Windows in a small frame
IT IS difficult to believe that the Acer Swift 7 is a full-fledged laptop PC. At only 9.98mm thin when closed, it is a wonder how they managed to fit a Windows computer in such a tiny frame. Encased in aluminium, the Swift 7’s build certainly screams quality, but like any good laptop, it is more than just looks.
Portability is one of the Swift 7’s fortes. Weighing in at only 1.13kg, it is easy to carry around despite its wide dimensions.
In my hands, it feels like I’m carrying around a rigid aluminium file folder, one that is strikingly black and gold.
Within the slim exterior is the latest Intel Core i5 (7th Gen) 7Y54 processor that is paired with 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of solid state storage.
Powered by a 2770mAh battery, the whole package makes for a competent productivity PC, perfect for word processors, spreadsheets, presentation, and some online browsing while on the go. In this case, the battery could last for around seven hours.
It is not an impressive performer, however. We are rather disappointed with the quality of the keyboard, which is nowhere as good as the rest of the device. It feels cheap, and it lacks a backlight.
The touchpad, on the other hand, is smooth and spacious. But in our opinion, it is a little too wide. We often find it misbehaving only to realise that it is because our palms are resting on the wide touchpad. Still we cannot resist using the Swift 7 as a media PC. It has a beautiful 13.3in Full HD CineCrystal In-plane Switching (IPS) Technology display and for audio, Dolby Audio Premium coupled with Acer TrueHarmony. Movies and TV shows look good and sound impressive. However, this comes at the cost of battery life, and there is no touch options for the display. When reaching for the charger, we realise how few ports there are on the Acer Swift 7. There are only three: one audio port, and two USB-C ports – one of which is used for charging. The USB-C to USB and USB-C to HDMI dongles that come with the Swift 7 are of no consolation. To make up for the lack of physical connectivity options, the Swift 7 features 2x2 802.11ac wireless with MU-MIMO technology. This translates to impressive WiFi range and performance. While charging the device, we are surprised at how hot it can get. In two instances: during the initial setup and while playing media files, the spot underneath the Swift 7 (between the hinges where the battery would be) becomes so hot that it is painful to the touch.
Putting form over function is not always a bad thing and in the case of Acer Swift 7, we feel it has found a good balance.
Despite its shortcomings, it is still a very attractive, reliable, and portable laptop, a distinction that few others have.
Its price tag is also close to what is expected, at RM4,999.
If it had a better backlit keyboard, a touchscreen, and perhaps the ability to fold over and become a convertible device, it would have fared a little better.