ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Execs: Attractive show, massive 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 preferred source on Google.
Final 12 months, Acer’s Swift 16 AI was among the best laptops I examined. It was a sleeper hit: a stable 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 present it a novel identification, Acer added just a few completely different design components 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) review: A Windows laptop I wouldn’t mind returning to from Mac
However in making an attempt to make this laptop computer stand out within the crowded mid-range worth level, is Acer making an attempt 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 massive or go dwelling
The 2026 Acer Swift 16 AI is among 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 evaluation unit had the Intel Core Extremely X7 Sequence 358H, 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD.
Let’s handle 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 would not appear to be a trackpad. That is true, partially, 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. Fabricated from Corning Gorilla Glass, it is clean and responsive, with distinctive suggestions and help for MPP 2.5 tilt-enabled styli. It is a powerful feat of engineering to have a haptic touchpad this massive really feel so well-designed.
That mentioned, I am not solely certain why Acer determined to present this laptop computer — previously a flexible upper- and mid-range gadget — such a distinct segment, extremely specialised function. Certain, now it imbues the gadget with a novel identification, however I did not suppose the Swift 16 AI essentially wanted it.
However after utilizing the included stylus in just a few completely different functions, I can say it might definitely be appreciated by artists or designers as an easy-access floor for sketching or drawing. With the fitting software program, it might even exchange a devoted pill.
Additionally: I tried dozens of mice, and the Logitech MX is my clear favorite – here’s why
There are trade-offs to a trackpad/drawing floor this massive, although. When typing, it is the place your arms 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 reasonably than resting on it.
The opposite factor is that as a result of the trackpad extends to the very fringe of the gadget, I typically discovered myself activating it with my thumbs or my wrists. A refined however useful lip between the trackpad and the sting of the gadget might alleviate this downside, however would require some redesigns.
Shifting previous the trackpad, the opposite headliner is the 16-inch OLED show. Similar to final 12 months’s mannequin, it is crisp, vivid, and vibrant, with an edge-to-edge glass building at WQXGA+ (2880×1800) decision and a normal 120Hz refresh charge. Simply have in mind it is fairly shiny. When it is clear and the lighting circumstances are good, it is beautiful. However harsh overhead lighting could cause reflections.
Powered by the Arc Graphics B390, there’s sufficient right here to make for a stable gaming laptop computer, however just like the XPS 14 — which I not too long ago examined with the identical processor — the built-in GPU would not fairlyexchange a discrete graphics card. You have to to convey 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 person expertise for an approachable worth. A technique it is ready to do that is by beefing up sure options (the beautiful show, the massive trackpad) on the expense of others.
The bodily construct is one other indication of its worth level. It is very skinny and lightweight, however there’s just a little flex within the keyboard, plastic grills on the underside, and a few palpable warmth era when the {hardware} is at work.
Additionally: 6 WFH gadgets that leveled up my home office (and all of them are on sale)
That mentioned, it would 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 gadget, sliding nearly unnoticed into my backpack.
One other trade-off price mentioning is the webcam, which is inferior to rivals’. I took just a few calls on the 1080p FHD digicam, and it was darkish and grainy, with an total chilly shade tone.
Yet another factor: the onslaught of advertisements degrades the person expertise. That is nothing new to Home windows machines — which purpose to get your bank card earlier than you have seen your desktop for the primary time — nevertheless it feels worse right here. Between the antivirus software program advertisements, Home windows providers, and cell recreation pop-ups, Home windows looks like a bloated market that nobody requested for.
Additionally: This hidden Windows 11 feature can help you spot battery issues early – how to find it
Acer additionally features a reasonably in depth number of proprietary software program, like digicam picture touch-ups (Acer PurifiedView), presence sensing, and AI-powered content material summarization apps which can be designed to generate product worth however find yourself convoluting the expertise.
Battery life and benchmarking
Put merely, the battery life on this machine is superb, particularly given the massive OLED show. I acquired just a little over 9 hours utilizing the laptop computer within the workplace with typical work duties at half brightness and on Wi-Fi. With just a little battery administration, count on it to simply final your complete workday.
So far as efficiency benchmarking goes, the Swift 16 AI performs proper round different Panther Lake laptops launched to date 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 just a little 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, identical 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 identification with a big trackpad/drawing floor. In case you’re an artist or designer searching for a useful laptop computer that may exchange or complement a devoted pill, it is an important possibility. Even in case you do not use it as a drawing floor, simply as a giant trackpad, it’s totally effectively engineered.
The show is beautiful, and paired with the efficiency, you get a stable laptop computer for the worth. Nonetheless, outdoors of those areas, the trade-offs are extra evident. Specifically, the underwhelming webcam, mid-speakers, and bloatware.
Additionally: How to clear your Windows 11 PC cache (and why you shouldn’t wait to do it)
If the big trackpad would not sound like one thing you are into, I might advocate Samsung’s Galaxy Book 6 Pro as a substitute, or doubtlessly Lenovo’s Yoga Pro 9i, which is $100 extra however extra premium.
Its mid-range worth level ($1,599 for the 16GB model, $1,899 for the 32GB) might sound on the excessive facet, however understand that this laptop computer is competing instantly 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.
