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| Acer Aspire 16 AI gets a Core Ultra 9 386H upgrade with 32 GB LPDDR5x RAM. |
LAS VEGAS — Just months after teasing its Lunar Lake-powered Aspire line, Acer is kicking off CES 2026 with a formidable one-two punch. The company has officially launched the refreshed Acer Aspire 14 AI and Aspire 16 AI laptops, now turbocharged by Intel's latest Core Ultra 9 300 series "Panther Lake-H" processors, marking a significant leap in performance and on-device AI capabilities for the mainstream laptop market.
Positioned as Copilot+ PCs, these new Aspires are designed from the ground up to handle the growing demands of generative AI tasks locally, promising faster, more private, and more responsive experiences without constant reliance on the cloud.
Power and Performance: The Panther Lake Heart
At the core of these machines lies the flagship Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor. This next-generation chip is the star of the show, engineered to deliver substantial gains in both general computing and AI-specific workloads. Paired with up to 32 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to a 2 TB NVMe SSD, the Aspire AI series is built for multitaskers, creators, and professionals who need speed and ample storage.
Displays Built for Work and Play
Acer offers tailored visual experiences for each model:
- Aspire 14 AI: Features a 14-inch, 16:10 FHD+ display with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, ideal for reducing eye strain and making everyday scrolling buttery smooth. Users can choose between touch or non-touch versions, or upgrade to a vibrant OLED panel for superior contrast and color.
- Aspire 16 AI: Provides the same great FHD+ resolution and options but on a larger 16-inch canvas, perfect for those who need more screen real estate for spreadsheets, creative projects, or immersive entertainment.
A practical yet often overlooked feature is the 180-degree hinge on both laptops, allowing the devices to lay completely flat. This is a boon for collaboration, making it easy to share your screen in meetings or use the laptop in tight spaces.
Designed for the Modern Hybrid Lifestyle
Understanding that today's laptops are communication hubs, Acer has equipped both models with a sharp 1080p IR webcam (complete with a physical privacy shutter for peace of mind) and a triple-mic array. Coupled with Acer PurifiedView and PurifiedVoice AI enhancements, video calls should look crisper and sound clearer by automatically framing your image and filtering out background noise.
Connectivity is robust, featuring two Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data and charging, two USB Type-A ports for legacy devices, HDMI 2.1, and a Wi-Fi 6E card for fast, stable wireless connections. All this is powered by a 65 Whr battery, aiming to balance performance with all-day portability.
For those looking for a capable and current AI PC available today, the existing Acer Aspire 14 with an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor remains a strong choice.
Check the price of the Acer Aspire 14 AI with Core Ultra 5 on Amazon
The AI Software Edge: More Than Just Hardware
The "AI" in the name isn't just about the processor. Acer is bundling a suite of intelligent software:
- Acer Intelligence Space: Acts as a personalized dashboard and hub for managing your various AI assistants and tools.
- Acer My Key: A customizable key for instant access to favorite shortcuts or AI functions.
- Live Captions: Provides real-time transcription for any audio or video playing on the device, a great feature for accessibility or learning.
Availability and Pricing
The new Acer Aspire 14 AI (model A14-171M/T) and Aspire 16 AI (model A16-171M/T) are scheduled to hit shelves in North America in June or July 2026. Acer has stated that specific pricing will be announced closer to the launch date. Based on their positioning, these laptops aim to bring top-tier Panther Lake performance and Copilot+ AI features to a highly competitive price point, potentially shaking up the mid-range laptop segment for the latter half of the decade.
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| Acer Aspire 16 AI. |
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| Acer Aspire 16 AI. |
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| Acer Aspire 14 AI and Aspire 16 AI: Specifications. |