Mid-Range Laptop Duel – Acer Swift 3 vs Asus Vivobook S412

[ad_1]

11

These are two mid-range computers that we duel against each other today: the Acer Swift 3 and the Asus Vivobook S412. Do their equivalent configurations make them as interesting as each other?

Going in search of a mid-range computer is often a complicated task that requires browsing hundreds of references to find the best value for money. To guide you, we have chosen to put face to face two 14-inch ultraportables well positioned on the market: the Acer Swift 3 SF314-41-R1X6 equipped with a Ryzen 5 processor and the Asus Vivobook S412FA-EK447T with an Intel Core i5. Two PCs in the same price range, the Vivobook being sold on average at 550 €, while the Swift 3 is trading around 650 €.

If these two contenders obtained three stars during our tests, they are not similar. In addition to the processor, other differences will have consequences on autonomy, performance or ergonomics. For example, the Vivobook relies on an original Numpad which can be superimposed on the touchpad. As for the Swift 3, its Radeon Vega graphics circuit gives it access to a few games.

Characteristics

Construction: Asus Vivobook S412

If the two machines share a metallic gray dress, each model has its own personality. For its Swift 3, Acer has opted for a sober, all-aluminum display on the screen cover. Closed, the laptop gives the impression of a high-end product, reinforced by its angular shapes. Open, it reveals unsightly black touches and a very coarse plastic hinge that breaks with a design that was rather successful.

The Asus Vivobook S412 has a completely plastic chassis with rounded corners. A design different from that of premium PCs, but consistent in its overall design, both on the hood and on the keyboard part, successful.

Each laptop offers its own small aesthetic feature. Below the Swift 3 keyboard sits a fingerprint sensor, absent from the Vivobook. Unfortunately, this fingerprint sensor does not prove to be very effective: approximate recognition requires several attempts before being able to unlock the machine.

The Vivobook may not have a Windows Hello recognition system (neither via a fingerprint sensor nor via the webcam), but it has something else to offer in terms of design: the keyboard part lifts slightly when the screen is open, allowing both air to enter under the chassis to cool the components and provide better typing comfort.

The other interesting feature of the Vivobook materializes in the Numpad. Thanks to a system of LEDs, a numeric keypad can appear on the touchpad; which partly fills his absence on the keyboard. It is possible to leave it constantly activated, since this trackpad instantly recognizes if the user is typing numbers or using the mouse. Smart, practical and well executed.

The comparison of the two keyboards turns in favor of the Vivobook. The typing is indeed pleasant, just like that of the Swift 3. However, the latter offers too much space between the keys (4 mm) which could annoy the user. Likewise, it only offers one level of backlighting, compared to three for its competitor. Finally, the Numpad mentioned above brings a real plus to the keyboard of the S412.

On the connection side, the Acer is a bit more complete. It has a USB 3.1 Type-C port, a USB 2.0 USB Type-A port, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, an HDMI port and an SD card reader in addition to its port power. The Asus Vivobook should not be ashamed, however, since it offers a USB 3.1 Type-C port, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, an HDMI port and a microSD card reader. In both cases, we have relatively complete connectivity for ultraportables. Note that neither offers charging via USB Type-C.

We have of course opened the two computers to measure their scalability. Vivobook advantage on this point: it is not only possible to replace the SSD in M2 format already present, but we can also add a 2.5 inch storage unit, an empty location being available (without the necessary connectors, however). The PC has a single 8 GB RAM module, which is also replaceable.

It is also possible to replace the SSD in M2 format already present on the Swift 3, but the latter does not offer a second empty slot. Similarly, it only offers a DIMM slot occupied by a 4 GB memory card. The remaining 4 GB are inaccessible, soldered to the motherboard, and cannot be changed. In return, he offers a memory in dual-channel, theoretically a little more efficient than the simple bar of the Vivobook.

The two computers manage heat and noise pollution very well. The latter peak at 39 dB (A) at work for both is therefore almost imperceptible unless you are in an extremely quiet room. The heater rises to 42 ° C at the ventilation grilles for the Swift 3 and 46 ° C for the Vivobook. Part of the heat is released to the screen on the Vivobook. Even if it does not really affect (the temperature being moderate), it is still necessary to point out this particularity of the design.

Two measures acceptable in full activity, and not surprising for PCs equipped with low-consumption processors. Similarly, note that the heating is well concentrated on the two PCs and will not disturb the user at the wrists.

If technically the chassis are relatively similar in terms of quality, we still give the advantage to Asus on this point. With a visually more refined design and Numpad functionality that really makes life easier, the Vivobook S412 is a more attractive PC to use.

Screen: Asus Vivobook S412

Both computers are equipped with a 14-inch IPS panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The screen-to-face ratio of the Acer Swift 3 is fairly standard, measured by us at 78%. That of the Asus is higher, peaking at 86%. A very high score for a mid-range which results in thinner edges and a product more pleasing to the eye.

The two screens are quite similar in terms of quality. You have to go into detail to determine a winner. Only the contrast really differs between the two panels, that of the Vivobook amounting to 1,470: 1, which is excellent for a laptop, while that of the Swift 3 delivers a lower score (1,175: 1, which remains correct) . The color temperature of the two screens is excellent, at 6,240 K on the Swift and 6,605 K on the Vivobook. In both cases, the display does not draw red or blue.

Color fidelity is average on both PCs. The Vivobook has an average Delta E of 5.5 while the Swift is 5.7. In both cases, the greens, blues and purples displayed on the screen are not true to the original colors. They are therefore both to be avoided to do precision work, such as photo editing. The brightness of the two tiles is correct (256 cd / m² for the Vivobook and 270 cd / m² for the Swift) without being very high, which makes outdoor work difficult. Finally, the afterglow is also almost similar and contained (17 ms on the Vivobook and 19 ms on the Swift), but insufficient to avoid "fuzzy streaks" during movements in the image on the screen.

The two tiles are therefore very similar, but that of the Vivobook is still slightly better, in particular thanks to a very good contrast. A really visible difference when you put them side by side.

Performance: Acer Swift 3

Here, it's not just two PCs that compete, but two processors of different brands. Indeed, our model of the Acer Swift 3 is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor (4 cores, 8 threads, 3.7 GHz turbo frequency) engraved in 12 nm. It is accompanied by 8 GB of RAM in dual-channel and a 512 GB SSD in M.2 format. The Vivobook S412 contains an Intel Core i5-8265U processor (4 cores, 8 threads, 3.9 GHz turbo frequency) 8th generation engraved in 14 nm . If its storage configuration meets that of its competitor (512 GB on SSD), its endowment in RAM memory is less: 8 GB in single-channel. The two processors are low consumption chips equivalent in range and power. At least in theory. This is what we will check in practice …

In reality, the power difference between the two computers is not huge. However, the Swift 3's Ryzen 5 takes a slight advantage, with an index of 56 on our scale of values ​​after our tests. The Vivobook is behind with an index of 50, penalized by a slightly less powerful processor and a RAM in single-channel. Concretely, everyday use will be the same on one or the other and both will not be extremely fast on compute-intensive software like Handbrake.

The Acer Swift 3 stands out in this section thanks to its integrated graphics circuit AMD Radeon Vega 8. On Diablo 3 with the graphics set to Full HD, we found an average of 26 frames per second. It is therefore possible to exceed the 30 frames per second mark by making some concessions on the quality of shadows, for example. Sure Overwatch, the Swift 3 ran at a very respectable average of 35 frames per second with graphics at a minimum. In contrast, the Asus Vivobook S412 does no miracles with its Intel HD 620, the two games not exceeding 20 frames per second under the same conditions.

Mobility / Autonomy: Acer Swift 3

The two computers offer a 14 inch format in the same dimensions (18 mm thick). Their weight is also identical (1.4 kg). Even more power, no bigger than a smartphone charger, which weighs 160 grams on the Swift 3 and 152 grams on the Vivobook. Both are therefore very easy to carry in a bag or even a small satchel.

It is on autonomy that the two PCs are different. Advantage to Acer on this one, and very widely. Indeed, during our usual autonomy Review (Netflix in Chrome with the screen brightness set to 200 cd / m²), it lasted 8 hours and 38 minutes, an excellent score given that the average of this type of product revolves around six hours. This average, the Vivobook S412 does not reach it (4 hours and 43 minutes). These very different results can be explained by the difference in power between the two batteries. The Acer Swift 3 indeed offers a battery of 48 & NBSP; Wh, against 33 & NBSP; Wh only for the Asus Vivobook. The latter is indeed equipped with a much smaller battery to make room for a 2.5-inch storage unit, as we saw above. An advantage that finds its counterpart here.

Winner: Acer Swift 3

The two computers are very similar in many respects. However, the Acer Swift 3 narrowly won this duel. If its finish (capricious fingerprint sensor, unsightly touches) and its screen are not at the level of its competitor of the day, it manages to pull out of the game in the Performance part, thanks to its integrated iGPU Radeon Vega 8. In addition, his much greater autonomy pushes us to declare him the winner. The Swift 3 is therefore the mid-range PC to which to head for those who seek the best value for money.

[ad_2]