Acer's SpatialLabs View Pro 27 Features 4K 160Hz Panel, Glasses-Free 3D

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By Brandon Hill
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Acer builds on the glass-free stereoscopic 3D technology that debuted on the 15.6-inch Spatial Labs View

Acer SpatialLabs View Pro 27
(Image credit: Acer)

Earlier this year, we looked at the Acer SpatialLabs View 15.6-inch portable monitor. While portable displays are a dime a dozen these days, the SpatialLabs View is unique because it enables glass-free 3D for use in supported games and applications. While the technology is impressive, the 15.6-inch form factor was slightly limiting. Acer is changing that today with the new SpatialLabs View Pro 27, which, as its name implies, measures 27 inches across. 

The SpatialLabs View Pro 27 builds on the foundation laid out by its smaller sibling. It employs stereoscopic 3D (where two images are displayed, slightly offset to trick your brain into thinking that you’re viewing a 3D image) along with head and eye-tracking. But whereas the SpatialLabs View offers a 4K resolution with a 60 Hz refresh rate, the SpatialLabs Pro 27 features a 4K VA panel with a maximum 160 Hz refresh rate. Critically for gamers, this monitor supports AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync Adaptive-Sync technologies.

Other key specifications include a maximum brightness of 400 nits, a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, and a response time of 5ms. Acer also quotes DCI-P3 coverage of 95 percent, and the screen features an anti-reflective coating to cut down on reflections while you’re trying to enjoy 3D imagery. A detachable hood is also provided to minimize distractions and maximize color accuracy.

Acer SpatialLabs View Pro 27

(Image credit: Acer)

The SpatialLabs Pro 27 features dual 2.5-watt speakers, which are common on monitors of this size. However, Acer employs AI enhancements in conjunction with the head tracking sensors to produce spatial audio. So, not only does the three-dimensional immersion encompass your visual senses, but it also extends to what you hear.

You’ll find one HDMI 2.1 port, one DisplayPort 2.0 port, and one USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5 Gbps, DisplayPort Alt-Mode) port for connecting to your computer. There are also two USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5 Gbps) for connecting peripherals.

Content creators will be able to view 3D content using the SpatialLabs Model Viewer, and there are plugins available to assist with development in popular engines like Unreal and Unity.

Acer says that the Spatial Labs Pro 27 will launch globally during the first quarter of 2024. Pricing and specific regional availability will be announced closer to launch.

Brandon Hill
Brandon Hill

Brandon Hill is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware. He has written about PC and Mac tech since the late 1990s with bylines at AnandTech, DailyTech, and Hot Hardware. When he is not consuming copious amounts of tech news, he can be found enjoying the NC mountains or the beach with his wife and two sons.

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6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • dalek1234
    Please, not the 3D BS again.
    Every decade or so, 3D is hyped up to sell more TVs (now monitor too). People fall for the gimmic, realise it's not good, and then the buzz fizzles out. Then a wait, for the new generation of people, and the 3D BS gets a new push, then it fizzles out again. Rince, repeat. This cycle has been repeated for longer than 50 years now, maybe even more. There is a sucker born every minute, so I guess there rest of us are stuck re-living the 3D Hype, over and over.
    Reply
  • sizzling
    dalek1234 said:
    Please, not the 3D BS again.
    This. Seriously talk about flogging a dead horse
    Reply
  • husker
    dalek1234 said:
    Please, not the 3D BS again...
    You may be right, but not for any reason you talked about. 3D televisions failed for the same reason curved televisions failed: The geometry of the implementation requires the viewer to be in a specific location in order to work as intended. This is not practical for a main room TV with many viewers and a normal furniture layout. Curved gaming monitors, however are an entirely different use case. I know several people who use them and they seem to be increasing in number and not just a novelty. No glass 3D screens may fall into the same kind of use case as curved monitors. This monitor utilizes head and eye tracking for a single viewer which (seems to me) would make a huge impact in the quality of the 3D effect. My concern would be if this kind of technology causes any kind of eye strain or mental fatigue. From using virtual reality headsets, the fatigue factor seems much more of a likely limiting factor rather than a general failure of the tech itself.
    Reply
  • dalek1234
    sizzling said:
    This. Seriously talk about flogging a dead horse
    This horse is magical. It resurrects itself. So that it can die again, to be flogged dead, again.
    Reply
  • Bepboprobot
    Even if this might not be useful for a user or just a gimmick to show off to friends, I could actually see a use-case for designers who want to have another viewpoint of NPCs and created environments.
    Reply
  • FatherCreamy
    husker said:
    My concern would be if this kind of technology causes any kind of eye strain or mental fatigue. From using virtual reality headsets, the fatigue factor seems much more of a likely limiting factor rather than a general failure of the tech itself.
    I've had a Spatiallabs laptop for over 6 months and I haven't experienced eye strain or mental fatigue, probably because I can adjust how intense the 3D effect is with sliders, I have the real world around me, and I can adjust my head position (or maybe I'm less susceptible to strain & fatigue?). The experience is like looking through a window when the 3D is turned on, and the way you focus on objects near & far in a scene feels about as natural as in real life so long as you don't push the 3D effect too far. It's easy to see objects sink ~15" into the 15.6" monitor, but having objects pop out 5-6"+ is more difficult because the illusion breaks when the object touches the edge.
    There are some quirks here 'n there, but overall it's been a pleasant surprise that still impresses me.
    Reply