Acer introduces new PCs and a powerful Chromebook
New systems from Acer include a 10-inch hybrid and an Intel Core-i3-powered Chromebook.
- Author of the award-winning, NY Times-reviewed nonfiction book The Tetris Effect; Longtime consumer technology expert for CBS Mornings
A series of new Acer computers aimed at the upcoming 2014 back-to-school season were announced by the company at a press event held in New York today.
Following an industry-wide trend, the new lineup moves away from focussing only on traditional laptops and desktops, and instead includes new hybrids and tablets, as well as another entry in the growing Chromebook market, all part of Acer calls a turnaround plan to revitalize the company's lineup.
The systems announced and made available for hands-on previews include:
Switch 10
This 10-inch hybrid has a detachable screen. Acer claims it can transform into four distinct positions, but that's a generous reading, considering the screen can fit on forward, as in a clamshell, or reversed, in a kiosk mode, plus upside down in a tent mode, and finally a slate-style mode. One thing about the Switch 10 that seems like a good idea is a magnetic connection that helps the screen and keyboard snap together easily.
Iconia One 7
A 7-inch Android tablet, available in 10 colors, with a dual-core Intel processor.
Iconia Tab 7
Aluminum chassis Android tablet, again with a 7-inch IPS display, but with a quad-core processor. Unlike a lot of other small tablets, it includes a 3G antenna.
Aspire U5 all-in-one
This 23-inch IPS screen all-in-one folds down into a tablet mode, as in the recent run of tabletop PCs, with kickstand raises and lowers with one hand,
Acer Aspire E series
Acer offers plenty of choice in this mainstream line, including Intel and AMD CPUs, and touch and non-touch screens, plus several different colors, extending from the back of the lid to the interior keyboard tray. The Aspire E will come in 15-inch, 14-inch, and 11-inch versions. The 11-inch is fanless, so it should run cool and quiet.
Acer Chromebook (Intel Core i3)
A bold Chromebook, this potentially powerful system includes an Intel Core i3 CPU, which is an interesting play for mainstream power in a Chrome OS system.
Acer also showed off some future products. The Acer Liquid Jade looks like a 5-inch smartphone with curved surfaces all around. A wearable band named the Acer Liquid Leap has a small 17mm width, and will probably be bundled with the Jade phone, and be released this August.
Stay tuned for hands-on impressions, including video of these products.