Acer has updated its Swift X range of laptops for 2022 with new components, including Intel’s new Arc graphics chip, with both announced at CES 2022.
With GeForce RTX or Arc graphics, 12th-gen Intel chips and new displays, the laptops are aimed at students studying design and creative workers. Acer says they feature “an arsenal of thermal solutions, essential ports, and a display that’s made for makers.”
It’s the larger 16in Swift X (SFX16-52G) that’s most interesting because it will be one of the first laptops to arrive with Intel Arc graphics. This is Intel taking on Nvidia and AMD with its own graphics chip which will support the likes of mesh shading, real-time ray tracing, AI supersampling and 4K video upscaling.
This is complemented by a 12th-generation Intel Core processor with up to 14 cores. The all-metal Swift X comes in at 1.7kg and a dual-fan design incorporating “a stereo ring with inclined plane on the fan top” to improve airflow. Helping with cooling is dual copper heat pipes, a larger side exhaust, and an inlet keyboard which can expel up to 10% more air than one without.
The large 16in screen moves to a 16:10 aspect ratio and offers up to a 2560×1600 resolution, complete with 400 nits of max brightness and 100% sRGB coverage. It also has Acer BluelightShield for more comfortable viewing, as well as Acer ExaColor and Color Intelligence for more vibrant colours.
As promised, there are loads of ports with two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports (including Thunderbolt 4 support), two USB 3.2 Type-A ports and HDMI 2.0. There’s also a fingerprint scanner.
The 14in Swift X for 2022 (SFX14-51G) has also been fitted with the latest Intel processors but goes with Nvidia GeForce graphics – either RTX 3050 or RTX 3050 Ti. It also has a 16:10 screen with 100% sRGB but at a lower 300 nit brightness.
Both laptops come with Windows 11, up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB SSDs. Other specs include Full HD webcams and Wi-Fi 6E.
They will arrive in late February or March priced from £999 for the 14in and £1,099 for the 16in. US availability is yet to be revealed.
Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition
Acer also announced a special National Geographic edition of the Aspire Vero we recently reviewed. It incorporates design elements to represent planet Earth and each purchase supports the National Geographic Society.
The Vero is a specifically eco-friendly laptop with 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic throughout its chassis, 50% PCR in its keycaps. It’s also easy to upgrade the RAM and SSD as the bottom can be removed.
Furthermore, the recycled packaging can be reused with a section able to be folded into a laptop stand. The Acer Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition will arrive in March priced at €899 (approx. £670), with US availability still to be confirmed.