Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023): One-minute review

With the Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023), the company has managed to do two things incredibly well. The slim design of this laptop is peak portability even though it’s a 16-inch laptop. And, the OLED display is as accurate as it is gorgeous, and that’s not taking its HDR capabilities into account.

By mastering that portability along with offering a fantastic screen, the Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023) covers a lot of the same ground as the best Ultrabooks. After all, they’re more than just status symbols. This could be among the best Windows laptops – though perhaps just shy of the best laptops list – in general, if those are the most important factors for you.

It’s not going to tackle video projects, 3D design, or intensive gaming, but the power on this machine is certainly capable of day-to-day productivity and light editing work. Plus, it has a very good webcam, making this ideal for video conferencing.

There are a few minor cons, mainly its somewhat cramped keyboard and, more pressingly, its price. The Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023) is not cheap, probably due to its two most impressive features. However, if you want an OLED-equipped laptop, you’re going to have to pay for it, so you might as well get one with a large, color-accurate panel on a thin and light chassis.

Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023): Price & availability

• How much does it cost?  Starting at $1,299.99 (about £1,030 / AU$2,025) 
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK 

While the Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023) has yet to hit Australia, it’s available in several configurations in both the US and UK. Specifically, there are three in each territory with only one overlapping – the mid-range model sporting an AMD Ryzen 7 6800U, which goes for $1,499.99 / £1,499 (about AU$2,340).

The base configuration with a price of $1,299.99 (about £1,030 / AU$2,025) comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 7735U while the max configuration, which goes for $1,599.99 (about £1,270 / AU$2,500), has an AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U. Though there is a difference in performance between the CPUs, they’re both 8-core, 16-thread models. And, those using the Acer Swift Edge 16 for day-to-day work probably won’t see an appreciable difference in performance. 

The biggest outlier in configuration is the test unit that’s only available in the UK. It’s also the max configuration in the UK, going for £1,300 (about $1640, AU$3,215). What sets it apart from the others besides a different CPU, the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, is a screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. All the other models have a 60Hz refresh rate.

Considering that you’re essentially paying for a light, thin laptop with a large 16-inch WQUXGA OLED panel, the price is not outrageous though it is expensive. After all, something like the Acer Zenbook S 13 OLED also comes with a sharp OLED screen but is much smaller. It’s not much cheaper than the Swift Edge 16’s max configuration at $1,399.99 / £1,499.99 / AU$2,099. That said, it does come with 32GB of RAM. 

• Price score: 4 / 5

Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023): Specs

While the Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023) comes in multiple configurations, there are three available in the US with the notable difference being different CPUs: an AMD Ryzen 7 7735U, AMD Ryzen 7 6800U, or AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U. The UK also has three configurations differentiated by CPU, specifically with a choice between an AMD Ryzen 5 6600U, AMD Ryzen 7 6800U (the only overlap between the US and UK), or AMD Ryzen 7 7840U reviewed here. 

There is one other difference between the test unit and all the other configurations, which is the fact that the display has a 120Hz refresh rate as opposed to the 60Hz that all the other models have.

Outside of the CPUs and that one change in the screen’s refresh rate, there’s no other difference internally or externally between models at the time of writing. While the landing page for the Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023) mentions specs of up to 32GB RAM and 2TB of storage, no actual models deviate from the 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD that the test unit sports.

Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023): Design

• Thin and light despite its larger footprint
• Sharp OLED panel
• Full if cramped keyboard

One of the most exciting factors of the Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023) is its svelte shape despite its large footprint. Frankly, it’s surprising that it’s only 0.55 inches thick yet accommodates a 16-inch screen. And, its weight, partly thanks to its thin aluminum alloy chassis, reinforces this laptop’s portability. Its weight of 2.58 lb (1.17kg) is less than the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch. That laptop, which Apple has positioned to also offer a larger screen without sacrificing portability, weighs 3.3 lbs (1.51kg).

The second most impressive part of the Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023) is its gorgeous OLED panel. It not only has a sharp 3840 x 2400p 3.2K resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio for extra real estate but has incredibly accurate colors with a Delta E of 0.27 as well as 196.6 sRGB and 139.2 DCI-P3 color coverage. The panel also has a pretty good HDR, specifically VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500. Lastly, the panel doesn’t suffer too badly from glare as it’s plenty visible even when used outside in the sun.

Less impressive is the keyboard and trackpad. They’re certainly not bad by any means but they’re far from the best I’ve used. Acer managed to fit a full-sized keyboard on the laptop complete with a numpad. While a nice feature for those who want that full layout, it does push the keys to the left making for a less comfortable typing experience. The keycaps are flat so they don’t quite fit the fingertips the way some do. Some people might like the keyboard, but I would have preferred a 75% layout that’s more centered on the chassis.

The trackpad works well for the most part but is a little bit too sensitive, meaning that I sometimes experience it dragging something across the screen when I didn’t intentionally double-click. It’s also oriented a bit to the left, which aligns well with the keyboard but is not to my preference.

Lastly, the port selection is pretty good for an Ultrabook with two USB-C ports with 65-watt power delivery and alt DisplayPort mode along with two USB-A ports, a micro SD card reader, a HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5mm combo-jack. The only minor complaint is that the USB-C ports are both on the left side of the chassis. Considering these ports are the only way to charge, it would have been great to have one on each side.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023): Performance

• Solid performance with productivity work
• Great looking 1440p webcam

When it comes to power, the Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023) relies heavily on its AMD CPU. There’s no discrete graphics card and there’s a good but not great 16GB of RAM on hand. That means that heavy video editing projects and demanding games are out of the question.

However, there’s more than enough power to handle just about any regular day-to-day work as well as casual gaming and light photo editing, especially considering how great the screen looks.

To test the Acer Swift Edge 16’s limits, I had 20 tabs open at once including multiple video streaming sites playing movies and shows. Even with all that open in Google Chrome, a known RAM hog, I could seamlessly switch tabs without any lag. I also was able to do some casual gaming, though as soon as I booted up a more demanding game – Battlefield 2042 on the lowest settings in this case – the laptop was not able to keep up. At least it didn’t get too hot while under a heavy load.

As is to be expected with a very thin laptop not made by Apple (who have somehow cracked the code), the speakers were not all that impressive. While not bad, the audio was thin without much in the way of bass.

At least the webcam is a point in the Acer Swift Edge 16’s favor. It offers up to a 1440p at 30 fps resolution. On top of that, it’s able to auto-zoom, which keeps my face centered in the image when I move my head around. It also has an eye contact feature that adjusts where the eyes are pointing so that it looks like you’re looking at the camera instead of the screen. To complete the video conferencing package, the mic has background noise cancellation.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023): Battery life

• Underwhelming battery life
• Okay fast charging

The Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023)’s battery life is nothing special when compared to other laptops at large. But, considering that its rivals are other high-end Ultrabooks, its seven-hour and 18-minute results in our battery benchmark are fairly underwhelming. For comparison, the Acer Zenbook S 13 OLED gets a little over 12 hours of testing. And, while that laptop has a smaller screen, it’s still powering a high-resolution OLED screen with HDR. And, it's the OLED screen on the Acer Swift Edge 16 that is most likely the biggest culprit for the lackluster battery life.

Since its battery life is just okay and this laptop recharges via a USB-C port, it’s not surprising that it has fast charging. However, it’s not as fast as I would expect. Ten minutes of charging offers about a 15% boost in battery. That’s not bad, but it’s not all that impressive either.

• Battery score: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023)?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023): Also consider

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How I tested the Acer Swift Edge 16 (2023)

• Tested for a couple weeks
• Used it as my main laptop for stretches at a time
• Tested the various features

I used the Acer Swift Edge 16 for a couple weeks, using it for my day-to-day productivity to see how I liked using it. I got a feel for not only its gorgeous OLED screen but the keyboard and touchpad. I also tried to push it to its limits by opening up over 20 tabs with some of them streaming video to see if I could slow it down.

Having spent some time using this laptop, I got an idea of the best use cases for it, namely for people who are interested in Ultrabooks for their thin and light design but want a larger screen.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear of all sorts so I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2023

Nike Metcon 8: One minute review

This is TechRadar’s Nike Metcon 8 review. We’ve gone hands-on with the shoe to find out whether it’s worth the dosh. Spoiler: it is. 

The Metcon 8 seamlessly blends practicality and style, delivering both performance and aesthetics for gym enthusiasts. With its iconic wrap-around outsole, this shoe stands out over its competitors for its unique design and it’s also customizable if you fancy parting even more cash for these babies. Still, the Metcon 8’s aesthetic appeal doesn't compromise substance. Each of the shoe’s design elements serves performance, too.

Performance-wise, the Metcon 8 closely resembles its predecessor - the Metcon 7 - maintaining a low profile and 4mm drop, with consistent React foam responsiveness in the midsole, which makes it a top pick for just about all types of indoor, gym-type activities. It's certainly one of, if not the, best gym shoes for most people.

Another noteworthy feature is the revamped heel design, which enhances stability for lifting, particularly in squats and deadlifts. There’s flexibility for high-intensity cardio, too, when required, thanks to a revised upper. It's this that also helps the shoe feel more secure, giving a more locked-in feel across the midfoot. This is a nice touch as it feels like you’re getting more support, especially during dynamic movements. Although, beware that it’s not going to offer a great fit for those with a wider fit. Similarly, it’s not best suited for extensive running either due to limited cushioning.

Overall, the Metcon 8 excels across most gym settings, especially in weightlifting and CrossFit-style classes, where it does what it was made to do very well.

Nike Metcon 8: Specifications

Nike Metcon 8: Price and availability

The Nike Metcon 8 gym shoes are available to buy now directly from Nike, globally, for a recommended retail price of £124.95 / $130 / AUS$190. However, you can expect to find them a fair bit cheaper from selected third-party retailers such as Sports Direct and WIT Fitness. Deals can be found very often, which means that even though elite-tier cross-training shoes can be found for a similar price as the above RRP, the superior quality of the Metcon and the discount means it's great value.

•  Value score: 4/5 

Nike Metcon 8: Design

• Practical design features made stylish 
• Similar construction to the Metcon 7
• Wide spectrum of colourways available with custom options

There are few gym shoes out there that are both practical for weight training and stylish all at the same time, but the Metcon 8 pulls it off, and effortlessly. Take, for instance, the iconic rubber outsole that the Metcon series has become known for. Wrapping around the shoe and right up the sides, it’s there to offer wearers a better grip during rope climbs. However, Nike has been bold and made this design feature a focal point, giving the shoe an edge and setting it apart from competitors. 

The Metcon 8 isn’t a matter of style over substance, either. Both the aesthetics and technicality of this shoe work hand-in-hand, with each design element serving a purpose relating to performance, from the aforementioned wraparound rubber outsole to the stabilizing exaggerated heel and React foam cushioning in the midsole. But more on performance later.

In terms of construction, the Metcon 8 isn’t a million miles from its predecessor, the Metcon 7. In fact, the two share most of the same makeup. You’ll find a wide and flat heel for stability during lifts, a rubber outsole, and cushioned midsole, a flexible forefoot, and a heel clip to support handstand push-ups.

Perhaps one of my favorite design additions in the Metcon 8, however, is the Lace Lock tab, which proves to be satisfyingly practical, securing laces firmly while keeping them tucked away.

In true Nike style, you’ll find a wide range of color options available for the Metcon 8, too - and for all genders. There’s also an option to personalize these yourself with Nike ID, letting you add metallic or marble finishes, for example. Although this customization does come at an extra cost, of course. 

All-in-all, it’s pretty hard to fault the Metcon 8’s design.

• Design score: 5/5

Nike Metcon 8: Performance

• Nike React foam brings comfort and agility
• Tweaks in heel design elevate lifting performance
• Locked-in feel across the midfoot offers stability and support

As previously mentioned, the Metcon 8 largely mirrors its predecessor - especially in terms of construction. The same can be said about performance since they both boast the same outsole, stack height, grip, and fit. Both share a low profile and a 4mm heel-to-toe drop while the consistently lightweight and bouncy Nike React foam in the forefoot and midsole enhances agility for dynamic movements like sprints and HIIT training.

So what has Nike done differently this time around?

Although subtle, the fitness trainer giant has made a noteworthy update to the shoe’s heel structure, which has been incorporated to elevate performance for lifting enthusiasts. You’ll now find a revamped inner plate in the broad, flat heel, offering better weight distribution and flexibility. This adjustment will mostly benefit weightlifters because it should enhance their stability in squats and deadlifts.

Still, no single gym shoe can meet everyone’s needs. Dedicated lifters, for instance, might still lean more towards specialized lifting shoes despite the stability boost the Metcon 8 gets to the heel. Likewise, runners shouldn’t switch out their kicks for these shoes – or any Metcon model for that matter - and instead stick with proper running shoes. The Metcon series lacks the cushioning requisite for runs beyond a mile.

Another performance feature worthy of note is the Metcon 8’s re-engineered upper, which is now supposed to offer more breathability than previous iterations of the shoe. This difference wasn’t too obvious in my experience, but I did find the toe box a little more restrictive than previous Metcon shoes while performing more high-intensity fitness activities. Saying that this revised upper does help make the shoe feel more secure, giving a more locked-in feel across the midfoot. This is a nice touch as it feels like you’re getting more support, especially during dynamic movements.

All-in-all, I found the Metcon 8 to thrive in just about all gym settings, but especially during weightlifting and in CrossFit-style classes. You can really tell the shoe has been designed for these domains and it’s here that it truly shines. 

• Performance score: 4.5/5 

Nike Metcon 8: Scorecard

Nike Metcon 8: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

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