Hot on the heels of a plethora of device announcements, Acer has thrown its hat in the Skylake/Windows 10 race, debuting two new products: the Aspire R 14 convertible notebook and the Aspire Z3-700 AIO.
The Acer Aspire R 14 convertible laptops feature the latest 6th generation Intel (Skylake) processors, up to 8 GB DDR3L memory and speedy SSD storage. The new convertible notebooks feature a redesigned 360-degree dual-torque hinge to swing the laptop into its four different usage modes, which include tent, tablet, laptop and display mode. Here are the full specs of the Acer Aspire R 14:
| Processors | Graphics | Screen | Memory | Storage | Weight | Battery Life | Camera |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7-6500U or i5-6200U | Intel HD Graphics | 14-inch FHD 1920 x 1080 10-Point Touchscreen | Up to 8 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB SATA SSD | 4.19 lbs | Up to 9 hours | Acer Crystal Eye HD webcam |
The metal chassis is made using an eco-friendly technology called nano-imprint lithography, a process that gives the new device a sleek look. The device also features at least one USB Type-C port (although there aren't details on its functionality) and MU-MIMO wireless technology.
The Acer Aspire Z3-700 is an all-in-one desktop computer with a 17.3-inch, 1080p HD 10-point touchscreen display, and it features Intel Pentium or Celeron processors with up to 8 GB of RAM and optional SSD storage. The device also sports two foldable kickstands that can be used to position the Aspire Z as a traditional AIO, angled wide for an inclined position, or it can be retracted to lay the screen flat like a jumbo tablet. Here's a complete spec list for the Aspire Z3-700:
| Processor | Graphics | Screen | Memory | Storage | Weight | Battery Life | Camera |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Pentium N3700 or Intel Celeron N3150/N3050 | Intel HD Graphics | 17.3-inch FHD 1920 x 1080 10-Point IPS Touchscreen | Up to 8 GB | 32 GB, 60 GB, 128 GB or 256 GB SSD, or a 500 GB HDD | 4.5 lbs | Up to 5 hours | 1080p FHD webcam |
Perhaps the Z3-700's most impressive feature is that this AIO has a built-in battery that offers up to 5 hours of cord-free desktop performance. With its thin and light design and rechargeable internal battery, this AIO combines the power of a desktop with the convenience of a tablet, and it even includes a digital stylus.
Both devices feature Acer TrueHarmony Plus technology with Dolby audio and will ship with Windows 10. The Acer Aspire R 14 convertible will be available in North America and the EMEA in late October starting at an MSRP of $699 USD. The Acer Aspire Z3-700 seems to be coming only to the EMEA for now, and it's expected to arrive by the end of the year with prices starting at 599 euros.
Derek Forrest is an Associate Contributing writer for Tom’s Hardware and Tom’s IT Pro. PC gaming, graphics hardware and VR devices are among his favorite topics to cover. He is a lifelong PC enthusiast, former IT administrator and a custom PC builder with a penchant for creating music, voice acting and all things geek.
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