Acer Swift Go 14 Review: A Budget-friendly Laptop For Students And Light Gamers

Published June 20, 2024

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Looking for a powerful laptop that won’t break the bank? The Acer Swift Go 14 is a budget-friendly powerhouse that delivers impressive performance for students and casual gamers. This laptop packs a punch with its Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, offering 75% of the performance of more expensive models. In this Acer Swift Go 14 review, we’ll explore its specifications, performance, design, display, audio quality, keyboard, battery life, and connectivity to determine if it’s the right fit for your academic and everyday needs.

Acer Swift Go 14 Review: Performance and Specs

Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Processor: Ample Power for Students

At the heart of the Acer Swift Go 14 is the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, boasting an impressive 16 cores and 22 threads. This setup provides ample power for multitasking and running demanding applications, making it an ideal choice for students who need to juggle various tasks. Whether you’re writing essays, creating presentations, or even dabbling in light gaming, this processor ensures smooth performance across the board.

Paired with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB solid-state drive, the Swift Go 14 offers not only speed but also significant storage capacity. This means you can store all your academic files, projects, and multimedia content without worrying about running out of space. The SSD contributes to quicker boot times and faster data access, keeping up with your hectic schedule.

Benchmark Results: Exceeding Expectations on a Budget

When it comes to real-world performance, the Acer Swift Go 14 shines in benchmark tests. It scored an impressive 6,362 in PCMark 10, which evaluates overall system performance. This places the Swift Go 14 ahead of several competitors in its price range, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get great performance.

Acer Swift Go PCMark results

In the Cinebench R20 benchmark, which specifically tests multi-threaded CPU performance, the Swift Go 14 achieved a score of 4,943. This demonstrates its capability to handle demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering, making it a great choice for students in graphic design, engineering, or media studies.

Acer Swift Go Cinebench R20 results

While the Handbrake test, which assesses long-duration, heavily multithreaded performance, didn’t place the Swift Go 14 at the top, it still delivered respectable results for a laptop in this price bracket. With the combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, ample memory, and storage, the Acer Swift Go 14 stands out as a reliable companion for students tackling various academic and creative projects.

Acer Swift Go Handbrake results

Gaming Performance: A Casual Gamer’s Delight

For students who enjoy gaming during their downtime, the Acer Swift Go 14 does not disappoint. While it lacks a dedicated graphics card, the integrated graphics of the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H are capable of handling older or less demanding games quite well. Titles like “Stardew Valley,” “Undertale,” and even some indie games run smoothly on this laptop.

However, for more graphically intensive games, students may need to adjust the settings to achieve playable frame rates. While it may not be a gaming laptop per se, the Swift Go 14 can handle casual gaming and light entertainment, making it an all-around device for both work and play.

Design and Build Quality

Compact and Portable Design: Built for On-the-Go Students

Weighing in at just 2.9 pounds and measuring a mere 0.58 inches thick, the Acer Swift Go 14 is designed with portability in mind. This lightweight design makes it easy to slip into a backpack or messenger bag, perfect for students who need to carry their laptop around campus.

Acer Swift Go design

While its boxy, angular design may not win any beauty contests, it certainly contributes to the overall lightweight and portable nature of the device. The display hinges are engineered to allow the lid to fold back completely, which is a thoughtful touch for comfortable typing and viewing angles.

Build Quality and Durability: A Solid Foundation for Students

The aluminum construction of the Swift Go 14 provides a decent level of durability. While it may not boast the premium feel of higher-end models, it holds its own against other mid-range laptops. The chassis feels reasonably sturdy, with minimal flex in the display and a rigid lower half, ensuring that it can withstand the rigors of student life.

While there is a slight flex in the display when pressed, this is something to consider for those who might be prone to handling their devices more roughly. Overall, the build quality is solid, making it a dependable option for students who need a laptop that can endure daily use.

Display and Audio

14-inch Touchscreen Display: A Crisp and Clear Visual Experience

The Acer Swift Go 14 features a 14-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. While this resolution may not be as high as some premium laptops, it still offers a sharp and clear visual experience for everyday tasks like reading, note-taking, and browsing the web. The display is moderately bright, delivering decent color accuracy and contrast, which is essential for students who rely on visual content for their studies.

Acer Swift Go display

The touchscreen functionality is particularly advantageous for students who want to take notes or annotate documents directly on their screens. This feature enhances interaction with the laptop, especially for those involved in creative fields. However, it’s important to note that the Swift Go 14 is not a 2-in-1 convertible, so the touchscreen is more of a supplementary input method than a primary mode of interaction.

Audio Quality: A Room for Improvement

When it comes to audio, the built-in speakers of the Swift Go 14 fall a bit short. The sound quality tends to be thin and tinny, lacking the depth and richness that some users might prefer. While the speakers are adequate for casual video playback or occasional music listening, students who prioritize audio quality may want to invest in external speakers or headphones for a more immersive experience, especially for movie nights or study sessions with background music.

For those who enjoy watching videos or streaming content, using external audio solutions can significantly enhance the experience, allowing for clearer dialogue and richer soundscapes.

Keyboard, Touchpad, and Ports

Comfortable Keyboard for Typing: Efficiently Completing Assignments

The Acer Swift Go 14 offers a spacious, centered keyboard that provides a comfortable typing experience. The keys have a satisfactory amount of travel and a crisp, tactile feel, making it well-suited for students who need to do a lot of typing for their schoolwork. Additionally, the keyboard is backlit, which is a handy feature for working in low-light conditions.

Acer Swift Go keyboard

The layout is user-friendly, with well-spaced keys that help minimize typos during long writing sessions. However, some users may find the key travel to be less than what they are accustomed to, resulting in a slightly different typing experience compared to higher-end models. Still, the overall typing experience is positive and allows students to efficiently complete essays, reports, and other written assignments.

Touchpad and Multi-Control Features: A Mixed Bag

The touchpad on the Swift Go 14 is large and responsive, but it can be a bit stiff and prone to occasional inaccuracies. While the multi-control features, which display media playback controls when using certain applications, can be a helpful addition, some users may experience moments when the touchpad doesn’t respond as expected. This could hinder productivity during important tasks, so keep that in mind if you rely heavily on touchpad functionality.

Extensive Port Selection: Connecting All Your Peripherals

One of the standout features of the Acer Swift Go 14 is its impressive selection of ports. It includes two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, a full-size HDMI output, and a microSD card slot. This connectivity suite ensures that students can easily connect a variety of peripherals, from external displays and storage devices to charging cables and more.

Acer Swift Go ports

The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 ports is particularly noteworthy, as it allows for high-speed data transfer and the ability to connect to multiple external displays. This feature is especially beneficial for students who need to extend their workspace or collaborate on projects with classmates.

The full-size HDMI output also means you can easily connect the laptop to projectors or larger displays, which is a must for presentations or group projects.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Long Battery Life for Students: Powering Through the Day

The Acer Swift Go 14 delivers respectable battery life, lasting around 11 hours on a single charge. This longevity is perfect for powering through a full day of classes and light productivity tasks without the need for frequent recharging. While it may not be the longest-lasting laptop on the market, the Swift Go 14’s battery life is in line with other mid-range laptops in its category.

For students who often find themselves in classes or libraries without easy access to power outlets, this battery longevity is crucial. It allows for uninterrupted study sessions and the flexibility to move around campus without the constant worry of finding a place to charge the device.

Reliable Connectivity: Staying Connected Wherever You Go

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Swift Go 14 is equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 capabilities, ensuring fast internet speeds and reliable wireless connections. These technologies are essential for students who need to access online resources, collaborate with classmates, and stay connected with friends and family throughout their busy days.

Wi-Fi 6E offers improved bandwidth and lower latency, which can be particularly beneficial in crowded environments like cafes or libraries where multiple devices are vying for a connection. This ensures that your online classes or research sessions go smoothly without interruptions.

Additional Features and Considerations

Thermal Management: Keeping Cool Under Pressure

The Acer Swift Go 14 is designed with effective thermal management in mind. The laptop utilizes advanced cooling technologies to ensure that the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor and other critical components remain cool even during demanding workloads. This helps maintain consistent performance and prevent throttling, which can be especially important for students engaged in resource-intensive tasks.

While the laptop may generate some noticeable fan noise during heavy usage, the cooling system does a commendable job of keeping the device from overheating, allowing you to work or game without interruptions.

Upgradeability and Customization

For those who prefer a more customizable laptop experience, the Acer Swift Go 14 offers some room for upgrades. The RAM and storage are both user-accessible, allowing you to potentially increase the memory or storage capacity down the line as your needs evolve.

However, it’s worth noting that upgrading the processor or dedicated graphics would not be feasible, as the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and integrated graphics are soldered onto the motherboard. This limitation is common in many budget-friendly laptops, but it’s something to consider if you anticipate requiring more powerful hardware in the future.

Conclusion: A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse for Students

The Acer Swift Go 14 is a compelling choice for students looking for a powerful yet affordable laptop that can handle their academic and everyday computing needs. With its impressive Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, ample memory and storage, and a range of useful features, the Swift Go 14 offers excellent value for its price point.

While it may not have the premium build quality or audiophile-grade speakers of more expensive models, its overall performance, portability, and connectivity make it a well-rounded option for budget-conscious students. If you’re in the market for a capable and affordable laptop that can power through your schoolwork and more, the Acer Swift Go 14 is definitely worth considering.