Acer Swift 14 AI Review: Ports That Impress
▼ Summary
– The Acer Swift 14 AI offers strong performance, excellent battery life, and a generous port selection, but has a mediocre screen and poor speakers.
– It is not a budget laptop, with configurations starting at $1,199.99 (AMD) and $1,299.99 (Intel), despite trade-offs like bloatware and subpar components.
– The Intel model excels in battery life (nearly 17 hours), while the AMD version sacrifices some battery for better multi-core and graphics performance.
– The keyboard and trackpad are solid but unremarkable, and the webcam performs poorly in low-light conditions despite built-in enhancement software.
– Competitors like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i or Asus Zenbook S 14 offer better screens and speakers at similar prices, making the Swift 14 AI a better value only at a discount.
The Acer Swift 14 AI delivers impressive performance and battery life in a compact package, but its mediocre display and weak speakers hold it back from greatness. This laptop shines where it matters most for productivity, offering robust processing power and exceptional endurance, though some compromises in build quality and multimedia performance are hard to ignore.
Packed with ports rarely seen in ultraportables, the Swift 14 AI stands out with two USB-A 3.2 ports, two USB4/Thunderbolt 4 connections, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack. For professionals who rely on peripherals, this generous selection eliminates the need for dongles, a rare convenience in today’s slim laptop designs.
Performance varies slightly between configurations. The Intel Core Ultra 7 model excels in battery efficiency, lasting nearly 17 hours in testing, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 variant trades some endurance for stronger multi-core and graphics capabilities. Both handle demanding workloads effortlessly, from heavy browser use to creative applications, though they can’t quite match Apple’s M4 chip in raw speed.
Typing and navigation feel satisfying, if not exceptional. The keyboard provides decent travel with responsive feedback, while the trackpad’s mechanical click mechanism operates quietly. A subtle neural-inspired design element lights up during AI tasks, though it occasionally activates during routine use, an odd but harmless quirk.
Where the Swift 14 AI falters is its lackluster 14-inch display. While bright enough at 400 nits, the 1920×1200 IPS panel lacks vibrancy and contrast compared to premium alternatives. The included bloatware, including persistent promotions for Dropbox and Booking.com, feels particularly unwelcome given the laptop’s premium pricing.
Audio quality disappoints most, with tinny speakers that distort at higher volumes. The 1440p webcam performs adequately in ideal lighting but struggles in dim conditions, producing noisy, overprocessed images despite software enhancements.
Competitors like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i and Asus Zenbook S 14 offer better screens and audio at similar price points, while Apple’s MacBook Air M4 delivers superior overall refinement. However, the Swift 14 AI remains compelling when discounted, especially for users who prioritize connectivity and battery life over multimedia performance.
Key Specifications:
- Processors: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V or AMD Ryzen AI 9 365
- Memory: 32GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS touchscreen (400 nits)
- Ports: 2x USB-A 3.2, 2x USB4/Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm jack
- Battery: 65Wh (Intel) / 75Wh (AMD)
- Weight: 2.95 lbs
For those who can overlook its weaker elements and find it on sale, the Swift 14 AI serves as a capable workhorse, just keep headphones handy for anything beyond basic audio.
(Source: The Verge)
