This is a portable, powerful laptop with a battery life problem.
I previously reviewed an Acer Swift 3, which was a decent, budget-friendly laptop designed for students and powered by AMD. However, it didn't particularly excel in any specific area.
In contrast, the new Acer Swift 3 is quite different. This latest model boasts two remarkable features: an OLED screen and one of the most robust mobile processors available in Alder Lake. It's currently priced at $1,199, which is surprisingly reasonable considering its combination of power and OLED technology. This laptop could be a compelling option for those interested in the M2 MacBook Air but prefer to stick with Windows.
Regrettably, the battery life is poor, which significantly limits its potential audience.
Over the last few years, OLED displays have become increasingly affordable and accessible, which is excellent news. However, I hope that manufacturers keep power efficiency in mind as they integrate them into devices at lower price points. Not everyone needs a laptop with an all-day battery life, but it shouldn't be considered a luxury either.
I'm hesitant to classify the Swift 3 OLED as a workstation because its size is more compact than what's typically associated with that category. It measures 0.7 inches in thickness and weighs 3.09 pounds, which isn't insignificant. To put it in perspective, it's as thick as the traditionally clunky Aspire 5. If my backpack were already heavy, as student backpacks often are, I'd prefer to have something thinner with me. However, compared to other 14-inch devices, it's relatively lightweight and exists in a sort of in-between space. It's not as hefty as premium devices like the four-pound Razer Blade 14 but not as razor-thin as portable devices like the 2.6-pound Swift 5.
Specifications:
Acer Swift 3 OLED specs (as reviewed)
14-inch OLED display, 2880 x 1800, 16:10
Intel Core i7-12700H, 24 MB smart cache, 2.3 GHz performance with Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 up to 4.7 GHz
16GB dual-channel LPDDR5 SDRAM
1TB PCIe Gen4 16 Gb/s SSD, NVMe
3.09 pounds (1.4 kg)
12.32 x 8.43 x 0.7 inches (312.9 x 214 x 17.9 mm)
Two USB Type-C (USB4 40Gbps, Thunderbolt 4, USB charging 5V), two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (one with power-off USB charging), HDMI 2.1 with HDCP support, headphone/speaker jack
Power keycap fingerprint reader with on-host matching design
$1,199.99 (SF314-71-75MW model)
Steel Gray
The majority of the chassis is unobtrusive, featuring a standard silver color and thin plastic bezels. The lid is glossy, reflecting light beautifully. However, the biggest drawback of this chassis is its build quality. The palm rests feel plasticky, and the chassis has a considerable amount of flex, making it nerve-wracking to put objects on top of it. In short, it's a classic midrange Acer product that offers an attractive price but a somewhat creaky chassis.
The touchpad is another minor issue, requiring a significant amount of force to depress. I preferred the touchpad on the Swift 5, which was much easier to use.
The Swift 3's standout feature is its display. Boasting a 16:10 aspect ratio, a brightness of 400 nits, and a resolution of 2880 x 1800, it's an absolute pleasure to use. The ample screen space allows for efficient multitasking, and the picture is vivid and crisp with more than enough brightness for any environment. This display is undoubtedly one of the best at this price point for Windows laptops, and it even surpasses the native resolution of the M2 MacBook Air, which costs at least $600 more for a similar configuration. However, it doesn't have a touchscreen, which may be a drawback for students who need to draw graphs or diagrams.
The keyboard on this device stands out due to its rigidity and springy click, giving the user a lightning-fast typing experience. It is one of the best keyboards the author has used in the past year, with a satisfying click and a snappy feel. However, the silver keys and grayish lettering may not be suitable for visually impaired individuals due to the lack of contrast, particularly when the backlight is low. Additionally, there is some backlight bleed, which may not be ideal for those who are concerned about it.
The fingerprint sensor, previously located under the arrow keys, is now integrated into the power button on the top right corner of the keyboard, giving the device a more uniform look. However, the flatter shape may make it harder to locate the button, and the sensor did not always register the author's fingerprint accurately.
When it comes to performance, this 14-inch Intel laptop should meet your expectations as long as you consider its thermal limitations. The test configuration, priced at $1,199.99, features a Core i7-12700H with Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. For those who do not need maximum performance, there is also a Core i5-12500H model available for $899, with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. However, it is recommended to have at least 16GB of RAM for gaming or professional work.
Despite being an ultraportable machine, the Swift 3 OLED features an H-series chip instead of the more power-efficient P-series processor commonly found in devices like the Swift 5 and Dell XPS 13 Plus. Nonetheless, performance was quick and snappy, with the ability to run multiple Chrome tabs, stream music, and retouch photos with ease. The fan noise can be quite loud under heavy loads, but there is a Silent Mode available in Acer's pre-installed programs to help mitigate this.
Unfortunately, this device comes with bloatware pre-installed, including Dropbox and antivirus software, which may need to be uninstalled to improve the user experience.
The downside of having a powerful processor like the H-series is its lack of efficiency. With brightness set at around 200 nits, I was only able to use the device continuously for about 3.5 to 4 hours, even with a light workload of Chrome tabs and Google Meet calls. If you're working with more demanding software like Premiere, you'll get even less battery life.
While it's not realistic to expect an H-series processor with a high-resolution screen to have all-day battery life, it's worth noting that this device is designed to be portable. It's not a bulky gaming laptop meant to stay at your desk all day. If you're looking for a workstation that you'll leave on your desk, a 14-inch device might not be the best choice for you.
