a day ago
Acer Swift Lite 14 review: Style, portability, and a keyboard that might test your patience
When I first lifted the Acer Swift Lite 14 out of the box, it didn't feel like a laptop, rather felt like someone forgot to put the battery in. At just 1.1 kg, it's so light that I started wondering if it can actually handle a full workday or if it's just here for show.
I've spent the last month dragging it through my routine. Writing marathons, endless tabs, photo tweaks, late-night Netflix binges, and while it's not without quirks (that keyboard layout could start a small war), it's a portable machine that actually delivers on more than just good looks.
This isn't your 'throw it on a desk and forget about it' kind of laptop, it's the one you'll actually want to carry around. But whether it's the right pick for you depends on how much you type, how often you charge, and whether you're ready to forgive a few design choices in exchange for all that portability.
I got the Swift Lite 14 in a Sunset Copper finish, that manages to look elegant without screaming for attention. The muted tone gives it a distinct identity compared to the usual greys and silvers in the ultrabook crowd. At 1.1 kg, it's one of those laptops you forget is in your backpack, until you actually need it.
Build quality is solid for its class. Both the lid and keyboard deck have minimal flex, which is impressive given how thin it is. The hinge feels well-balanced, opening easily but staying steady at your chosen angle. It's a device that feels travel-ready without the anxiety that comes with some ultraslim designs.
The 14-inch WUXGA OLED display delivers what you'd expect: sharp details, deep blacks, and vibrant colours. It's not overly dazzling during work sessions, fighting with spreadsheets and documents don't exactly demand cinematic visuals, but fire up some streaming content, and it's a different story. The contrast and richness are instantly noticeable.
The 16:10 aspect ratio gives you a bit more room for documents and web pages, which is a blessing if you're glued to your laptop for long hours like me. Brightness holds up indoors and in shaded outdoor spots, though direct sunlight is still a challenge.
Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U, the Swift Lite 14 has no trouble keeping up with day-to-day office work, browsing, video calls, and light photo editing. It stays quiet most of the time, with fan noise barely noticeable unless the room is silent. Even then, it's a gentle hum.
Thermals are well-managed too. The chassis gets warm during extended use, especially on your lap, but never crosses into uncomfortable territory. This is not a machine for heavy video editing or gaming, but for general productivity, it's fast and fuss-free.
Acer claims longer endurance, but in my real-world use, I averaged around 5 hours with Wi-Fi on and brightness at a comfortable level. That's good enough for short outings or meetings but won't see you through a full workday without topping up.
Charging with the included 65W USB-C charger takes about an hour. Both USB-C ports support charging and display out, but it refused to charge with a 100W third-party charger or a 65W power bank. This is something to keep in mind if you rely on multi-device charging setups.
The backlit keyboard has a comfortable key feel, but the layout is baffling. A smaller Shift key, an integrated number pad on a 14-inch deck, and an always-inviting Copilot key lead to accidental presses. Switching between letters and numbers mid-flow is a constant interruption. If typing is a big part of your day, this will test your patience.
The plastic trackpad is responsive and well-sized, but at this price, a glass surface would've made the experience feel more premium.
The speakers are fine for casual listening, calls, and videos, though I did face occasional issues when pairing with TWS earbuds. Sometimes there was no output until I reconnected. The FHD webcam works well in all lighting conditions and benefits from AI noise cancellation, keeping background distractions out of your calls.
You get Windows 11 Home, a year of Microsoft Office, and some preloaded Acer utilities. Less welcome is the random bloatware. Seeing and agoda preinstalled was a surprise on a laptop in this category.
Despite having Intel's NPU, I didn't notice any obvious AI features in daily use.
This laptop is best suited for students, professionals, and travellers who prioritise portability, design, and a good display over raw horsepower. Coders who value mobility will also find it appealing.
It's not for creators, gamers, or anyone who writes all day and values an intuitive keyboard layout.
