Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 9) vs Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 is the better laptop on paper: it is faster, has more memory and lasts longer on a charge. The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
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Performance
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1's Intel Core Ultra 5 135U is quicker: it stays smooth with lots of apps open, while the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14's Intel Core i3-N305 copes well with everyday tasks.
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Gaming
Evenly matched
Neither is made for modern games.
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Display
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 has the better screen: 14" Full HD 400 nits against 14" Full HD.
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Battery life
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 should last longer: up to 23.2 hours against up to 10 hours.
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Connectivity
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 is better connected. Only it has Thunderbolt/USB4.
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Portability
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 is easier to carry at 1.35 kg, against 1.5 kg.
Other differences
- Memory Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 has 32 GB of memory against 8 GB. That's the difference between coping and staying quick with lots of tabs and apps open.
- Storage Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 wins
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 has twice the storage: 512 GB against 256 GB.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 if…
- You want a snappier laptop for everyday work: its Intel Core Ultra 5 135U is the faster processor.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 32 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 23.2 hours).
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 512 GB of storage.
- You plug things in: it has Thunderbolt or USB4 (for fast docks and drives).
Choose the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 if…
- You'd like to use it as a tablet too: it folds or detaches into one.
- You want something compact: it has a 14-inch screen.
Full spec comparison
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 leads on performance, battery and weight and ports and wireless; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 is ahead on performance.
It is faster, has more memory and has more storage, and the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 9) | Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 5 135U | Intel Core i3-N305 |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| AI engine (NPU) | 11 TOPS | — |
| Memory (RAM) | 32 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X-6400 | LPDDR5 |
| Maximum memory | 32 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280 | PCIe NVMe M.2 |
| Storage slots | 1 | — |
Screen
Both screens are closely matched.
Size, sharpness and smoothness are near enough the same, so neither has a real edge to look at.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 9) | Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 14" |
| Resolution | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 400 nits | — |
| Colour range | 100% sRGB | — |
| HDR | None | — |
| Finish | Anti-reflective | — |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Pen standard | Lenovo Slim Pen | — |
Battery and size
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 is ahead on battery and weight.
It lasts longer on a charge, is a little lighter and charges over USB-C, and the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 9) | Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 23.2 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Battery capacity | 57 Wh | 40 Wh |
| Charger | 65 W | 45 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | barrel (DC-in) |
| Fast charging | Rapid Charge: up to 80% in 1 hour | — |
| Weight | 1.35 kg | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 312.80 x 217.65 x 15.49 mm | 319.8 x 227.9 x 18.9 mm |
| Materials | aluminium top and bottom | — |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810H | — |
| Hinge | 360-degree convertible | Convertible (folder) |
| Colour | Grey | Pure Silver |
| Colours available | Grey | — |
Ports and wireless
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Thunderbolt or USB4 and has Wi-Fi 6E, and the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 9) | Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (one Always On), 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps (Power Delivery 3.0, DisplayPort 2.1), 1x HDMI 2.1 (up to 4K/60Hz), 1x 3.5 mm audio | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps, DisplayPort), 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5 mm combo audio, 1x DC-in |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps | None |
| External displays (max) | 3 | — |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-Fi card | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 9) | Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p + IR | — |
| Webcam privacy | physical shutter | — |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | — |
| Keyboard | UK English, backlit, spill-resistant | — |
| Login | Fingerprint, Face | — |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Trackpad | Multi-touch gestures, Microsoft Precision Touchpad, moisture resistant, antimicrobial coating |
| Speakers | 2x 2 W, Dolby Atmos | 2 speakers, stereo |
| Microphones | dual-array | built-in microphone |
| Pen | Supported (sold separately) | Supported (sold separately) |
| Security | discrete TPM 2.0, Kensington Nano Security Slot, fingerprint, face recognition | Kensington lock slot, BIOS user and supervisor passwords |
Software and model
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 9) | Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home in S mode |
| Model number | 21KE0080UK | NX.KN1AA.005 |
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |