Acer Swift X 14 (2024) review: A fast GPU still can’t outrun rivals

Price When Reviewed

$1,699.99

Best Prices Today: Acer Swift X 14 (2024)

Once a distinct segment possibility, 14-inch laptops are actually the flagships of many laptop computer manufacturers, packing highly effective {hardware} and slim design in the identical machine. The Acer Swift X 14 OLED appears to suit this invoice at a look, and it even carries a sexy price ticket of $1,699.99 with an RTX 4070 and expanded reminiscence inside. But whereas Acer delivers on performance-per-dollar, the Swift X 14’s generic design makes it exhausting to advocate over bolder rivals.

Acer Swift X 14: Specs and options

The new Acer Swift X 14 (SFX14-72G-7422) has a number of upgrades over the 2023 model we reviewed less than a year ago. It switches from Intel’s 13th-gen Core processor line to the brand new Intel Core Ultra, upgrades from the RTX 4050 to the RTX 4070 GPU, and doubles the reminiscence from 16GB to 32GB. This bumps the value up $200, which appears honest given the enhancements. (A baseline model of this 2024 mannequin with an RTX 4050 and half the RAM can be accessible for $1,499.)

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
• Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x
• Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 4070 with 60-watt TGP
• Display: 2,880 x 1,800 120Hz OLED
• Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe stable state drive
• Webcam: 1080p digicam 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, 1x 3.5mm combo headphone/mic jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• Biometrics: Fingerprint reader
• Battery capability: 76 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 12.71 x 8.98 x 0.7 inches
• Weight: 3.4 kilos
• MSRP: $1,699.99

Other elements of the laptop computer stay the identical, nevertheless. Its battery, wired and wi-fi connectivity, and storage haven’t modified. The chassis additionally seems to be similar to the prior mannequin.

Looking for extra choices? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best gaming laptops accessible proper now.

Acer Swift X 14: Design and construct high quality

Acer sticks to its script with the Swift X 14, which, like prior laptops on this lineup, contains a darkish grey aluminum chassis with a rugged, hard-edged look that may slot in wherever — from a company assembly room to a house workplace. There’s not a lot to say about its look apart from this. It appears to be like superb, nevertheless it’s unremarkable.

Build high quality is sweet, though not higher than most of its equally priced rivals. Opening the show reveals little or no flex or warping on the show floor, and the decrease chassis is rock stable. This isn’t a unibody metallic design, nevertheless it feels inflexible and appears prone to final so long as you select to maintain it, offered the laptop computer doesn’t have an unintentional high-speed encounter with concrete.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

However, this specific Swift X 14 is a little more costly than among the previous fashions we’ve reviewed, coming in at practically $1,700. That places the Acer up in opposition to the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Lenovo Slim Pro 9i. To be frank, the design doesn’t maintain up in opposition to these rivals. There’s nothing unsuitable with the Swift X 14, nevertheless it doesn’t stand out.

The Swift X 14 measures 0.8 inches thick and weighs in at simply 3.4 kilos, which is akin to most comparable laptops. Slimmer and lighter laptops can be found, to make certain, however the Swift X 14 is straightforward to pack and lightweight sufficient that its heft is hardly noticeable as soon as secured in a backpack or messenger bag.

Acer Swift X 14: Keyboard, trackpad

The Acer Swift X 14 has a spacious keyboard format that felt acquainted and comfy. The keyboard contains each Microsoft’s Co-Pilot key and an Alt key on the appropriate facet of the keyboard. Acer has decreased the dimensions of the spacebar to accommodate these additions, however I didn’t discover it a noticeable change and, prefer it or not, most Windows laptops are making the identical selection.

Typing on the keyboard feels okay. There’s sufficient key journey to be comfy, however the keys activate with a comfortable bottoming motion that isn’t as definitive because it could possibly be. While I just like the keyboard, some current laptops, such because the MacBook Air 15 M2 and Lenovo’s IdeaPad and Yoga 7 collection, have a bonus over Acer. This has modified our opinion in comparison with the prior mannequin — the keyboard is probably going the identical as earlier than, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel as spectacular because it as soon as did.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The keyboard is backlit however, as is usually true of Windows thin-and-light laptops, there isn’t a lot else to say concerning the backlight. The backlight is white and doesn’t provide customization past a pair brightness settings.

A equally modest touchpad lurks just under the keyboard. It measures about 5 inches extensive by 3 inches deep, which is about common in measurement for a contemporary 14-inch laptop computer. However, buyers will discover bigger touchpads on laptops just like the Dell XPS 14, Apple MacBook Pro 14, and even the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (although, within the latter case, the distinction is small).

Acer Swift X 14: Display, audio

A stunning 14.5-inch OLED show is included with each present Swift X 14 laptop computer. It has a show decision of 2880×1800 with a 16:10 side ratio and a most refresh charge of 120Hz.

The show’s strengths are many. It has a wonderful distinction ratio, vivid coloration, and a tack-sharp look, particularly when enjoying video games or watching high-bitrate 4K video. Motion readability can be glorious due to the 120Hz refresh charge. It provides readability to fast-moving objects, whether or not it’s merely phrases flying by as you scroll by means of a webpage, or a foe in your favourite first-person shooter.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The solely draw back is one acquainted to most OLED laptop computer shows, and that’s brightness. It can obtain a most brightness of simply over 400 nits however, as a result of the show is shiny, glare can develop into an issue when the laptop computer is used open air or in a brightly lit room. Also, whereas HDR is supported and appears good, the show isn’t vibrant sufficient to completely do it justice. Alternatives with a mini-LED show, just like the Apple MacBook Pro 14 and Lenovo Slim Pro 9i, have an edge in HDR.

The audio system, alternatively, aren’t nice. They present sufficient quantity to be helpful and sound OK when dealing with easy audio content material, like a podcast or most YouTube movies. When listening to music, although, they’ve a harsh, metallic high quality to the excessive finish that’s grating and unsightly. Headphones or exterior audio system are a should if you wish to hearken to your favourite tunes or immerse your self in a sport.

Acer Swift X 14: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The Swift X 14 has a 1080p webcam and a triple-array microphone. That sounds good on paper, however in observe it’s mediocre. The webcam’s picture was usable however grainy and lacked coloration saturation. I wasn’t impressed by the microphone, both, which delivered solely modest quantity. It’s nonetheless superb for Zoom, however in order for you a laptop computer that makes you look and sound good on digicam, this isn’t it.

The AI-powered noise discount labored, a minimum of, competently eradicating the sound of an area heater and a number of other annoying crows perched too near my window.

A fingerprint reader is constructed into the ability button for biometric login. It labored properly in my testing however, like all fingerprint readers I’ve tried, even the slightest grime or dampness can throw it off. Facial recognition by means of Windows Hello isn’t supported, which is a disgrace, as many aggressive Windows laptops present it.

Acer Swift X 14: Connectivity

The Acer Swift X 14 isn’t a big laptop computer, nevertheless it nonetheless has loads of room for connectivity. It options two Thunderbolt 4 ports, each of which assist USB 4, in addition to two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

The USB 4/Thunderbolt ports each assist USB Power Delivery, and both can be utilized to cost the laptop computer with the included energy adapter, which connects through USB-C. The ports can be used with all kinds of third-party USB-C chargers. They can deal with DisplayPort output, too, to allow them to be used to hook up with a USB-C or Thunderbolt monitor.

Of course, many price-competitive laptops even have USB 4/Thunderbolt ports, and it’s the Swift X 14’s extra typical connectivity that stands out. It’s nice to see two USB-A ports for connecting older wired mice and keyboards. HDMI, in the meantime, is good not just for connecting to displays, but in addition to TVs and projectors. This mixture of ports means you possibly can take the laptop computer wherever with out worrying about adapters, which isn’t true of most fashionable 14-inch laptops.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

There’s only one vital port that’s lacking, and that’s Ethernet. However, most 14-inch laptops have determined to ditch that port, so it’s not sudden. Ethernet continues to be usable, however solely by means of a USB-C to Ethernet adapter.

Wireless connectivity contains Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. That’s much like most fashionable Windows laptops, and Wi-Fi speeds had been glorious in my testing, even when the laptop computer was utilized in an exterior workplace greater than 50 ft away from the router. I might have appreciated to see Wi-Fi 7, which is the latest wi-fi commonplace, however most laptops are sticking to Wi-Fi 6E for now.

Acer Swift X 14: Performance

The Acer Swift X 14 I reviewed is a well-configured mannequin with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics, 32GB of reminiscence, and 1TB stable state drive. That’s glorious {hardware} for a 14-inch laptop computer, however the Swift X 14’s efficiency fell in need of my expectations.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

PCMark 10 places the Swift X 14 off to an honest begin with a rating of 7,004. That’s not dangerous nevertheless it’s additionally not the perfect. Though it does prime the 2023 Swift X 14.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Cinebench R20, a closely multi-thread, short-duration processor benchmark, places the Swift X 14 in a extra favorable place. Here it delivers a noticeable acquire over final 12 months’s mannequin, and whereas it doesn’t beat heavy hitters just like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14, it does outrun the costlier Dell XPS 14.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Handbrake, a closely multi-threaded, long-duration processor benchmark, exhibits the Swift X 14 reaching the bounds of its thermal efficiency. It’s barely faster than final 12 months’s mannequin, however the hole is so small that it’s successfully a tie. The ROG Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14, each of which had AMD Ryzen processors, see a big lead over the Intel-powered Swift X 14 and HP Omen Transcend 14.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

3DMark’s Time Spy offers our first glimpse on the RTX 4070’s efficiency, and it delivers an honest rating of 8,119. That’s a step behind the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14, nevertheless it defeats the HP Omen Transcend 14. The new Swift X 14 additionally enormously outperforms the older mannequin with RTX 4050 graphics.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

It’s the same story in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, a sexy however ageing sport that represents typical video games from the Playstation 4/Xbox One period. It hit a body charge of 106, which as soon as once more falls in need of the ROG Zephyrus G14 and Blade 14, however defeats the HP. This is a extremely playable consequence, and one which lets players make correct use of the OLED show’s 120Hz refresh charge.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Metro Exodus is a very taxing sport, a minimum of when loved at 1080p decision and the Extreme decision we use for testing. Even with out ray-tracing, this title provides laptops just like the Acer Swift X 14 and HP Omen Transcend a swift kick within the pants. The Razer Blade 14 manages to carry up higher, which is notable as a result of, identical to the Swift X 14, it has an RTX 4070. The distinction is in thermals and energy draw. While the Acer begins out robust, it finally hits the bounds of its 60-watt TGP. The Razer Blade 14, alternatively, has an RTX 4070 with an as much as 140-watt TGP, and that gives a transparent benefit in demanding titles.

I additionally fired up Cyberpunk 2077 to present the Swift X 14 a exercise on this notoriously troublesome title. The Acer put in an excellent effort, because it achieved a mean of 57 FPS at 1080p decision with element set to Ultra and DLSS turned off. That’s far behind some bigger RTX 4070 laptops (the Razer Blade 16 hit 83 FPS, for instance), however the sport is solely playable on the Swift X 14.

There’s one closing side of the Swift X 14’s efficiency that’s troublesome: fan noise. The laptop computer’s overtaxed cooling system steadily whirs to life on the slightest provocation. Download a file? Whoosh. Unzip a file? Whoosh. Batch edit a number of photographs? Whoosh. It’s much more noticeable in video games, after all, the place the followers are so loud that they’re exhausting to tolerate. I recommend investing in an excellent pair of noise-canceling headphones.

Battery life

Acer packs a 76 watt-hour battery within the Swift X 14. That’s not a small battery, nevertheless it’s not remarkably giant for a laptop computer in 2024, and a bit small for one with discrete graphics.

The Swift X 14’s battery life holds up pretty properly however doesn’t impress. It achieved 7 hours and 18 minutes of endurance in our commonplace battery check, which loops a 4K clip of the brief movie Tears of Steel. That’s significantly better than the 2023 Swift X 14, and it additionally defeats the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. However, it falls behind different potential rivals just like the HP Omen Transcend 14.

Acer ships the laptop computer with a compact 100-watt USB-C energy adapter. It’s comparatively straightforward to pack and, for the reason that laptop computer solely expects 100 watts of energy, it’s easy to switch this with a fair smaller third-party energy adapter. That’s helpful for touring, as there’s no have to take the laptop computer energy brick. Owners can as a substitute seize a single USB-C brick for all their units.

Should you purchase the Acer Swift X 14?

The new Acer Swift X 14 is lots just like the older Swift X 14. It’s a stable mid-range laptop computer that delivers good efficiency in a small footprint, nevertheless it in any other case struggles to face out. That’s not due to flaws however, somewhat, an absence of benefits. Nearly each side of the laptop computer, from design to efficiency and even the show, is merely good for a mid-range laptop computer in 2024.

The Swift X 14’s most blatant attract is its value, which, at $1,699.99, matches or undercuts rivals just like the HP Omen 14 Transcend, Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED, and Dell XPS 14. But the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 spoils Acer’s get together, because it manages to ship even higher efficiency at a decrease MSRP of $1,599.99. To be honest, the G14 we examined had solely 16GB of RAM, however that’s the only vital drawback in opposition to the Swift X 14.

The Acer is a good choice in order for you nice performance-per-dollar, don’t desire a “gaming” laptop computer (just like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14), and wish to stay with a 14-inch show. But that, I feel, is a slim viewers.