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Acer’s updated Swift 7 Ultrabook is once again the ‘thinnest computer in the world’

Acer’s updated Swift 7 Ultrabook is once again the ‘thinnest computer in the world’

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Along with updates to the Nitro 5 and Spin 3

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Acer Swift 7.
Acer Swift 7.
Image: Acer

Generally, laptops at CES tend to be toward the middle of the pack, with companies saving their more unique or impressive models for less crowded times. While Acer has shown up at CES this year with a trio of updated versions of older models, there is at least one high note: the updated Swift 7, which is even thinner than the previous version at just 8.98 millimeters thick. Acer claims that it’s the thinnest laptop in the world.

The biggest addition is LTE, but you’re still paying a premium for thinness

Thinness aside, the rest of the Swift 7 clocks in at “pretty good.” There’s a seventh-generation Core i7 processor, but it’d be nice if Acer had upgraded to the latest eighth-generation model. There’s 8GB of RAM and 256GB of PCIe SSD storage, both of which are fine, but higher capacities exist out there among competitors. And while Acer has upgraded the screen from a 13.3-inch panel to a 14-inch one, it’s still only at 1080p resolution. There is one big change in the Swift 7 that may be enough to get more users on board, though: it has integrated 4G LTE connectivity, which is still almost oddly rare in laptops.

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But LTE aside, it’s hard to look at the starting price tag of $1,699, and not consider something like the Dell XPS 13 or Lenovo Yoga 920, both of which sacrifice the Swift 7’s thinness for newer Intel processors, more RAM and storage space, and higher-resolution touchscreens at lower price points. The new Swift 7 will be available in March.

Acer Nitro 5.
Acer Nitro 5.
Image: Acer

Acer also announced an update to its casual gaming laptop, the Nitro 5, which is getting upgraded to an AMD Radeon RX560 graphics card and AMD’s latest Ryzen mobile processors. RAM and SSD storage are configurable up to 32GB and 512GB, respectively, with a 15.6-inch 1080p panel rounding out the computer.

The Nitro 5 certainly isn’t the best or fastest gaming laptop on the market, but at a starting price point of $799, it looks like a pretty good option for someone just looking to dip their toe in the PC gaming waters who wants to try out the latest indie platformer on Stream or competitive titles like Rocket League, PUBG, Overwatch, or Dota 2. The Nitro 5 launches in April.

Acer Spin 3.
Acer Spin 3.
Image: Acer

Rounding up Acer’s updated CES 2018 lineup is the Spin 3, which (unlike the Swift 7) is getting eighth-generation Intel Core processors. Acer has also shrunk down the display from a 15.6-inch panel to a 14-inch 1080p display for a smaller overall form factor, although true to the “Spin” name, it still rotates around to convert into a tablet. Acer hasn’t released a full spec sheet yet, but prices will start at $599 when the Spin 3 launches in February.

Last, but not least, Acer also announced US release dates for two of its computers that it announced last year at IFA 2017: the fanless 2-in-1 Switch 7 Black Edition, which will be available later this month starting at $1,699, and the ludicrously over-the-top Acer Predator Orion 9000 desktop tower (you know, the one with wheels), available in February starting at $1,999.