Acer has two laptops on tap for this fall that take advantage of Intel’s new “Tiger Lake” 11th-generation processors.
Acer Swift 5
The Swift 5, which will start at $999, is verified under Intel’s new Evo program. Also known as Project Athena, this program has been challenging PC makers to create cutting-edge laptops that meet top mobility and performance specifications—like 9+ hours of battery life when conducting real-world work tasks.
Acer responded by creating a thin and light 14-inch laptop in the Swift 5, which packs Intel’s new Tiger Lake silicon and can be configured with Core i5 or Core i7 processors. As a result, the machine can supposedly achieve up to a 17-hour battery life on a single charge.
Acer Swift 5 (Credit: Acer)
The device was also built with fast charging in mind. According to Acer, plugging in the laptop to an electrical outlet for a mere 30 minutes will yield four hours of battery life.
Acer Swift 5 (Credit: Acer)
To create a sleek feel, the 2.3-pound machine has been fitted in a magnesium-lithium and magnesium-aluminum casing. Acer also trimmed the bezels along the 1080p panel, for what Acer says is a 90 percent screen-to-body ratio. Another perk is touch-screen functionality.
Swift 3: A Tale of Two Variants
The second model, the Swift 3, has also been submitted to Intel’s Evo program, but is still waiting for verification. Like its sibling, the Swift 3 will be available with 11th generation Core i5 or Core i7 processors. However, the laptop will be a little heftier at 2.6 pounds.
It’s also important to note the Swift 3 will come in two variants: The SF313-53, which has a 13.5-inch square-shaped display, and the SF314-59, which offers a more traditional 14-inch wide screen.
Acer Swift 3 SF313-53
Acer Swift 3 SF314-59 (Credit: Acer)
The SF313-53 stands out with a 3:2 aspect ratio for a 2,256-by-1,504-pixel resolution, which Acer says is better for more vertical viewing. Expect 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. The company plans on selling it for $799 and up.
The SF314-59, on the other hand, has a standard 1080p screen. But it’ll come with a $699 starting price. Battery life was not revealed.
Acer Swift 3 SF314-59 (Credit: Acer)
The Swift 3 and Swift 5 models are set to arrive in North America this November. As Evo-verified laptops, they’ll also come packed with the latest features, including Wi-Fi 6 and Thunderbolt 4.
