ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Acer Swift Edge 14 is at present on sale, with costs beginning at $1,500
- Its ultrathin design, vibrant 3K show, and soft-touch keyboard are certain to show heads
- It runs on a last-gen CPU, which makes the asking value exhausting to justify.
extra shopping for decisions
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I went into this assessment anticipating the Acer Swift Edge 14 to be the model’s subsequent top-performing laptop computer, however that is not the case. As an alternative, it is Acer’s newest midrange machine — however an excellent one at that. It boasts a standout design, first rate efficiency, and a long-lasting battery.
There’s a lot to love about this laptop computer, so let’s begin with what impressed me essentially the most.
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Why we prefer it
The very first thing that stood out to me was the laptop computer’s design: it is aesthetically placing. That is an ultrathin machine, measuring simply 0.65 inches at its thickest level and weighing 2.18 kilos. My previous school notebooks weighed greater than that. The laptop computer’s smooth kind issue is made primarily of a magnesium-aluminum alloy, a cloth identified for its light-weight properties and sturdiness.
Many of the chassis is completed in a brilliant, eye-catching white, whereas the again has the machine’s double-arrow brand and firm branding etched in gold.
The keyboard is simply as visually placing. The keycaps match the physique’s white end and sit barely raised, making a dramatic distinction with the shadows beneath.
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In response to Acer, the Swift Edge 14 is the primary of its laptops to have a “soft-touch keyboard”. The keys have been lined in a UV-cured coating that helps the caps resist put on and stains, whereas additionally giving them a novel, velvet-like texture. I’ve by no means felt a keyboard this smooth earlier than, and I do not know if I can ever return. Consequently, typing is each snug and responsive, permitting for lengthy writing periods with no trace of fatigue. One other massive a part of that is the 1.3mm key journey distance. Due to this, I discovered it simple to kind shortly and precisely.
Above the keyboard sits a 14-inch, 3K OLED display screen that covers the whole DCI-P3 coloration gamut and helps VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600. All this tech leads to vibrant, correct coloration output with deep distinction. It is nothing wanting gorgeous.
The glass can be lined in Corning Gorilla Glass Matte Professional to cut back glare and protect that top-notch coloration accuracy. Because the cherry on high, the show runs a most refresh price of 120Hz and a response time of 0.2 to make sure clean, fluid visuals for multimedia.
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The principle draw back of the display screen is that it isn’t very brilliant, peaking at 400 nits. Even at 100% brightness, it is exhausting to see the show outdoors. Below synthetic lights, nonetheless, it’s very high-quality. You can see the display screen clearly in most indoor areas.
Who it is for
The Acer Swift Edge 14 is an effective selection for anybody looking for a dependable work laptop computer with strong efficiency and a formidable battery. My assessment unit was outfitted with an Intel Core Extremely 7 258V processor and 32GB of RAM. This CPU is from 2025, not Intel’s newest Panther Lake sequence launched this yr, nevertheless it’s nonetheless aggressive. Due to that, nonetheless, I am unable to actually evaluate the Swift Edge to the newest laptops I’ve examined.
Beneath is a desk evaluating Acer’s laptop computer benchmarks with the Dell 14 Plus, Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1, and HP OmniBook 7 Aero.
As you may see within the desk above, the Acer Swift Edge performs equally to Dell’s and Lenovo’s machines. It handles multi-core workloads effectively, making the laptop computer a good selection for duties like information evaluation, picture enhancing, and software program growth. Its single-core efficiency is first rate, too, guaranteeing quick app launch and clean internet searching. Acer’s mannequin does fall barely behind HP’s OmniBook Aero, a smaller machine that we referred to as out for its robust all-around efficiency.
What units the Swift Edge aside from its rivals, nonetheless, is its battery life. Throughout testing, the laptop computer lasted over 18 hours, virtually 19, on a single cost. It recharges shortly, too, reaching 41% in about half-hour. By comparability, Dell’s and Lenovo’s fashions lasted about 12 hours every throughout my time with them, and HP’s Aero ran for simply 10 hours earlier than tapping out.
Who ought to look elsewhere
This isn’t a powerhouse workstation laptop computer, it is a midrange machine that is well-rounded sufficient for a wide range of mainstream shopper duties. Whereas it performs effectively, its Lunar Lake processor will wrestle to deal with notably heavy workloads outdoors of its consolation zone.
Should you’re searching for a extra highly effective 14-inch laptop computer, try the 2026 Asus ExpertBook Extremely. Its Panther Lake processor delivers considerably stronger general efficiency. Artistic professionals could need to think about Samsung’s Galaxy Book6 Extremely, which affords extra energy and a 16-inch 3K show higher suited to video enhancing, animation, and design.
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Outdoors of efficiency limitations, there’s little or no to criticize. The Swift Edge 14 is a wonderful work laptop computer, and it excels at what it is designed to do.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
There are two variations of the Acer Swift Edge 14 accessible. As a reminder, my assessment unit got here with an Intel Core Extremely 7 258V processor and 32GB of RAM, on sale for $1,500. A better-end mannequin housing the Intel Core Extremely 9 288V CPY retails for $1,600.
At these costs, the Swift Edge 14 feels a bit expensive, particularly provided that it depends on last-gen {hardware}. Should you’re open to alternate options, the HP OmniBook 7 Aero talked about earlier is price a glance. It delivers stronger general efficiency at a decrease beginning value of $1,250. HP’s pocket book is smaller, nonetheless, sporting a 13.3-inch display screen.
