Acer's Swift Go 14 Laptop Review: Powerful and Affordable
This sub-$1,000 laptop dishes out great power with Intel’s Core Ultra 7 chip at the expense of build quality and decent speakers.
Breaking the AI Laptop Barrier
With the rise of AI technology, there has been a buzz around the cost of these advancements. The first laptops to include Intel's new Core Ultra CPU and neural processing units have been priced at an eye-watering $3,000. But fear not, the Acer Swift Go 14 (model SFG14-73T-75FA) breaks the barrier with its affordable price tag of $800. While some sacrifices have been made to achieve this, the question is, are they dealbreakers?
Acer Swift Go 14 Intel Evo
Thin & Light Laptop | 14" OLED 2880 x 1800 90Hz Display | Unlock AI Experiences | Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 155H | Intel ARC | 16GB LPDDR5X | 1TB SSD
Basic But Acceptable
The Swift Go 14 covers the basics with its 14-inch touchscreen and 1,920 X 1,200 pixel resolution. While not the brightest screen on the market, it's still decent. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and 16 GB of RAM provide a smooth performance, and the 1-TB solid state drive offers ample storage. Overall, acceptable specs for its price range.
Robust Port Collection
Despite its small size, the Swift Go 14 surprises with its collection of ports. It boasts two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, a full-size HDMI output, two USB-A ports, and a microSD card slot. All conveniently located on the sides of the device, making it easy to stay connected and transfer files.
Impressive Performance
Don't let the specs fool you, the Swift Go 14 performs above expectations. It scored well on general productivity and graphics benchmarks, even outperforming other laptops with more advanced CPUs on AI-based tasks. Plus, with a battery life of 11 hours on a full-brightness YouTube test, it's above average for its class.
Copilot Key and Multi-Control Touchpad
The Swift Go 14 also includes a dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard, giving you easy access to Microsoft's new "everyday AI companion." And for a more hands-on experience, the laptop features a Gorilla Glass touchpad with backlit media controls. This makes it convenient to adjust volume and pause/play when watching videos at arm's length. Just note that these controls may not work for all websites, so keep an eye out.
The Verdict
Overall, the Acer Swift Go 14 is a powerful and affordable option for those looking for a reliable laptop. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of high-end AI laptops, it gets the job done and then some. With its impressive performance, robust port collection, and innovative features like the Copilot key and multi-control touchpad, it's a steal at just $800. So if you're in the market for a new laptop, don't overlook the Swift Go 14. It may just surprise you.
