Taiwan has become a familiar and respected name in the laptop market, best known for two tech brands that have made immense strides in recent years: Acer and ASUS. Both companies have developed admirable portfolios of several categories of laptops – from multimedia devices for gameplay and streaming to business computers for desktop replacement.
Acer and ASUS: Taiwanese Brands Leading the Global Market
Acer and ASUS, founded in 1976 and 1989, respectively, have played a significant role in elevating Taiwan’s economy and international reputation as a trusted tech nation.
In 2021, ASUS was declared the “Most Valuable International Brand.” While both companies have garnered repute for performance-oriented, dependable laptops, which one takes the lead? Let us attempt an in-depth comparison between Taiwan’s leading laptop brands to simplify your purchase decision.
Acer Laptops
Acer stands out in the crowd for its focus on consumer value. The company has a rich collection of affordable laptops that deliver excellent performance. Users can opt for Intel processors or their AMD counterparts and experience the delights of NVIDIA RTX cards (including the latest 40 series).
This Taiwan-based brand headquartered in New Taipei endeavors to cater to diverse audiences. For instance, the Acer Aspire and Swift series are ideal for students. The Acer Aspire 3, with decent multitasking and overall performance, costs just $329 and is a reasonable choice for campus assignments.
We like the flexible form factors – the spin-based Spin 14, for instance – and lightweight models Acer hosts in its repository. But these laptops are durable, too, using Corning Gorilla Glass for screen protection and intensive testing for fluctuating temperatures and other environmental conditions. Convertibles can be a tad pricier but very convenient because of their 360-degree hinge.
The TravelMate P6 is a fine choice for business purposes, delivering 23 hours of battery backup, military-grade sturdiness, and a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 for thorough and fool-proof security.
Gamers can find much to rejoice in the Predator and Nitro lineups. The Acer Nitro 5 at $755 has an RTX 3050 graphics card and dual-fan cooling – ideal for gaming lovers. Of course, premium specs will cost you more, but Acer gaming laptops are still attractively cheap. The Nitro 17 has a Ryzen 7 processor and an RTX 4050 GPU but costs less than $1,200.
The Predator is Acer’s premium gaming offering, starting at around $1,600. The Acer Predator Triton 17 X for approximately $3,800 is a veritable beast: a 250Hz refresh rate and 64GB of RAM. The Acer Predator Triton 500 costs less than $1,000 but offers a speedy Intel Core i7 processor, a GTX 1060 GPU, and a 144Hz refresh rate. It is a terrific budget gaming machine.
Acer also has light and sleek Chromebooks for easy travel and satisfactory performance. These cost from $300 to over $600 for Enterprise-edition models.
If you are hunting for snappy style and extreme portability, check out the Acer Porsche DesignBook. It has a carbon-fiber lid and responsive performance, merging speed with flair.
ASUS Laptops
One of the hallmarks of this trusted laptop maker based in the Beitou District of Taiwan is its focus on advanced technologies. Many ASUS laptops integrate noise cancellation and light-enhancing features to enhance your video calling experiences – thoughtful for the post-pandemic hybrid workplace.
Its high-end machines, like the ROG Zephyrus, support Dolby Vision and Atmos. A dual-fan cooling system ensures sustainability with extended use. Some laptops, like the ROG series, use liquid metal cooling on the CPU and a third intake fan for sustainability during peak performance.
Vivobooks can perform well for everyday use and be incredibly cheap, too. The VivoBook 14 costs only $260 but provides a full-size backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader. Models like the Flip 14 offer an adaptable 2-in-1 design.
The Zenbook is one of the most popular ASUS laptops for creative professionals like artists and designers. The ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 has a bright OLED 4K screen and a secondary display (ScreenPad Plus) with a comfortable tilt. It comes with a free three-month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud. ASUS also produces Studiobooks for a similar user group.
ASUS ExpertBooks are suitable for business. With the ASUS ExpertBook B9, you will get work-friendly features like AI noise cancellation and a privacy shield for the webcam. You can also find fingerprint sensors and other security features to keep your data confidential and safe.
Design is a focal point for this brand, with multiple products boasting a robust metallic build (aluminum-magnesium) that makes them suitable for travel and rough handling. The company’s portfolio has several super-light options for users demanding portability. For instance, the ExpertBook B9 weighs only 880 grams and has a profile thickness of 14.9 mm (1.9 lbs and 0.58″). Many ASUS laptops also have ergonomic, spill-resistant keyboards with large, comfy touchpads. There’s no lack of connectivity options: from Thunderbolt 4 to Wi-Fi 6.
The company has several Chromebooks at budget-friendly prices, designed with a 180-degree hinge for flexible use. It facilitates content sharing and fits into a collaborative workspace or remote workstation. Generic laptops like the 11.6″ ASUS Notebook E210 cost only $200-300.
ASUS ROG & TUF: The ultimate gaming horizon
An area where ASUS surpasses Acer and many similar brands is fitment to gameplay, thanks to its ROG, or “Republic of Gamers” series. ROG gaming machines are known for their unbeatable performance and top-tier specs suited to competitive gameplay and esports.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, for around $2,000, has a top-notch Core i9 processor and an RTX 4070 graphics card. It also has a MUX Switch to up the gaming performance by up to 10%. Similarly, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 has a mini LED display with 1100 nits of brightness.
Another excellent and more portable ROG sub-type is the Zephyrus. From the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 to the G14 Alan Walker Special Edition, gamers have a wide variety to explore. There’s also the ASUS ROG Flow Z13, a gaming tablet.
The TUF is also a coveted range by gamers, excelling at engaging gameplay but at affordable rates. The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 will cost you less than $700.
How to choose between Acer & ASUS: A Quick Guide
Performance & Sustainability
ASUS tends to have an advantage in this category, with several lineups like the ROG delivering boundless performance for games and multimedia content creation/editing. Their heat management is also commendable.
Pricing/Affordability
Acer has the edge here, with more inexpensive laptops and mid-budget offerings. Lineups like Swift and Chromebooks are sensible for students and bargain hunters.
Battery backup
ASUS machines last longer on a single charge, with some, like the ASUS VivoBook 14, lasting up to 24 hours. Acer laptops usually last 6-8 hours, although some picks, such as the Acer Chromebook 514, might last more than 18.5 hours. Comparably, the Acer Aspire 5 delivers only a few hours of battery backup.
Customer Support
ASUS has an efficient customer-support team with quick grievance addressing and social media presence. Its standard warranty lasts a year, but you can choose additional coverage and international bundles. While ASUS has a slight bonus, Acer also boasts a competent customer service department with product warranties.
Variety & Customization
Acer has numerous options for different user groups, like business people, students, gamers, and travelers. Many laptops offer customization options like vivid colors and upgradable SSD storage. ASUS also has multiple lineups targeting different audiences – from the TUF for gaming enthusiasts to Chromebooks for professionals or students on the move.
The Bottom line
ASUS delivers better performance and superior overall specs and graphics than Acer. Acer is not far behind, with machines like the Predator Helios 500 offering 64GB of memory, Intel Core i9 processors, and RTX 40-series graphics.
The product range is also excellent: from gaming machines to business laptops and travel-friendly convertibles. The international presence of ASUS is dense and widespread; you can find its products in over 60 countries.
Acer does have an edge in affordability. Its repository has many more budget-friendly options and is more accessible to bargain seekers.
Both brands are comparable in durability, offering military-standard construction, screen protectors, and resistance to drops and vibrations. The customer service of both ASUS and Acer is exemplary.
Taiwan’s world-famous attractions list has grown because of Acer and ASUS and their dedication to quality computing. The next time you consider purchasing or upgrading computing devices, we recommend turning to this beautiful land of bubble tea and delicious street foods.
