At IFA today, Acer announced the expansion of its Swift AI laptop line, launching models equipped with Intel’s new Lunar Lake chips, Qualcomm’s just-announced eight-core Snapdragon X Plus, and AMD Ryzen AI 300. Theoretically, the lifespan is over 24 hours of video playback, or over 17 hours in productivity tests.
If you buy them with an IPS panel and a 65-watt-hour battery, Acer claims the new $1,199 Swift 14 AI and $999 Swift 14 Go AI will last:
- Intel: 23 hours of web browsing, 29 hours of video playback
- AMD: 19 hours of web browsing, 27 hours of video playback
- Qualcomm: 19.5 hours of web browsing, 28 hours of video playback
In late 2024, such statements are not uncommon! Dell just boasted that its XPS 13 can get 26 to 27 hours of Netflix streaming with new Intel or Qualcomm chips, and we expect less in real life. But it’s more than these manufacturers have typically claimed over the past few years.
Note that while Acer’s new laptops are all called “Swift 14,” they’re not quite same.
Swift 14 Artificial Intelligence
The 14-inch Swift AI can be configured with the new Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 processor (model SF14-51), or the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 chip (model SF14-61).
Both have the option to offer premium OLED screens instead of IPS screens, and support up to 32GB of RAM, but the Intel model has 3K or 2K OLED options at 90Hz and a 2K IPS screen, while the AMD model only has a 3K OLED screen and 3K 120Hz and 2K IPS options.
AMD models can also be configured with up to 2TB of storage, while Intel models can only be configured with up to 1TB. While both laptops offer two USB-C ports, the Intel model comes with Thunderbolt 4 ports as usual, while the AMD model comes with universal USB4 – although both laptops allow charging. Both also have two USB-A 3.2 ports, an audio jack, an HDMI 2.1 port, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
All devices feature a 1440p webcam, infrared depth sensing for Windows Hello facial recognition login, privacy shutter, and proximity sensor to lock the screen when you’re away.
The two Swift 14 AI laptops start at $1,200 and are expected to be available this month.
Swift Go 14 Artificial Intelligence
If you’re looking for a Qualcomm Snapdragon and a lower starting price, Acer’s Swift Go is for you. 350 nits, or 1920 x 1200, with a maximum brightness of 300 nits. Both are dimmer than the Intel and AMD options, but they do support refresh rates up to 120Hz.
In addition, Go also provides up to 32GB of RAM, a 1440p webcam with infrared depth sensing, a privacy shutter and a fingerprint reader, two USB4 Type-C ports that support charging, and two USB-A 3.2 ports , an audio jack, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
The new Swift Go 14 AI starts at $999 and is expected to be available this month.
Swift 16 Artificial Intelligence
Acer also announced a 16-inch model that weighs 3.3 pounds and comes only with the new Intel Lunar Lake processors (Core Ultra 5, 7, or 9). 3K OLED touch screen. All of this is powered by a 75Wh battery, although Acer doesn’t mention its battery life here.
There are also two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports for charging and display output, two USB-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, an audio jack, a Wi-Fi 7 adapter, and Bluetooth 5.4.
The Acer Swift 16 AI starts at $1,200, like the 14-inch model, and is expected to be available in October 2024.
By the way: Acer’s new Intel and AMD-powered Swift AI laptops will join the Copilot Plus PC series via a free update in November 2024, giving users access to the same Microsoft AI currently only available on Qualcomm Snapdragon X PCs Function.
