Acer introduced two new laptops from the AMD Ryzen 8040 series on Tuesday. These laptops, the 2024 Acer Swift Edge 16 and Swift Go 14, are being positioned by the company as AI workhorses due to their chips’ dedicated neural processing units (NPU). Featuring OLED displays, Radeon 780M graphics, and 32GB of RAM, these Windows 11 machines are designed to cater to AI-related tasks effectively.
The Ryzen 8040 chip series, unveiled in December, boasts a specialized AI Engine that AMD claims can deliver up to 1.4 times faster performance compared to its predecessors in tasks like Llama 2 and AI vision models. Acer plans to leverage the NPU in the Swift Edge 16 and Swift Go 14 for AI-centric functions such as PurifiedVoice (eliminating background noise in calls and recordings) and PurifiedView (enhancing images by blurring backgrounds and adjusting eye positioning in video calls).
Like many new Windows devices, these laptops come equipped with a dedicated Microsoft Copilot button on their keyboards for quick AI queries similar to ChatGPT. Utilizing Microsoft and OpenAI’s servers via the cloud, Copilot enhances user interactions without solely relying on the devices’ on-device NPU.
Both laptops are integrated with Microsoft’s Pluton security co-processor, a feature introduced in 2020 in collaboration with AMD and Intel. This security measure is embedded directly into the processor to safeguard credentials, encryption keys, and personal data from potential cyber threats.
Acer Swift Edge 16
Acer promotes the Acer Swift Edge 16 as a device that prioritizes performance without compromising on portability. Featuring a 16-inch OLED panel with WQXGA resolution, a 120Hz frame rate, and swift response time, this model ensures vibrant visuals with high color accuracy. The laptop is powered by a Ryzen 7 8840U processor, AMD Radeon 780M graphics, up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6E, and the device is lightweight at 2.71 lbs with a slim profile of 12.95mm. It boasts a magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis, a 54 Wh battery, and various ports including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and a microSD slot.
Acer Swift Go 14
In contrast, the Acer Swift Go 14 is the smaller variant, featuring up to an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS octa-core processor with AMD Radeon 780M graphics. Configurations range from Ryzen 7 8845HS to Ryzen 5 8645HS for more budget-friendly options. With up to 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, this model offers powerful performance in a compact design. The 14-inch variant provides an OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, while an alternative version offers a touchscreen-enabled IPS panel. The device’s hinge allows for a 180-degree extension, and it includes a larger glass trackpad compared to its predecessor. Weighing 2.91 lbs, the Swift Go 14 is slightly heavier than the Edge 16 and comes with either a 65 or 50 Wh battery. It features Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and includes ports like USB-C, HDMI, and a microSD slot.
Pricing and Availability
The Acer Swift Edge 16 is set to launch in North America in March, starting at \(1,300, while the Swift Go 14 will follow in April, starting at \)700. Acer has not yet disclosed detailed pricing for different configurations beyond the base models.
