Given their features and disadvantages, selecting between the two can be difficult.
Here’s the most updated review that explores the latest key differences between Dell and Acer.
Dell vs. Acer: Quick Brand Histories
Acer is a Taiwanese hardware and electronics corporation established in 1976.
This tech giant has made its name known due to its budget-friendly laptops with performance features that many users find excellent.
While not constructed from premium materials, Acer’s models boast versatility for all-around use.
The Predator gaming laptop series offers high-end models for gaming enthusiasts looking for top-tier performance.
In contrast, Dell was established in 1984 by Michael Dell. Businesses and university students alike typically favor this American brand.
Dell laptops generally offer a fine balance of performance and features. They are known for their durability and reliability, which caters to diverse applications and software.
Dell’s best gaming laptops are available under its Alienware brand.
Dell vs. Acer: Break Down of Features
I know that comparing the intricate features of each brand is crucial in determining if the laptop has what you need.
Here’s a thorough review of Acer vs. Dell laptops that covers pricing, graphics, design, performance, customer support, and other key specs.
Pricing
Acer is a budget brand, while Dell is known for premium laptops. Therefore, to no surprise, Acer laptops are significantly more affordable.
An example of this is the Acer Aspire 5 market price. It costs around $400, while its counterpart, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000, starts at $600.
This means you can save more by choosing an Acer laptop over a Dell laptop with similar specifications.
Nevertheless, some Dell laptops are more affordable than some Acer laptops. But, in general, Acer has more affordable laptops.
WINNER: Acer
Processors and Graphics Cards
The Acer Predator Triton 500 SE and Dell Alienware X17 R2 are top contenders, featuring advanced processors and graphics cards.
Both laptops offer configurations with either a 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H or i9-12900HX processors.
Moreover, both laptops offer the option to be equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, which are the most powerful 3000-series GPUs that laptops can have.
While both laptops boast raw performance, the Dell Alienware X17 R2 gains a slight advantage with its more powerful Intel Core i9-12900HX processor.
Also, Dell predominantly uses Intel processors, while Acer utilizes both Intel and AMD Ryzen processors.
Intel processors used to be more powerful than AMD processors, but now it’s simply a matter of choice. However, it should be noted that Intel Celeron processors are no longer considered as powerful as they once were.
WINNER: Dell
Screen Quality
Both brands provide diverse laptop models with various display sizes and resolutions.
Dell offers supported display resolutions that cover all popular selections, including OLED 3.5K, 4K UHD, and UHD+.
The best Dell laptops offer an unmatched visual experience with diverse display options and resolutions.
However, only Acer’s higher-end models, like the ConceptD 7 and Predator laptops, support UHD screen resolutions.
Although Acer offers more choices for display sizes (11.6″ to 17.3″), Dell’s devices typically have better screen quality.
Nonetheless, both brands provide various touch-laptop models. It’s just that most Dell laptops are the better choice for screen quality, while Acer laptops have more variety in their display sizes.
WINNER: Dell
Build Quality
Dell’s laptops excel in build quality, utilizing sturdy and reliable hardware components, providing a more reassuring experience for users concerned about durability.
As mentioned earlier, Dell laptops predominantly use Intel processors.
On the other hand, Acer laptops offer budget-friendly components that cater to diverse requirements.
When deciding between Acer or Dell based on build quality, consider the importance of durability and premium components in your best laptop choice.
Dell’s focus on high-quality construction may appeal to those seeking long-lasting reliability.
WINNER: Dell
Battery Life
Dell takes the lead with models like the Latitude 9510 regarding battery life.
Dell devices generally have larger batteries and power-efficient components, contributing to their extended endurance.
For instance, both the Dell Latitude 9510 and Acer TravelMate P6 are work laptops known for long battery lives.
However, Dell’s Latitude 9510 surpasses Acer’s TravelMate P6 with a slightly longer battery life, boasting a 25% larger battery capacity.
Of course, battery life varies based on the model and usage.
WINNER: Dell
Customer Support and Warranty
Both Dell and Acer offer great customer service and reliable laptop warranties.
Acer’s notable improvements in customer support and its diverse warranty choices for different laptop models are commendable.
On the other hand, Dell continues its excellent customer support, efficient contact methods, and warranty extensions.
Nonetheless, like Dell, Acer offers a one-year limited warranty on all laptops, except for some Predator laptops manufactured before 2019. These models have a two-year limited warranty.
Acer can also extend warranty coverage or support with additional charges.
Regarding warranty and customer support, Acer and Dell are neck and neck.
WINNER: Tie
Design
When comparing the overall design, Dell and Acer share quite similar approaches. Both emphasize relatively simplistic designs without implementing highly innovative features.
Both brands cater to a diverse audience, including businesspeople and students, hence the Acer and Dell laptops’ design choices.
However, Dell stands out with its gaming laptop brand, Alienware, where laptops deviate from the standard pattern.
Alienware laptops boast colorful and innovative designs, drawing inspiration from extraterrestrial and science fiction themes.
Nonetheless, you can also check Dell’s XPS 13. This laptop’s got excellent build quality, a thin and light design, an InfinityEdge display, and powerful processor options.
WINNER: Dell
What Laptops Do They Offer?
Are you a gamer? A budget-conscious buyer? Or a business professional? Here are specific product models from each manufacturer you should consider!
Do Dell and Acer Have Good Gaming Laptops?
Acer’s Predator series is top-tier, and Nitro offers a budget-friendly alternative. Dell’s Alienware targets competitive players, while the G-Series suits casual gamers.
Here’s a comparison between Acer vs Dell.
Dell Alienware M15 R7
Gaming on this machine is a delight!
I love the Alienware M15 R7 for its exceptional CPU performance and vibrant display, making my gaming experience truly outstanding.
Being one of the latest Dell gaming laptops, Alienware M15 R7’s stunning visuals are smooth.
I’m also impressed with its faster refresh rate, better battery life, fast graphics, vivid colors, and excellent contrast.
This machine comes with both an integrated graphics card and an NVidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, so I don’t have problems whether I’m browsing videos or running around open world games!
Pros
- Lighter and thinner than the Predator Helios 300
- Faster refresh rate (165 Hz)
- Long battery life
- Outstanding CPU performance
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- May become hot
Acer Predator Helios 300
The Acer Predator Helios 300’s Turbo option enhances frame rates, ensuring no lag during intense gaming sessions, whether you’re playing Call of Duty: MWII or Valorant.
No wonder Acer prides itself on having many of the most popular gaming laptops and desktop pcs in the laptop market.
Compared to other laptops in this price range, I like how I can play games at high speeds without any trouble.
Moreover, the generous 16GB RAM is a standout feature. This ample amount of RAM ensures smooth gaming performance — more than enough memory for my gaming needs.
Pros
- Affordable price
- High-speed gaming performance
- Better RAM
- Reliable for extensive editing or gaming purposes
Cons
- Heavy and bulky design
- No SD card reader
Do Dell and Acer Offer Good Budget Laptops?
Both tech giants have a wide range of budget laptops to meet your needs and budget. Among these are the Dell Inspiron 15 5510 and Acer Nitro 5.
Dell Inspiron 15 5510
First, I like the Inspiron 15 5510’s sleek and modern design. The outer cover is made of aluminum, which makes this a relatively light laptop.
Its full HD resolution offers enough comfort and display quality.
Apart from the affordable price, another key feature I like is the fingerprint reader. I can unlock the device without having to type.
Its 11th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors also ensure responsive multitasking.
Pros
- Long-lasting battery performance (lasts up to 13 hours)
- Full HD screen and good sound quality
- Modern look
- Powerful and stable performance
Cons
- Low-quality webcam
Acer Nitro 5
Looking for a powerful and budget-friendly gaming alternative? The Acer Nitro 5 is an affordably-priced line of gaming-focused Acer laptops.
This beastly machine has a 144Hz display and a powerful processor. Thanks to its long battery life, I can finish editing short videos with power to spare.
The performance of the keyboard is excellent compared to those with noisy keys. It also comes with a full number pad.
However, the screen is not so bright despite boasting full HD display specs.
Pros
- Ample storage space, including SSDs
- Good graphics performance
- Budget-friendly gaming laptop
- Smooth and responsive
- The processor starts with either an AMD or Intel Core i5-i7
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
- Cooling isn’t as good as other laptop brands
Do Dell and Acer Sell Good Business Laptops?
A work laptop is designed for professional use — preferably suitable for traveling and extended use.
If your laptop comes with excellent battery life, speed, and enough power to cater to a 40-hour workweek, the better.
Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 is an impressive work laptop with an ExpressCharge feature. It recharges in less than an hour!
Although this laptop claims a battery life of up to 12 hours, in my experience, it averages around 7-8 hours with regular use. Still enough for a full workday!
Users seeking a Windows alternative to the MacBook Air should get this laptop. Its sleek design and low-carbon aluminum chassis contribute to its overall appeal.
Pros
- Thinnest laptop in this review
- Made of sustainable materials
- Anti-glare coating
- Starts at 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD storage capacity
- It can last up to 7 hours
Cons
- Overly sensitive touchpad
Acer Swift 5
I find the Swift 5’s performance great for most office tasks. The laptop’s speed and Wi-Fi connectivity are among its standout features.
Design-wise, the Swift 5’s sleek design also competes with the MacBook Air.
When comparing Acer Swift 5 with its Windows counterpart (Dell’s XPS 13), its display quality seems slightly lackluster in comparison.
Nonetheless, this Acer laptop excels in terms of battery performance.
Pros
- HD IPS display
- Powerful enough for office use
- Great speed and better Wi-Fi connectivity
- Lightweight
Cons
- Speakers could be better
Frequently Asked Questions
In this Acer vs. Dell article, I understand you may still have lingering questions at this point. I hope you find the answers here.
Both brands have something to offer — a new laptop for gaming, work, or general use.
Which Dell Laptops Have an OLED Display?
Most Dell models offer OLED displays on certain XPS and Alienware laptop series models.
These laptops have a lovely display perfect for Netflix, playing games, and video editing.
OLED displays offer deeper blacks and richer colors than traditional LCDs. They also have a wide viewing angle.
The latest Dell laptop models with an OLED display are the Alienware m17 R7 and Dell XPS 17.
Do Acer Laptops Have a 4K Display?
Most Acer laptops have 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) displays (3840 x 2160 resolution). These 4K displays offer significantly higher pixel density than traditional Full HD displays.
This feature lets you see more detail in images and videos. Plus, the text will appear sharper.
For a 4k display, choose Acer Predator Triton 500 SE, Acer Swift Edge, orthe Acer Aspire 5.
However, note that most laptops with great display quality typically have a shorter battery life.
What’s the Difference Between Dell’s and Acer’s Security Features?
Both Dell’s and Acer’s laptops have pre-installed antivirus software.
Dell’s work laptops even include a subscription to the Business Antivirus plan. Additionally, Dell laptops are equipped with TPM chips to enhance data and information security.
Similarly, Acer models also come with Norton Software to secure the devices. It also employs Windows secured-core technology to ensure high device protection.
Both offer fingerprint identification security on select models.
Dell vs. Acer: What Should You Get?
Acer laptops, especially the Predator series, are the go-to option for many gamers, but in the comparison of Acer vs. Dell, Dell laptops are better.
Both laptop manufacturers offer a wide range of excellent options where you can surely have one that fits your budget and desired performance.
In this Acer vs. Dell review, I’ve highlighted the standout qualities of each laptop brand.
The main difference between Dell and Acer is their price ranges: Dell’s devices are typically pricier but offer more features, while Acer’s devices are more budget-friendly.
As always, the decision is yours!
Get a Dell Laptop If:
- You want a premium brand that sits on top of the laptop industry
- You want an outstanding display
- You need work laptops with long-lasting batteries
- You want a better-designed laptop
- You want a laptop with the most advanced processors and graphics cards
Get an Acer Laptop If:
- You want affordable gaming pcs and laptops
- You want a laptop with good customer support
- You need good Wi-Fi connectivity and a comfortable keyboard
- You need good processors and graphics card
