ZDNET’s Key Takeaways
• Acer’s Aspire 14 AI is available now at Costco for $699.
• It has a fantastic battery and some of the latest hardware: all for a very approachable price point.
• I suggest opting for the OLED, since the low-end display isn’t the best.
The Aspire 14 AI: A Budget Laptop with a Marathon Battery
Acer’s brand messaging has positioned itself at the forefront of eco-friendly components and post-consumer recycled materials, and the aesthetic of its laptops from the past few years reflects this. The Aspire 14 AI isn’t the sleekest laptop around, but it reflects an unpretentious, eco-conscious aesthetic with a solid suite of hardware that shows up ready to work.
Features and Performance
The Aspire 14 AI features two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports that can support an external monitor at an 8K resolution, an HDMI 2.1, support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, and a Kensington lock slot. This spread of ports makes it a capable business laptop for remote or hybrid workers, particularly when paired with the battery.
Battery Life
Battery life is the Aspire 14 AI’s best feature. I know we’ve been singing the praises of many laptops with marathon battery life over the past year, but Acer’s Aspire 14 AI fills a niche: an AI-ready budget laptop with an absolute marathon battery that will last for days on end. During my testing, I brought the Aspire 14 AI into the office on a full charge and used it intermittently throughout the day. It was still above 90% by the end of the workday, and when I closed it up and brought it back out the next day, it hadn’t dropped a single percentage point.
Design and Display
The Aspire 14 AI’s design is non-descript, with an aluminum shell on the top and bottom and a lightweight plastic frame in a graphite finish. The keyboard is fine, without any noteworthy characteristics, although the keys feature a very short travel distance and are on the mushy side. The device’s display options include a 14-inch WUXGA IPS touch display or an OLED. The IPS display is functional but not particularly noteworthy in terms of brightness or color gamut. The OLED, on the other hand, makes it feel more premium.
Configuration and Pricing
The Aspire 14 AI is well-stocked in terms of memory, with up to 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD, making it a solid option for any mainstream workflow. The Intel Arc GPU supports up to 53 TOPS, with upscaling technology for gaming and better performance when it comes to graphics rendering and video editing.
Conclusion
Acer’s Aspire 14 AI is one of the better bang-for-your-buck options available right now. Starting at $699, it offers some of the latest high-performing hardware and a battery that will last multiple days in a very competitive package. If you’re looking for a "budget plus" laptop with respectable hardware that opts for a more utilitarian form factor (and approachable price), the Aspire 14 AI is a solid choice. I would suggest opting for the OLED configuration if you’re willing to pay for the upgrade, especially if you’ll be using it for visually creative work or gaming.
FAQs
Q: What is the price of the Acer Aspire 14 AI?
A: The Acer Aspire 14 AI is available now at Costco for $699.
Q: What are the display options for the Aspire 14 AI?
A: The display options include a 14-inch WUXGA IPS touch display or an OLED.
Q: Is the Aspire 14 AI suitable for gaming?
A: Yes, the Aspire 14 AI is suitable for gaming, but the IPS display may hold back the experience. I would suggest opting for the OLED configuration if you’re willing to pay for the upgrade, especially if you’ll be using it for visually creative work or gaming.
