![Acer Swift 314in (2022)](https://cdn.magzter.com/PC Pro/1670498750/articles/yu9j3HOak1671428154144/ACER-SWIFT-314IN-2022.jpg)
PRICE £749 (£899 inc VAT) from currys.co.uk
The days when you had to spend over a grand for a high-quality laptop are thankfully long gone, and this 2022 update to Acer's Swift 3 range shows why. You aren't buying a wide-gamut panel or a cutting-edge design, but it lacks very little else.
Certainly not speed. This is one of four systems this month to feature a Core i7-1260P, and Acer extracts even more from this excellent chip than anyone else - including Intel with its NUC Pro (see p57). A score of 5,809 in PCMark 10 emphasises that it will tear through day-to-day tasks for years, while a multicore result of 10,273 in Geekbench 5 is almost 2,000 more than Intel managed. In fact, Intel's showcase for the SOS 1260P only bested the Swift 3 in two tests: the PC Pro benchmarks, where it scored 302 to the Acer's still strong 215, and Cinebench R23's multicore test where it won out with 10,761 to 9,442.
The Swift 3 gained sweet revenge in our gaming benchmarks, with a 20% advantage in 3DMark Time Spy over the Intel PC, which it carried on to Metro Exodus, F1 22 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. In the latter, I saw a playable 37fps at 1080p High settings.
Gaming at the screen's native 1440p resolution is inevitably off the cards with demanding games such as these, but a 2,560 x 1,440 panel in an affordable laptop is great to see. Whites look clean, especially if you pump up the screen to its peak brightness of 339cd/m², and Acer employs an effective anti-glare coating, too.
This story is from the February 2023 edition of PC Pro.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2023 edition of PC Pro.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![How to earn Cyber Essentials certification](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/499/1693520/3vzMhKwqA1715943236784/HOW-TO-EARN-CYBER-ESSENTIALS-CERTIFICATION.jpg)
How to earn Cyber Essentials certification
The UK's government-backed security standard provides reassurance for you and your customers. Nik Rawlinson explores what's involved - and how to get it
![HP Omen Transcend 14](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/499/1693520/_J2metwie1715942359246/HP-OMEN-TRANSCEND-14.jpg)
HP Omen Transcend 14
If you're sticking with Asus or Razer gaming laptops out of habit, the HP Omen Transcend 14 may just change your mind
![AI TRİSM](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/499/1693520/PBW43WzV_1715941897626/AI-TRSM.jpg)
AI TRİSM
New computing paradigms come with new challenges. Steve Cassidy explores how to use AI safely and securely
![13 warnings about using AI at work](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/499/1693520/Om7wJ5jd51715941293590/13-WARNINGS-ABOUT-USING-AI-AT-WORK.jpg)
13 warnings about using AI at work
AI experts from industry and academia were gathered by the Turing Institute to consider the future of the technology. Nicole Kobie reveals the lessons they offered
![Brilliant business comms at zero cost](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/499/1693520/FUrJqZnjl1715940993185/BRILLIANT-BUSINESS-COMMS-AT-ZERO-COST.jpg)
Brilliant business comms at zero cost
Whether you choose 3CX Free or 3CX SMB V20, it's time to say goodbye to per-user pricing and bundle rip-offs
![TURN YOUR DUMB TV INTO A SMART ONE WITH A RASPBERRY PI](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/499/1693520/cwNbzBW2I1715940488533/TURN-YOUR-DUMB-TV-INTO-A-SMART-ONE-WITH-A-RASPBERRY-PI.jpg)
TURN YOUR DUMB TV INTO A SMART ONE WITH A RASPBERRY PI
Enjoy video on demand and more Nik Rawlinson finds out how the humble Pi can transform your TV
![GIGABIT INTERNET Get the speeds you're paying for](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/499/1693520/byn7WEnrw1715939990641/GIGABIT-INTERNET-GET-THE-SPEEDS-YOURE-PAYING-FOR.jpg)
GIGABIT INTERNET Get the speeds you're paying for
Is your premium internet service not racing along like it should? Darien Graham-Smith goes in search of faster downloads on every device
![7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IT PROS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/499/1693520/QIEkuXPtM1715939529947/7-HABITS-OF-HIGHLY-EFFECTIVE-IT-PROS.jpg)
7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IT PROS
The PC Pro team combine their collective wisdom to create seven tips for keeping on top of your IT game
![BRILLIANT MONITORS from £149](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/499/1693520/S9Nd6qoaz1715939044767/BRILLIANT-MONITORS-FROM-149.jpg)
BRILLIANT MONITORS from £149
Whether you’re looking for screens to roll out ina business, an entertainment centrepiece ora pro-quality monitor, one of our 15 displays holds the answer
![PORTABLESSDs FROM £69](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/499/1693520/hKyAOR7n91715938275324/PORTABLESSDS-FROM-69.jpg)
PORTABLESSDs FROM £69
We review 12 portable SSDs that cover a wide range of standards, form factors and target users