Among the new Acer devices unveiled in New York today is the Chromebook 14 for Work, the first Chromebook to feature a sixth-generation Intel core processor, the company said. In addition to being fast, Acer said the new device also boasts a battery life of up to 12 hours.
Also announced today were the Switch Alpha 12 liquid-cooled notebook, a new ultra-slim Aspire S 13, two Predator devices — a notebook and a desktop — for gaming, and the X5 computer for cycling enthusiasts. Acer also launched a new line of F7 large-venue projectors.
The new products represent “the fruits of our corporate transformation,” including expansion into new markets such as computing for cycling fans, president and CEO Jason Chen said in a statement.
‘Military Standard’ Durability
Set to hit the market in May, Acer’s Chromebook 14 for Work also achieves a first by featuring a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass cover, the company said. The new device also offers “military standard” durability, with a spill-resistant keyboard and a body that can withstand drops of up to four feet, according to Acer.
Weighing in a 3.2 pounds, the Chromebook 14 for Work provides a 13-inch, full-HD display with anti-glare and low-reflection properties, Acer said. The device also offers a USB 3.0 Type-C port, support for Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi connections, and a 720p webcam with wide field-of-view imaging for effective video conferencing.
The Chromebook 14 for Work will be available with either 16 GB or 32 GB of storage and either 2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB of dual-channel LPDDR3 SDRAM memory. The device will be priced starting at $ 349 in the U.S.
Liquid-Cooled PC Supports Windows Ink
In addition to the Chromebook, Acer also announced a number of new Windows PCs, including the Switch Alpha 12, a fanless and liquid-cooled 2-in-1 notebook with a choice of sixth-generation Intel Core processors. The Switch Alpha 12 will support an optional Acer Active Pen for writing and drawing that will let users “better take advantage of Windows Ink,” a computer handwriting technology set to come out this summer with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, according to a post on Microsoft’s Windows blog.
The Acer Switch Alpha 12 will be priced starting at $ 599.99 and is scheduled to become available in the U.S. and Canada in June. The new, ultra-thin Aspire S 13 devices are set to hit North American markets in May with prices starting at $ 699; the Acer Aspire R15, priced at $ 699 and up, will also become available in May.
Acer recently passed Asus and Toshiba to become the fifth largest vendor of PCs in the U.S., according to IDC’s most recent Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker. The company is also the top Chromebook vendor in the global market.
Image Credit: Chromebook 14 for Work, pictured above, via Acer.
