Fifty years ago I learned something important: the weight of your backpack mattered and, as I;’ve gotten older and more accustomed to carrying a portable computer with me literally everywhere I go,that axion has become more evident
With that in mind, I set about to review Acer’s new Swift 7 thin and light notebook Right off the top, while it may haVE a few some shortcomings, it's a welcome addition to my backpack’s padded pocket because it's absolutely the thinnest and lightest Windows notebook I’ve ever tested. And its usability is off the charts. The specs first. Swift 7 has a 14inch 1920 bt 1080 pixel edge to edge screen, an Intel1.5 Ghz i7 processor,nIntel uhd615 graphics, a 512 GBPCIe ssd and 16GB of PDDR2 Ram.
The operating System is Windows10 Home.bUT acer preloads its Swift 7 with a couple of entertainment/./graphics oriented programs not found in other Windows 10 based computers.
Its measurements are 7.51 by 12.52 by 39 inches and it weighs a feather light 2.45 pounds with its charger and USB Hub.
Its size and weight make this the lightest and thinnest notebook I've ever reviewed.
The simple truth of the SWift 7 is this: it could be a reference design for all future thin and light notebooks, providing Acer incorporates a few basic changes. Foremost on my list of things I want TO SEE changed is its webcam, which pops up from the left hand side of the case.In the era of Zoom, self contained camera placement -- and most of all fuLL FAcial images are critically important,
Soi the question is this: what’s it like to use?
The short answer is: I ‘m very surprised. Its performance could be better, but for my basic usage (word processing with Google Docs, displaying quarter sectional maps of western goldfields and previewing p[hotos, it's much more than enough.
Open the swift 7. One of the first things you notice is its appx six-inch long trackpad. Thankfully Acer uses a clickable precision trackpad on its newest version Swift 7, which improves the usability of this portable and nixes my need to carry a mouse pointer in my bookbag.
Swift 7’s fit and finish is remarkable. It's sturdy, and there's virtually no flex in the case or keyboard-- which surprised me since I’m a very heavy handed typist.
Like a handful of other lightweight notebooks, Acer’s SWift 7 uses heat piping technology, not a fan, to dissipate heat. Although there are a couple of hot spots on the case none were overly toasty.
I’m really impressed with the Swift 7’s nine-hour battery life which is more than enough to provide all day use as I report, interview and collect facts in the goldfields of California,
The 802.11 a c wifi is well above average and allows me to stay internet connected via tethering without difficulty;
Supplied to me by Acer for the purpose of this review, an identical Acer Swift 7 can be purchased through Amazon for slightly less than $1,700. My reaction is straightforward with no significant caveats. If you need a thin, lightweight. portable with a near transoceanic battery life, look no further than the Swift . it’s sturdy, reliable and hass the basic performance you’ll need for almost all applications
And now I return to interviewing gold prospectors far off the beaten path in the sunny California Goldfields..-- Jim Forbers on 17 August 2020.
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