ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Execs: Beautiful show, huge haptic trackpad doubles as a drawing floor, battery lasts lengthy
- Cons: Poor webcam high quality, bigger trackpad has usability points
Observe ZDNET: Add us as a most well-liked supply on Google.
Final 12 months, Acer’s Swift 16 AI was probably the greatest laptops I examined. It was a sleeper hit: a strong bang-for-buck possibility with a improbable battery and a beautiful show that regarded much more costly than it’s (on sale proper now for round $900).
The 2026 refresh of the Acer Swift 16 AI holds the identical place within the lineup as a premium 16-inch, however to provide it a novel id, Acer added just a few completely different design parts that push it additional into “made-for-creatives” territory — most notably, the soccer field-sized trackpad that additionally serves as a drawing floor with the included stylus.
Additionally: Dell XPS 14 (2026) evaluate: A Home windows laptop computer I would not thoughts returning to from Mac
However in attempting to make this laptop computer stand out within the crowded mid-range value level, is Acer attempting to repair one thing that wasn’t damaged to start with?
Finest laptop computer offers of the week
Offers are chosen by the CNET Group commerce crew, and could also be unrelated to this text.
Go huge or go dwelling
The 2026 Acer Swift 16 AI is without doubt one of the first new Panther Lake laptops of the 12 months, armed with the Intel Core Extremely X7 or X9 processor — the “X” designating the built-in Intel Arc GPU. My evaluate unit had the Intel Core Extremely X7 Sequence 358H, 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD.
Let’s tackle the elephant within the room: the monumental trackpad. Measuring seven inches by 4.5 inches (8.15 inches diagonally), it takes up a lot room on the clamshell that it virtually does not appear to be a trackpad. That is true, partly, as it is also a drawing floor with the included stylus.
Acer says it is the world’s largest haptic trackpad, and I am inclined to consider it. Product of Corning Gorilla Glass, it is easy and responsive, with distinctive suggestions and help for MPP 2.5 tilt-enabled styli. It is a formidable feat of engineering to have a haptic touchpad this huge really feel so well-designed.
That mentioned, I am not completely positive why Acer determined to provide this laptop computer — previously a flexible upper- and mid-range machine — such a distinct segment, extremely specialised characteristic. Positive, now it imbues the machine with a novel id, however I did not assume the Swift 16 AI essentially wanted it.
However after utilizing the included stylus in just a few completely different purposes, I can say it could actually be appreciated by artists or designers as an easy-access floor for sketching or drawing. With the appropriate software program, it might even change a devoted pill.
Additionally: I attempted dozens of mice, and the Logitech MX is my clear favourite – here is why
There are trade-offs to a trackpad/drawing floor this huge, although. When typing, it is the place your fingers relaxation, and though it has palm-rejection software program, false inputs nonetheless happen. To adapt, I discovered myself typing with my proper hand hovering over the keyboard fairly than resting on it.
The opposite factor is that as a result of the trackpad extends to the very fringe of the machine, I typically discovered myself activating it with my thumbs or my wrists. A delicate however purposeful lip between the trackpad and the sting of the machine might alleviate this downside, however would require some redesigns.
Transferring previous the trackpad, the opposite headliner is the 16-inch OLED show. Identical to final 12 months’s mannequin, it is crisp, vibrant, and vibrant, with an edge-to-edge glass development at WQXGA+ (2880×1800) decision and a normal 120Hz refresh price. Simply remember it is fairly shiny. When it is clear and the lighting situations are good, it is gorgeous. However harsh overhead lighting may cause reflections.
Powered by the Arc Graphics B390, there’s sufficient right here to make for a strong gaming laptop computer, however just like the XPS 14 — which I just lately examined with the identical processor — the built-in GPU does not fairlychange a discrete graphics card. You’ll need to carry settings down in demanding video games, as is the case with high-end video enhancing.
Commerce-offs
Acer’s Swift lineup goals to ship a satisfying consumer expertise for an approachable value. A method it is ready to do that is by beefing up sure options (the attractive show, the massive trackpad) on the expense of others.
The bodily construct is one other indication of its value level. It is very skinny and lightweight, however there’s somewhat flex within the keyboard, plastic grills on the underside, and a few palpable warmth era when the {hardware} is at work.
Additionally: 6 WFH devices that leveled up my dwelling workplace (and all of them are on sale)
That mentioned, it does not actually really feel low-cost, and the hinge is sturdy, with no pointless wobble. Extra importantly, it is gentle, at simply 3.2 kilos. I took this laptop computer to work for just a few weeks, and it is a improbable commuter’s machine, sliding just about unnoticed into my backpack.
One other trade-off price mentioning is the webcam, which is not so good as opponents’. I took just a few calls on the 1080p FHD digital camera, and it was darkish and grainy, with an total chilly shade tone.
Yet another factor: the onslaught of advertisements degrades the consumer expertise. That is nothing new to Home windows machines — which intention to get your bank card earlier than you’ve got seen your desktop for the primary time — but it surely feels worse right here. Between the antivirus software program advertisements, Home windows providers, and cell recreation pop-ups, Home windows seems like a bloated market that nobody requested for.
Additionally: This hidden Home windows 11 characteristic might help you see battery points early – easy methods to discover it
Acer additionally features a fairly intensive choice of proprietary software program, like digital camera picture touch-ups (Acer PurifiedView), presence sensing, and AI-powered content material summarization apps which are designed to generate product worth however find yourself convoluting the expertise.
Battery life and benchmarking
Put merely, the battery life on this machine is excellent, particularly given the massive OLED show. I obtained somewhat over 9 hours utilizing the laptop computer within the workplace with typical work duties at half brightness and on Wi-Fi. With somewhat battery administration, anticipate it to simply final your entire workday.
So far as efficiency benchmarking goes, the Swift 16 AI performs proper round different Panther Lake laptops launched thus far in 2026, coming in only a hair underneath the Dell XPS 14 with the identical processor.
It is a respectable efficiency, contemplating these laptops value a whole lot extra. Their bodily builds and have units are somewhat extra premium, however when it comes all the way down to efficiency, the Swift 16 AI retains up. In that sense, it punches above its weight, similar to its predecessor.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The 2026 Acer Swift 16 AI has traded in a few of its versatility for a extra creator-focused construct id with a big trackpad/drawing floor. In the event you’re an artist or designer looking for a purposeful laptop computer that may change or complement a devoted pill, it is a terrific possibility. Even should you do not use it as a drawing floor, simply as an enormous trackpad, it is very nicely engineered.
The show is attractive, and paired with the efficiency, you get a strong laptop computer for the worth. Nonetheless, exterior of those areas, the trade-offs are extra evident. Particularly, the underwhelming webcam, mid-speakers, and bloatware.
Additionally: Learn how to clear your Home windows 11 PC cache (and why you should not wait to do it)
If the massive trackpad does not sound like one thing you are into, I might suggest Samsung’s Galaxy Ebook 6 Professional as a substitute, or probably Lenovo’s Yoga Professional 9i, which is $100 extra however extra premium.
Its mid-range value level ($1,599 for the 16GB model, $1,899 for the 32GB) might sound on the excessive facet, however needless to say this laptop computer is competing straight with different extra premium choices with the identical processor, just like the Dell XPS 14 and the Asus ExpertBook B9, each of which go for a number of hundred {dollars} extra.
