Acer targets budget MacBook buyers

Acer has sharpened competition in the entry-level laptop market with the Swift Air 14, a $699 Windows 11 notebook aimed at buyers weighing Apple’s lower-cost MacBook Neo against lightweight PCs with broader connectivity and familiar software flexibility.
The Swift Air 14, model SFA14-I31, pairs Intel’s Core Series 3 processors with a thin aluminium chassis, a 14-inch display, AI-focused hardware support and battery claims that place it directly in the path of students, mobile workers and price-conscious consumers. Acer is positioning the device as an ultraportable machine for everyday productivity rather than a premium flagship, but its specification sheet suggests a more aggressive push into territory that Apple has disrupted with its $599 MacBook Neo.

Acer’s pricing starts $100 above Apple’s base MacBook Neo for general buyers, though it undercuts many premium Windows ultraportables. The entry configuration is expected to use Intel Core 5 Series 3 silicon, with higher versions offering up to an Intel Core 7 processor 350. The platform provides up to 40 TOPS of total AI performance, including up to 17 TOPS through a dedicated neural processing unit, giving Acer a route to market the notebook around local AI workloads, video-call enhancements and Windows productivity features.

The Swift Air 14 comes with a 14-inch WUXGA display at 1,920 by 1,200 pixels, a 16:10 aspect ratio, 120Hz refresh rate, 350 nits of brightness and full sRGB colour coverage. Apple’s MacBook Neo counters with a 13-inch Liquid Retina panel rated at 500 nits and higher pixel density, making display quality one of the clearest areas where Apple retains an advantage. Acer’s higher refresh rate, however, may appeal to users who prioritise smoother scrolling and general interface responsiveness.

Battery life is central to Acer’s pitch. The company claims up to 19 hours of video playback from a 70Wh battery, up to 16 hours of web browsing and 12 hours under MobileMark 30 testing, with fast charging said to restore 50 per cent capacity in about 30 minutes. Apple’s MacBook Neo is rated at up to 16 hours of use, helped by the power efficiency of its A18 Pro chip. Real-world results will depend heavily on workload, screen brightness, browser choice and background AI tasks, making independent testing important before either claim is treated as a decisive advantage.

Acer has also given the Swift Air 14 a practical connectivity edge over Apple’s entry MacBook. The laptop includes two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and one USB-A 3.2 port, alongside Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. That port mix may matter for buyers who still rely on external drives, classroom accessories, wired peripherals or office docks. The MacBook Neo’s tighter port selection reflects Apple’s minimalist design approach but can require adapters for some users.

The Swift Air 14 weighs about 1.25kg and is 12.9mm thin, placing it firmly in the ultraportable category. Its aluminium body will be sold in colour options including Sage Green, Frost Blue, Blossom Pink and Lilac Purple. A 180-degree hinge, quad speakers with DTS:X Ultra audio and a 1080p infrared camera with Windows Hello support broaden its appeal for hybrid study, video meetings and shared-screen work.

The launch comes as PC makers respond to Apple’s push into lower-cost laptops. The MacBook Neo, introduced in March 2026 and made available later that month, marked Apple’s most direct attempt to reach students, families and first-time Mac buyers at a price long dominated by Windows machines and Chromebooks. Its A18 Pro chip, aluminium body, 8GB unified memory and 256GB base storage gave Apple a strong value story, particularly where battery life, build quality and ecosystem integration matter.

Acer is not alone in responding. Dell has also moved into the same price band with a $699 XPS 13, signalling a wider effort by Windows PC manufacturers to defend the mid-range segment before Apple turns the MacBook Neo into a default student laptop. Rising memory costs and cautious consumer spending add pressure on vendors to offer stronger base specifications without pushing prices into premium territory.