Acer Aspire 5 vs HP Victus: Which Budget Gaming Laptop Reigns Supreme?

The world of budget gaming laptops has witnessed a fierce rivalry between two formidable contenders: the Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen and the HP Victus i5 12th Gen. Both devices boast the latest Intel Core i5 processors and pack a punch for their price point. But which one emerges as the ultimate victor? Let’s dive into a comprehensive comparison to find out.

Design and Build

Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen:

• Sleek and minimalist design with a brushed metal finish
• Lightweight at 4.19 pounds for easy portability

HP Victus i5 12th Gen:

• Aggressive gaming aesthetic with geometric lines and a hexagonal logo
• Slightly heavier at 4.63 pounds

Display

Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen:

• 15.6-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080
• Good color accuracy and viewing angles
• 60Hz refresh rate

HP Victus i5 12th Gen:

• 16.1-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080
• Slightly larger display with a higher refresh rate of 144Hz
• Impressive color gamut and contrast ratio

Performance

Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen:

• Intel Core i5-1235U processor with 10 cores (2 Performance, 8 Efficient)
• Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• 8GB of DDR4 RAM
• 512GB of PCIe NVMe SSD

HP Victus i5 12th Gen:

• Intel Core i5-12450H processor with 12 cores (4 Performance, 8 Efficient)
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card
• 8GB of DDR5 RAM
• 512GB of PCIe NVMe SSD

In terms of raw power, the HP Victus i5 12th Gen takes the lead with its dedicated graphics card, offering superior performance for gaming and demanding applications.

Battery Life

Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen:

• 48Wh battery with up to 7 hours of battery life
• USB-C charging support

HP Victus i5 12th Gen:

• 52.5Wh battery with up to 5 hours of battery life
• No USB-C charging support

The Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen offers longer battery life, making it a more suitable choice for students or professionals on the go.

Connectivity

Both laptops offer a comprehensive set of ports and connectivity options, including:

• Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth 5.1
• HDMI 2.0
• USB Type-A (x3)
• USB Type-C (x1)

Price

Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen:

• Starting at around $600

HP Victus i5 12th Gen:

• Starting at around $700

The Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen offers a more budget-friendly option compared to the HP Victus i5 12th Gen.

The Verdict: Which One to Choose?

The decision between the Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen and the HP Victus i5 12th Gen ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.

If you prioritize portability, battery life, and a sleek design, the Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen is an excellent choice. It offers solid performance and good value for money.

However, if you’re a serious gamer or need a laptop for demanding tasks, the HP Victus i5 12th Gen is the clear winner. Its dedicated graphics card and higher refresh rate display provide a significantly better gaming experience.

Beyond the Comparison: Additional Considerations

Cooling: The HP Victus i5 12th Gen features a more robust cooling system, ensuring optimal performance even under heavy loads.

Upgradability: Both laptops offer limited upgradeability options. However, the HP Victus i5 12th Gen has a slightly more accessible design for RAM and storage upgrades.

Software: The Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Home, while the HP Victus i5 12th Gen offers both Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro options.

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

1. Which laptop has a better webcam?
Both laptops have 720p webcams, offering decent video quality for video calls and streaming.

2. Does the HP Victus i5 12th Gen support Thunderbolt 4?
No, it does not support Thunderbolt 4.

3. Can the Acer Aspire 5 i5 12th Gen be used for video editing?
Yes, it can handle basic video editing tasks, but for more demanding editing, a laptop with a dedicated graphics card is recommended.