Our first group of tests represents workloads such as content creation, office productivity, and raw CPU speeds. Since our go-to overall productivity and storage test, PCMark 10, is not yet Snapdragon-compatible, we focused on core-stressing tests and media tasks.
The three primary tests presented below are CPU-centric or processor-intensive. Maxon’s Cinebench 2024 uses that company’s Cinema 4D engine to render a complex scene; Primate Labs’ Geekbench 6.3 Pro simulates popular apps ranging from PDF rendering and speech recognition to machine learning; and we see how long it takes the transcoding freeware HandBrake 1.8 to convert a 12-minute clip from 4K to 1080p resolution. (The Dell Inspiron laptop could not complete the Cinebench tests, so it’s missing from that chart below.)
Additionally, we have encountered issues with Puget Systems’ PugetBench for Creators Adobe Photoshop 25 test on systems with Qualcomm Arm processors, so we’ve skipped it here until we resolve our problems with the test.
While the Aspire doesn’t have the fastest motor, it maintained a competitive pace in all three processor benchmarks, placing third in each. The Aspire managed a respectable time in HandBrake: It placed a minute behind the MacBook Air, but that’s a more-than-fair showing considering the price difference.
In real-world use, the Aspire feels smooth while browsing the web, writing, and chatting with friends. You’ll notice a slowdown with more intense tasks, however. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip’s Arm architecture doesn’t play nice with some Windows-native apps, but that list is smaller than ever and shrinking still. Unless you own, say, an old printer with no compatible drivers, or you have other highly specific needs, this distinction won’t affect you.
While you’ll undoubtedly get more punch from the 15-inch MacBook Air, remember that this is a 16-inch laptop that’s sometimes just $550. For the Aspire to come remotely close to a MacBook in one test is impressive in its own right.
