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.
Hands-on with Acer’s Aspire 14 AI
Acer’s brand messaging has positioned itself as 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. From the exposed grill on the hinge, to the visible copper heat pipes on the bottom of the device, to the thick bezels surrounding the display, the Aspire 14 AI isn’t the sleekest laptop around. Still, it reflects an unpretentious, eco-conscious aesthetic with a solid suite of hardware that shows up ready to work.
Hardware 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, however, 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.
Testing
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. The next day, I brought it back in and used it quite a bit more aggressively: holding multiple videocalls, doing more sustained multitasking, and keeping the display jacked up. It finally started to dent the battery life, but by the end of the day, it was still just right around 30%.
Display Options
The device’s display options are an 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.
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 Acer Aspire 14 AI?
A: The device’s display options are an 14-inch WUXGA IPS touch display or an OLED.
Q: Is the Acer Aspire 14 AI suitable for gaming?
A: Yes, the Acer Aspire 14 AI is suitable for gaming, with the Intel Arc GPU supporting up to 53 TOPS and upscaling technology for gaming and better performance when it comes to graphics rendering and video editing. However, the IPS display may hold back the experience, so I would suggest opting for the OLED configuration if you’re serious about gaming.
