Acer debuts very thin, super-sharp and ultrawide monitors at CES 2016

Acer's new monitors vary in a number of ways, except one: They're all a bit dull.

Xiomara Blanco Associate Editor / Reviews - Tablets and monitors

Xiomara Blanco is an associate editor for CNET Reviews. She's a Bay Area native with a knack for tech that makes life easier and more enjoyable. So, don't expect her to review printers anytime soon.

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Xiomara Blanco

Jan. 4, 2016 5:00 a.m. PT

2 min read

If you're out of the loop on monitor trends, here's a quick primer: Big, immersive screens, slim designs and fast port connections are the rage. In vogue and on time for CES 2016, Acer unveiled the ultrawide and curved XR342CK monitor, on sale in Europe, the Middle East and Africa for 1,100 euros (which roughly converts to $1,190, £810 or AU$1,160).

There's also the fashionably thin R1 series, available in Q1 and starting as low as $130 (about £120 and AU$180), and the super-sharp and speedy USB-C toting H7 series, available in February in the US for $500 and in Europe, the Middle East and Africa for 500 euros (around £370 or AU$755).

Details on specs are scarce, but here's what we know about about the new Acer monitors:

Get it? It's a picture of a curved road on a curved monitor.
Acer

Acer XR342CK

This ultrawide, curved monitor has a 34-inch screen. Acer is no stranger to curved monitors, but in contrast to previous efforts, the latest model falls short of offering anything new or exciting. It's on par with the growing variety of super-sized monitors, albeit without a wacky design.

3,440x1,440-pixel resolution
34-inch screen
21:9 aspect ratio
1900R curvature
Can swivel from -30 to 30 degrees
AMD FreeSync

Acer R1

The Acer R1 series is also rather humdrum, but its design is on point. The thin-bezeled, skinny-mini monitor is tres chic and comes in a commendable number of sizes. Its sleek aesthetic and low starting price could make it a favorable choice you're looking for a monitor that looks more expensive than it is.

1,920x1,080-pixel resolution
Available in 21.5-, 23-, 23.8-, 25- and 27-inch models
Adjustable tilt of 5 to 15 degrees

It's as thin as some of my least favorite budget tablets. I don't know if that's a compliment.
Acer

Acer H7

Last, but not least, is the Acer H7 series, which features a USB-C port, the relatively new, powerful and fast USB connection. Similar to the rest of its new monitors, spec-wise, the pair of Acer H7 monitors are nothing to write home about. Being both appropriately on-trend and average enough to be affordable can't help them from being drowned out by the myriad models already available.

2,560x1,440-pixel resolution
HDMI and USB-C ports
Available in 25- and 27-inch models