In this detailed Acer vs Dell guide, we’ll cover all aspects of these brands. From their value for money laptops to their customer support, we have got all the detail for you.
Acer Vs Dell
1. Gaming Laptops
When it comes to gaming laptops, both Dell and Acer go neck n neck, especially if a top-notch gaming laptop is what you are looking for.
While there is the Acer Triton 900 on one side, there is the Dell Alienware Area 51m on the other side (this is a battle of the heavyweights).
I prefer the Alienware range of laptops. One difference between the Triton 900 is the processor clocking speed. The Triton 900 clocks at 2.4GHz whereas the Dell Alienware Area 51m clocks at a whopping 5.0GHz.
The reason these laptops can clock at such high speeds is that the laptops are equipped with Turbo Boost 2.0, in turn, giving you better performance (and, in professional gaming, power and speed are everything).
Furthermore, the Alienware laptops are way lighter than the Acer Triton. The Triton 900 weighs around 9lbs whereas the Alienware laptops weigh around 5lbs. Truthfully, finding such a powerful, yet light, gaming laptop is a pleasant surprise as it makes it highly portable.
On the graphics front, while both use equally powerful graphics cards in the form of the GeForce RTX™ 2080 GPU units, the Alienware range comes with the Max-Q version. So how does this help?
In simple words, Max-Q graphics cards are usually slimmer which helps lower weight and size, increases the cooling efficiency of the laptop (so you can keep it on your lap), and keeps noise to a minimum which makes them ideal for long hours of streaming.
As for other specs, while the Trito 900 and the Alienware M15 and 17 come with 32GB of RAM the Alienware Area series laptops come with a whopping 64GB of RAM.
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Though the one thing I do love about the Triton 900 is the CNC-machined Ezel™ Aero Hinges that makes the laptop highly versatile, especially if you are also into graphics designing and editing.
These hinges allow you to use the laptop in multiple modes such as tablet mode, float mode, or use the hinges as a stand, like in the images below. Yes, even your gaming laptop can now be convertible.
Note: If you go with the Full-HD versions of both laptops you get excellent refresh rates of 144GHz that is sure to give you the edge in such fast-paced multiplayer shooting games.
- Acer Predator Triton 900 17.3" 4K UHD touchscreen gaming notebook Computer - AC adapter - Acer 2 year limited Warranty
- Type: Intel Core i9-9980hk Octal-Core
- Base frequency: 2.40GHz
- Max Turbo Frequency: 5GHz
- Cache: 16MB
Another high-end laptop range from Alienware is the Alienware M15. There are two variants of the laptop. One comes with an i9 processor, 32GB RAM, and an RTX 2060 Max-Q graphics card while the other has a 9th Gen, i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and RTX 2060 Graphics card.
In case you want to save a few bucks, the i7 model is way cheaper and comes with a refresh rate of 144GHz, durability, and screen quality, but you do miss out on the RAM and processor power, plus the benefits of a Max-Q graphics card provides. In the end, the choice comes down to your budget and needs.
- Alienware thinnest notebook ever for gamers looking for a thin gaming notebook that does not sacrifice performance or design
- Premium build high-end materials like magnesium alloy copper and steel provide a premium lightweight and performance-driven gaming experience
- Advanced thermal technology Alienware cryo-tech V3 0 optimizes component cooling which maximizes overall performance and keeps your laptop cool to the touch
- Game longer than ever a lithium Ion 76Whr battery delivers longer uninterrupted game play without a charge thanks to an exceptional life span
- Hexagonal honeycomb pattern maximizes airflow efficiency while providing structural rigidity to the overall structure
But I do not have $3000+ to spend on a gaming laptop
Well, in that case, Acer is the right brand for you. The Acer Predator Helios 300 is one of the best-selling mid-range gaming laptops and for good reason.
The laptop is capable of running most gaming titles like Fortnite, PUBG, GTA V, etc. so you get an idea of how good the specs are. But what stands out about this laptop is the refresh time.
Unlike most laptops in this price range, this laptop gives you a refresh rate of 144GHz and 3ms response time so you never have to worry about Ghosting and Blurring. Check out the laptop’s specs and the reason behind its popularity amongst gamers below.
- 9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750H 6-Core Processor (Upto 4. 5 gramHz) with Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Graphics with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM
- 15. 6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED-backlit IPS display (144Hz Refresh Rate, 3ms Overdrive Response Time, 300nit Brightness & 72% NTSC)
- 16 GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD (2 x PCIe M. 2 Slots | 1 Slot Open for Easy Upgrades) & 1 - Available Hard Drive Bay
- Backlit Keyboard | LAN: Killer Gaming Network E2500 | Wireless: Killer DoubleShot Pro Wireless-AX 1650 WiFi 6 802. 11ac | 4th Gen All-Metal AeroBlade 3D Fan
In case you prefer Dell over Acer then the Dell G5 15 is the ideal laptop for you in this price range. The major feature it lacks in comparison to the Helios 300 is the high refresh rate but on the bright side gives you tons of extra storage space as it has a 1TB HDD paired with the 256GB SSD.
The Helios 300 comes with only a 256GB SSD and any gamer will tell you, that is not enough storage for a gaming laptop which means you either will have to spend on upgrades or external drives.
- Lead the pack with an elegant sleek design that keeps heads turning
- An innovative dual-fan cooling system with an advanced thermal design ensures that your system stays cool as the action heats up
- 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) anti-Glare LED backlight non-touch narrow border IPS display
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 with 4GB GDDR5 Graphics
- 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750h (12MB Cache, up to 4. 5 GHz, 6 Cores)
If you are looking for something less than $1000, Acer is hands down the brand for you. From design to specs, Acer Nitro 5 is everything a budget buyer could ask from a gaming laptop.
- 9th Generation Intel Core i5-9300H Processor (Up to 4.1 GHz)
- 15.6 inches Full HD Widescreen IPS LED-backlit display; NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics with 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
- 8GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory; 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD (2 x PCIe M.2 slots - 1 slot open for easy upgrades) and 1 - Available hard drive bay
- LAN: 10, 100, 1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port); Wireless: Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX200 802.11ax
- Backlit keyboard; Acer Cool Boost technology with twin fans and dual exhaust ports
2. Budget Laptops
Are you using your laptop only for entertainment purposes or for browsing the net in your free time? Then, you likely don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a laptop. Thankfully, you do not have to either.
Acer
When it comes to cheap laptops, the Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop is a no-brainer! Whether you just want to stream movies, write content, browse the internet, etc. the laptop is ideal for it all and is available for less than $500.
The reason the laptop is the best value for money pick is that it delivers excellent speed and power for a low-priced laptop. This is because Acer used an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor which clocks at 3.5GHz.
AMD processors are cheaper but since they come with more cores than the Intel M3 or other similar Intel processors, they deliver better performance.
Moreover, the laptop comes with an SSD which further makes it a bargain. SSDs give you better speed and since they have lesser parts, they are less likely to fail than an HDD.
The icing on the cake is a display. Don’t get me wrong. It isn’t like the Dell XPS or an Apple MacBook display (it won’t win a beauty contest for sure) but considering its price tag, it is a pleasant surprise that the laptop comes with a large 15.6-Full HD display.
Add to that decent speakers and watching movies with your friend or family should be a delight.
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual Core Processor (Up to 3.5GHz); 4GB DDR4 Memory; 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 15.6 inches full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED backlit IPS display; AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics
- 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports & 1 HDMI port with HDCP support
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Backlit Keyboard; Up to 7.5 hours battery life
Dell
The biggest advantage of going with Dell is that you get a convertible laptop for less than $500. So if you are living life on the move and need something portable and light, the Dell Inspiron 14 5481 check pretty much all the boxes.
With durable, 360-degree hinges, you can covert the laptop into a tablet or use it in studio mode. Plus, it has a long battery life as well which means you won’t have to worry about recharging for at least the next 7-8hrs.
Another reason to opt for the Inspiron over the Acer Aspire is if you prefer an Intel processor over AMD as it comes with an 8th Gen, i3 processor that clocks at 3.9GHz.
Just like the Aspire, even here you get a 128GB SSD and a 4GB RAM so you can use it for pretty much the same tasks. The only drawback of this laptop is the display
While the Aspire gives you a Full-HD display, the Inspiron only gives you a 720p display.
- Adjustable modes With four flexible modes your 2-in-1 is designed for ultimate convenience—laptop for typing tablet for drawing or writing with the available Premium Active Pen and tent or media modes for easy entertainment and gaming in small space
- Breathtaking visuals The two-sided narrow border gives you added screen space for stunning views while the Full HD IPS touch display delivers a more detailed viewing experience from every angle in a thin design
- Sleek style Engineering for versatility and portability was only the beginning This 14-inch is created with premium materials like an aluminum palm rest to compliment it’s light and sleek exterior
- Sleek style Engineering for versatility and portability was only the beginning This 14-inch is created with premium materials like an aluminum palm rest to compliment its light and sleek exterior
So how do I pick a laptop?
Performance and price-wise, both laptops are at the same level, the choice comes down to your needs. If you prefer portability over other features, the Inspiron is the obvious choice but if you are a movie freak and want a good display, the Aspire makes for the ideal buy.
Also Read: Top 10 Laptop Brands for 2022
3. After Sales Service
While the brands may have gone toe to toe in terms of laptops for gaming and business, this is where the gap widens. Good customer support can be a difference-maker. After, all, nobody wants to be holding a call for hours, right?.
Acer
But with Acer, you might just have to. Their customer service, especially when it comes to phone support is lacking on multiple fronts. While you do get connected to the support personnel in 2-3 minutes, finding solutions to your problems can be time-taking with it varying from 8-20 minutes for us.
The ideal way to reach out to Acer is through their social media accounts. Response on Facebook was much faster than Twitter but solutions were provided promptly on both.
Alienware and Dell
As far as Dell and Alienware go, note that both of them have separate customer care services and Alienware is hands down the better of the 3.
Their phone support has some room for improvement as waiting time was a bit more but chat services and social media services were exceptional. The same goes for Dell as well though compared to Alienware, they are left wanting more.
A few tweaks to the phone services and I see both these brands right on the top in the customer support showdown between the brands.
Note: In case you cannot find answers to your questions from the support services like the chat or social media platform, all brands have special community pages and forums for their buyers.
Here you can interact with experts and other people facing similar issues to find quick-fire solutions. Some brands even have FAQ pages that are worth checking out.
