Acer Swift Edge 16 review: A lightweight laptop with a beautiful OLED display

Matthew S. Smith is a self-employed technology reporter with 15 years of experience assessing consumer electronics. Along with PCWorld, his work can be located on Wired, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, Examined, IGN, and Lifewire. Matthew likewise covers AI and the metaverse for IEEE Spectrum and runs Computer system Pc gaming Yesterday, a YouTube network devoted to PC video gaming background.

The Ryzen 7 8840U packs an AMD Radeon 780M with 12 graphics cores. It appears great on paper, yet Swift Side 16 achieved a sub-par Time Spy rating. That’s acceptable if you just intend to play older 3D titles or video games with typically less requiring graphics, but it’s not going to hold up in modern AAA titles.

Acer’s wireless connectivity is superb, as the laptop computer supports both Wi-Fi 7 (the most recent version of the Wi-Fi criterion) and Bluetooth 5.3. This should futureproof the Acer’s cordless connection, considering that Wi-Fi 7 was just released. It additionally makes the loss of physical Ethernet a little bit much less uncomfortable, given that Wi-Fi 7 can go beyond Gigabit Ethernet speeds in optimum conditions (though remember you’ll need a Wi-Fi 7 router, also).

A 1440p webcam is nestled in the Acer Swift Side 16’s leading bezel. It provides good sharpness and shade for a laptop webcam, which will certainly help you look your finest on video clip telephone calls. With that said, it can still have a hard time to find a suitable level of exposure in particularly intense or dark areas. The microphone is similarly capable, getting crisp discussion with very little to modest background noise.

The Swift Edge 16’s result likewise lands it substantially behind some rivals with Intel Arc and AMD Radeon 780M graphics. The Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 with Intel Arc integrated graphics mored than 40 percent quicker in this test. That’s a big space.

Acer gears up the Swift Edge 16 with a 16-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 3200 x 2000 pixels, which exercises to a pixel density of 235 pixels per inch. That defeats not only 1080p laptop displays however additionally a 4K 32-inch or 27-inch monitor. You’ll only see a crisper picture if you pick up a laptop with a 4K display, but those are reasonably unusual and, at this dimension, 4K’s advantage is tough to notice in a lot of circumstances.

Acer’s laptop computer leaves to a tepid start in PCMark 10, a general artificial criteria that checks multiple elements of system efficiency. It returns a rating of 6,563 which, though reputable, drops a little bit behind other recent AMD Ryzen 7 and Intel Core Ultra systems. The older LG Gram SuperSlim, which we evaluated with an older Intel Core i7-1360P cpu, is the only laptop that drops means behind the pack.

Not a budget laptop, the Swift Side 16’s price is practical thinking about the processor, OLED display screen, and other hardware that Acer includes. LG’s Gram 16 and SuperSlim laptop computers, though comparable in size and weight, are usually a lot more pricey with models beginning around $1,400 (with less RAM and storage).

It has 2 USB-C 4 ports, both which support DisplayPort Alternating Setting and approximately 65 watts of Power Delivery. They can be utilized to charge the laptop computer and/or connect a display over USB-C or DisplayPort (with an adapter). Acer likewise ships the laptop with a small 65-watt power adapter for charging the laptop. The USB-C port’s versatility is convenient while traveling. You can load a single 65-watt USB-C adapter for your laptop computer, phone, and various other tools.

A receptive and large touchpad sits listed below the key-board at a balanced out to the area bar, which suggests there’s less palm area on the left than on the right. The touchpad surface area gauges concerning 5 inches large and three and a quarter inches deep. Not as huge as the touchpads located on costs competitors like a Dell XPS 16, it still gives plenty of room for triggering multitask motions, and is similar in size, or slightly larger than, the touchpads on price-competitive laptop computers like the Asus Vivobook 16 and Dell Inspiron 16.

The Acer Swift 16 Edge has an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor with 8 cores, sixteen threads, and an optimum boost clock of 5.1 GHz. It has done well in our prior tests of various other laptop computers, and has potentially solid integrated graphics in the form of AMD’s Radeon 780M. The Swift 16 Side’s total performance is solid, though it doesn’t stick out from the crowd.

While the display is outstanding, it doesn’t supply Acer much side against its competitors. OLED display screens are now extensively available, and a lot of provide comparable benefits. The Swift Side 16 is cost effective for a laptop computer with a 16-inch OLED screen, but the Asus Vivobook Pro 16 isn’t much more costly (however, to be fair, it’s much larger than the Acer Swift Side 16).

A satisfying key-board and number pad extends across the Acer Swift Edge 16’s inside. It’s not an impressive key-board, yet it’s surprisingly great for a slim, lightweight laptop computer.

The Acer Swift Edge 16 doesn’t make a fantastic first impression out of package. It’s a simple, matte black slate that does not have any kind of flair, appearance, or detail. There’s nothing wrong with the layout, yet buyers yearning a costs look will certainly need to look somewhere else.

USB-C is coupled with two USB-A ports, so it’s feasible to link a wired keyboard and computer mouse at once. Devoted video-out is supplied by HDMI 2.1, and the laptop computer additionally has a microSD card viewers with assistance for cards as much as 512GB in size. Ethernet is the only physical connection notably lacking, yet that’s also true for most laptops of similar weight and dimension.

Audio high quality is disappointing. The Acer’s built-in audio speakers supply passable volume at their maximum setup, but turning the quantity up that high can severely muddy the mid-range when playing music or enjoying an activity motion picture. Exterior speakers or headphones are advised.

Acer is forced to lower the size of the battery to keep the laptop computer’s weight reduced, which leads to unsatisfactory battery life: a specifically notable trouble currently that Copilot And also Computers with up to 20 hours of battery life are available. The Swift Edge 16’s performance is likewise a little bit weak. Most of the times it won’t be noticeably slower than its peers, but it fell behind in benchmarks.

That’s not mosting likely to suffice if you want a laptop that can manage an eight-hour day without needing to top off, and it’s much less than what many 16-inch laptops offer. The recent launch of Qualcomm-powered Copilot Plus Computers, which can exceed 20 hours in this examination, makes slim battery life especially hard to approve.

Acer’s Swift Edge 16 is a alluring and budget-friendly pick for people that desire a 16-inch laptop computer with a beautiful display screen, yet likewise favor a laptop computer that’s thin, light, and inexpensive. The Swift Edge 16 is usually cheaper than affordable Windows laptop computers that have similar equipment and a thin-and-light style.

There’s no shortage of excellent 16-inch Windows laptop computers offered in 2024, yet the bulk of these laptops are, well, bulky. The laptop is built from magnesium-aluminum alloy, a solid yet light product regularly made use of by ultra-thin PC laptop computers. Its weight is particularly low for a 16-inch laptop computer; just LG Gram laptop computers are substantially lighter. The Swift Side 16 is cost effective for a laptop with a 16-inch OLED display screen, yet the Asus Vivobook Pro 16 isn’t a lot more costly (however, to be fair, it’s much larger than the Acer Swift Side 16).

The magnesium-aluminum alloy does its job, however. The Swift Side 16 evaluates simply 2.71 extra pounds and procedures no thicker than 0.72 inches. Its weight is specifically low for a 16-inch laptop; just LG Gram laptops are dramatically lighter. It’s very easy to forget the Acer remains in a knapsack once stowed, and grabbing the laptop computer from a side or edge is barely a stress. That makes the Swift Edge 16 eye-catching if you travel usually but additionally want a large display.

Biometric login is available through a finger print viewers integrated right into the power switch. It works well enough but, like various other finger print visitors, it can be tricked if your finger is even somewhat damp or dirty– so maintain your hand out of that Cheetos bag.

Cinebench R20, a multi-threaded CPU standard, produces a reasonable but uninspired result on the Swift Side 16. It’s very little slower than the competition, but does fall back general. That’s difficult to warrant: the Acer is affordable, but the Dell Inspiron 16 is a lot more economical.

I saw a little over 7 and a half hours of battery life in PC Globe’s conventional battery examination, which loopholes a 4K data of the brief film Tears of Steel. This is a light work by modern-day standards, and the Swift Side 16’s real-world battery life was just as unimpressive. I saw around 6 to seven hours of endurance while creating and browsing the web in Google Docs.

The Acer Swift Side 16 is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U cpu, which has 8 cores and 16 threads. It’s coupled with 16 GB of RAM and AMD’s incorporated Radeon 780M graphics, which includes 12 graphics cores. The laptop computer also has a 16-inch OLED display screen with a stunning resolution of 3200 × 2000 pixels and an optimum refresh rate of 120 Hz.

Develop top quality is a similar tale. The laptop is developed from magnesium-aluminum alloy, a strong yet light material regularly utilized by ultra-thin computer laptops. Nevertheless, the alloy lacks the rigidness of cleaned aluminum; as a matter of fact, it’s very easy to error for plastic. The laptop’s lack of strength and heft makes it seem like a low-cost, budget-oriented device.

The OLED display additionally has a maximum refresh price of 120Hz, which is constantly fantastic to see. In addition to much better motion fluidity and quality in PC video games, the higher refresh price uses an extra receptive experience on the Windows desktop computer contrasted to a 60Hz refresh rate. It is a refined difference yet obvious, specifically if you go back to a 60Hz screen after making use of the Swift Side 16’s 120Hz OLED screen.

There’s no lack of exceptional 16-inch Windows laptop computers offered in 2024, yet the mass of these laptop computers are, well, large. Acer’s Swift Side 16 is amongst minority to supply a 16-inch display in a laptop computer that evaluates under three pounds, and it pairs a slim, light profile with good well-rounded efficiency and an economical price. Yet keeping the rate and weight reduced needs concession and, in this instance, it’s battery life that takes the hit.

The key-board consists of a backlight that’s incredibly bright at its maximum setting, so visibility is never ever a problem. Acer additionally packs the common variety of feature keys, consisting of the brand-new Copilot secret, and a faster way to open the Acer software which handles most laptop settings.

Acer’s choice to keep the Swift Side 16’s weight well listed below three extra pounds makes it very easy to grab and toss in a bag, however also restricts battery life. The Swift Side 16 has a little 54 watt-hour battery that drains faster than I would certainly such as.

Acer also ships the laptop with a tiny 65-watt power adapter for billing the laptop computer.

Acer likewise benefits from the usual staminas of OLED. The screen has a superb contrast proportion, extremely wide shade range, and terrific color accuracy. It looks dynamic, crisp, and immersive throughout a vast array of content, from picture editing to computer games. HDR is supported, as well, and while HDR illumination isn’t exceptional, it does deliver a slight boost to detail and immersion.

Handbrake proceeds the Swift Edge 16’s fad of modest but acceptable results. It needed greater than 26 mins to grind through an examination encoding a two-hour-long flick from MP4 to MKV format, which is slower than the laptop computers selected for contrast. In reality, the difference is slim enough that it wouldn’t be a real-world issue, however it’s still a loss for the Acer.