Acer’s Swift lineup of thin and light laptops gets a much needed boost with OLED technology. The company announced an all new OLED edition of their mid-range offering, the Swift 3. The new Swift 3 OLED joins the stable of impressive thin and light offerings which have seen much success for both their features and price point.
-Source: Acer
The Swift 3 OLED stands out due to its 14-inch WQXGA+ OLED display; a first in the laptop series. The display comes with a 2.8K resolution and comes with a 16:10 aspect ratio. It’s also got an impressive 92% screen-to-body ratio. The display is also one of the most colour accurate displays with 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut. What’s more it’s also VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certified. It’s one of the most vibrant displays on an Acer laptop.
Intel’s latest 12 generation Core H-series processors power the experience on the Swift 3 OLED. The laptop is an Intel Evo Platform verified device. This means that it will be able to provide at least 10 hours of use on a single charge and supports instant wake from sleep. You’ll also be able to get over 4 hours of usage from a 30-minute charge. On the graphics end of things, the laptop will be relying on the integrated Intel Iris® Xe graphics which should be more than enough for basic photo editing and creative work.
Staying true to their Earthion platform, Acer has also incorporated ocean bound plastics in their new Swift 3 OLED. The track pad of the laptop is made of OceanGlass which is made from ocean bound plastics. The 1.4kg laptop is made of a slim 17.9mm thin aluminum chassis providing it with sturdiness and rigidity. Acer is also upping the ante with its cooling with a unique keyboard design with an inlet that helps dissipate up to 10% more heat. It’s also equipped with all the connectivity options that we’re accustomed to when it comes to Acer Swift Laptops including the latest WiFi 6E connectivity.
Pricing & Availability
The Swift 3 OLED will be available starting in May 2022 in China and in July 2022 for the rest of the world. It will cost RMB4,999 (MYR3,253.12) in China, USD$899.99 (MYR3,955.88) in North America, and EUR999 (MYR4,598.46) in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
When organisations say that they are going green, they make things sound super simple. They start with their target numbers, their current numbers, their future, and that is sort of the end of their story, as far as eco-friendliness is concerned. When it comes to talking about making products more sustainable, they usually refer to their current production method and use of sustainable materials in products.
Acer is doing it differently though.
Acer announced their Earthion initiative back in 2020. In that, they have committed to making their company as sustainable as possible in the coming years. They plan to fully rely on renewable energy by 2035, which is a lofty ambition. They also mentioned that for them to achieve such lofty ambitions, they needed the help and support of their entire support chain too. They needed their support system to comply to their own standards of minimal carbon footprint and completely relying on renewable sources of energy.
Welcome to the entire range of Vero products. We have seen the Aspire Vero and TravelMate Vero launched before. The Aspire Vero was so interesting that National Geographic wanted their brand on the product, thus the Acer Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition that we recently saw.
With Next@Acer 2022, the Vero line-up is complete. They have introduced the new Veriton Vero All-in-One desktop solution and two new Vero monitors with premium IPS panels.
Acer Veriton Vero
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
The first thing that greets you when you take the Veriton Vero out of its 100% recyclable packaging is the brilliant 24-inch Full HD IPS display. The bezels are super-thin, in fact the display covers 88% of the Veriton Vero’s body. If you need to, the entire thing is VESA compatible to keep your table organised and clean.
The Veriton Vero’s shell is made of the same PCR material that the Aspire Vero is made of. It is constructed with 30% PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) materials. The included keyboard and mouse also come with 65% PCR materials on top and 30% ocean bound plastics at the bottom to not only match the design intricacies that is the Veriton Vero AIO, but also as a statement of commitment to their Earthion programme. The AIO itself also features a screwless back so that users can easily access the internals to either upgrade or repair the device. Of course, Acer’s service centres will always be happy to help.
Once you open it up though, you will find Intel’s latest and greatest 12th Generation Core i9 (up to) processor and can spec it up to an NVIDIA GeForce MX550 GPU. You can even fit up to 64GB of dual-channel DDR4 3200 MHz RAM modules to the AIO if you need. This Veriton Vero is a workhorse with these internals.
To top it all off, you get WiFi 6E capabilities built-into the AIO for a fast, reliable, and stable internet connection. With two USB 3.2 Type-C ports that supports up to 20Gbps data transfer speeds, it is a versatile piece of kit on your desk. In the way of storage expansion, the Veriton Vero can support up to two M.2 SSDs at 2TB capacities.
Being powerful is never enough. You need it to be safe too if you are going to rely on it for work. BlueLightShield protects your eyes in extended use cases by reducing blue light emissions by up to 30%. Your data is kept save with Windows Hello’s IR facial recognition scanner with TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 built into the device. There is also a Tobii Aware smart sensor that locks out any other users that tires to access the PC. The same camera that does all this is also your webcam that can be shuttered to keep prying eyes at bay. You can even turn it away from you to project an entire room in a video conference.
Vero Monitors
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Thing is, you might not need a Veriton Vero AIO. You already have a functioning PC, but you need a monitor instead. Acer has you covered with a 27-inch Full HD CB273 monitor or a 23.8-inch Full HD B247Y G monitor.
While Acer wants to keep it as affordable and accessible as possible, you are not getting some random VA LCD panel for your monitors though. Both monitors feature IPS panels for accurate colour reproduction and plenty of viewing angles. The panels are good for a ΔE<1 rating and TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe® certified. They even come with KVM switch function to allow you to work with multiple PC inputs at a time. This way, you only need a single set of keyboard and mouse to work with. It even provides up to 90W power delivery via its USB Type-C port so that you only need one running cable from your wall port.
The best part about it is that it is made almost entirely of recycled materials. The entirety of the body is made with 85% PCR and 5% ocean bound plastics. Yes, it also features the same sort of design and look as the Aspire Vero. You might want to think about pairing the Aspire Vero to this monitor, just to match the looks.
Aspire Vero, now with 12th Generation Intel Core Processors.
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Of course, the original Aspire Vero cannot be forgotten with the other products. The Aspire Vero, after all, is the original Vero product. The Vero line-up might not have been a thing if its not for the Aspire Vero. It is 2022 though and the Aspire Vero is still outfitted with 2021 hardware.
For 2022, the Aspire Vero series gets a modern 12th Generation Intel Core treatment. Both the 14-inch and 15-inch variant of the Aspire Vero also gets OceanGlass trackpads made out of ocean bound plastics. Nothing much else has changed other than that.
You get to pick from two colour options now though for both the 14-inch and 15-inch variants. The 14-inch variant now comes in Mariana Blue while the 15-inch variant can be opted with Starry Black colour instead of their original Cobblestone Grey colour option. They have also redesigned the packaging of the Aspire Vero a little bit so that more of its can be repurposed rather than disposed.
Price and Availability
The Acer Veriton Vero AIO is touted to be available July 2022 onward with prices starting from EUR€ 919. The Acer Vero CB273 and B247Y G monitors will be available somewhere in Q3 for EU€ 399 and EU€ 269 respectively. The updated Aspire Vero will be available in August 2022 onward with prices starting from EU€ 899 for the 14-inch variant and EU€ 999 for the 15-inch variant.
Note that these are the official availability dates for the European markets. There are no mentions on when theses eco-friendly products will be available in Malaysia currently. With that, there are also no mentions of their official pricing in Malaysia. For more information about these products, you can visit Acer’s website.
Acer’s SpatialLabs edition laptops were first announced for the designer focused ConceptD lineup. The technology allows for a more immersive experience when it comes to 3D design and content. This year, the company bringing SpatialLabs technology to their Predator with the new Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs edition.
The Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs brings a whole new experience to gaming. It throws gamers into the thick of their games without the need for glasses. Using a combination of a stereoscopic 3D display, eye tracking solutions and real-time rendering technologies, games are turned into immersive 3D experiences. Backing the eye tracking technology is a a 15.6-inch UHD 2D panel. The panel has a liquid crystal lenticular lens bonded on top of it. The new, revolutionary module allows users to switch between 2D and 3D experiences seamlessly.
Acer takes it a step further with SpatialLabs’ TrueGame application which can use pre-existing data in game rendering to generate an immersive, stereoscopic 3D world. This is made possible as games are designed with depth in mind which allows the application to generate 3D landscapes and scenes in real-time.
Acer has already identified more than 50 modern and classic games that will have configuration files in TrueGame for better compatibility and rendering. This list of games will continue to grow with titles being added regularly. Acer may very well have the revolution we’ve been waiting for when it comes to 3D gaming with the Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Edition. It all depends on how the final product performs when it’s available.
The new Helios 300 SpatialLabs Edition is packed to the brim with top of the line specifications to power the immersive 3D experiences generated by SpatialLabs TrueGame. Under the hood, it has a 12th Generation Intel Core i9 processor paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU. Complimenting the processor and GPU is 32GB of DDR5-4800 RAM and PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD storage. Acer is also adopting liquid metal thermal grease to complement a dual fan cooling system powered by a 5th Generation AeroBlade 3D fan. This combination allows more heat to dissipated from the processor and GPU more efficiently. Acer’s CoolBoost technology is only the cherry on top.
Pricing & Availability
The Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Edition will be available in North America in early Q4, 2022 for USD3,399.99 (MYR14,944.18) and in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Asia) in September 2022 with prices starting at EUR3,299 (MYR15,194.02).
Acer’s Aspire Vero laptop was announced last year. The new laptop is the first in a line of products built on the company’s Earthion (Earth + Mission) platform. With their new platform, the company is looking to lessen and reverse the environmental impact of technology on the environment.
The Aspire Vero spearheads their new effort with the company using a substantial amount of recycled and repurposed materials. In fact, Acer was one of the first companies to openly share that they are using up to 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics in components like keycaps and the body of the Aspire Vero.
Of course, using these materials was only the beginning. Extending the reach of their Earthion, Acer has partnered with the National Geographic Society. In their partnership, the Acer Aspire Vero was given a special design with signature National Geographic accents. The Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition comes in a brighter white with the signature National Geographic yellow square. This new edition of the Aspire Vero is now available for pre-order in Malaysia. It will be priced at MYR4,299. Acer Malaysia will be channelling MYR100 from every purchase of the laptop to fund tree adoption. This comes in addition to the percentage being channelled to through the National Geographic Society to fund conservation efforts the world over.
In addition to this, Acer Malaysia is making available a trade-in programme in which you will be able to get up to MYR500 for your older devices. The programme is open to all working and non-functioning tablets, laptops, desktops and All-in-One desktops. Of course, like other programmes out there, the items will be evaluated and priced after which you will be entitled to up to an MYR500 cash rebate.
The Acer Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition isn’t an underpowered laptop pushing a premium cause of its conservation efforts. It actually comes with the specifications that allow it to be a productivity tool for everyone. It’s equipped with an 11th Generation Intel Core i7 with Intel Xe Graphics. It also jas 16GB of RAM and 1TB of PCIe NVMe SSD. The Aspire Vero is also equipped with a full array of ports including an HDMI, 2 USB-A, a USB-C, a 3.5mm combo audio jack and even an ethernet port. It’s relatively lightweight coming in at only 1.8kg and has a 2-year local warranty with an international traveller’s warranty for the first year.
In addition to the announcement of the National Geographic Edition, Acer Malaysia also announced new pricing for the regular Acer Aspire Vero. It is now available for MYR3,699 for the i7 version and MYR2,999 for the i5 version.
When you go out to buy a laptop, there is usually two options for you to pick from. You can either go with Windows laptops, which will open yourself up to a world of options. You can also go for the Mac option, which would simplify your options but at a higher cost. There is a third option though – Chrome OS.
At this point, we see many question marks on many people’s heads. “Why a Chrome OS?” you may ask. It is an odd choice in the sea of choices in the market, an unpopular one. But at the same time, we think it could be a sound and sensible one.
While the Chrome OS is regarded as the simplest of operating systems (OS), it is still a valid operating system you can choose when you buy a laptop for work. The education sector loves Chromebooks because they are rather cost effective and simplistic in nature. It is fuss free to work with, a perfect introduction into the world of computing.
Chrome OS is and can be so much more than just a laptop made for the school. It can be a rather simple way for organizations to manage their work devices. It is an inexpensive solution for enterprises looking to equip their employees for their digital transformation. They can be premium machines that fulfill all sorts of needs too, except for gaming.
So, we wondered; what is it like to live with a Chromebook? Is the Chromebook worthy to be a daily driver? Is the Chrome OS even the right platform to begin with when it comes to corporate use?
The Hardware
We are very lucky to get our hands on the Acer Chromebook Spin 713. Thanks to the support of Acer, we did not have to fuss over choosing the right Chromebook to work with. It is also the most premium Chromebook you can find in their line-up of Chromebooks.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is nothing like a budget Chromebook made for the school. It still can take scrapes and bumps with MIL-STD810G certification. It is an MYR 3,799 convertible. It is also a rather powerful Chromebook.
It packs Intel’s 11th Generation Core i5-1135G7 processor, something you generally find on thin-and-light Windows notebooks. It has 8GB of RAM and 256GB in storage. Acer advised us against opening the guts of the notebook to replace or upgrade anything within the Chromebook in fear of bricking the unit, so we will comply with their requests for now.
It is a convertible, so it also comes with a glass protected touch display that measures in at 13.5-inch with 2,256 by 1,504 pixels on tap from the IPS panel. Yes, it is a 3:2 aspect ratio display, quite odd. The dual speakers leave a little more to be desired, but you can plug your headphones in with the AUX jack, or connect your Bluetooth enabled gear to the Chromebook.
Aside from the AUX jack, you have two USB Type-C ports, both Thunderbolt ports thanks to Intel. The Chromebook charges via USB Type-C too. There is another USB port beside a MicroSD card reader, a Type-A for convenience. There is also a full-sized HDMI port for extra versatility.
Setting up Chrome OS
Our focus isn’t too much on the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 though. This four-part editorial will focus on the Chrome OS. We will be working exclusively on the Chromebook for four continuous weeks. We still go back to our main Windows rigs for video editing. Everything else will be done on the Chromebook and Chrome OS though. In fact, this article is mostly typed and edited on the Chromebook itself.
While we are aware of Google Chrome OS, we are rather new to the interface. We expected some learning curve; there are some, though not as steep as we expected it to be. There are a few major differences in the interface that we will talk about in the coming weeks. Before we get into any of that, we must set up the Chrome OS first.
Its first boot leads us to a very familiar set-up screen. Obviously, you do not get a Windows style or Mac style set-up. It is even simpler than what we expected, to be fair. If you already have a Google Account in the first place, that is really all you need to get going. Within five minutes, we are ready to work with the Chromebook.
First Impressions – Picking Up the Clues
We see a familiar desktop home screen, a welcome at least coming from the Windows ecosystem. Except, we were a little disappointed when we found out that we cannot put anything on the home screen. You can only change the wallpaper of your home screen. We sort of expected a more Android like experience, especially with widgets. Sadly, it is what it is.
The icon on the interface is digitally enlarged to fit eh 13.5-inch display by default. The resizing is clearly a nod to optimising the touch interface for users. We changed the icon sizing to smallest the system allows us to, just because.
Touch Optimised, Simple, Clean
While it is a touch sensitive display, Android gesture controls do not work with Chrome OS, at least not when you are in laptop mode anyway. I must remind myself that I am not using an Android tablet here, just plain ol’ Chrome OS with no overlays. At the same time, you are going to get the same Chrome OS from any Chromebooks you pick up off the shelf. You get different specifications, sure, but they are essentially still the same interface with no extra bloatware.
Apps Matters
We were excited to look through Google Play Store for app downloads and were not too disappointed with it. Most apps made for the smartphone and tablet works. Some of them even allows you to pick between a smartphone or tablet interface, and even change the window size on the fly. The Chrome OS allows you to fully multitask in differently sized windows with the help of a mouse and keyboard.
Like Android, But Unlike Android
Very much like Android tablets, not all the apps that is made for the smartphone works or is available to download. Not all the Android apps that is available for the Chrome OS works flawlessly too, sadly.
The Chrome OS is naturally always on standby. That also means that, by default at least, you only need to unfold your Chromebook and Chrome OS is ready for you instantly.
While there is no special arrangement for the keyboard, there are a few subtle differences between the keyboard on a Chromebook and a Windows laptop. For one, there is no Caps Lock key on the Chrome OS. In its place is a large ‘start’ button to launch the ‘shelf’. There are no function row keys (F1-F12) to be found on the Chromebook either, you hardly ever need them anyway.
Chrome on Chrome OS
Plenty of the apps you may not find on the Google Play Store on the Chromebook can be used on the browser. Obviously, the apps need to have the browser variants of their apps to work. Some of the ‘apps’ on your Chromebook will still lead you to the webpage. Apps like YouTube, for example, can only be used on the web. We will talk about working with Microsoft 365 a bit more in the coming weeks.
This effectively means that two sorts of app store are at your disposal. You have the Google Play Store, which we have already talked about. Then there is the Google Chrome Web Store for you to install plugins on Chrome itself.
More On Part 2
We are also still exploring Chrome OS and still getting to know the system. In the coming parts we will also be talking about updating your Chrome OS and its development support in the future. A lot of things we have covered today are rather on the surface and introductory.
There are still plenty to explore on the Chrome OS. Phone Hub for example, has more to be explored. We have not even started on the stylus experience on the Chromebook.
Getting it up and running was not just simple, it was quick. We did not install everything we wanted nor did a deep search of what we wanted to install on the device, but there is plenty on offer with the device. We think that the plugins on Chrome browser could be a lot of help in making the Chromebook feels like a regular working PC. Gaming is one thing we look forward to talk about in the coming weeks.
Do comment below if there is anything specific that you want to find out about the Chromebook. Of course, comment if there is anything you would like us to do or try on the Chromebook. We will do our best to accommodate and try out everything you recommend and suggest to us.
When you start with a PC build, there are a few essential things you need. You usually think of the spec of your build first, what hardware you want in your PC. How much CPU and GPU power you need also determines the kind of power supply you get for your PC.
Building a PC though is not just about getting the best CPU and GPU in your build. You need to think about your entire set-up from the ground up. Sometimes its better to start at what you can afford or the sort of performance you aim for. That usually starts from the things that you put on your table, your monitor and speakers.
People tend to forget that the display is a big part of their set up. Your display can sometimes dictate an entire build. If you are working with a budget, it realistically determines how much you have left to spend on your desktop tower PC and other peripherals. If you are going for a high-end build, your display determines how much you want to spend for your desktop PC.
How do you choose the right displays for yourself? That is a tough question. That question is made even tougher with Acer’s new offerings to the market.
Acer’s no compromise gaming set-up always has one name attached to their device – Predator. You know it gets serious when you see the Predator branding on any device. In this case, you cannot get any more serious than the Predator X28.
As its name suggests, it is a 28-inch display. What its name did not suggest was the power contained within the 28-inch IPS panel. It packs 4K UHD resolution to take full advantage of NVIDIA’s new GeForce RTX 3090 Ti GPU. If you already have the RTX 3090, you can still benefit from it.
It even refreshes at up to 152Hz (overclocked) with ultra-low response times at 0.2ms (G-to-G), important for esports titles and even racing simulators. With NVIDIA’s G-Sync compatibility, screen tearing is a thing that you have only heard of. For the most realistic and immersive experience, the display offers up to 90% of DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage with Delta E <2. While DisplayHDR 400 does not sound like much, it should still mean that gamers still get a stellar graphics experience from the display.
The “Do Everything” QHD Build – Acer Nitro EI322QURP
It is a 31.5-inch curved display, larger than the Predator X28. The curved VA panel offers QHD 1440p in resolution with up to 165Hz in refresh rate, for fast gaming response. This will be perfect for builds with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3070 or anything equivalent.
It is not a compromised gaming build still though with 1ms of response time on offer. With AMD’s Radeon FreeSync 2 technology on offer, you still can game tear-free too. There is also one thing that it does better compared to the high-end Predator display: its colour accuracy. At 93% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and DisplayHDR 400 rating, games are more immersive than ever on this large-format display.
The Budget Gamer Full HD Build – Acer Nitro XZ306CX
What if you only have the money to work with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or equivalent builds? To take full advantage of it, you might want to prioritise higher frame rates than resolution. In that case, Full HD will be more than enough to work with.
The Acer Nitro XZ306CX offers up to 200Hz in refresh rate for ultra-smooth gaming experience, 1ms response time for ultra-quick reaction times; important in esports titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). At 29.5-inch as well, you get to immerse yourself into the world that is the game in front of you. It is an Ultrawide display too, so you get to see a little more than your usual display.
Like its higher resolution Nitro brother, it also offers up to 93% in DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage. DisplayHDR 400 ensures that you get all the details from dark to light. It also offers AMD Radeon FreeSync 2 for a tear-free gaming experience you can expect from any good gaming monitors.
Gaming might not be your thing. You might not even be considering getting a gaming PC for your build. You just want a versatile laptop that you can rely on and bring anywhere you need it to work. You just want a simple PC that you can use for all sorts of things other than gaming. In that case, you just want a bigger display at a reasonable price you can plug into at home.
For that, the Acer CB292CU is perfect. It is an ultra-wide Full HD display that offers up to 2,560 by 1,080 in resolution. The extra display real estate allows you to have more windows on display as well without making the display feel cramped and small. At 29-inch, you will not feel as if you have a small display too.
The 21:9 aspect ratio is quite perfect for most films eliminating the top and bottom black bars in most cinematic formats. Sure, YouTube videos might suffer a little with 16:9 aspect ratio, but it just means you can have a little bit of a multitasking set up with a wider display. You can be sure to also enjoy your films or just lightly edit videos on the display with up to 99% sRGB colour gamut coverage, if you need to. Accurate colours is always an enjoyable feature on any display.
Price and Availability
All the products mentioned are now available for purchase from all authorized Acer stores and retailers. Of course, you can get them from Acer’s official online stores as well, including their own online store, Shopee, and Lazada. The Predator X28 will set you back MYR 3,699. The Acer Nitro EI322QURP and Nitro XZ306CX with set you back MYR 1,299 each. The more budget option Acer CB292CU will set you back MYR 899.
Acer’s Predator gaming laptop line-up in 2020 was one that was filled with products that sort of look like each other. One gaming laptop stood out though. That one gaming laptop that stood out above the rest is the Predator Triton 500 gaming laptop. It was thin, thinner than any Predator gaming laptop you can find. It is not unreasonably thin that temperature becomes a concern too. At the same time it looks completely ordinary.
We love the form factor the Predator Triton 500 presented. But is a product with 10th Generation Intel Core processor and NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 20 series GPU. There is a new one, and it packs Intel’s and NVIDIA’s latest. Not just the latest though, the most powerful in the mobile line-up; the Core i9 and the GeForce RTX 3080.
It also comes with a new age design that is even more minimalist than before. It gained a little bit of heft and weight too. But essentially, the philosophy of the product is the same. Make it thin, as thin as possible. But make it powerful also, immensely powerful.
That means that the price is also bumped up to MYR 12,999. Does it still live up to the Triton 500 name? Is the Triton 500 SE even worth that kind of money? We find out.
Get your Predator Triton 500 SE here: https://acer.co/36NWtkm! More information on the Predator Triton 500 SE here: https://www.acer.com/ac/en/MY/content/predator-series/predatortriton500se!
Acer’s Swift X lineup debuted last year with a unique combination of both performance and power in a sleek, lightweight package. This year, it seems like the new lineup is here to stay with more sizes and even more power. Their AIO Aspire C lineup has been a budget offering that’s been delivering consistently when it comes to a one size fits all package. This year, they get all new processors.
Acer Swift X Makes A Bigger, More Powerful Return
Acer’s ultra-portable Swift lineup has always been one of the go-to laptops when looking for a thin and light laptop. Last year, the company supercharged its thin and light offerings with the Swift X and this year, they’re taking it a step further. The Swift X isn’t just getting its insides upgraded, it’s getting a bigger sized variant for those who are looking for even more screen real estate without compromising on form.
The new Swift X will be available in 14-inch and 16-inch versions. The former weighs a meagre 1.4kgs packing the latest, 12 generation Intel Core i processors with up to 12 cores and NVIDIA’s RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU. The 16-inch version of the Swift X also comes with the 12th Generation Intel Core i Processors, however, it doesn’t sport an NVIDIA GPU instead, the laptop has the honour of being one of the first laptops with Intel’s ARC discreet GPU.
Both come with up to16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe SSD storage. They also come with an IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The 14-inch version has a 2240×1400 pixel resolution while the larger 16-inch version has a WQXGA resolution of 2560×1600 pixels. Both come with narrow bezels and have 92.22% screen to body ratio and 100% coverage of the sRGB gamut and up to 400 nits brightness.
When it comes to connectivity, the Swift X comes with Intel WiFi 6E and a full array of ports including USB Type-C ports with support for Thunderbolt 4 and two USB Type-A Gen 3.2 ports with an HDMI 2.0 port. It also supports Windows Hello with a built-in fingerprint reader.
Acer Aspire C27 and C24 AiOs
Acer’s AiO lineup is also getting a taste of the latest and greatest internals. The new Aspire C27 and C24 will be shipping with the latest 12th generation Intel Core i processors with configurations supporting up to the Core i7. It will also ship with the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 GPU. These configurations will also support up to 64GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage and 1TB of HDD storage.
The AiOs will come with a full array of ports and sport either a 24-inch (C24) or 27-inch (C27) display. Together with this, it comes with a 5.0-megapixel webcam and support for WiFi 6E. It also has support for Bluetooth 5.2 and Thunderbolt 4.
Pricing & Availability
No pricing or availability for either the Swift X or Aspire AiO has been announced at the time of writing.
Acer has been busy creating new experiences for gamers and also catering to every niche they can think of. When it comes to their gaming offerings they have two distinct lineups – the Predator lineup which has different models and the Nitro lineup which consists of one laptop with two variants. Over the past years, their gaming offerings have become fine-tuned and refined so you can see a distinct difference between them. This year is no different with the Nitro getting an updated design and the Predator Triton 500 blurring the lines between gamer and professional. In addition to these design updates, the gaming lineup is being supercharged with the latest and greatest from Intel, AMD and NVIDIA.
Predator Triton 500 SE
The biggest update comes in the new “special edition” Predator Triton 500. The laptop sheds the design queues we’re used to seeing in the Helios lineup and adopts a more subdued aesthetic that allows it to marry both the professional and gamer in its users. The hard angles and throughways of the classic predator designs are replaced by a sleek and thin exterior that belies its insides. If you looked from afar, you wouldn’t think that this was a gaming laptop.
When we say belies its gaming prowess, we mean it. The Triton 500 SE comes with specifications of up to a 12th generation Intel Core i9 processor. Yep – that’s right, a Core i9. This is paired with the NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU and up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe Gen4 storage. It also comes with Acer’s newest and best when it comes to cooling. It’s equipped with a triple-fan system with two 5th Generation AeroBlade 3D fans that have 89 metal blades each to maximise airflow and cooling. It also has a 99.8Wh battery which promises better battery life even on the highest specifications.
It comes with a large 16-inch WQXGA display with a 2560×1600 pixel resolution, 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. The 16:10 aspect ratio gives even more visual real estate and NVIDIA’s G-SYNC technology allows for smoother gameplay while the 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut provides some colour accuracy.
The Triton 500 SE comes with a full range of ports including two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, an HDMI 2.1 port and even an SD card reader. It also has an Intel Killer E3100G 2.5G Ethernet controller and WiFi 6E support for seamless online play.
Acer Nitro 5
Together with the Predator Triton 500 SE, the Acer Nitro 5 also got a significant facelift. It’s now edgier. The once cumbersome top of the Nitro is now sleek and accented by angled reflective lines that give it that gamer’s aesthetic without being too overt and loud. It still retains the bottom half of the older design but replaces its red accents with a black and silver colourway which gives it a rather “grown-up” aesthetic.
On the inside, the Nitro 5 comes with configurations supporting either the 12-generation Intel Core i processors or the recently announced AMD Ryzen 6000 series APUs. The former comes with configurations supporting up to a Core i7. These processors are complemented with configurations with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX3070 Ti Laptop GPU. When it comes to RAM, the Intel configuration supports up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM while the AMD one supports up to 32GB of DD5 RAM. It also comes with up to 2TB of SSD memory.
The Nitro 5 comes with either an FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate or a QHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate. Both options are able to advantage of AMD FreeSync technology for smoother gameplay. When it comes to connectivity, the laptop comes with support for WiFi 6 and comes with an Intel Killer WiFi 6 AX1650i card and Killer Ethernet E2600. It also has a full range of ports including an HDMI 2.1 port and Thunderbolt 4.
Predator Helios 300
Joining its siblings, the Helios 300 is also getting a bump to the latest 12th Generation Intel Core i processors with configurations supporting up to a Core i7. This is complemented with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU and up to 32GB of DDR5 memory and up to 2TB of SSD storage.
Display-wise it comes with options for a QHD IPS display with a 165 Hz refresh rate or an FHD display with either a 144 Hz or a 165 Hz refresh rate. The latter options are available on the 17.3-inch model of the Helio 300. Aside from this, it comes with similar specifications as the Nitro 5 apart from its per-key RGB and support for Killer DoubleShot Pro (E2600+1675i) and WiFi 6E connectivity.
Pricing & Availability
The laptops will start making their way to market starting in February 2022. Details in the table below
Laptop
Availability
Pricing
Predator Triton 500 SE
North America – March 2022 EMEA – February 2022 China – February 2022
North America – USD$2299.99 EMEA – EUR3499 China – RMB24999
Acer Nitro 5 (Intel) – 15-inch
North America – March 2022 EMEA – February 2022 China – February 2022
North America – USD$1049.99 EMEA – EUR1549 China – RMB9499
Acer Nitro 5 (Intel) – 17-inch
North America – March 2022 EMEA – February 2022 China – February 2022
North America – USD$1099.99 EMEA – EUR1649 China – RMB9499
Acer Nitro 5 (AMD) – 15-inch
North America – April 2022 EMEA – April 2022 China – March 2022
North America – USD$1099.99 EMEA – EUR1599 China – RMB8999
Acer Nitro 5 (AMD) – 17-inch
North America – May 2022 EMEA – April 2022 China – March 2022
North America – USD$1149.99 EMEA – EUR1649 China – RMB8999
Predator Helios 300 – 15-inch
North America – May 2022 EMEA – February 2022 China – February 2022
North America – USD$1649.99 EMEA – EUR2299 China – RMB11999
Predator Helios 300 – 17-inch
North America – March 2022 EMEA – February 2022 China – February 2022
North America – USD$1749.99 EMEA – EUR2399 China – RMB11999
Acer’s gaming lineup has been one of the most complete offerings on the market. From formidable gaming laptops like the Predator and Nitro to the Orion Desktops, the company has thought of nearly every use case and budget. This year, they are refreshing their offerings with the latest and greatest from Intel for better performance.
Predator Orion Desktops
Acer’s Predator Orion desktops have consistently been performers both in design and specifications. The ready-built options bring some of the sleekest, most functional designs that are available on the market. This year, the Predator Orion 5000 and Predator Orion 3000 are getting a much-needed upgrade to the 12th Generation Intel Core processors. The new architecture in Intel’s new processors not only bring nearly 28% more performance power but also allow the machines to run smoother and cooler.
In addition to the new processors, the Predator Orion 5000 and Predator Orion 3000 are getting a design update. The new versions of the desktops do away with the unique, angular designs of yesteryear in favour for a more trippy, vanilla design. The new design adopts a more conventional rectangular shape. This could be a boon seeing as the size of desktop graphics cards are increasing. It also comes with even more RGB goodness with options for glass panels to show off your build.
The Orion 5000 desktop will be shipping with an Intel H670 chipset which will ship with up to an Intel Core i7 processor. The Orion 3000 desktop will have an Intel B660 chipset. The former will have specifications supporting up to an NVIDIA RTX3080 graphics card while the latter tops out at an NVIDIA RTX3070. Both have configurations supporting up to 64GB of 4,000MHz DDR5 RAM. They support for up to 2TB of internal SSD storage with up to an additional 6TB of total SATA HDD storage.
When it comes to connectivity, both have support for WiFi 6E. The Orion 5000 comes with a higher specc’d WiFi Killer E3100G module while the Orion 3000 comes with a WiFi Killer E2600 module. Both support 2×2 MU MIMO for WiFi 6E. They also come with the latest Predator FrostBlade 2.0 fans for cooling. Both are also coming with Windows 11 pre-installed.
Predator Gaming Monitors
Together with their new Predator Orion desktops, Acer is also bringing a refreshed lineup of gaming monitors to complete the Predator Gaming experience. The Predator X32 has already been recognised for it innovative design and features with the CES Innovation Award. Together with the Predator X32 FP gaming monitor, the X32 series is coming with an increased 160Hz refresh rate which can be overclocked to 165Hz. They are both UHD displays with a resolution of 3,840×2,160 pixels in a 32-inch form factor. The monitors come with VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification and feature a miniLED IPS panels with a ∆E of less than 2 and 99% coverage of the AdobeRGB gamut.
In addition to that, the Predator X32 supports high performance, ultra low latency thanks to its NVIDIA G-SYNC ULTIMATE support. The X32 FP comes with an HDMI 2.1 port which allows users to use the monitor for console gaming. It will allow consoles to take advantage of the 165Hz refresh rate and UHD resolution. It also has an additional USB Type-C port with support for 90W power delivery and supports AMD FreeSync Premium.
Predator CG48 Gaming Monitor
Together with the Award winning X32, Acer is introducing the Predator CG48 gaming monitor – a monitor large enough to be your TV replacement. The 48-inch monitor comes with 4K resolution and 138Hz refresh rate. It supports HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4. The CG48 also has four USB 3.2 ports and an additional USB Type-C port. The OLED display of the CG48 comes with AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro technology with a response time of 0.1ms gray to gray (GtG). With AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro, it also supports variable refresh rates for a smoother gaming experience. It comes with a 135,000:1 contrast ratio, HDR10 support and covers 98% of the DCI-P3 gamut.
Pricing & Availability
The Predator Orion desktops will be available in North America starting in February; in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Asia) region starting in March and in China starting in January 2022. The Orion 5000 will have the recommended retail prices starting at USD$2,599 in North America, EUR1,999 in EMEA and RMB14,999 in China. The Orion 3000 retail prices start at USD$1,999 in North America, EUR1,299 in EMEA and RMB11,999 in China.
The Predator X32 monitor will be available starting in Q2 in China and Q3 elsewhere. It will be retailing at USD$1,999 in North America, EUR1,899 in EMEA and RMB12,999 in China.
The X32 FP will be available starting in March 2022 in China. EMEA and North America will see it sometime in Q2 2022. Prices will be starting at USD$1,799 in North America, EUR1,599 in EMEA and RMB10,999 in China.
The Predator CG48 will be available starting in Q2 2022 in China. It will be available in other regions starting in Q3 2022. It will be retailing for USD$2,499 in North America, EUR2199 in EMEA and RMB14,999 in China.
