The Acer Swift 14 AI, a refresh of the 2024 Swift 14, aims to provide robust performance in a thin-and-light package at a mid-range price. While it achieves this in several areas, some drawbacks, like a subpar display, hold it back from true excellence.
Acer Swift 14 AI design IDG / Matthew Smith
The Acer Swift 14 AI’s design is understated and blends in easily with other laptops.
Specifications and Features
The Swift 14 AI’s standout feature is Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V processor, a key component of Intel’s Core Series 2 lineup. It’s paired with a generous 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM. Other key specifications include:
- Model: SF14-51T-75AF
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
- Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x
- Graphics: Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics
- NPU: Intel AI Boost (47 TOPs)
- Display: 14-inch 16:10 1,920 x 1,200 IPS touchscreen
- Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
- Webcam: 1440p 30fps with privacy shutter and IR for Windows Hello
- Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C, 2x USB-A, HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack
- Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
- Biometrics: Fingerprint reader, facial recognition
- Battery: 63 watt-hours
- Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.71 x 0.63 inches
- Weight: 2.95 pounds
- MSRP: $1,299.99
While the specifications are generally impressive, the IPS touchscreen, instead of an OLED, suggests display quality might be a concern. However, the inclusion of two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports and Wi-Fi 7 offers excellent future-proof connectivity.
Design and Build
The Swift 14 AI’s design is unassuming. The only distinguishing marks are a small holographic Acer logo and a new AI branding symbol. While lacking visual flair, the build quality is solid, with minimal flex in the display lid and a sturdy chassis. Although not a unibody design, the overall rigidity is comparable to competing laptops. Its thin and light profile, at 0.6 inches thick and under 3 pounds, makes it noticeably lighter than some competitors like the Dell Inspiron 14 and HP Omnibook Ultra 14.
Acer Swift 14 AI keyboard IDG / Matthew Smith
The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience, but the touchpad is a bit small.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard offers a decent typing experience with acceptable key travel and a satisfying click. Backlighting is also included. The touchpad, however, is a bit small, measuring only about five inches wide and three inches deep. This is a noticeable disadvantage compared to laptops like the Asus Zenbook S 14 or Apple’s MacBooks.
Display and Audio
The display is a significant weakness. The 14-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS panel lacks the contrast and vibrancy of OLED or mini-LED displays. While adequate for productivity tasks, the display falls short for media consumption and gaming. The touchscreen functionality and 180-degree hinge add some versatility, but don’t compensate for the overall mediocre display quality. The audio quality mirrors the display’s shortcomings, offering clear sound at low volumes, but becoming distorted at higher levels.
Acer Swift 14 AI IDG / Matthew Smith
The Swift 14 AI’s display is functional, but its image quality lags behind OLED competitors.
Webcam, Microphone, and Biometrics
The 1440p webcam delivers sharp images for video calls, though it struggles in low-light conditions. The microphone array provides clear audio. The inclusion of both a fingerprint reader and IR camera for Windows Hello login is a welcome addition.
Connectivity
The Swift 14 AI excels in connectivity, offering two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports with DisplayPort and power delivery, two USB-A ports, HDMI output, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 standards ensure future-proof wireless connectivity.
Acer Swift 14 AI connectivity IDG / Matthew Smith
A wide array of ports provides ample connectivity options.
Performance
The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V configuration delivers strong overall performance, particularly in graphics-intensive tasks, outperforming several competitors in 3DMark benchmarks. While multi-core performance lags behind some rivals in CPU-intensive tests, the integrated Intel Arc 140V GPU and 32GB of RAM contribute to a well-rounded performance profile.
Acer Swift 14 AI 3DMark results IDG / Matthew Smith
Integrated graphics performance is a strong point for the Swift 14 AI.
Battery Life
The 63 watt-hour battery provides nearly 19 hours of runtime in our video playback test, exceeding the battery life of several competitors and making it suitable for extended use on the go.
Acer Swift 14 AI battery life results IDG / Matthew Smith
Long battery life makes the Swift 14 AI an excellent travel companion.
Conclusion
The Acer Swift 14 AI is a capable laptop offering good performance and impressive battery life at a reasonable price. While its uninspired design and lackluster display hold it back, its solid performance, robust connectivity, and long battery life make it a worthwhile option for productivity tasks, general use, and light content creation.
