There’s a new cool kid on the block and its name is the Acer Swift 3 SF314-511-70TU. In true Acer style, this new iteration of their successful Swift series features minimal, but impactful exterior changes. The biggest one is the lifted hinge design, which slightly raises the keyboard for improved ergonomics.
Performance-wise, this model is well equipped to handle everyday tasks like it’s nothing. You can safely use the Acer to work on more difficult projects which require more processing power. Both the Intel Core i7 processor and 16 gigabytes of LPDDR4X RAM are adequate for heavy multitasking, editing media files, working in CAD or illustrating software and much more. Therefore, I think the Swift 3 is more of a heavy duty all-rounder than an everyday laptop.
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I’m excited that Acer have fitted a full-sized HDMI port, but other interface options are somewhat lacking, especially if you’re a power user. Sure, you get 3 USB ports, but only one of them is a Type-C, making the Swift 3 not as future-proof as I would have liked. Furthermore, there’s no SD card for you to quickly transfer photos from your camera.
Display quality is top notch, so is screen brightness, there are enough features that make life easier, like a fingerprint reader, backlit keyboard and an easy way to directly control fan speed at the touch of a button. Furthermore, the Acer Swift 3 SF314-511-70TU is Intel Evo certified.
Should you buy it?
What I haven’t mentioned yet is how portable the Swift 3 actually is. Compared to other all-rounders, this ultrabook is a true featherweight and, frankly, a bargain at this price. At the time of this review, this specific model was listed at just under $1,000. You get a powerful enough laptop for all your tasks, more battery life than most all-rounders (12 to 16 hours) and a lightweight device for you to take wherever you may need.
Taking its fantastic portability into account, I’d say that yes, this model is a best buy at this price point. There are two alternatives for the Acer Swift 3, but both are pricier. We have the ASUS ZenBook 14 UX435EG-XH74 which has the same essential specs, but comes with a dedicated entry-level GPU. The other one is the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 9i. This ultrabook offers better build quality, yet the same performance, weight and battery life. It costs $400 more.
So, if you’re a student searching for a sub $1,000 laptop, you should consider the Acer. Also, if you’re the kind of user who appreciates a good blend of performance and portability, but don’t care as much for premium build materials and just want a device which gets the job done, this model might be the one you’re looking for.
Acer Swift 3 SF314-511-70TU tech specs
| Processor | Intel Core i7-1165G7 |
| CPU core count | 4 cores, 8 threads |
| CPU cache size | 12 megabytes |
| CPU frequency | 2.8 GHz up to 4.7 GHz |
| System memory | 16 gigabytes |
| Memory technology | LPDDR4X |
| Memory configuration | on-board, dual-channel |
| Maximum memory | 16 gigabytes |
| Storage capacity | 512 gigabytes |
| Storage drive type | NVMe PCIe SSD |
| Additional storage slots | No |
| Screen size | 14 inches |
| Touch enabled | No |
| Display technology | IPS, anti-glare |
| Display resolution | FHD (1920 x 1080) |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| GPU Type | On-board graphics |
| GPU Specs | up to 1.3 GHz dynamic frequency |
| Interface options | 1 x Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 1 2 x Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 HDMI 2.0 Audio combo jack |
| Networking | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes |
| Webcam | HD webcam |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery type | 4-cell Lithium-Ion |
| Expected battery life | up to 12 hours |
| Weight | 2.65 lbs. |
| Dimensions | 12.7″ x 8.4″ x 0.63″ |
Acer Swift 3 SF314-511-70TU
