Acer Swift X 14 (SFX14-71G)

The Acer Swift X 14 offers remarkable value, packing an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and an NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU into a thin, 14-inch frame at a mid-range price. This combination provides ample power for software development, data science, and light machine learning tasks that benefit from GPU acceleration. The gorgeous OLED display option is a boon for front-end developers. While build quality isn't premium, it's solid, and battery life is respectable.

It's an outstanding choice for budget-conscious students, freelancers, and developers who need discrete graphics performance for side projects without breaking the bank.