The Acer Swift 14 AI is a compelling ultrabook that balances sleek design, advanced AI capabilities, and robust performance, targeting professionals and students with its blend of portability and power.

Design and Build Quality

The laptop features a modern, lightweight aluminum chassis weighing around 1.3kg. Its 180-degree hinge offers versatile usage, though it feels slightly bulkier than competitors like the Dell XPS 13. The design is elegant but may not dramatically distinguish itself in a crowded market.

Display

A 14.5-inch WQXGA touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate and TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe certification provides vibrant colors and reduced blue light. While the display delivers sharp visuals, its brightness for outdoor use could be, potentially limiting performance for content creators.

Software

Running Windows 11, the Swift 14 AI includes Acer’s AI tools like Recall and Cocreator for enhanced productivity. However, the pre-installed bloatware may frustrate some users, potentially detracting from the overall user experience.

Performance

Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 processor and up to 32GB LPDDR5x RAM, the laptop delivers impressive performance. Geekbench tests show 2,452 single-core and 14,635 multi-core scores, competing well against Dell XPS 13 and Microsoft Surface Pro in multi-core performance. The integrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU supports light gaming, achieving around 21fps in Civilization VI at medium settings. File transfer speeds excel at nearly 1,891MBps for a 25GB transfer. While efficient for everyday tasks, the device may struggle with heavy gaming or advanced graphics work.

Battery Life

The 75Wh battery provides exceptional longevity, with real-world usage exceeding 17 hours during typical workloads. Fast charging capabilities ensure quick top-ups during busy days.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The chiclet-style keyboard offers decent tactile feedback but has shallow key travel. The larger-than-average trackpad receives mixed reviews, with some users describing its pressing sensation as “crunchy”. The integrated fingerprint reader adds security but may not be entirely seamless.

Ports and Connectivity

Two USB Type-A and two USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports provide versatile connectivity. A headphone jack and USB-C to HDMI dongle complement Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless options.

Audio and Webcam

Dual DTS-backed speakers deliver clear sound with limited bass. The high-resolution 1440p webcam performs well for video calls and streaming.

Thermal Performance

Thermal management effectively maintains reasonable temperatures during intensive tasks, with manageable fan noise that doesn’t significantly disrupt the user experience.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Sleek, lightweight design
• Impressive 17+ hour battery life
• Strong Snapdragon X Elite processor performance
• High-resolution display
• Versatile connectivity
• Decent audio and clear webcam

Cons

• Insufficient display brightness outdoors
• Mixed trackpad responsiveness
• Shallow keyboard key travel
• Bloatware issues
• Heavier than some ultrabook competitors

Market Buzz

Feedback on e-commerce platforms highlights the laptop’s long battery life and high-resolution webcam, while criticizing keyboard feel and trackpad responsiveness.

Pricing

• Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 with 16GB RAM: ₹91,500
• Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100 with 32GB RAM: ₹1,10,000

Value for Money

At ₹91,500, the Swift 14 AI offers strong performance and premium features, remaining competitive despite minor drawbacks.

Final Verdict

The Acer Swift 14 AI delivers impressive battery life and performance in a sleek package, making it a solid choice for professionals seeking a versatile ultrabook, albeit with some minor compromises.