Acer has presented a range of new products just in time for the soon-to-be-released Christmas season. Let’s take a look at the hardware expert’s exciting and diverse announcements.
The new Acer Chromebooks
Among other things, Acer has expanded its Chromebook range. The focus here was primarily on the performance offered. After all, the manufacturer is launching its first “Google Notebook” on the market with its Chromebook Spin 513, which offers a Snapdragon 7c processor from Qualcomm. This not only provides impressive processing power, but also scores with a blazing fast 4G. On top of that Acer brings with the Chromebox CXI4 a practical desktop solution in small format.
Chromebook Spin 513
The Chromebook Spin 513 should be able to convince among other things with its practicability. This already starts with the material properties. After all, the notebook is not only thin (15.55 mm) and light (1.2 kg), but thanks to its aluminum casing it should also be able to offer a good deal of resistance. Acer uses a 13.3 inch Full HD IPS display, which has a touch function. Since the notebook has a modern screen to body ratio of 78 percent, the display is immediately eye-catching. Thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass you don’t have to worry about scratches. This should make the Chromebook Spin 513 perfect for school, study or work. With the Chromebook Spin 513, Acer relies on its tried and tested convertible hinge. This should make the Google notebook a real all-rounder. Whether as a classic notebook, as a tablet or in combination. With the new Spin 513 everything should be possible. If you like to work in the dark, you should think about installing the optional backlight of the keyboard.
Acer obviously doesn’t only attach importance to the practical handling. After all, the manufacturer is giving the Spin 513 the Snapdragon 7c for the first time. This should be able to provide a good performance on the road and guarantee fast mobile internet with 4G. The Snapdragon is supported on the CPU side by an eight-core processor. Here the Qualcomm Kryo 468 is used, which is manufactured in the 8 nm process. To ensure that the one or other video game does not present a problem, Qualcomm’s third hardware component is the integrated Adreno 618 graphics unit. In terms of memory, the Chromebook Spin 518 offers 128 GB eMMC memory. However, this should be sufficient, since Chromebook users tend to rely on the cloud anyway. To get through the working day carefree, the all-rounder Chromebook should be able to offer 14 hours of battery life. WiFi 6 and support for 4G LTE ensure that you have fast Internet both in the network and on the move. In terms of connections, you can look forward to two USB-C ports. These not only serve with a charging function, but also support DisplayPort over USB-C. In addition to the two USB-C ports, the Spin 518 also offers a USB 3.0 port and Bluetooth 5.0.
Chromebox CXI4
At first glance, the CXI4 doesn’t really have much in common with a classic chrome book. That’s why Acer simply renamed it to a so-called Chromebox. This is a desktop solution, which can be placed comfortably on the back of a monitor, for example. With the compact Chromebox, Acer aims primarily at schools, sales rooms and small businesses that want to set up a large number of computers. With ChromeOS, the CXI4 offers an uncomplicated and multifaceted operating system. The slim dimensions not only save space, but also look damn good on the small PC. Thanks to the minimalistic design it is hardly noticeable.
Despite its small size, the CXI4 should be able to provide a fast ChromeOS experience. Inside the small box a Core i7 processor of the 10 generation is at work. The small box comes with a USB-C and two HDMI ports. If that’s not enough for you, you’ll be happy with five USB-A ports. This allows many devices to be connected to the small desktop solution. If you want to do without a LAN cable, WiFi 6 can also be used to provide fast wireless Internet access. Like many other desktop solutions in mini format, the CXI4 can also be attached to the back of a monitor. Thanks to the VESA mounting kit, this should be easy and uncomplicated.
Prices and availability
The two devices from the Chrome series are scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of 2021. For the Acer Chromebook Spin 513, the manufacturer estimates an RRP starting at 429 Euro, depending on the Features. Those who want the Chromebook in the Enterprise version, however, will have to live with a RRP starting at 599 Euro. How much the Chromebox CXI4 should cost, we do not know yet.
Porsche Design Acer Book RS
Acer wants to bring another all-rounder to the man or woman with the Acer Book RS in a special Porsche design. In keeping with the name, the notebook not only wants to score points with its high performance, but also with its modern and beautiful design. In terms of processor performance, the maximum configuration includes an Intel Core i7 of the 11th generation. In combination with 16 GB RAM and an Intel Xe graphics unit, the Porsche Design Acer Book RS should indeed be a reliable all-rounder. The manufacturer relies on a 14 inch IPS display, which allows touch control and is resolved in Full HD. Thanks to 100% coverage of the sRGB color space, the display should also be perfectly suited for image editing.
Since the display relies on Corning Gorilla Glass, it should also be well protected from scratches and other marks. Thanks to a battery life of up to 15 hours, the Acer Book RS will probably be able to cope with every working day with flying colors. And if the battery should ever run out, the Acer Book RS offers convenient fast charging. With only 30 minutes charging time, another 4 hours of battery life are guaranteed. To ensure that the notebook does not get too hot even under heavy load, Acer uses two copper heat pipes. These are designed to keep the Porsche Design Acer Book RS always cool. Acer also seems to do everything right when it comes to features. For example, the notebook offers USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, WiFi 6, fingerprint sensor, ModernStandby and a practical Wake on Voice function.
The most striking feature of the Porsche Design Acer Book RS is already in its name. Here it becomes clear that this is a notebook that is also intended to convince visually. And the first pictures are quite promising. One can clearly see that this is not a notebook for the “average consumer”. Especially the carbon cover catches your eye immediately. It is strongly reminiscent of the interior of modern sports cars. But the design also focuses on functionality. This becomes clear at the latest with the hinge. The unibody hinge not only looks cool, but also offers a practical trick. The keyboard is slightly raised when it is opened, which is supposed to provide a comfortable typing angle. Those who want the complete design experience can also purchase the accessories in matching Porsche design. In addition to a matching mouse and mouse pad, Acer is also launching a practical travel case. Those who opt for the premium set of the Porsche Design Acer Book RS will receive all the equipment in one.
Of course, the Porsche Design Acer Book RS will not be a bargain. But considering the high-quality design and the good specs, it doesn’t have to hide behind competitors like the MacBook Pro. From December 2020, the notebook is to be available in stores at an RRP starting at 1,799 euros. Who decides for the Premium set inclusive accessories, must live with a UVP starting from 2.399 euro.
Swift, Spin and Aspire series
Acer has also introduced the new generation of its popular Swift, Spin and Aspire series. The main focus here is on upgrading the processor. The practical devices now contain an Intel Core of the 11th generation. Intel Iris Xe graphics are to provide graphics performance. This means that the notebooks should not only be light and flat, but also powerful.
Acer Swift 3
The Acer Swift 3 belongs to the manufacturer’s so-called “Ultrathun portfolio”. Here, Acer would like to score especially with graphics performance. This is made possible by the dedicated Intel Iris Xe MAX graphics in combination with the Intel Core processor of the 11th generation. With this, especially creative people should get the right solution with the Acer Swift 3. After all, the power is particularly suitable for image and video editing.
Since the slim power pack is supposed to offer up to 17.5 hours of battery life, work can be done on the road without any problems. Thanks to Quick-Charge, 30 minutes on the power or the power bank are enough to provide four more hours of battery life. The practical ports make it easy to transfer media to the Swift 3. For example, it offers USB-C including Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 and HDMI. Those who prefer wireless ways will be happy about WiFi 6.
Acer Spin 3
With the Spin 3, Acer has worked hard on the design. After all, the handy notebook looks like a completely revised version. The IPS2 display with a 13.3 inch screen diagonal offers a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. Thus, the display should look razor sharp with multi-touch. To ensure that the notebook also has the appropriate hardware power for beautiful screen contents, Acer relies on an Intel Core processor of the 11th generation.
Iris Xe graphics should provide appropriate graphic performance. The Spin 3 does not get its name by chance. After all, the display can be rotated through 360 degrees, which should enable different working modes. This should make working with the corresponding Acer Active Stylus very uncomplicated. The display is recessed in the case itself and is loaded directly on site. Features include two SSDs, two USB-C ports (including Thunderbolt 4) and fast Killer 1650 WiFi.
Acer Spin 5
The Spin 5 is the larger version of the Spin 3, which also benefits from different working modes thanks to its practical 360 degree hinge. With a weight of 1.2 kg and a thickness of just 14.9 mm, the Convertible is perfectly suited for mobile use. Once again, Acer relies on Corning Gorilla Glass with antimicrobial coating.
Thanks to Intel Iris Xe graphics and Intel Core i7 processor of the 11th generation, the Acer Spin 5 should also be able to handle photo editing or editing projects well. With a USB-C port including Thunderbolt 4 support, you shouldn’t have to worry about connecting various devices.
Acer Aspire 5
If you’re looking for a lot of features, the upcoming Acer Aspire 5 will be your first choice. An Intel Core processor of the 11th generation should provide the necessary processor performance. This is supposed to be supported by up to 24 GB RAM. The Acer Aspire 5 gets the necessary graphics power either from Iris Xe graphics or the NVIDIA GeForce MX350.
The IPS3 display, which is supposed to be in Full HD, Acer wants to emphasize by narrow screen edges. Here again, the manufacturer is relying on a promising hinge. This lifts the keyboard slightly, so that you can also have fun as a “frequent typist”. Thanks to WiFi 6, you probably don’t have to worry about the speed of the wireless internet.
Prices and availability
Three of the four new editions should reach German retailers in time for the Christmas business in December. The Acer Swift 3 is to go thereby with a UVP starting from 899 euro to the start. For the Acer spin 5 is to result again a UVP starting from 1.099 euro. The Acer Aspire 5 on the other hand will be available as Acer Aspire A514-54 (G) UMA (14 inch) with a RRP starting at 499 Euro. For the larger model, the Acer Aspire A515-56(G) UMA (15 inch), an RRP starting at 549 Euro is again planned. Who decides for the Acer Spin 3, is to be able to slam shut to a UVP starting from 999 euro. The small notebook with a rotatable display will be available from January 2021.
TravelMate
Here name should be program. The TravelMate would like to be a powerful companion thanks to the appropriate Features. The Intel Core Processor of the 11th generation and the Intel Iris Xe graphics should provide the appropriate performance. The processor is supported by up to 32 GB RAM. Despite its remarkable performance, the portable notebook should be able to score with a battery life of up to 15 hours. Acer also relies on a touch-sensitive display with Corning Gorilla Glass in the TravelMate. As with the Spin 3 and 5, Acer also gives the TravelMate a 360 degree hinge, which makes the notebook a real all-rounder.
There are many points that can make the TravelMate the perfect companion for many users. For example, Acer would like to convince here above all through the compact design. With a slim weight of just 1.53 kg and 18 mm thickness, the notebook is probably suitable for any backpack. The material mix of aluminum and magnesium is supposed to provide the appropriate robustness. But also the support of 4G is supposed to make the end customer happy. After all, the TravelMate’s WiFi 6 guarantees fast Internet access not only in networks, but also on the road. If it should be a data transfer via cable, the user has a USB port including Thunderbolt 4 at his disposal. Data security is ensured by a fingerprint sensor and Windows Hello, which uses the integrated IR camera. Speaking of cameras. Acer also guarantees a high degree of privacy thanks to a practical webcam aperture.
The TravelMate will be available in German retail outlets from December this year. The UVP is to start with the spin version with 999 euro. Who would like to have the same performance, but does not need a 360 degrees hinge, can also reach for the variant without hinge. Here the UVP is to start with 879 euro.
