Acer Announces Aspire R 13, Chromebook R 11 Convertibles
Acer announced an array of new and refreshed products at IFA 2015 in Berlin. Among those products are two new convertible notebook computers, designed with similar features, but aimed at very different segments of the market.
All About That Hinge
Acer will be launching an updated version of the Aspire R 13 notebook this fall. It features Intel's latest Core i5 and i7 (Skylake) processors, and a unique hinge design that the company calls an Ezel Aero hinge, which allows you to configure it in six different ways. Laptop, Display, Pad, and Tent mode are typically found on convertible notebooks, but Ezel and Stand Mode are made possible with the U-shaped hinge design. Acer said the display is sturdy and wobble-free thanks to the dual-torque hinge used.
The Aspire R 13 comes equipped with a precision touchpad that is capable of 3- and 4-finger gestures supported by Windows 10. The touchscreen is capable of 10-point tracking, and supports common gestures such as pinch and swipe.
The Aspire convertible notebook has the option of either a single SSD, or two SSDs configured in RAID 0. It also features support for some of the latest I/O technology. A single USB Type-C connector can be found, which supports Thunderbolt 3 for up to a 40 Gps transfer rate. Acer said this port enables the ability to plug in a discrete graphics card, housed externally. This option would be necessary if you chose the 1440p display option over the standard 1080p display.
Chromebook R 11
Acer will also be launching a convertible Chomebook this fall. The Chromebook R 11 features a 360-degree hinge that supports the typical four modes: Laptop, Display, Pad and Tent. It features an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 resolution touch screen with 10-point tracking, and built-in HD webcam.
The ChromeBook R 11 will have the option of two different Intel Celeron processors, and it comes equipped with up to 4 GB of memory. Storage is handled by eMMC memory, with 16 GB and 32 GB options available.
| Model | Aspire R 13 R7-372T | Chromebook R 11 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 Home 64-bit | ChromeOS |
| Processor | 6th Generation Intel Core i5-6200U or i7-6500U | Intel Celeron N3050 or N3150 |
| Memory | up to 8 GB | up to 4 GB |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB SSD - 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB SSDs in RAID 0 | eMMC flash storage - 16 GB or 32 GB |
| Display size | 13.3-inch | 11.6-inch |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 or 2560 x 1440 | 1366 x 768 |
| Touchscreen | 10-point Touch - Tap, Swipe, Pinch, Zoom | 10-point Touch - Tap, Swipe, Pinch, Zoom |
| Display Modes | 6 Modes - Laptop, Display, Tent, Pad, Ezel, Stand | 4 Modes - Laptop, Display, Tent, Pad |
| Degrees of Rotation | 180-degrees | 180-degrees |
| Wireless | Qualcomm VIV 2x2 802.11ac with MU-MIMO Technology | Qualcomm VIV 2x2 802.11ac with MU-MIMO Technology |
| I/O | Thunderbolt 3 over USB Type-C, 8x USB 3.0 | 1x USB 3.0 |
| Webcam | Acer Crystal Eye HD Webcam | HD Webcam with HDR |
| Dimensions | 343.8 (W) x 230.35 (D) x 18.5 (H) mm / 13.54 x 9.07 x 0.71/0.73 inches | 294 (W) x 204 (D) x 19.2 (H) mm / 11.57 x 8.03 x 0.76 inches |
| Weight | 1.6 kg / 3.53 lbs | 1.25 kg / 2.76 lbs |
| Availability | October in North America, Europe, Middle-East and Africa | October in North America, November in Europe, Middle-East and Africa |
| MSRP | Starting at $899 | Starting at $299 |
Both notebooks will be available this October in North America. The Aspire R 13 will start at $899, and the ChromeBook R 11 starts at $299. Europe, Middle-East and Africa will receive the Aspire in October, but will have to wait until November to purchase the Chromebook.
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Kevin Carbotte is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware who primarily covers VR and AR hardware. He has been writing for us for more than four years.