Does hearing the name “Acer” conjure up images of powerful yet affordable gaming laptops? If not, then it should. Especially since Acer has been producing competitive gaming laptops for well over a decade now. But we’re not talking about old news. Even now, Acer delivers on its reputation.
The Acer Swift X Intel has been a competitive laptop in the mid-size gaming laptop space since its inception a few years ago. But with the company’s announcement at CES in 2023, the laptop is dropping the “Intel” from the name. Why? Because this iteration of the laptop is rocking an AMD Ryzen processor.
Don’t let the affordable price fool you; the Acer Swift X offers exceptional speed and performance without breaking the bank. With the next generation on the way, we’re going to dive into all the important points on this laptop, including the specs and features of the current generation and what to expect from the upcoming release.
Let’s get into it!
Acer Swift X: Overview
Release date and price
This amazing laptop has top-of-the-line specs, including a stunning WQXGA display and powerful Nvidia graphics. And the best part? It’s coming to a store near you in April 2023. Originally launched at $1,099.99, this laptop still offers unbeatable value for its high-end features.
If you look hard enough, you can likely find this laptop for way less than MSRP. But careful! The version announced at CES 2023 doesn’t hit store shelves until later this year. For now, the Ryzen edition is the latest one you can get.
Different Models
The Acer Swift X 2023 is the most recent of three models in the Acer family:
- Swift Go
- Swift X
- Swift 14
Features
With its dark gray, the Swift X is only available in a utilitarian and practical color-matched design. However, its standout feature is the magnificent 14.5-inch OLED display.
- 14-inch Full HD, IPS Widescreen
- Uncompromised performance, long battery life
- 16GB memory and 512GB NVMe SSD capacity
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor with Zen 3 Core
- Streaming multiprocessors support DirectX 12 Ultimate
With a resolution of 2.8K, brightness reaching 500 nits, and a rapid refresh rate of 120Hz, the screen provides a vivid and immersive viewing experience owing to its 100% DCI-P3 color coverage. A true feast for the eyes, this screen is a game-changer in the world of laptops.
Specifications
| Size | 322.8 x 228.1 x 17.9mm (12.71 x 8.98 x 0.7 inches) |
| Weight | 1.55kg (3.41 pounds) |
| Screen | 14-inch, 16:9 format, 1920 x 1080 px, IPS, matte, non-touch, Chi Mei N140HCE-EN2 panel |
| Camera | Full HD 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction |
| Audio Output | Dual speakers with DTS Audio Dual microphones with Acer PurifiedVoice |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Memory | 16 GB LPDDR4x-4266 |
| Storage | 512 GB M.2 PCIe x4 SSD |
| Battery Life | 59 WH |
Acer Swift X: Review
The Acer Swift X 14 is the latest offering in Acer’s highly regarded Swift X family of laptops. Whether you’re looking to game, work on projects, or simply need a laptop to keep up with you, this laptop is the perfect solution.
Let’s talk about the specs.
The Acer Swift X starts off strong in the display department, with a 14″ Full HD IPS display and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The display also boasts 300 to 500 nits brightness and covers 100% of the sRGB color space, making it a great choice for content creators.
Under the hood, the laptop is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor with Zen 3 Core Architecture, providing fast and efficient performance. The laptop also comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU, which features 4GB GDDR6 VRAM and supports Ray Tracing and Tensor Cores for advanced graphics rendering.
In terms of memory and storage, the laptop comes with 16 GB LPDDR4X memory (with an unfortunate maximum capacity of 16 GB) and a 512 GB NVMe SSD. It’s sad that you can’t upgrade the RAM, especially with such a decidedly average capacity. But at least you can upgrade the SSD if you need more storage space.
Design
One of the standout features of this laptop is its unique foldable design. Unlike many other laptops, the Swift X lifts the main chassis off the desk to improve airflow and keep the system cool, even when running demanding tasks.
This design also means that the exhaust is placed under the screen, which can get hot at times, but it’s a small price to pay for the performance on offer. The hinges are strong and keep the screen in place, so you can easily adjust it to your preferred angle.
Acer has crafted this laptop with precision and innovation, delivering an amazing computing experience that is sure to impress every user, especially students. The slim and lightweight design is both stylish and functional, making it perfect for those on the go. The all-metal exterior reflects luxury and sophistication, while the slim bezels offer a visually stunning experience that is sure to leave you in awe.
Display
The 14-inch display provides a vivid and amazing viewing experience, making it ideal for gaming, watching movies, or just browsing the web. With its powerful performance, sleek design, and outstanding portability, this laptop truly stands out from the crowd. You’ll be amazed by its capabilities and experience a new level of efficiency and productivity like never before.
Moreover, this laptop is designed to impress with its unique blend of performance, portability, and style. Weighing in at just 3.1 lbs, this is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a powerful machine that is easy to carry around. The laptop has a full-aluminum construction that is both durable and eye-catching, and it’s built to last, with a solid screen and a keyboard deck that’s both flexible and responsive.
Internal Thermal System
The new Acer laptop has undergone a complete makeover, both inside and out, to keep pace with the demands of its more powerful components. The laptop’s internal thermal system has been fully revamped, adding new fans that generate an impressive 11% more air intake for optimized cooling performance.
This system allows users to switch between four different fan speeds – Silent, Normal, Performance, and Turbo – to keep the laptop running at an optimal temperature. The Silent mode is ideal for those who need to work in a quiet environment, while the Normal one strikes a balance between performance and noise level.
The Performance mode is perfect for demanding tasks such as video editing and gaming. In contrast, the Turbo mode provides a significant boost in air flow, keeping the laptop cool even during the most intensive workloads.
Keyboard
The laptop’s keyboard now features an air inlet to allow for even greater airflow. This, combined with the larger screen, makes the laptop wider and taller rather than thicker. It is also designed with user comfort in mind.
- 14-inch Full HD, IPS Widescreen
- Uncompromised performance, long battery life
- 16GB memory and 512GB NVMe SSD capacity
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor with Zen 3 Core
- Streaming multiprocessors support DirectX 12 Ultimate
The keyboard is backlit, making it easy to type in low-light conditions, and the touchpad is spacious and responsive, providing a smooth and accurate cursor movement. Also, the laptop features a fingerprint reader for added security and convenience, allowing users to log in with a single touch.
Performance
This laptop delivers lightning-fast performance and stunning visuals that will engage you in your favorite games like never before. The Swift X also has a fast refresh rate and response time, reducing input lag and ensuring every movement is captured with precision. Moreover, with a long battery life and efficient cooling system, you can game for hours without worrying about overheating or losing power.
Connectivity
The IO on this laptop is excellent, with a range of ports, including USB, USB-C, HDMI, an audio jack, and a lock. The laptop also comes with a barrel-plug charger, but it can also be charged via USB-C, which supports video as well. There’s no card reader or IR camera, but there is a standard webcam at the top of the screen and a finger sensor under the arrow keys.
Networking Connections
Acer also took care of wireless connectivity for you, with a pretty impressive networking setup. Reading the specs on the box will tell you 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Dual-Band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, with 2×2 MU-MIMO technology, and Bluetooth 5.2.
In other words, the Wi-Fi is downright fast. If you want to be assured you’re getting the best possible performance for games and streaming, you’re good.
Audio
The Acer Swift X 2023 also features Acer Purified Voice with AI Noise Reduction. This technology uses artificial intelligence to eliminate background noise and deliver clear, crisp audio during video calls. Whether you’re in a noisy coffee shop or at home with family, this technology ensures that your voice comes through loud and clear.
Video
Swift X 2023 features a 1080 FHD camera that is perfect for video calling. With Acer’s TNR (Temporal Noise Reduction) technology, the camera delivers high-quality imagery even in low-light conditions.
This makes it perfect for video calls in any lighting environment, whether you’re in a well-lit room or a dimly lit space. Moreover, it would be best if you had a laptop to keep up with your creativity and ambition.
It is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a high-performing laptop for video editing. With fast memory and storage options, you can easily edit and save your projects. It is a top-performing laptop that offers the perfect combination of speed, graphics, and display, making it the ideal choice for video editors looking to take their work to a higher level.
Battery
Acer has ensured that this increased power consumption doesn’t affect the battery life by increasing the size of the battery by an impressive 29%, making sure you can work and play for hours on end.
The cherry on top? The option to upgrade to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU takes your gaming and graphic design experience to the next level. With the Nvidia RTX 40 series laptop GPUs, you will be blown away by the performance improvements, making this laptop a top choice for youngsters!
Drivers
RTX and AI acceleration in top creative apps, coupled with NVIDIA® Studio drivers and exclusive tools, are preinstalled to streamline your workflow. You don’t have to struggle with installing drivers as soon as you turn it on — great news if you’re excited to get started with gaming.
Exterior
The exterior of the laptop has received just as much attention, with a sleek and stylish redesign. The hinge has been reimagined, and the all-grey chassis exudes a clean, sophisticated look. This stands in stark contrast to some of the previous models, which featured colored lids, and may appeal to those who prefer a more understated aesthetic.
Acer Swift X: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Sleek and portable design that’s ideal for on-the-go use
- Vibrant matte screen with high-quality IPS display technology
- Quick and responsive with seamless multitasking capabilities
- Powerful performance
- Impressive battery life
Cons
- Limited connectivity with just a single USB-C port
- Improvement required for build quality
- Display not ideal for graphic design work
- Plastic touchpad
- Mediocre 720p webcam quality
Acer Swift X: Is It a Buy?
Buy it if…
…You’re looking for a powerful laptop
This laptop is equipped with powerful AMD Ryzen processors and NVIDIA GeForce graphics, making it a great option for demanding tasks such as video editing, gaming, and more. This is a great option if you need a laptop that can handle your work or play.
…You’re after a portable laptop
This laptop is a slim and lightweight laptop that is easy to carry around. Its long battery life also makes it an excellent option for people who are always on the go.
…You value aesthetics
It has a sleek and stylish design that looks and feels premium. Its full HD display with thin bezels offers an immersive viewing experience, making it a great option for those who love the unique design.
…You need a laptop for work and play
This is a versatile laptop that is great for both work and play. Its powerful hardware, long battery life, and premium design make it a great option for people who need a laptop that can keep up with their busy schedules.
Don’t buy it if…
…You’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop
This is a premium laptop that comes with a premium price tag. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, there are cheaper laptops available that might better suit your needs.
…You need a larger display
This laptop has a 14-inch display, which is a decent size. However, if you’re looking for a laptop with a larger display, this laptop might not be the best option.
…You need a laptop for heavy gaming
While the Acer Swift X 2023 has powerful hardware, including NVIDIA GeForce graphics, it might not be the best option for heavy gaming. If you’re looking for a laptop specifically for gaming, there are plenty of options with more dedicated graphics and better cooling systems.
…You need a laptop for professional-level graphics work
It is a great laptop for demanding tasks, but it might not be the best option for professional-level graphics work, such as 3D rendering. If you need a laptop for this type of work, there are better laptops for graphic design available with more powerful hardware and dedicated graphics.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Pondowolimo/Shutterstock.com.
