Acer Swift 5 Laptop Review: Specs, Pros, Cons & More

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Acer Swift 5 Laptop

Acer Swift 5 Laptop

USD
8.7

Value for Money Score

8.7/10

Reliability Score

8.6/10

Performance Score

8.7/10

Specifications and Features Score

8.6/10

Design Score

8.7/10

Pros

  • Great and sleek design
  • Quieter operation
  • Swipe-style fingerprint scanner
  • Thin and light chassis
  • Affordable price

Cons

  • A bit bouncy and reflective keyboard
  • Somewhat uneven distribution of brightness
  • Small and lackluster speakers
  • No SD card reader
  • Weak power jack and screen lid

Verdict

The balanced hardware of the Acer Swift 5 laptop is well utilized to provide optimal performance under load and demoing environments. The efficient temperature control and long-enough battery runtime makes it a perfect machine for a full day’s work.

Acer Swift 5 Laptop & Variants Price

Introduction

This laptop comes with more reliable features and hardware components included in the chassis.

The full HD multi-touch 14-inch screen promises a reliable display of images and the sleek and slim design makes this system ultraportable.

You will get enough power from the battery source to do most of your computing jobs of your day on this laptop that comes at an affordable price.

If you do not need a workstation or a laptop for high-end gaming, this is one of the most reliable computers even though it does not come with a MIL-STD rugged construction.

The features of the system not only make it a chic machine but also enables it to work most effortlessly. This ultra-thin and ultra-portable laptop will work at a fast speed and will fire up instantly.

It will help in leveraging the power and the capability of the elements that it comes with most reliably and effectively.

The Dolby audio system will provide the most reliable and memorable multimedia experience, properly complemented by the screen that comes with IPS touch technology. Though the stereo speakers are small, this is facilitated by the Acer True Harmony technology.

The sleek chassis made from magnesium-lithium alloy ensures the durability of the system. The backlit keyboard complements with the design of the system as well.

The design and features along with the long enough battery life of this system will make it the most reliable laptop that is fit for working on your go.

The system is also very reliable when it comes to connectivity with wi-fi 6, Bluetooth and Thunderbolt 3 features.

However, the reliability of this system can be a bit debatable only due to the common trade offs that the thin and light design comes with, such as the slight thermal throttling.

Acer Swift 5 Laptop

Buy for: Good battery life, good ports selection, 1080p matte multi-touch display.

Beware of: Small keyboard layout, clunky trackpad, bloatware.

Best uses for: Small businesses and office tasks, in classrooms, everyday computing tasks, basic gaming, web browsing.

The alternatives:

Design and Build

Every aspect of the system is carefully designed to provide maximum viewing pleasure and ultimate in performance. The stylish and slender design makes it ultimately portable.

The 14-inch screen produces images at 1920 x 1080 pixels providing a full HD viewing experience. Check out top 10 laptop brands.

Acer Swift 5 Laptop Display

The multi-touch widescreen LED-backlit display is one of the most prominent features of the design of this system.

It is due to the Cine Crystal In-plane Switching or IPS-Pro technology. The slim bezel design as well as the anti-glare touch display will be softer on your eyes even when you work on it for all day long.

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The charcoal blue system is built on a PC hardware platform. The build of the system is equally well-thought to keep its weight barely over 2 pounds, 2.14 pounds, to be precise.

The build of the cooling fans in the system is also better and ensures that it does not disrupt even under heavy workloads and keeps the interior of the machine cool.

Acer Swift 5 Cooling Fan

It is also high in usability due to the metal covers at the top and bottom. This makes it a stronger machine which is light enough to carry in a bag or use it on your lap in a coffee shop or while you are travelling in the tube.

The design and build of the touchpad are ultimate in precision that will ensure a smoother navigation, operation and performance of the device.

This makes this system an ideal and most reliable one for small businesses and a perfect tool to use in the classrooms.

Performance

The system promises a high level of performance on the go. Ideally, it is a solid system that will facilitate in performing the everyday tasks.

The narrow border and the Acer Color Intelligence technology of the screen of this machine will produce images with vivid details, more vibrant colors, and a better viewing from all angles.

Whether it is for watching a movie, visiting websites for online shopping or checking your accounts on social media platforms, the performance of the screen will be at the highest level to produce the best viewing experience.

The system comes with the latest 8th generation Intel Core i5-8250U processor. This processor performs at a high level to make your job easy and get it done quickly.

Operating at 1.6 GHZ, the four cores of the processors can even perform at a higher speed of 3.4 GHz using the Intel Turbo Boost technology.

The 8-hour-long battery will support the processor adequately so that you can perform your work most seamlessly.

The Intel UHD Graphics 620 integrated card will also support its performance to keep it high.

The images and graphics produced will look exceptionally good on the unique screen.

The Windows 10 Home operating system will provide a better operating experience to enjoy.

It will be complete with the Windows Hello support and the fingerprint reader support will also ensure a fast and secure operation that will not need any password for signing in.

The operating system also comes with Cortana, which is its voice compatibility.

In addition to that, the Skype-certified components will provide with an uninterrupted and better audio and video experience.

Benchmarks

CPU

The UserBenchmark is one of the most trustworthy, popular benchmarking sites of this time. The average bench score of this Intel Core i5-8250U processor is 60.1%.

A number of 1364 processors are considered by the technical experts of this benchmarking site; and among them, this Intel i5 processor has ranked at 532nd position, based on its performance.

From the gaming perspective, this processor has got a benchmark score of 60%. These benchmark scores are 64% and 47% for regular desktops and workstations respectively.

Acer Swift 5 Laptop cpu benchmark

GPU

The Acer Swift 5 comes with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620. As of 16th October 2022, the average bench score of this Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics chip is 4.83%.

The technical experts of this benchmarking site examined 688 graphics chips and among them, this GPU has ranked at 392nd position.

Acer Swift 5 Laptop gpu benchmark

RAM & Storage

The system comes with an onboard memory that operates at a speed of 3.4 GHz, but is not upgradeable.

The 8 GB LPDDR3 RAM, though not hi-fi, will support most of your everyday computing needs.

The 256 GB SSD storage of the laptop will offer adequate space and allow easy accessibility to the files and folders stored in it.

Ports & Connectivity

There are enough ports and sockets that will allow you to connect several different external devices.

Acer Swift 5 Ports

The list of the ports in this system include a USB 3.1 Type C Gen 1 port that can operate at a rate of 5 Gbps, one DisplayPort over the USB-C port, and two USB 3.0 ports.

One of these two USB 3.0 ports is meant for power-off charging. There is one HDMI port that comes with HDCP support as well.

When it comes to connectivity, the system ensures a stable and powerful one with its advanced 802.11ac wireless communication technology and standard of the Intel 7265 wi-fi card.

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The wi-fi communication standard features the 2×2 MU-MIMO technology and supports dual-band operating at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

The system will also allow you to use Bluetooth 4.0 which will enable you to connect several devices of your choice to it as well.

Battery Life

There is a 2-cell Lithium ion battery included in the system. This 4670 mAh battery has a life of 8 hours, good enough to allow you to perform your day’s work.

However, the system does not sustain USB-C charging. Therefore, you will need to use the AC adapter that comes in the package to recharge the battery.

Additional Features

The additional features of the machine will also attract your eyes.

Take a look at the audio system of this device that includes two stereo speakers built in the system. It comes with Acer True Harmony technology and supports Dolby Audio Premium Sound as well.

Acer Swift 5 Speaker

This will surround you with true and more realistic sound when you watch movies, or listen to music or play games on this system.

With thrilling loudness and clarity, the sound will feel powerful and pure to your ears. However, there is no bass in the speakers which could be a bit of a concern if you love that ‘boom-boom’ effect.

Then, take a look at the Acer Fingerprint Reader. This supports Windows Hello and will provide an extra bit of security and allow password-free login. However, few users think that this fingerprint reader could have been a bit better.

Acer Swift 5 Fingerprint Reader

The back-lit keyboard of the system also adds to the appeal of the machine, leaving aside the comfort and convenience in typing in the dark and dimly lit settings.

Acer Swift 5 Keyboard

The HD webcam is also a good feature added to the system that works in a much better way as compared to the other webcams of other systems.

Acer Swift 5 Webcam

It produces images at 1280 x 720 resolution which complements well with the 1920 x 1080 resolution of the screen when displayed on it.

The best aspect of this HD webcam is that it supports HDR or High Dynamic Range.

The system comes with a ‘domestic warranty’ provided by Acer. This means that it is applicable within the peripheries of the state from where the system is bought.

Therefore, if you are more concerned with local service, support and repairs, it is recommended that you buy the system from a store in your place of residence.

Acer also provides International Travelers Warranty. However, the International warranty is applicable for genuine travelers only.

Therefore, make sure that you read the terms and conditions of this type of warranty to know the limitations and FAQs related to ITW.

Specs:

  • Brand: Acer
  • Screen: 14 inches
  • Display: Full HD (1920 x 1080)
  • Storage: 256 GB
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • Storage Type: SSD
  • RAM Type: LPDDR3
  • Processor: 8th generation Intel Core i5-8250U
  • Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
  • Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz and up to 3.4 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost technology
  • Processor Brand: Intel
  • Product Dimensions: 12.95 x 8.98 x 0.59 inches
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Home

What Do Users Think About Acer Swift 5?

Users who want a lightweight system with a good enough battery life invariably choose this machine. They say that this system comes with everything they want in their laptops to have.

They specifically like the fact that they could easily swap the SSD according to their upgrading need. Check out Acer Swift 5 Manual.

Other users liked the fact that they could upgrade the Intel 7265 wi-fi card included in the system with an Intel 9260 network card. This improved the BT performance as well as the reception of the system.

Others said that the system is great in comparison to, and works at par, those laptops that come with an i7 processor, a 16 GB RAM, or dedicated graphics card. A good system for everyday tasks, this system provides them with high value in return.

The economical laptop with its 14-inch screen and good enough processor and operating system satisfied the computing demands of a lot of users.

Light in weight, they feel that this system is one that can sit comfortably in the higher brackets of laptops that comes with appealing looks, great style, useful features, and, most importantly, more affordable price.

The incredible touch screen along with the ability of the lid to flip all through and flat at 180 degrees were pleasant enough to some of the users.

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However, there are a few other users who have such high regards about the system. They felt that the laptop is good but not that impressive.

The battery life, they said, is much shorter than the advertised 8 hours, and dies after 5 to 6 hours of average use. But for the compact and lightweight adapter, it would have been impossible for them to work on it all day.

The keyboard annoyances and very faint lettering is hard to see for some users. If the ambient light is not bright enough, they often have to turn on the backlight of the keyboard often.

This also affects the battery life negatively. They felt that the system should come with an adjustable keyboard backlight feature, but unfortunately it does not.

Other users had mixed feelings about the system. Some of them said that the whistling fan noise annoyed them when they needed to work in a silent environment. When they capped the CPU usage to 80%, the functionality of the fan was not better either.

Some users felt that the screen was too glossy and needed a nonspecific matte screen protector.

There were other users who said that the keyboard is reflective and wished that it was made from the same material as the screen bezels to reduce this negative aspect of the keyboard, which is otherwise a good addition to the system design.

Our Testing & Analysis Report

Based on the UserBenchmark results, the CPU of the Acer Swift 5 laptop scored around 60% in both computing and gaming perspectives.

When our technical team ran the Cinebench R15 loop for about half an hour, they found that the performance of the CPU fluctuated while managing performance, heat, and throttling. The scores kept dropping over time.

As for the GPU, the 3DMark benchmarks showed relatively steady performance, hitting the standard benchmark equivalent of most laptops within the same range and specs.

It is certainly not built to handle demanding tasks or games and we experienced throttling issues when we tried them.

While typing, we found that the keyboard of this laptop is certainly not the best, having relatively short key travel, but allows fast typing with higher accuracy.

We also found that the keyboard layout could have been better, especially the small function keys were really difficult to manage.

However, we felt that the touchpad of our review unit was pretty responsive, smooth, inconspicuous, and large with the fingerprint reader located on the chassis and not on it.

According to the DeltaE 2000 color accuracy tool, when we tested the display, we found that it was quite accurate, rich, and crisp, covering around 97% and 63% of sRGB and AdobeRGB color space.

Finally, when we conducted the battery rundown test using BatteryEater we found that the system scored average rating even when the display is set to the lowest resolution, power is set in the saving mode, and the airplane mode is turned on.

It lasted for about 6 to 8 hours, depending on the tasks performed.

Questions & Answers:

Is the display of the Acer Swift 5 a touch screen panel?

Yes, this Acer laptop possesses a touch screen panel.

Does the Acer Swift 5 support an active pen?

No, this laptop is only compatible with capacitive pens.

Is the Acer Swift 5 good for gaming?

No, as the GPU section of this laptop is weak, you can’t use it for playing HD games. But some casual, basic level games can be played on this device.

Does the Acer Swift 5 come with a backlit keyboard?

The keyboard of the Acer Swift 5 has a backlit facility.

About Puja Chatterjee

AvatarPuja Chatterjee, a distinguished technical writer, boasts an extensive and nuanced understanding of computer technology. She is an esteemed graduate of the Bengal Institute of Management Studies (BIMS), where she honed her skills and knowledge in the tech domain. Over the span of more than 12 years, Puja has developed a deep expertise that encompasses not only technology writing, where she articulates complex technical concepts with clarity and precision, but also in the realm of client relationship management. Her experience in this area is characterized by her ability to effectively communicate and engage with clients, ensuring their needs are met with the highest level of professionalism and understanding of their technical requirements. Puja's career is marked by a commitment to excellence in both written communication within the tech industry and fostering strong, productive relationships with clients.

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Puja Chatterjee
Puja Chatterjee, a distinguished technical writer, boasts an extensive and nuanced understanding of computer technology. She is an esteemed graduate of the Bengal Institute of Management Studies (BIMS), where she honed her skills and knowledge in the tech domain. Over the span of more than 12 years, Puja has developed a deep expertise that encompasses not only technology writing, where she articulates complex technical concepts with clarity and precision, but also in the realm of client relationship management. Her experience in this area is characterized by her ability to effectively communicate and engage with clients, ensuring their needs are met with the highest level of professionalism and understanding of their technical requirements. Puja's career is marked by a commitment to excellence in both written communication within the tech industry and fostering strong, productive relationships with clients.
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