Acer Swift Go 16 (SFG16-72, 2024) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Acer's Swift Go 16 delivers exceptional value with a larger 16-inch OLED display, superior RAM (16GB vs 8GB), and Intel Core Ultra 7 processing at $899—nearly $700 less than Apple's offering. Its 120Hz OLED panel provides vibrant colors and deep blacks, while 12.5-hour battery life handles most workdays. However, Apple's MacBook Pro 14" commands respect with its Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED screen (1600 nits peak brightness vastly exceeds Acer's 400), M3 chip efficiency delivering 17-hour battery endurance, and superior macOS ecosystem integration. The Pro's compact footprint (1.55kg) matches Acer's weight despite smaller dimensions. Acer excels for content creators and multitaskers needing screen real estate and RAM on a budget; MacBook Pro suits professionals prioritizing display quality, battery longevity, and ecosystem lock-in. For most users, Acer offers better specifications per dollar, though Apple's display and efficiency justify premium positioning for specific workflows.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Acer Swift Go 16 (SFG16-72, 2024) | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | macOS Sonoma |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.5 kg | 1.55 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum unibody |
| Dimensions | 358 x 248.5 x 15.9 mm | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 1 |
| USB-A ports | 2 | — |
| USB-C ports | 0 | — |
| SD card | ||
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 3 |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 12.5 hours | Up to 17 hours wireless web |
| Capacity | 65 Wh | 72.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16 inches | 14.2 inches |
| Type | OLED, 16:10 | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED |
| Resolution | 3200 x 2000 | 3024 x 1964 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz ProMotion |
| Brightness (nits) | 400 | 1600 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5X | 8 GB unified |
| Cores | 16 cores (6P+8E+2LPE) | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Apple M3 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Acer Swift Go 16 (SFG16-72, 2024)
Pros
- Sharp 3.2K 120Hz OLED display
- Affordable for a Core Ultra OLED laptop
- Generous port selection including SD card reader
- Lightweight for a 16-inch laptop
- Solid 1080p IR webcam
Cons
- Speakers are merely average
- Display brightness lower than competitors
- Soldered RAM limits upgradability
- Plastic deck flex on the keyboard
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3
Pros
- Full ProMotion mini-LED XDR display at the $1599 entry tier
- Excellent 17-hour battery life for a 14-inch machine
- Compact and portable at 1.55 kg
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports plus HDMI and SD card
- Silent under light-to-moderate workloads
Cons
- 8 GB base RAM is restrictive for demanding tasks
- Storage upgrades carry a steep Apple premium
- M3 GPU struggles with heavy 3D workloads compared to Pro/Max
- Notch in display polarises opinions
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