The 14-inch laptop market is booming, with manufacturers packing powerful hardware into increasingly slim designs. The Acer Swift X 14 OLED (2024) aims to deliver on this trend, boasting an RTX 4070 and ample memory for $1,699.99. While it offers competitive performance for the price, its generic design makes it hard to recommend over more distinctive rivals.
Acer Swift X 14 closed
Specifications and Upgrades
The 2024 Swift X 14 (SFX14-72G-7422) receives several key upgrades from its 2023 predecessor. It transitions to the new Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, upgrades the GPU to an RTX 4070, and doubles the memory to 32GB. This justifies the $200 price increase over the previous model. A baseline version with an RTX 4050 and 16GB RAM is also available for $1,499.
Here’s a detailed look at the specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
- Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x
- Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 4070 (60-watt TGP)
- Display: 2880 x 1800, 120Hz OLED
- Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- Webcam: 1080p with triple-mic array
- Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C 4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, microSD card reader, 3.5mm combo jack
- Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Biometrics: Fingerprint reader
- Battery: 76 watt-hours
- Dimensions: 12.71 x 8.98 x 0.7 inches
- Weight: 3.4 pounds
- MSRP: $1,699.99
Other features, including the battery, connectivity options, and storage, remain unchanged from the 2023 model. The chassis also appears identical.
Design and Build
The Swift X 14 retains the familiar dark gray aluminum chassis with a hard-edged design. While suitable for various environments, from corporate settings to home offices, the design is unremarkable and lacks distinctive features. Build quality is good, with minimal flex in the display and a sturdy lower chassis. However, at its price point, the design doesn’t quite measure up to competitors like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Lenovo Slim Pro 9i.
The laptop’s dimensions and weight are comparable to other 14-inch laptops, making it easily portable.
Input Devices
The Swift X 14 features a spacious keyboard layout with dedicated keys for Microsoft Co-Pilot and a right-side Alt key. The reduced spacebar size doesn’t significantly impact typing comfort. Key travel is adequate, but the soft bottoming action feels less crisp compared to some rivals.
Acer Swift X 14 keyboard
The touchpad is average-sized for a 14-inch laptop but smaller than those found on some competitors. The white keyboard backlight offers limited customization.
Display and Audio
The Swift X 14’s 14.5-inch, 2880×1800, 120Hz OLED display is a highlight. It delivers excellent contrast, vibrant colors, and sharp visuals, especially noticeable in games and high-resolution videos. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth motion clarity.
Acer Swift X 14 open
However, like many OLED laptop displays, brightness is a limiting factor. While HDR is supported, the display’s peak brightness isn’t sufficient to fully showcase its capabilities. Mini-LED alternatives offer a superior HDR experience.
The speakers are adequate for casual use but lack depth and clarity when listening to music. The harsh high-end frequencies make headphones or external speakers necessary for a better audio experience.
Webcam, Microphone, and Biometrics
The 1080p webcam and triple-array microphone offer average performance. Image quality is usable but grainy, and microphone volume is modest. The AI-powered noise reduction effectively filters out background noise.
A fingerprint reader integrated into the power button provides reliable biometric login. However, facial recognition through Windows Hello is not supported.
Connectivity
The Swift X 14 offers a comprehensive selection of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The inclusion of both USB-C and USB-A ports provides excellent flexibility. The absence of an Ethernet port is a minor drawback. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Acer Swift X 14 ports
Performance
Despite its powerful hardware, the Swift X 14’s performance falls slightly short of expectations. While benchmark results are generally good, they don’t consistently outperform competitors. The RTX 4070’s 60-watt TGP limits its performance in demanding games. Fan noise is also a concern, becoming noticeably loud under load.
Battery Life
The Swift X 14’s 76 watt-hour battery provides decent but not exceptional battery life. While it outperforms the 2023 model and some competitors, other options offer longer endurance. The included 100-watt USB-C power adapter is compact and easily replaceable with third-party options.
Conclusion
The Acer Swift X 14 (2024) is a competent mid-range laptop offering good performance and a beautiful OLED display. However, its generic design and merely adequate performance in other areas make it difficult to recommend over competitors like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, which offers superior performance at a similar price. The Swift X 14 is a reasonable choice for those prioritizing performance-per-dollar in a 14-inch form factor, but its lack of standout features limits its broader appeal.
