Acer Aspire 5 (2024) vs ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024)
The Verdict
Acer's Aspire 5 targets budget-conscious buyers seeking a practical 15.6-inch workhorse, while ASUS positions the Zenbook S 14 as a premium ultraportable. Display quality heavily favors ASUS,its 3K OLED panel with 120Hz refresh delivers vibrant visuals that dwarf the Aspire's standard 1080p IPS screen. Processing power is comparable on paper (i5-1335U vs Core Ultra 7 258V), but real-world performance differences are modest for typical productivity tasks. Portability distinctly advantages ASUS at 2.6 lbs versus Acer's 3.9 lbs, plus superior battery longevity (14 vs 9 hours). Storage doubles on ASUS (1TB vs 512GB), though Acer's expandable drive offers flexibility. At $549 versus $1399, Acer delivers exceptional value for students and budget buyers handling everyday computing. ASUS justifies its premium through superior craftsmanship, exceptional display technology, and professional-grade portability. Choose Acer for affordability and screen real estate; select ASUS if you demand premium build quality and display excellence.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Acer Aspire 5 (2024) if…
- →Excellent all-round budget laptop at $549 with 16 GB RAM
- →Intel Core i5 handles everyday productivity and light creative work
- →Expandable storage for future SSD upgrades
Buy the ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) if…
- →Ultra-light at 1.20 kg with a premium Ceraluminum chassis
- →Vivid 3K OLED display with accurate colors
- →Intel Core Ultra 200V series delivers exceptional efficiency
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Acer Aspire 5 (2024)
Pros
- Excellent all-round budget laptop at $549 with 16 GB RAM
- Intel Core i5 handles everyday productivity and light creative work
- Expandable storage for future SSD upgrades
- Full-size HDMI and USB-A ports for hassle-free connectivity
- 9-hour battery life is solid for a budget laptop
Cons
- 60Hz FHD display — no high refresh rate or high resolution
- 300-nit brightness is dim for outdoor or bright-room use
- Plastic body feels less premium than aluminum competitors
- No Thunderbolt — USB-C is data/display only
ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024)
Pros
- Ultra-light at 1.20 kg with a premium Ceraluminum chassis
- Vivid 3K OLED display with accurate colors
- Intel Core Ultra 200V series delivers exceptional efficiency
- Solid all-day battery endurance
- Thoughtful design with excellent hinge mechanism
Cons
- Intel Core Ultra 200V series slower than H-class for heavy workloads
- RAM and SSD are soldered — no upgrade path
- Only one USB-A port
- Glossy OLED touch surface catches fingerprints
- No SD card reader
Full Specifications
| Spec | Acer Aspire 5 (2024) | ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.9 lbs (1.76 kg) | 1.20 kg |
| Material | Aluminum lid, plastic body | Aluminum with Ceraluminum lid |
| Dimensions | 14.09 x 9.5 x 0.72 inches | 311.2 x 219.3 x 14.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-A ports | 2 | 1 |
| USB-C ports | 1 | — |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours | Up to 14 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 50 Wh | 72 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.6 inches | 14.0 inches |
| Type | IPS | 3K OLED anti-glare touch |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 300 | 550 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe | 1 TB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 10 cores (2P + 8E) | 8-core (4P+4LPE) |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1335U | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V |
Related Comparisons
- ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
- ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) vs LG gram 14 (2024)
- ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) vs Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Gen 8 14"
- ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) vs Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
- ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) vs HP Spectre x360 14 (2023)
- ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) vs HP Envy x360 14 (2024)
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all Acer products or all ASUS products. View full details for the Acer Aspire 5 (2024) or the ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024).