Acer Swift Edge 16 evaluation: A light-weight laptop computer with a stunning OLED display screen

There's no lack of exceptional 16-inch Windows laptop computers readily available in 2024, however the bulk of these laptop computers are, well, large. Acer's Swift Edge 16 is amongst the couple of to provide a 16-inch display screen in a laptop computer that weighs under 3 pounds, and it sets a thin, light profile with great well-rounded efficiency and a budget-friendly price. Keeping the cost and weight low needs compromise and, in this case, it's battery life that takes the hit.

Searching for more alternatives? Have a look at PCWorld's roundup of the very best laptop computers offered today.

Flight prices Acer Swift Edge 16: Specs and functions

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

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8840U
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR5
• Graphics/GPU: AMD Radeon 780M
• Show: 16-inch OLED 3200 × 2000 120Hz revitalize rate with HDR assistance
• Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen 4 strong state drive
• Web cam: 1440p with dual-mic selection
• Connection: 2x USB-C 4 with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 65 watts Power Delivery, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x microSD card reader, 1x 3.5 mm combination audio jack
• Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
• Biometrics: Fingerprint reader
• Battery capability: 54 watt-hours
• Measurements: 14.18 x 9.78 x 0.72 inches
• Weight: 2.71 pounds
• MSRP: $1,299.99

Acer presently offers simply one setup of the brand-new Swift Edge 16, which is the setup evaluated. It brought an MSRP of $1,300 at the time the system was evaluated. Not a spending plan laptop computer, the Swift Edge 16's rate is sensible thinking about the processor, OLED screen, and other hardware that Acer consists of. LG's Gram 16 and SuperSlim laptop computers, though similar in size and weight, are frequently more pricey with designs beginning around $1,400 (with less RAM and storage).

Acer Swift Edge 16: Design and construct quality

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

The Acer Swift Edge 16 does not make a terrific impression out of package. It's an easy, matte black slate that does not have any information, style, or texture. There's absolutely nothing incorrect with the style, however buyers yearning a premium appearance will require to look somewhere else.

Develop quality is a comparable story. The laptop computer is constructed from magnesium-aluminum alloy, a strong yet light product regularly utilized by ultra-thin PC laptop computers. The alloy does not have the rigidness of brushed aluminum; in reality, it's simple to error for plastic. The laptop computer's absence of rigidness and heft makes it seem like an economical, budget-oriented maker.

The magnesium-aluminum alloy does its task. The Swift Edge 16 weighs simply 2.71 pounds and steps no thicker than 0.72 inches. Its weight is particularly low for a 16-inch laptop computer; just LG Gram laptop computers are dramatically lighter. It's simple to forget the Acer remains in a knapsack when stowed, and getting the laptop computer from an edge or corner is barely a pressure. That makes the Swift Edge 16 appealing if you take a trip typically however likewise desire a big screen.

Acer Swift Edge 16: Keyboard, trackpad

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

A pleasurable keyboard and number pad extends throughout the Acer Swift Edge 16's interior. The design is large, although some secrets, such as the number pad secrets, are somewhat undersized. Secret travel is prolonged and ends with conclusive bottoming action that supplies some tactile feedback. It's not an incredible keyboard, however it's remarkably great for a thin, light-weight laptop computer.

The keyboard consists of a backlight that's exceptionally intense at its optimum setting, so presence is never ever a concern. Acer likewise loads the normal variety of function secrets, consisting of the brand-new Copilot secret, and a faster way to open the Acer software application which handles most laptop settings.

A responsive and big touchpad sits listed below the keyboard at a balanced out to the area bar, which implies there's less palm area on the left than on the. The touchpad surface area determines about 5 inches broad and 3 and a quarter inches deep. Not as big as the touchpads discovered on premium rivals like a Dell XPS 16, it still offers plenty of space for triggering multitask gestures, and is comparable in size, or a little bigger than, the touchpads on price-competitive laptop computers like the Asus Vivobook 16 and Dell Inspiron 16.

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

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 beats not just 1080p laptop computer display screens however likewise a 4K 27-inch or 32-inch display. You'll just see a crisper image if you get a laptop computer with a 4K display screen, however those are fairly unusual and, at this size, 4K's benefit is difficult to discover in a lot of circumstances.

The OLED display screen likewise has an optimum revitalize rate of 120Hz, which is constantly terrific to see. In addition to much better movement fluidity and clearness in PC video games, the greater refresh rate uses a more responsive experience on the Windows desktop compared to a 60Hz refresh rate. It is a subtle distinction however visible, specifically if you return to a 60Hz display screen after utilizing the Swift Edge 16's 120Hz OLED display screen.

Acer likewise takes advantage of the typical strengths of OLED. The screen has an outstanding contrast ratio, exceptionally broad color range, and fantastic color precision. It looks dynamic, crisp, and immersive throughout a large range of material, from image modifying to PC video games. HDR is supported, too, and while HDR brightness isn't impressive, it does provide a small increase to information and immersion.

Acer Swift Edge 16: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

A 1440p web cam is nestled in the Acer Swift Edge 16's leading bezel. It provides great sharpness and color for a laptop computer web cam, which will assist you look your finest on video calls. With that stated, it can still have a hard time to discover a proper level of direct exposure in specifically intense or dark spaces. The microphone is likewise capable, getting crisp discussion with very little to modest background sound.

Biometric login is readily available through a finger print reader incorporated into the power button. It works well sufficient however, like other finger print readers, it can be deceived if your finger is even a little moist or unclean– so keep your distribute of that Cheetos bag.

Acer Swift Edge 16: Connectivity

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

The Acer Swift Edge 16 loads a great mix of future-proof and tradition connection.

It has 2 USB-C 4 ports, both which support DisplayPort Alternate Mode and as much as 65 watts of Power Delivery. They can be utilized to charge the laptop computer and/or link a screen over USB-C or DisplayPort (with an adapter). Acer likewise ships the laptop computer with a little 65-watt power adapter for charging the laptop computer. The USB-C port's adaptability is practical while taking a trip. You can load a single 65-watt USB-C adapter for your laptop computer, phone, and other gadgets.

USB-C is coupled with 2 USB-A ports, so it's possible to link a wired keyboard and mouse simultaneously. Devoted video-out is offered by HDMI 2.1, and the laptop computer likewise has a microSD card reader with assistance for cards as much as 512GB in size. Ethernet is the only physical connection significantly missing, however that's likewise real for the majority of laptop computers of comparable weight and size.

Acer's cordless connection is exceptional, as the laptop computer supports both Wi-Fi 7 (the current variation of the Wi-Fi requirement) and Bluetooth 5.3. This must futureproof the Acer's cordless connection, considering that Wi-Fi 7 was simply launched. It likewise makes the loss of physical Ethernet a bit less agonizing, because Wi-Fi 7 can surpass Gigabit Ethernet speeds in optimum conditions (though remember you'll require a Wi-Fi 7 router, too).

Acer Swift Edge 16: Performance

The Acer Swift 16 Edge has an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor with 8 cores, sixteen threads, and an optimum increase clock of 5.1 GHz. It has actually carried out well in our previous tests of other laptop computers, and has possibly strong integrated graphics in the kind of AMD's Radeon 780M. The Swift 16 Edge's general efficiency is strong, though it does not stick out from the crowd.

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

Acer's laptop computer leaves to a lukewarm start in PCMark 10, a basic artificial criteria that checks numerous aspects of system efficiency. It returns a rating of 6,563 which, though reputable, falls a little behind other current AMD Ryzen 7 and Intel Core Ultra systems. The older LG Gram SuperSlim, which we examined with an older Intel Core i7-1360P processor, is the only laptop computer that falls method behind the pack.

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

Cinebench R20, a multi-threaded CPU criteria, produces a sensible however unimaginative outcome on the Swift Edge 16. It's very little slower than the competitors, however does fall back general. That's tough to validate: the Acer is affordable, however the Dell Inspiron 16 is much more budget friendly.

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

Handbrake continues the Swift Edge 16's pattern of appropriate however modest outcomes. It needed more than 26 minutes to grind through a test encoding a two-hour-long film from MP4 to MKV format, which is slower than the laptop computers picked for contrast. In fact, the distinction is slim enough that it would not be a real-world issue, however it's still a loss for the Acer.

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

The Ryzen 7 8840U loads an AMD Radeon 780M with 12 graphics cores. It sounds excellent on paper, however Swift Edge 16 accomplished an average Time Spy rating. That's appropriate if you simply wish to play older 3D titles or video games with typically less requiring graphics, however it's not going to hold up in modern-day AAA titles.

The Swift Edge 16's outcome 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 incorporated graphics was over 40 percent quicker in this test. That's a huge space.

Acer Swift Edge 16: Battery life

Acer's choice to keep the Swift Edge 16's weight well listed below 3 pounds makes it simple to get and toss in a bag, however likewise restricts battery life. The Swift Edge 16 has a little 54 watt-hour battery that drains pipes faster than I ‘d like.

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

IDG/ Matthew Smith

I saw a little over 7 and a half hours of battery life in PC World's basic battery test, which loops a 4K file of the brief movie Tears of SteelThis is a light work by contemporary requirements, and the Swift Edge 16's real-world battery life was similarly unimpressive. I saw about 6 to 7 hours of endurance while searching the web and composing in Google Docs.

That's not going to suffice if you desire a laptop computer that can manage an eight-hour workday without requiring to complete, and it's less than what the majority of 16-inch laptop computers use. The current release of Qualcomm-powered Copilot Plus PCs, which can surpass 20 hours in this test, makes slim battery life particularly tough to accept.

Acer Swift Edge 16: Conclusion

Acer's Swift Edge 16 is an economical and appealing choice for individuals who desire a 16-inch laptop computer with a lovely screen, yet likewise choose a laptop computer that's thin, light, and budget friendly. The Swift Edge 16 is typically less costly than competitive Windows laptop computers that have comparable hardware and a thin-and-light style.

Acer is required to minimize the size of the battery to keep the laptop computer's weight low, which leads to frustrating battery life: a particularly noteworthy issue now that Copilot Plus PCs with up to 20 hours of battery life are offered. The Swift Edge 16's efficiency is likewise a bit weak. It will not be visibly slower than its peers, however it fell behind in standards.

If you can excuse that, though, the Swift Edge 16 is a less costly option to featherweight rivals like the LG Gram.

Author: Matthew S. Smith