Acer is preparing to launch new versions of its ultra-portable Swift Go 14, Swift Go 16, and Swift X 14 laptops. This refresh includes plenty of magical AI fluff, though it’s also accompanied by some tangible hardware improvements.

The new Acer Swift Go 14 and Swift Go 16 feature Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors and Intel Arc graphics. Both laptops can be configured with a powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 185H chipset and new Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Plus, Acer is doubling the maximum storage and RAM of these laptops. Previous models capped out at 1TB storage and 16GB RAM, but the new models go up to 2TB and 32GB.

Both Swift Go laptops retain their excellent port selection—two TB4 USB-C ports, a USB-A port with offline charging, an HDMI 2.1 jack, and a microSD slot. Interestingly, the new Swift Go 14 is now offered with a 120Hz display, but only if you choose an IPS configuration. If you want OLED, you’re stuck with the old 90Hz refresh rate. The 16-inch model’s OLED screen is still 120Hz.

If you’re a hardcore Acer fan, you may be getting a sense of déjà vu. Maybe you’re thinking of the Intel Core Ultra-equipped Swift Go 14 that Acer launched in December 2023. Or, you could be thinking of the AMD Swift Go 16 that sold with Wi-Fi 7 and 32GB of RAM in May 2023! It’s all a bit confusing.

Anyway, the creator-focused Swift X 14 is also getting its dues. In its best configuration, the new Swift X 14 features an Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU, powerful RTX 4070 graphics (up from RTX 4050), and a 14.5-inch 120Hz display. If you buy the OLED model, you get an upgraded 2880 x 1880 resolution, but the IPS version sticks with a 2560 x 1600 resolution. Acer is keeping with the maximum 1TB storage capacity of previous models, but the maximum RAM has been upgraded from 16GB to 32GB.

Outside of tangible hardware upgrades, Acer’s new laptops boast several AI technologies. Microphone and webcam quality are bolstered by AI, and the Swift X 14 uses DLSS 3.0 to enhance in-game graphics. But these things were already included in previous laptops. There are only two new AI features: a dedicated Copilot key and Intel AI Boost technology.

The dedicated Copilot key was announced by Microsoft last week. It’s just a keyboard key that brings up the Copilot AI panel (the Windows + C shortcut grants the same results). Intel AI Boost is a bit more interesting, as it supposedly reduces the battery impact of AI tasks. But Acer is sticking to its old battery life estimates—12.5 hours for the Swift Go 14, and 10.5 hours for the Swift Go 16. A battery life estimate was not provided for the Swift X 14.

The Acer Swift Go 14 and Swift Go 16 will launch in March 2024. Prices start at $750 and $800, respectively. Acer will begin selling the Swift X 14 a month earlier, starting at $1,400. Note that the Swift X 14’s GPU probably runs at a fairly low wattage, so the RTX 3050 base configuration may not be powerful enough for some gamers.

Source: Acer