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No sooner did Intel announce the arrival of its Core Ultra 3 Series processor than Acer unveiled five new Swift AI laptops that took advantage. We had the chance to play with all five at an event prior to CES, to give you an early look at their key features and in-the-flesh photos.
Acer’s Swift AI and Swift Edge AI laptops sit at the top of the pile. This is where you go if you’re looking for its most premium models, with the “Edge” a hint of a slightly lighter, thinner chassis. Here are the three new models it announced at CES 2026.
We can’t talk about the new Acer Swift 16 AI without covering the enormous touchpad. To be precise, 175.5 x 109.7mm. Why so big, you ask? Because it supports pen input, making this laptop immediately attractive to creative types – or anyone who frequently needs to annotate documents.
It also boasts the highest-end components of all the five new Swift AI laptops for CES 2026. That means Intel’s Core Ultra 9 388H processor, complete with the super-powerful Intel Arc B390 graphics, but also up to a 2TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD. None of the other Swift AI laptops go up to 2TB, nor do they support this faster standard.
There is a slight weight penalty, but at 1.55kg and with a 14.85mm height we still agree with Acer’s “thin and light” description. And if you choose the 1,920 x 1,200 panel, Acer says the 70Wh battery lasted for up to 24 hours of video playback and up to 14 hours of web browsing.
However, we would still opt for the 2,880 x 1,800 version as it will be sharper. Both support touch.
The most obvious difference between the Swift Edge 16 AI and Swift 16 AI is the weight: at 1.25kg, the Acer Swift Edge 16 AI really does feel noticeably lighter than the 1.55kg of its sibling.
Acer makes a sacrifice on the choice of CPUs, topping out with the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H which includes more modest Intel integrated graphics.
The new Acer Swift Edge 16 AI will come with a choice of three OLED panels so check before you buy. Choose the 2,880 x 1,800 touchscreen if you like prodding your panel, but note that the non-touch version (still 2,800 x 1,800 resolution) has a slightly higher brightness of 400cd/m2 versus 340cd/m2.
The Edge version of the Swift AI range doesn’t have the edge for storage, peaking with a 1TB Gen 4 SSD. It packs a 65Wh battery, so decent but not spectacular, and measures a fraction under 14mm tall.
The 14in version of the Swift Edge AI is essentially identical to the 16in model, aside from size. However, that is a notable difference as it just dips under the 1kg mark, and at 13.95mm tall this is an exceptionally portable laptop. Despite this compactness, Acer finds space for a 65Wh battery, so we expect it to easily last that vital working day.
Don’t buy it if you love to game, with lesser graphics thanks to the Intel chip choice topping out at the Core Ultra 9 386H. You also have a choice of two OLED panels: one with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, the other 2,880 x 1,800. Both cover 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut with a peak brightness of 400cd/m2.
Acer’s Swift Go range isn’t quite as premium as the Swift Edge series, but if you’re looking for a good-quality laptop for a great price then it’s one of the first places to look. Acer added two new laptops to the range at CES 2026, both again based on Core Ultra Series 3 processors.
We expect the Swift Go 14 AI to be cheaper than the Swift Edge 14 AI, but that doesn’t mean any compromise on specs. In fact it goes further, supporting up to the Core Ultra X9 388H, and that means Intel’s top-end Arc B390 graphics.
Acer also sticks with OLED panels, with support for touch and resolutions up to 2,880 x 1,800 (although two of the three panels Acer offers have a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution).
Memory tops out at 32GB of RAM and you’re limited to a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, so not the top-end speeds of a Gen 5 SSD. We don’t have predicted battery life yet, but a 71Wh battery suggests all-day life while a weight of 1.12kg means this laptop lives up to its “Go” moniker.
Despite its 16in panel, the new Acer Swift Go 16 AI range weighs 1.4kg. That’s light for such a big laptop, while its 14.8mm height is similarly slick. We played with the model that includes a 2,880 x 1,800 panel, but most come with 1,920 x 1,200 – this will look grainier than ideal across the 16in diagonal.
There are no surprises with the silicon inside – peaking with the Core Ultra X9 388H and its Arc B390 graphics – so expect exceptional speeds if you choose that top-end chip. Games will fly and it’s a solid choice for local AI tasks too.
Despite the larger chassis, storage still tops out at a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD. However, you will benefit from a number pad. Plus the touchpad features basic media controls, if you like such things.
We await prices for all these laptops, but do have availability for North America, EMEA and Australia:
