Acer Swift 3 (2022)
| Manufacturer | Acer |
|---|---|
| Product family | Swift |
| Release date | January 2022 |
| Introductory price | USD 800 to 1200 |
| Discontinued | No |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-12500H Intel Core i7-12700H |
| Memory | 8 or 16 GB LPDDR5 SDRAM (soldered) |
| Memory slots | None (soldered) |
| Storage | 512 GB or 1 TB PCIe Gen. 4 x4 NVMe SSD |
| Storage slots | 1 user accessible |
| Display | Screen size: 14 inch Panel type: OLED Coating: Glossy Resolution: 2880 x 1800 PPI: 243 Aspect ratio: 16:10 Refresh rate: 90 Hz Brightness: 393 Nits Contrast Ratio |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs |
| Sound | 2 x stereo speakers |
| Camera | Front: 1080p with dual microphone |
| Touchpad | Plastic, 4.13 inches (10.5 cm) x 2.56 inches (6.5 cm) |
| Connectivity | Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675i 160MHz Bluetooth 5.2 2 x USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1 (Type-A) 2 x USB 4.0 (Thunderbolt 4, 40 Gbps) 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack |
| Dimensions | W: 12.7 inches (32 cm) D: 8.4 inches (21 cm) H: 0.63 inches (1.6 cm) |
| Mass | 2.65 pounds (1.20 kg) |
| Power brick | 100W USB-C power adapter |
| Battery | 56 Wh Li-Ion |
| Keyboard | White backlit |
| Chassis | Color: Gray Materials: Aluminum chassis Cooling: Single fan |
| Number pad | No |
| Fingerprint reader | Yes, integrated into power button |
| Facial recognition | No |
| Predecessor | Acer Swift 3 (2021) |
| Website | Acer |
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The Acer Swift 3 (2022) is a mid-range ultraportable laptop designed for users seeking a balance of performance and portability. It features Intel's 12th Gen H-series processors and a high-resolution OLED display, making it suitable for a variety of tasks from productivity to media consumption.[1]
Primary Hardware
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Processor
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) can be configured with the following processors[1]:
- Intel Core i5-12500H with 12 cores (4 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 16 threads, 18 MB cache and a max frequency of 4.5 Ghz for P-cores and 3.3 Ghz for E-cores.
- Intel Core i7-12700H with 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores) and 20 threads, 24 MB cache and max frequency of 4.7 Ghz for P-cores and 3.5 Ghz for E-cores.
The Intel Core i5-12500H processor in the Swift 3 is based on the Alder Lake-P chip and offers a good balance of performance and efficiency. It performs well in benchmarks, often surpassing competitors with similar configurations. The Core i7-12700H variant provides even higher performance, suitable for more demanding tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering.[2][3]
However, the CPU performance can throttle under extended load, which may affect performance during prolonged intensive tasks.[3]
Benchmarks:
- Geekbench 5:
- i5-12500H: ~1658 pts (single-core), ~10029 pts (multi-core)[3]
- Cinebench R23:
- i5-12500H: ~1724 pts (single-core), ~10161 pts (multi-core)[3]
- Cinebench R20:
- i5-12500H: ~5079 pts (multi-core)[2]
- HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2:
- i5-12500H: ~15.1 fps (4k Preset)[2]
Graphics
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) comes with integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs.[1]
The integrated graphics are suitable for light productivity tasks and casual gaming but struggle with more demanding workloads, such as modern gaming or intensive graphical applications. Performance drops by only around 5% in battery mode.[2][3]
Benchmarks:
- 3DMark Performance Rating: ~38.8 pts[2]
- 3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance GPU: ~5771 pts[2]
- 3DMark Fire Strike Score: ~4391 pts[2]
- 3DMark Time Spy Score: ~1560 pts[2]
- Basemark GPU: ~12070 pts[3]
- Gaming Performance:
Memory
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) is equipped with either 8 GB or 16 GB LPDDR5 SDRAM, soldered onto the motherboard, making it non-upgradeable.[1]
The system performance is good, with the laptop outperforming many competitors in most benchmarks. However, the soldered RAM limits upgrade options.[2][3]
Benchmarks:
Storage
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) can be configured with either a 512 GB or 1 TB PCIe Gen. 4 x4 NVMe SSD.[1]
The installed SSDs show fast transfer speeds overall, but high write access times. Continuous performance drops significantly after sustained use, which may affect large file transfers.[2][3]
Benchmarks:
- CrystalDiskMark 5/6:
- AS SSD Score Total: ~5089 pts[2]
- DiskSpd:
- Sequential Write Speed: ~1528.3 MB/s[3]
- Sequential Read Speed: ~2798.9 MB/s[3]
- Random Write Speed: ~163.4 MB/s[3]
- Random Read Speed: ~64.2 MB/s[3]
Co-processors
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) does not include any dedicated co-processors.[1]
Input Devices
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Keyboard
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) features a chiclet-style keyboard with a spacious layout and short key travel. The keys offer a solid typing experience with distinct actuation points. The keyboard is backlit with white lighting, and special functions are available via the F1 to F11 keys.[2][3]
The typing experience is comfortable for short to medium sessions but can be tiring over extended periods due to the short travel. The keys provide relatively satisfying tactile feedback, and typing noise is very low, making it suitable for quiet environments.[3]
Touchpad
The touchpad on the Acer Swift 3 (2022) measures 4.13 inches (10.5 cm) x 2.56 inches (6.5 cm) and is made of plastic.[2]
The touchpad has good gliding properties and supports multi-touch gestures for an overall good user experience. However, its small size can hinder long-distance actions, and the clicking mechanism is not particularly satisfying.[2][3]
Webcam
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) comes with a 1080p webcam.[1]
The webcam provides great image quality with detailed and colorful output, though it can be slightly overexposed in bright conditions. However, the color fidelity leaves much to be desired, and there is no camera shutter, which may be a concern for privacy-conscious users.[2][3]
Microphone
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) includes a dual microphone array.[1]
The microphone captures voices clearly but has a slight buzzing noise due to the high noise floor. It is good for video calls, but background noise may be picked up.[3]
Output Devices
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Display
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) features a 14-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels and a 90 Hz refresh rate.[1]
The OLED panel offers perfect blacks and high color accuracy, covering the color spaces P3, sRGB, and AdobeRGB 1998 almost in their entirety. The glossy surface can introduce glare, making it better suited for indoor use. The display is suitable for professional media creators, although the increased color deviation ex-factory (DeltaE=3.5) can be significantly improved through calibration (DeltaE=2.1).[2][3]
Benchmarks:
- Maximum Brightness: ~393 cd/m²[2]
- Contrast Ratio: ~13414:1[2]
- ΔE Color: ~3.51 (calibrated: 2.11)[2]
- Gamma: ~2.16[2]
- Brightness: Maximum ~392 cd/m², Minimum ~18 cd/m²[3]
- Contrast Ratio: ~99,130:1[3]
- Color Gamut:
Audio
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) is equipped with stereo speakers.[1]
The speakers can play relatively loud (up to 84 dB) but have almost no bass. Mids and treble are relatively balanced and linear, making them suitable for casual listening but not for audiophiles. The sound can be slightly unnatural at maximum volume.[2][3]
Benchmarks:
- Max Volume: ~76 dB SPL[3]
Connectivity
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WiFi
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) comes with a Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675i 160MHz Wireless Network Adapter.[1]
The performance is good, but it occasionally dips compared to other devices with the same module. Users will not be limited during video streaming or web browsing.[2][3]
Bluetooth
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) includes Bluetooth 5.2.[1]
SD Card Reader
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) does not include an SD card reader.[1]
USB
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) is equipped with the following USB ports[1]:
- 2 x USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1 (Type-A)
- 2 x USB 4.0 (Thunderbolt 4, 40 Gbps)
- 1 x HDMI 2.1
- 1 x 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack
The port selection is very good and all ports are easy to reach. There is no card reader, which may be a drawback for some users.[2][3]
Display Outputs
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) includes the following display outputs[1]:
- 1 x HDMI 2.1
- 2 x DisplayPort (via USB-C/Thunderbolt 4)
The display outputs are versatile, allowing for multiple external display connections.[2][3]
Case
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The Acer Swift 3 (2022) features a gray aluminum chassis.[1]
The device feels good in the hand and leaves a premium impression thanks to its excellent build quality. The two hinges hold the display firmly in place, although opening the display with one hand is quite difficult due to their stiffness. The laptop has a simple design with a mix of metal and plastic, featuring thin bezels and a silver-color chassis. The build quality is solid, with some flex in the display and keyboard deck, but overall feels sturdy and well-constructed.[2][3]
Maintenance
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The bottom panel of the Acer Swift 3 (2022) is held on by ten tiny Torx screws. The RAM is soldered, limiting upgrade options, but there is one slot for an M.2 SSD available. The battery is not glued in and thus replaceable.[2][3]
Cooling System
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The Acer Swift 3 (2022) is equipped with a single fan cooling system.[1]
The laptop remains silent during idle and produces up to 40 dB(A) under load. The cooling system is efficient, keeping temperatures in check during demanding tasks. The device is significantly quieter compared to many devices in the comparison, making it a pleasant companion for quiet environments.[2][3]
Benchmarks:
Heat
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) has a low idle temperature, while the average under load is 36 °C (96.8 °F). The center and top left corner hot spots can reach up to 45 °C (113 °F). The keyboard gets warm under load but remains comfortable for use.[2][3]
Benchmarks:
Energy Management
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Power Consumption=== Power Consumption
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) ships with a 100W USB-C power adapter.[1]
The average power draw rises to 45 watts under load, which is good comparatively, and peaks at up to 97 watts. However, the peak value is only maintained for a very short time before falling and stabilizing at just above 60 watts.[2][3]
Battery Life
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) is equipped with a 56 Wh Lithium-Ion battery.[1]
The battery life is not impressive, with just above 5 hours in Wi-Fi runtime. Under load, the display shuts off after just a little more than an hour. Reviews confirm that the battery life is below average for ultraportable laptops.[2][3]
Benchmarks:
- WiFi Websurfing: ~5h 12min[2]
- WiFi Websurfing max. Brightness: ~4h 52min[2]
- Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p: ~7h 06min[2]
- Load (maximum brightness): ~1h 06min[2]
- Battery Life (Web Browsing): ~6.5 hrs[3]
- Battery Life (Video Playback): ~6.1 hrs[3]
- Battery Life (Gaming): ~1.8 hrs[3]
- Charge Time: ~1.9 hrs[3]
Biometrics
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The Acer Swift 3 (2022) includes a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button.[1]
The fingerprint sensor is a convenient feature for quick logins and adds a layer of security. It is quick and reliable, enhancing the overall user experience.[2][3]
Software
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All SKUs ship with Windows 11 Home, but the laptop can be upgraded to Windows 11 Pro, either manually or when buying directly from Acer.[1]
Preinstalled Software
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) comes with standard Windows applications and drivers. It also includes Acer Configuration Manager, DTS Audio Processing, Norton Antivirus, PhotoDirector, PowerDirector, and a link to ExpressVPN.[3]
Linux Support
The device may have limited support for Linux distributions, depending on the hardware compatibility.[3]
Accessories & Warranty
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The Acer Swift 3 (2022) comes with a 100W USB-C power adapter and paperwork.[2]
There is a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.[2]
Reviews Summary
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Overall Sentiment
The Acer Swift 3 (2022) is considered a solid ultraportable laptop with a good balance of performance and portability. It is praised for its high-resolution OLED display, strong CPU performance, and good build quality. However, the battery life is a significant drawback, and the lack of a dedicated GPU limits its suitability for gaming or graphics-intensive tasks.[2][3]
Problems Summary[2][3]
- Soldered RAM limits upgradeability.
- No SD card reader.
- Battery life is below average for ultraportable laptops.
- Glossy display surface can introduce glare.
- Slight buzzing noise in the microphone due to high noise floor.
- Color fidelity of the webcam leaves much to be desired.
- Small touchpad size can hinder long-distance actions.
- Clicking mechanism of the touchpad is not particularly satisfying.
Links
i5-12500H, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD: NotebookCheck
i5-12500H, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: RTINGS
Community Reception
Overall Sentiment
Problems Summary
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 "Acer Swift 3 (2022) Specifications". Acer.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 2.34 2.35 2.36 2.37 2.38 2.39 2.40 2.41 2.42 2.43 2.44 2.45 "Acer Swift 3 SF314-71-56U3 Review". NotebookCheck.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.34 3.35 3.36 3.37 3.38 3.39 3.40 3.41 3.42 3.43 3.44 3.45 3.46 3.47 3.48 3.49 3.50 "Acer Swift 3 14 (2022) Review". RTINGS.