New Laptop - Wait for Deal or Settle for Acer Swift 14?

Dyl on 28/04/2025 - 10:42
Last edited 28/04/2025 - 10:43

Officeworks has accepted my return request for my current laptop as the keyboard keys are sticking + it randomly stops charging.

Bought a replacement Acer Swift 14 Go AI Intel Ultra 7 (SFG14-73T-74AL), below specs, wondering if I should return that one (change of mind, unopened) and wait for a better deal.

Model Number: SFG14-73T-74AL
Display Size (Diagonal): 14 in
❌ Manufacturer's Warranty: 12 month
✅ Fingerprint Unlock: Yes
✅ Included Accessories: 100W Type C adapter
✅ Product Weight (kg): 1.32 kg
✅ Wireless Protocols: Killer Wireless Wi-Fi 7
⚠️ Video Resolution: 1080p FHD
❌ Display Type: IPS
❌ Display Resolution: 1920 x 1200
🤷 Touch Screen: Yes
✅ USB-C Speed Type: USB 4.0
✅ Primary Processor Number: U7-155H
✅ Run Time (Up To) Hours: 11.5 hours
🤪 NPU Chip: Intel® AI Boost TOPS 11
✅ RAM Installed Size: 16 GB
✅ Graphics Processor: Intel® Arc™ Graphics
🤷 Hard Drive Capacity: 512 GB

Should I return it and wait for a better deal or settle for it? Paid $1087, purchased at Officeworks with OnePass so free 365 day change of minds. Can likely delay returning my current one while waiting for a deal (they haven't come to pick it up yet anyway, got to call them)

Feels a bit pricey considering I won't really use the touch screen + is missing OLED and a higher definition screen that's usually standard on similar laptops at this price point.

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • jv on 28/04/2025 - 10:46
    +1

    the keyboard keys are sticking

    why?

    • Dyl on 28/04/2025 - 10:47

      Poor design, the mechanism underneath gets stuck down and the rubber caps are already warn out and aren't strong enough to push it back up at times. Have to fiddle with it at times and feels terrible to type on.

      I expect a lot more from a $1000+ laptop, especially only 2 months in. Plus the charging issue, so they've already provided an RMA label (but haven't yet came to pick it up).

      • jv on 28/04/2025 - 10:48

        and the rubber caps are already warn out

        after 2 months?

        • Dyl on 28/04/2025 - 11:07

          Yes, hence the return. It's a design defect imo to ware out that quick.

          It's still usable, but at times one key gets completely stuck and needs pulling up and all the others just feel terrible to type on. Not a good thing for a semi-premium laptop line (paid $1087 for it too from memory)

  • freefall101 on 28/04/2025 - 11:07
    +1

    There will always be a better deal. You can wait forever on that one.

    Is this laptop a direct replacement for your old one? If you had issues with that one then sure, return and replace. No point dealing with the same issues again.

    It depends what you want it for in terms of value for money though. Are you watching movies all the time? Then OLED is a benefit, however it's glossy so it's worse for reflections and in a brightly lit room, the IPS wins there. Can you actually notice the difference on a 14" screen of 1920x1200 vs 4k? I use a 34" 3440x1440 for work and I never notice the resolution.

    You'll get more than 12 months warranty under ACL, otherwise it's good hardware in a very lightweight laptop with good battery life at a good price.

    • Dyl on 28/04/2025 - 11:10

      Old one is a higher price now ($1297), wouldn't want a direct replacement anyway as considering it's only been 2 months and it feels crappy on almost all keys it's a clear design defect; not a rare failure.

      It was originally $1087 too when I bought it with similar specs, but an OLED higher definition screen, no USB 4.0 and no touch screen. I'll miss the OLED brightness when travelling, and maybe the higher definition screen. Similar models are around $1500 though currently (ie Asus Zenbook) if I don't want the same model.

  • rldowling03 on 28/04/2025 - 11:15
    +1

    I got the acer swift go AMD version (primarily because it came with an OLED and higher resolution) and been happy with it. Bought it as a travel laptop with ability for some coding on it. Performance was fine for everyday use.

    Overall fine laptop for the price. Trackpad is ass, but to be expected for the price range. If OLED and higher resolution is something you want, consider the AMD version https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/acer-14-sw… if it's within the same price range

    • Dyl on 28/04/2025 - 11:18

      That's the model I have currently and am having issues with, got it for I think $1087. The newer intel variant has better reviews on the keyboard (most reviewers are quite surprised by it), so I expect better outcomes of it

      • rldowling03 on 28/04/2025 - 11:20
        +1

        Ah, yeah never had keys sticking, but the thing does tend to stop charging if I left it in sleep mode for long enough when I had Windows on it still, never been an issue since I put Linux on it

        • Dyl on 28/04/2025 - 11:22

          The port is lose already on mine - have to fiddle with the charger sometimes or use the other port.

          Network adapter doesn't drop out on the loose port, but I've tried other USB-C cables and the charging issue remains. It's just enough of a drop out that it renegotiates USB-PD I think, but it's annoying hearing the sound constantly + battery settings change and screen flashes twice from it. Still charges fine overall, but I don't want to need to stuff with settings to work around an issue on a 2 month old laptop (ie disabling the sound+changing power settings so it doesn't flash each time).

          • rldowling03 on 28/04/2025 - 11:32
            +1

            @Dyl: Ah yeah, I would definitely return it if that's the case, mine definitely not that bad, just stops once a week after being in sleep.

  • McMaferMur on 28/04/2025 - 12:39

    Wait for Deal or Settle?
    if you can wait then wait if not then settle

  • McMaferMur on 28/04/2025 - 12:40

    ❌ Manufacturer's Warranty: 12 month

    dont worry we are in australia, ACL will go longer than that

    • Dyl on 28/04/2025 - 12:48

      I like having the warranty stated though so I don't need to argue my consumer rights. Officeworks simply accept returns with no issues in the warranty period, after that you need to argue a bit.

      Officeworks isn't too bad for it (as long as you're persistent and know your rights they back down quick so they don't get accused of trying to mislead you), but if I bought elsewhere it would be a major consideration.

  • McMaferMur on 28/04/2025 - 12:42

    return request for my current laptop -> what do you get in return? i mean full refund? after long how ? was it difficult to get there>?
    the new laptop price is not bad…

    • Dyl on 28/04/2025 - 12:46
      +1

      Full refund last time, took about 2 weeks after they picked up return.

      They kept trying to have me bring it to a store but I eventually got it through to them that the closest store is 400km away and that's not happening, so they provided an RMA. Second time RMAing a laptop with them.

      As I explained it seems it's a design defect and I don't want another one they agreed to refund last time and this time. It is legally up to them, but given it's failed after 2 months providing another one would be really annoying.

  • mnemonic9 on 28/04/2025 - 14:25

    Better deal. I have the Ryzen 5 version and find Acer Swift rubbish. Laptop never completely shuts down doesnt matter if used if tablet or laptop mode. Similar issue with sticky keys too…

    • raykim on 08/05/2025 - 22:22

      Try fast startup turn off. I have the R5 oled swift it helped battery life.

  • HardlyNormal on 28/04/2025 - 17:04

    honestly depending what you are doing, get the Snapdragon version. 120hz display, good IPS. I have one. Snapdragon are running a 30 day money back guarantee on all their machines.
    If you aren’t keen, you can buy an Intel version with OLED.
    Old Swift’s suck, new ones are decent

    • Dyl on 28/04/2025 - 17:25

      How’s the graphics on the snapdragon?

      • HardlyNormal on 28/04/2025 - 19:02
        +1

        graphics are entry level, snapdragon supports all Adobe Suite programs + Davinci resolve. would not recommend for light gaming as some games wont boot
        Intel will give better graphics, but graphics are comparable to the Snapdragon X Elite

  • bcYield on 02/05/2025 - 21:33

    All prices are inflated on Lenovo outlet store. Not sure if any related to trump tariff.

    • Dyl on 03/05/2025 - 03:07

      Shouldn't be related

      I think there's a minor shortage on CPUs currently, anything with a decent CPU is overpriced anywhere right now (other than the run out 'AI' stock since Intel realised no one wants it)

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