Acer Swift Air 14 wants to be the MacBook Neo of Windows laptops at $699

The Swift Air 14 is powered by Intel Core Series 3 “Wildcat Lake” processors.

Acer Swift Air 14 laptop — Image via Acer

It’s safe to say that the MacBook Neo has helped establish a new standard for budget-friendly laptops, and mainstream PC manufacturers are now trying to catch up by introducing Windows-based alternatives. One of the latest budget laptops aiming to compete with Apple’s MacBook Neo is the Acer Swift Air 14.

The Swift Air 14 is Acer’s new lightweight, slim laptop, designed to rival the MacBook Neo with similar specifications and a premium build. The device features a 14-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 1,920 × 1,200 resolution, and 350 nits of brightness. It weighs 2.76 pounds (1.25 kg), which is nearly identical to the MacBook Neo, although Acer’s laptop is slightly thicker at 12.9 mm.

In terms of hardware, the Acer Swift Air 14 is powered by Intel Core Series 3 processors, available in both Core 5 and Core 7 configurations. The base model comes with 8GB of RAM, while higher-end versions offer up to 16GB. Storage options include a 512GB M.2 SSD, which can be expanded to 1TB. Acer says the Swift Air 14 will start at $699 and is expected to hit store shelves in the coming months.

Similar to the MacBook Neo, Acer has not compromised on build quality despite launching an affordable product. The Swift Air 14 features an aluminum chassis for a more premium feel and is available in Sage Green, Frost Blue, Blossom Pink, and Lilac Purple. The laptop is also equipped with a 70Wh three-cell Li-ion battery that promises up to 19 hours of video playback. In terms of connectivity, it includes two USB Type-C ports, one USB 3.2 Type-A port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Acer has also introduced a 2-in-1 variant called the Swift Spin 14 AI. This model offers more powerful hardware, including an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The Swift Spin 14 AI features a 14-inch display with a 360-degree hinge, 120Hz refresh rate, and 300 nits of brightness. It also includes a fingerprint reader for biometric authentication. Acer has yet to announce the device's pricing.