Acer Swift 3x review
The Acer Acer Swift 3x ranks as the #603 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 68. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #8-ranked features among 777 laptops. Consider the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex or Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Acer Swift 3x is a laptop that packs Intel's dedicated GPU, the Iris Xe Max, for the first time in 20 years. While this technology has potential benefits like improved transcoding and streaming performance, its actual impact is modest unless specific applications utilize it. For $1200, buyers may be disappointed if they expect a significant boost in everyday tasks or gaming performance. The laptop's build quality and display also fall short of competitors. Unless you're a content creator who needs the Iris Xe Max for transcoding, this might not be the best value.
Build
The Acer Swift 3x's build quality is a mixed bag. The keyboard is comfortable to type on with good tactile feedback, but the deck feels squishy. The touchpad is also inaccurate despite using Windows Precision drivers. The display is a 1080p panel that fails to match the screen brightness and color accuracy of its competitors, including the MacBook Air, which costs the same. The webcam is only 720p and doesn't deliver great image quality. However, the laptop's port selection is generous with multiple USB ports, an HDMI port, and a Thunderbolt 4 port. For an improved build, Acer TravelMate Spin P4 is worth considering.
Display
The display on the Acer Swift 3x is an 1080p panel that's decent but unremarkable. It lacks brightness and color accuracy compared to its MacBook Air counterpart, which costs the same. While it's not a bad display by any means, it falls short of what's expected at this price point. The webcam is also just 720p, which is disappointing given the importance of good video quality for remote work and online interactions. Overall, the display is a mixed bag that doesn't quite live up to expectations. You might want to check out Acer Spin 7, featuring an upgraded display for a superior experience.
Performance
The Acer Swift 3x boasts Intel's first dedicated GPU in laptops after two decades. This Iris Xe Max chip works alongside the integrated GPU for enhanced performance in specific applications like Adobe Photoshop and transcoding. While gaming results vary, some games show a 10fps increase. Transcoding is significantly sped up with both GPUs working together, reducing time by almost 25%. However, raw performance gains from the dedicated GPU are modest, but Intel's Deep Link technology can provide substantial boosts when utilized in compatible applications. Take a look at Acer Chromebook Spin 713 - its improved performance sets a new standard.
Battery and Charging
The battery life is underwhelming, lasting around 5 hours despite Acer's claim of 17 hours. The 57Wh battery struggles to power the laptop throughout the day. Charging time is also lengthy, taking a while to top up. Given the competitive price point, it's surprising that Acer couldn't deliver better performance in this area.
Connectivity
The Acer Swift 3x boasts an impressive array of ports, including HDMI, USB, Thunderbolt 4, and an audio jack. This generous connectivity options make it ideal for multitasking and streaming, with the Iris Xe chip handling tasks like streaming at 60fps without dropping a frame. It’s worth checking out Acer TravelMate Spin P4, delivering remarkable connectivity.
Features
The Acer Swift 3x boasts Intel's first dedicated GPU in laptops, featuring an Iris Xe Max chip that works in tandem with the integrated GPU. This setup provides better performance in certain applications, but gaming results vary. Transcoding and streaming are significantly improved, making it a great option for creators and streamers. Give Acer TravelMate Spin P4 a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled features.
Support and Maintenance
The Acer Swift 3x's performance is hindered by outdated drivers, which likely contribute to its mediocre battery life of around 5 hours. This is disappointing, given the laptop's high price point and competitor laptops' superior battery life. Furthermore, some applications fail to utilize Intel's Deep Link technology, negating the benefits of the dedicated GPU. Overall, this suggests a lack of adequate support and maintenance for the device, which should be addressed before making a purchase.
Pros
1. The dedicated GPU works well with integrated GPU to provide better performance
2. Tons of ports, including HDMI, USB, and Thunderbolt 4
3. This laptop can handle streaming at 1080p at 60 FPS without dropping frames
4. Heat management is great, with minimal overheating
5. Iris XC Max provides a good performance increase in applications that utilize it properly
6. Transcoding and rendering tasks are significantly faster with both GPUs working together
7. This laptop has tons of ports, including HDMI, USB, and Thunderbolt 4
8. The keyboard is very comfortable to type on
9. It's great for actual streaming, thanks to its Iris XC Max GPU
Cons
1. The build quality and materials used are not in line with the competition
2. The deck feels squishy, and the touchpad is inaccurate
3. The display is only 1080p, which is not ideal at this price point
4. It doesn't come close to the screen brightness or color accuracy of a MacBook Air at the same price
5. The webcam is only 720p, which is not great for working from home
6. Fan noise can be very loud when in performance mode
7. Battery life is limited, with around 5 hours of use before needing to charge (advertised as 17 hours)
8. Not much of a performance increase compared to the standard Iris XC GPU
9. The price point is high at $1200, considering it's not a gaming laptop
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