Acer Rallies Around Thinness, Toughness and Durability With Its New Swift Edge

For office workers and entry-level gamers, the Acer brand is largely synonymous with budget laptops: capable machines that aren’t too flashy. The Acer Aspire and Swift offerings at CES 2026 largely continue this trend, with updates to existing product lines, including the new 14- and 16-inch Aspire AI models.

But it seems that the Swift series is ostensibly positioned as the bigger plot point this time around. The base 16-inch Swift model gets an AI overhaul, while the Swift Go and Swift Edge receive 14- and 16-inch model upgrades that focus on integrating a stronger, thinner chassis into familiar designs.

While the Aspire and Swift ranges were at the forefront, Acer’s gaming range did not remain untouched. We’ve got all the info you need about the new Predator and Nitro laptops right here. CNET is keeping up to date with all the latest news from CES 2026, so stay tuned as we evaluate the latest and greatest technology showcased at the event.

Acer Swift Edge 14 AI and Acer Swift Edge 16 AI

The slim and sleek Swift Edge 14 AI and Swift Edge 16 AI models look like the piece de resistance of Acer’s CES 2026 showcase. The latest upgrades to these lightweight laptops focus heavily on fitness refinement, but the interiors of these computers have also received an update.

These new models aren’t as thin as previous versions, but they are lightweight, weighing even less than their predecessors at 2.2 pounds. Acer has incorporated a stainless steel-magnesium alloy into the familiar shape of the chassis, ensuring that the Swift Edge 14 AI and Swift Edge 16 AI are also built to last.

Both new Swift Edge laptops feature an OLED display, with a standard resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. Both the 14-inch and 16-inch Swift Edges have a maximum resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 pixels, but only the Swift Edge 16 AI model has a touchscreen.

Internally, the Swift Edge 14 AI and Swift Edge 16 AI are very similar. Both laptops can accommodate up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor, feature integrated Intel graphics, up to 32GB of memory, and up to 1TB of storage space.

Acer Swift 16 AI

Acer has revealed a new base model for its mid-range laptop series, as the company introduced the Swift 16 AI at CES 2026. The Swift 16 AI has been positioned as a reasonably priced system for creatives who write, draw, animate and more – the model’s touchpad is the center of attention here.

This touchpad is a haptic feedback panel that works with touch or stylus inputs. This takes up a fairly significant amount of space in front of the keyboard, but if you want to slide your pen around without lifting your hand, this will do the trick. It’s covered in Corning Gorilla Glass, which means artists will be able to work without worrying about scratching any part of their new computer.

The Swift 16 AI has also received other design improvements. The model is based on a 16-inch screen and weighs less than 3.5 pounds. The display also received an update: last year’s Swift 16 AI model already featured OLED panels, but this time around, users can expect a 2,880 x 1,800 pixel panel to offer improved resolution.

Internally, the Swift 16 AI has configurations supporting up to an Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processor, integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics, up to 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage.

Acer Swift Go 14 AI and Acer Swift Go 16 AI

The Swift Go 14 AI and Swift Go 16 AI are the Swiss army knives of Acer’s Swift range. These laptops are still extremely portable, but they’re not as thin or as sturdy as the Swift Edge series computers. What’s lost in elegance is made up for in slightly better processing power and a more affordable price.

The sleeker Swift Edge laptops certainly won’t perform poorly with their Panther Lake-designed Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processors, but this update to the Swift Go line equips those computers with Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processors. The 14-inch and 16-inch Swift Go models also feature integrated Intel Arc B390 graphics, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of system storage.

Acer’s Swift Go series continues to have very solid display specs compared to other similarly priced laptops. Both the Swift Go 14 AI and Swift Go 16 AI feature OLED displays. 1920 x 1200 pixel panels are the standard resolution for these computers, but you can choose to splurge a little more and get a 2880 x 1800 pixel screen instead. Both the Swift Go 14 AI and Swift Go 16 AI have touchscreen and non-touchscreen display iterations.

Acer Aspire 14 AI and Acer Aspire 16 AI

At last year’s show, Acer unveiled the sustainable Aspire Vero 16, featuring a construction made primarily from recycled plastic. This was a genuinely interesting addition to the budget-friendly Aspire lineup, but there’s nothing quite as exciting on display this year. Nonetheless, Acer launched new variants of its 14-inch and 16-inch Aspire AI laptops at CES 2026.

Both new Aspire laptops retain the 1,920 x 1,200 pixel resolution LCD panel that CNET’s Matt Elliot previously highlighted as one of the weaker aspects of the model’s design. The upside is that the OLED panel upgrade is now available for both Aspire laptops, instead of being limited to the 14-inch model.

The Aspire 14 AI and Aspire 16 AI share most of their internal specifications: both laptops can accommodate up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor, have integrated Intel graphics, and have up to 32 GB of RAM. While the Aspire 14 AI has a maximum of 1TB of system storage, the Aspire 16 AI can have up to 2TB of storage space.

All of these laptops are expected to ship this year, but Acer hasn’t released their prices yet.