Acer
Windows 10 Machines
Acer's
lineup of Windows 10 machines is toplined by the Aspire V Nitro series, which
includes 15-inch and 17-inch models. Both sizes have a baseline 1366x768
resolution and some type of Core i5 processor from Intel's new Skylake line,
but they can be upgraded to become far more powerful. They top out with specs
like an Ultra HD display, a Core i7 processor, 32 GB of RAM, a GeForce graphics
card, and a RealSense camera.
Connectivity
isn't usually a highlight feature on a laptop, but it is here. For one, the V
Nitro series includes a USB Type-C port, which isn't too useful at the moment
but is quickly taking off. On a more powerful version of the laptops, which are
being called the Black Editions, those ports also support the Thunderbolt 3
standard, so they can be used to transfer data at speeds up to 40 Gbps. All
models in the V Nitro series will also include 2x2 802.11ac Wi-Fi with
multiuser MIMO — a tech that allows it to more efficiently transfer data — all
of which should allow it to transfer data at up to three times the speeds of
earlier products with 802.11ac, according to Acer.
A
lower-end laptop is being introduced too. The Aspire V 13 starts with a 1366x768 display and an i3 processor. It can be upgraded to include a 1080p
touchscreen and 16 GB of RAM. It also includes a USB Type-C port and 802.11ac
Wi-Fi with multiuser MIMO. The laptop is supposed to get up to 8 hours of
battery life, whereas the more powerful models are between 5 hours and 8 hours.
This model sells for much cheaper, beginning at US$ 599. The V Nitro series begins
at US$ 999 for the 15-inch model and at US$ 1,099 for the 17-inch model. All three
will be available in North America beginning this October.
In
addition to its Aspire V laptops, Acer is introducing several new Windows 10
machines with more interesting form factors. The Aspire R 13 is a convertible
with a display that can be flipped over the keyboard so that it can be used
like a tablet. It has a Core i5 or Core i7 processor, a 1080p or Quad HD display,
and up to 8 GB of RAM. The R 13 also includes the same connectivity features as
the Aspire V machines. Additionally, there's the Aspire Switch 10 V and 10 E,
two convertible Windows 10 machines that can work as a laptop or break free
from their keyboard to become a tablet. These are low-power systems with
10-inch displays, Atom processors, and 2 GB of RAM. The R 13 will go on sale in
October for US$ 899, but Acer gave no pricing or availability for the Switch line.
