Acer Aspire 3 Review: Budget Powerhouse?
In the world of budget-friendly laptops, Acer has consistently delivered reliable performance with their Aspire series. Among the models of Aspire, the Acer Aspire 3 stands out as a versatile option for everyday users, offering a balance of affordability and functionality.
The Acer Aspire 3 is designed for those seeking a hassle-free computing experience without spending too much money. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who wants a laptop for casual use, the Acer Aspire 3 is worth considering. It comes in various configurations to suit different user needs, ensuring that you can choose the right model for your specific requirements.
In this review, we will differentiate the variations of the Acer Aspire 3 according to the processor. Then, we will explain other metrics, such as performance and design, to help you decide if it fits your needs.
Table of Contents
Acer Aspire 3 Under Birds Eye
| Pros | Cons |
| Decent services at an affordable price Provides a long battery life for continuous work. Comes with a comfortable keyboard, which ensures a smooth typing experience. Available in many versions. | Limited gaming capabilities, but great for casual use. Not the lightest option, but sturdy build. Display brightness could be better, but still decent. Graphics are low but sufficient for general daily tasks. |
| Overview: The Acer Aspire 3 is a budget-friendly gem. It is perfect for everyday tasks like work, study, or basic streaming. At a compact price point, it offers reliable performance, a comfortable design, and long battery life. If you need a laptop for regular data entry, Microsoft Office tasks, or basic browsing, this will be a great choice. | |
Side-by-side Comparison of Versions of Aspire 3
There are many versions of Acer Aspire 3. Here is a comparison between the versions of Aspire 3 provided by Acer:
| Model | ||||
| Features | Acer Aspire 3 (Core i7) | Acer Aspire 3 (Core i5) | Acer Aspire 3 (Core i3) | Acer Aspire 3 (Ryzen 5) |
| Display | 15.6″ FHD IPS | 15.6″ FHD IPS | 15.6″/17.3″/14″ HD | 14″/15.6″ FHD IPS |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-1165G7 | Intel Core i5-1235U/1135G7 | Intel Core i3-1115G4 /N305 | AMD Ryzen 5 7520U |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics |
| RAM | 8GB/16GB DDR4 | 12GB DDR4 | 8GB DDR4/DDR5 | 16GB/8GB DDR5 |
| Storage | 512GB NVMe SSD | 512GB NVMe SSD | 256GB/128GB NVMe SSD | 1TB/256GB/512GB NVMe SSD |
| Battery | 48Whr (Up to 8 hours) | 45Whr (Up to 5.5 hours) | 50Whr (Up to 8 hours) | 40Whr (Up to 6 hours) |
| OS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 10/11 Home | FreeDOS |
Design
| Design |
| Sleek and modern design Lightweight and portable build |
Seeing is believing. At first look, the Acer Aspire 3 comes with a simple yet modern design, making it a stylish choice for users looking for both functionality and aesthetics. The laptop maintains a slim profile while offering a sturdy build, ensuring easy portability without compromising durability.
Holding the Aspire 3 in your hand, it feels lightweight and convenient, making it a great option for students, professionals, and travelers. Available in multiple color options like Pure Silver, Steel Gray, and Silver, it offers a premium look that suits different user preferences. The Pure Silver variant, in particular, has a refined metallic-like finish, adding a touch of elegance to its overall design.
As for the build quality, the Aspire 3 features a durable plastic chassis that ensures a balance between strength and portability. While it lacks a metal or aluminum build, the high-quality plastic material contributes to its lightweight form factor without sacrificing reliability.
Additionally, the laptop’s solid construction makes it suitable for everyday use, whether for work, study, or casual entertainment. It provides a durable build for users who need a laptop that can withstand frequent commuting and regular handling.
Display
| Display |
| 14-inch | 15.6-inch | 17.3-inch Full HDIPS Panel Anti-Glare | 45% NTSC |
When it comes to the screen, the Acer Aspire 3 keeps things practical. Most models come with a Full HD resolution (1920×1080), which means everything from spreadsheets to movies looks sharp and clear. The colors pop just enough for everyday use, though don’t expect it to rival high-end displays for photo editing.
You get three size options: a compact 14-inch for tossing into a bag without a second thought, or a 15.6-inch/17.3-inch if you prefer something with more space on the screen for multitasking. The bigger size is nice for splitting windows or binge-watching shows, but both keep the laptop lightweight.
The anti-glare coating is a lifesaver if you’re working near a window or under bright lights. It cuts down reflections so you won’t be squinting at your own face while typing emails. The IPS panel means colors stay consistent even if you tilt the screen, which is handy for sharing your screen with a coworker.
As for color accuracy, the 45% NTSC rating is pretty standard for budget laptops. It’s good enough for Netflix or Zoom calls, but graphic designers might want something more vibrant. For everyday tasks, though, it gets the job done without fuss.
In short, the display is perfect for your regular tasks and reliable for the price just like the rest of the laptop.
Performance
| Performance |
| Core i7 | i5 | i3 | Ryzen 5 Smooth multitasking and efficiency |
To tell about the performance you have to look at the price and the motive behind launching the product. Aspire 3 is not for Users who love heavy gaming and video editing. The Acer Aspire 3 is designed to deliver solid performance with a range of Intel and AMD processors, catering to different user needs. Whether you need a laptop for everyday tasks, work, or entertainment, the Aspire 3 provides reliable speed and efficiency.
The lineup includes Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors, and AMD Ryzen 5, each offering a unique balance of power and energy efficiency. The Intel Core i3 models, such as the i3-1115G4 and i3-N305, are ideal for basic computing, web browsing, and light multitasking. These dual-core and octa-core processors ensure a responsive experience while keeping power consumption low.
For users who require more power, the Intel Core i5 variants, like the i5-1135G7 and i5-1235U, bring a noticeable boost in performance. With quad-core and deca-core, these processors handle multitasking, productivity software, and media consumption with ease.
At the top of the lineup, the Intel Core i7-1165G7 models are designed for users who need higher processing power. With quad-core performance and faster clock speeds, these laptops handle demanding applications, content creation, and even light gaming smoothly.
Gaming on Acer Aspire 3
| Gaming |
| Smooth light gaming experience Intel Iris Xe and UHD Graphics support |
The Acer Aspire 3 is not primarily a gaming laptop, but it offers decent performance for casual gaming and light graphical tasks. With Intel Iris Xe Graphics and Intel UHD Graphics, users can enjoy smooth gameplay on less demanding titles while maintaining good visual quality.
The models featuring Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, equipped with Intel Iris Xe Graphics, provide a better gaming experience compared to the entry-level i3 variants. Popular Multiplayer games, indie titles, and older AAA games can run at respectable frame rates, especially with adjusted settings. The Full HD displays on most Aspire 3 models further enhance the visual experience, making gameplay more immersive.
However, for users looking to play graphically intensive games or modern AAA titles, the Aspire 3 may not be the ideal choice. The lack of a dedicated GPU means that performance in high-end gaming scenarios will be limited. That said, cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or NVIDIA GeForce Now can be an alternative for those who want access to more demanding games without relying on the laptop’s hardware.
Overall, the Aspire 3 is a solid choice for casual gamers who enjoy light gaming, older strategy games, or older titles. With its efficient performance, smooth visuals, and reliable build, it serves as a good entry-level option for gaming enthusiasts who prioritize versatility over high-end graphics power.
Media
| Media |
| Crisp Full HD display for an immersive viewing experience Clear audio output for entertainment and communication |
At an affordable price point, Acer Aspire 3 offers a well-rounded media experience, making it a great choice for streaming, video playback, and casual content creation. With Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution on most models, users can enjoy sharp visuals and vibrant colors, whether watching movies, browsing photos, or working on creative projects. The 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch variants provide a larger screen for enhanced viewing, while the 14-inch models offer a compact yet crisp display for on-the-go entertainment.
For audio, the Aspire 3 is equipped with built-in stereo speakers that deliver clear and balanced sound. While it may not have the high-end audio enhancements found in premium laptops, the sound quality is sufficient for video calls, streaming music, and casual gaming. Users can also enhance their audio experience with external speakers or headphones for deeper bass and richer sound quality.
Whether you’re watching your favorite shows, listening to music, or attending virtual meetings, the Aspire 3 ensures a reliable media experience with its high-resolution display and clear audio output. It’s a solid choice for users who need a versatile laptop for both work and entertainment.
RAM & ROM
| RAM & ROM |
| Efficient memory options for multitasking Fast SSD storage for quick performance |
At this point, Acer Aspire 3 comes with a range of RAM and storage options, ensuring smooth performance for different types of users. Whether you need a laptop for everyday productivity, multitasking, or entertainment, the Aspire 3 provides a well-balanced combination of memory and storage.
For RAM, the Aspire 3 is available in 8GB, 12GB, and 16GB configurations. The 8GB models are ideal for basic computing, web browsing, and office tasks, while the 12GB and 16GB options offer better multitasking capabilities, allowing users to run multiple applications seamlessly. The laptops use DDR4 and LPDDR5 memory, ensuring faster data transfer speeds and improved efficiency.
On the storage side, the Aspire 3 is equipped with SSD options ranging from 128GB to 512GB. The SSD storage significantly enhances system responsiveness, ensuring quick boot times, faster application launches, and smoother overall performance. The 512GB models are perfect for users who need ample space for documents, multimedia files, and software, while the 128GB and 256GB options cater to those who primarily use cloud storage or external drives.
With a combination of high-speed RAM and SSD storage, the Acer Aspire 3 provides a fluid user experience, making it a reliable choice for students, professionals, and everyday users who need efficiency and speed in their workflow.
Keyboard & Ports
| Keyboard & Ports |
| Comfortable keyboard for smooth typing Multiple connectivity options |
The Acer Aspire 3 features a well-spaced keyboard designed for a comfortable and efficient typing experience. While most models lack backlighting, the tactile feedback ensures smooth and responsive keystrokes, making it suitable for long hours of work or study.
In terms of connectivity, the Aspire 3 offers a variety of essential ports for everyday use. It includes one HDMI port for external display connections, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, ensuring fast data transfers and versatile connectivity. In total, the laptop provides three USB ports, along with a headphone jack and reliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support for seamless wireless connections. With these ports, users can easily connect peripherals, external displays, and other accessories for a hassle-free experience.
Battery
| Battery |
| Long-lasting battery life Fast charging support 40Whr | 50Whr | 45Whr | 48Whr |
At last here comes the battery section, one of the most important features to look at in a laptop. Here, the Acer Aspire 3 offers reliable battery performance, making it a great companion for work, study, or entertainment on the go. Most models provide up to 6-8 hours of battery life on a single charge, depending on usage and settings. This ensures that users can complete daily tasks without constantly worrying about recharging.
Additionally, the Aspire 3 supports fast charging, allowing users to quickly top up battery levels when needed. While it may not have the all-day battery life of premium Ultrabook, it delivers enough power for extended browsing, video playback, and productivity tasks, making it a dependable choice for everyday use.
Final Thought
In the end, we can say Acer Aspire 3 offers a compelling package for those who need a reliable, budget-friendly laptop without compromising on performance. Its sleek design, impressive battery life, and versatile configurations make it an ideal choice for students, professionals, and casual users alike. While it’s not built for intensive gaming or video editing, it excels in everyday tasks like work, study, and entertainment.
If you’re looking for a laptop that delivers solid value for money, the Acer Aspire 3 is definitely worth considering.
Planning to buy a laptop? Head over to Vertech today and find the latest releases and choose the suitable one for you.
Borhan Uddin Alif is a writer with 3 years of experience, focusing on technology, marketing, and storytelling, and enjoys exploring various niches and topics.
