If you are the kind of computer user who demands a competent all-rounder or a machine that performs on both form and function, chances are you have considered the Acer Swift series. Acer has established itself as an intuitive laptop manufacturer that well grasps the needs of the present-day audience, and the latest Acer Swift 1 SF114 laptop is a testimony to this reputation.
This 14” laptop is a stylish powerhouse that weighs only 2.87 lbs and has a thickness of 0.6”. It is not only immensely portable but also eminently capable of everyday processing. The SF114-32-C225 is priced at a highly affordable $329. The SF114-32-P2PK model that boasts of an Intel N5000 processor (over an Intel N4000) is available for a slightly higher $369.
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Sturdy Build, Mobile Design
The portability of this Acer Swift’s design stands out a mile. It has an all-metal body that exudes strength and is also attractive to behold. This laptop is available in two color options—a steel grey and a brownish gold. The best part is that it hardly weighs a thing; the 2.87 lbs don’t feel much heavier than a hardcover book. It also helps that the profile is super sleek at 0.6”. You can easily slide this machine into the recesses of your backpack or handbag. Note that the width of the Acer Swift 1 is 12.7”, and the depth is 9”.
Further aiding portability is the inbuilt fingerprint reader. You can use it in conjunction with Windows Hello to sign in to your laptop without the need to key in a password. Your touch is adequate to log in. The beauty of this feature becomes apparent especially when you are on the go and haven’t the time or the disposition to type in lengthy passwords. It is a security win as well.
Powerful Everyday Processing
Driving this mini-star is an Intel Pentium Silver N5000 processor running at 1.10GHz. It is a quad-core processor, and the multiple cores prove tremendously useful for multitasking pursuits. You can also choose an Intel Celeron N4000 processor (dual-core) in the cheaper SF114-32-C225 model. Both versions support 4GB RAM (DDR4) and have a flash memory of 64GB. The storage space is on the lower side and might be a limitation if you want to store several gigabytes worth of videos and pictures. You can, however, use the SD card reader slot for additional memory. (There’s always cloud-based storage and external drives to plump things up as you go.)
The operating system is Windows 10 S quite a wonderful facilitator of productivity. This OS also has built-in tools to make multitasking easier, say, browsing the internet while working on presentations and checking your e-mail alongside.
In terms of the battery life, you can squeeze in almost 20 hours of unplugged usage from this machine. That’s practically an entire day! It is powered by a Lithium-Ion battery (or the Lithium-Polymer battery on the cheaper model). The battery is triple-celled and has a capacity of 4670mAh. The exact battery backup you get will depend on your usage and power settings, among other factors.
Interestingly, this computer also supports power-off charging. This enables you to charge any external devices using the USB ports even when the computer has been powered off. Talk about a versatile, multi-purpose device to carry along on your travels!
Thin Bezel Display, Accurate Imagery
The Acer Swift 1 brings you a full High Definition screen that renders pictures and videos accurately. The screen supports In-Plane Switching or IPS technology that lets you view the proceedings from multiple viewing points without suffering distortion of the image(s). The screen resolution is 1920 x 1080.
Making the most of the 14” screen space is a thin bezel design. It makes the viewing area appear larger and more immersive. In fact, it seems much more expansive than you would expect from a laptop with a 14” screen. The bezel has a thickness of only 6.3mm which is a quite a win for a laptop in this price range.
You do not get to experience the power of a dedicated graphics card with this laptop. However, the Intel UHD Graphics 605 (or 600) is quite pleasant when it comes to day to day multimedia experiences. (There are two stereo speakers to deliver acoustic support.) Since the display screen technology is ComfyView, the amount of eye strain is minimized.
Excellent Device Support
You will not be bereft of anything here as this laptop has as many as four USB ports. There is one USB 3.1 port (Gen 1), two USB 3.0 ports, and one USB 2.0 port. This is sufficient to plug in several external devices or peripherals to meet your requirements. You can also employ the HDMI port to plug into an external display. The HDMI is particularly useful when you need to share a presentation at work or stream a film for an audience.
If you are wondering about wireless connectivity, you will be happy with the support for IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. Depending on the strength of the wireless network you are on, you will find this Wi-Fi standard consistent and speedy.
Final Word
As times change and become more demanding, computers need to grow too and fit the growing boots. The Acer Swift 1 SF114 laptop endeavors to be with you as you get along a busy day, completing everyday tasks at work or school. It does this without giving you the headache of plugging in or hunting down a power supply.
The 20-hour battery backup is ample to last you for not only the duration of your workday but also beyond, say, when you sit back and unwind. Acer has empowered its recent launch with a stellar display, brilliant device support, and a lightweight body that is a breeze to lug along. Indeed, this latest addition to the Swift series lives up to all the hype.
