Acer Swift X 14: A Powerful Laptop for Creatives and Gamers
Design and Display
The Acer Swift X 14 may not turn heads with its design, but its low-key appearance is intentional. With a muted, understated presence, this laptop is designed to blend in with an office environment. The “Steel Gray” chassis and sturdy aluminum body give it a sleek and professional look. The 14.5-inch OLED display is the standout feature, with a 2,880 x 1,800-pixel resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display offers excellent color accuracy and sharpness, making it a joy to use for photo and video editing. The thin bezels further enhance the visual experience.
Ports and Audio
The Acer Swift X 14 offers a decent variety of ports, including HDMI 2.1, USB Type-A and Type-C ports, and a headset jack. It also includes a microSD card reader, catering to the needs of creators. However, the audio quality leaves something to be desired. The upward-firing speakers lack bass and can sound a bit tinny. While they are loud enough to fill a medium-sized room, they could benefit from better sound tuning.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The island-style keyboard on the Swift X 14 is serviceable but not exceptional. It provides a precise and accurate typing experience, but it lacks the snappiness found in some other laptops on the market. However, for the average user, it will get the job done. The touchpad is spacious and responsive, striking a good balance between softness and resistance. The backlit keyboard is a convenient feature for working in low-light conditions, and the power button doubles as a fingerprint reader for added security.
Benchmarks and Performance
The Swift X 14 excels in performance, thanks to its powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. In benchmark tests, it outperformed other laptops with similar specifications. The multi-core score on the Geekbench 6 test was an impressive 13,386, while the GFXBench 5.0 benchmark recorded a score of 168 frames per second (fps) for graphics rendering tasks. Additionally, the laptop’s discrete GPU makes it capable of handling gaming, as demonstrated by its performance in the Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark.
Battery Life and Webcam
Considering its powerful internals, the Swift X 14 offers respectable battery life. It lasted 8 hours and 35 minutes during a 1080p video rundown at 50% brightness. While this may not be exceptional, it is commendable considering the energy requirements of the GPU. However, when it comes to gaming, the battery life drops significantly, lasting only about an hour before needing a recharge. The 1080p webcam on the top bezel is nothing to write home about, with average image quality and muted colors. This is a common drawback for many laptops, so it’s not a dealbreaker.
Is It Worth It?
Overall, the Acer Swift X 14 is an excellent choice for creative professionals and gamers who want a powerful Windows laptop at an affordable price. The stunning OLED display and impressive performance make it a great tool for photo and video editing tasks. The inclusion of a microSD card reader and fingerprint reader adds to its appeal for creators and security-minded users. While the audio quality and keyboard could be improved, they are still adequate for most users. With its long battery life and discrete GPU, the Swift X 14 strikes a good balance between productivity and entertainment.
