All news from the Acer Global Press Conference in May 2021
Acer presented numerous innovations at its Global Press Conference on May 27, 2021. All important information about the sustainable Aspire Vero, the new Chromebooks, the Swift X as well as ConceptD devices and gaming devices from the Predator series can be found here.
Unsurprisingly, Acer’s Global Press Conference took place virtually and without an audience this year. The manufacturer revealed many novelties, but you’ll still have to wait for them. They’ll only appear from July onwards, spread over the next half year.
Furthermore, I currently only have the recommended retail prices for Germany, which I will provide for clarity. Swiss prices and those for different equipment variants will follow as soon as the devices are available from us.
Acer has launched its own sustainability initiative in «Earthion», joining the RE100 alliance as well. This includes, among other things, their intention to cover 100 per cent of their own energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2035. Sounds good, but other tech companies have been embracing sustainability for some time now, announcing their intentions to use only renewable energies as early as 2018. By 2030, suppliers should be doing the same. Perhaps this is an incentive for Acer to tighten its own schedule.
Recycled plastic and improved packaging for increased sustainability
«Earthion» includes Acer’s self-selected requirements for products, and the Aspire Vero is the first notebook to fulfil them. The manufacturer sees the laptop as a first step in transforming its production processes.
The Aspire Vero’s case cover and keyboard are made of recycled plastic. Easily accessible and standardised screws should also simplify disassembly and thus recycling – and hopefully also repair – of the laptop.
Packaging is another «Earthion» priority. For example, cardboard used for the Aspire Vero is said to be made of 80 to 85 per cent recycled paper pulp, all printed with soy ink. The power supply is in a paper bag, not a plastic one. Wherever plastic is indispensable according to Acer – laptop sleeve, foil between keyboard and screen – only 100 per cent recycled material will be used.
The Aspire Vero’s equipment isn’t yet completely known. The chipsets are supposed to be from the 11th generation, while the SSD offers up to one terabyte of storage space. The keyboard is supposed to elevate slightly when the notebook is open for better typing, and an AI will provide «crystal clear» sound during video calls. Wi-Fi 6 is also on board, as well as a USB Type-C, two USB 3.2 and one HDMI 2.0 port.
There are no further details as of yet. However, I’m expecting Acer to reveal the display size and working memory when availability and price information follows at the latest.
Swift X: the full power of notebooks
The Acer Swift X has been blessed by a powerful graphics processor, and is thus aimed less towards people looking to simply surf the Internet, but at professionals requiring efficient work devices.
This computing power is provided by an AMD Ryzen 5000 mobile processor and Nvidia’s Geforce RTX 3050 (Ti) graphics processor. All installed inside a 1.39 kilogram notebook with a metal case that’s up to 17.9 millimetres thick. It can accommodate up to two SSDs with a maximum storage capacity of one terabyte each.
The 14-inch screen offers Full HD resolution. According to the manufacturer, it covers 100 per cent of the sRGB colour space and has a brightness of 300 nits. The 59-watt battery is said to provide up to 17 hours of runtime, and a fan with 59 «ultra-thin all-metal fans» and two copper heat pipes are said to provide quiet cooling while the hardware is running at full speed.
Acer promoted a «multitude of ports», but only mentioned a «full-fledged» USB Type-C slot. In accompanying pictures, I myself spotted an HDMI port, two USB-A slots and an audio jack. The fingerprint sensor and webcam support password-less login via Windows Hello, and AI-supported noise reduction should provide clearer images during video conferences.
Acer plans to sell the Swift X starting in the summer of 2021. The stated retail price as of now starts at 899 Euros.
Quite a sizeable Chromebook hidden among the announcements
According to Acer, its four newest Chromebooks include a debut 17-inch display version. To be exact, the Acer Chromebook 317 has a screen diagonal of exactly 17.3 inches. It provides Full HD quality and is optionally available as a touchscreen. You can also opt for a Full HD webcam with two microphones. The keyboard is backlit and has a numeric keypad. Its battery is supposed to last up to 10 hours, with an Intel Pentium Silver N6000 providing power within.
With its 13.5-inch display, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is smaller yet better equipped in its new edition. Acer installed an Intel Core i7 from the 11th. generation. The two USB Type-C ports support Thunderbolt 4, and with its robust aluminium chassis, this notebook even meets the 810H US military standard. A fingerprint sensor is an optional part of the equipment, while the battery should last you up to 10 hours. However, the highlight might be the 360-degree rotatable touchscreen. With it, this convertible offers four usage modes: notebook, tablet, display or tent.
The Acer Chromebook 514 has a slightly larger 14-inch display. A classic laptop through and through, it uses an 11th. generation Intel Core chipset. The fingerprint sensor is also an optional feature here, with the battery again offering a runtime of up to 10 hours. Other features include two USB-C ports, a backlit keyboard, and a Full HD webcam.
The inexpensive Acer Chromebook 314 is primarily intended as a device for schools. Its 14-inch Full HD display can be a touchscreen if desired. There’s a USB-C port, and the chipset is Mediatek’s MT818.
All four new Chromebooks are expected to be available in the third quarter of 2021. Recommended retail prices start at 399 Euros (Chromebook 317), 799 Euros (Chromebook 713), 499 Euros (Chromebook 514) and 299 Euros (Chromebook 314), with prices increasing according to which optional components and available storage variants you choose.
ConceptD receives new hardware
Even more than the Swift X, Acer’s ConceptD series is aimed at users who need loads of power for video and image editing, CAD tools and other applications, while simultaneously setting higher standards on the outer appearance of their work devices.
There aren’t really any new devices. Instead, existing models have been updated. Intel core chipsets from the 11th generation have been integrated into the ConceptD 3, 5 and 7. In terms of graphics cards, there are also new options using Nvidia’s Geforce RTX 30 and A series. The ConceptD 5 is the first notebook in the series to get a 16-inch display.
These various new ConceptD laptops are scheduled to go on sale at the start of the fourth quarter of 2021 at the latest. Their recommended retail prices start at 1599 to 3499 Euros depending on the model.
Two new gaming notebooks
Both Predator Triton 500 SE and Helios 500 gaming notebooks will ship with new components very soon, offering chipsets up to Intel’s 11th generation Core i9 CPUs and GPUs up to the Nvidia Geforce RTX 3080, all backed up by a maximum of 64 gigabytes of RAM.
The Predator Triton 500 SE is comparatively slim for a gaming notebook with an overall height of 19.9 millimetres, all while still housing three fans and five heat pipes to cool its hardware. The SSD can have up to four terabytes of storage space, and there are two variants of the 16-inch display in a 16:10 format with 165 or 240 hertz.
There are even three display options for the Predator Helios 500, but I can only find two of them in the press release: Full HD IPS at 360 hertz or 4k mini LED at 120 hertz. In terms of storage, you can choose between two SSDs in Raid 0 or a SATA HDD.
Both gaming notebooks should be available by the third quarter of 2021. Recommended retail prices start at 1799 Euros for the Triton 500 SE and 2499 Euros for the Helios 500.
Gaming PCs with Intel or AMD
Both Predator Orion 300 and Nitro 50 gaming PCs are also getting refreshed with current chipsets and graphics cards.
In the Orion 3000, your options range up to a Core i7 from Intel’s 11th. generation and an Nvidia Geforce RTX 3070. In terms of storage, you can top out at a 2-terabyte SSD and a 6-terabyte HDD. Fans provide cooling, while LEDs and glass side panels are responsible for the looks.
The Acer Nitro 50 is less flashy, but you can choose between an AMD Ryzen 5000 or an Intel Core i7. The graphics cards reach all the way up to a Geforce RTX 3060 Ti.
The Predator Orion 3000 should be available as early as July, costing at least 1099 Euros. The starting price of the Nitro 50 is a bit lower at 999 Euros. Depending on the chipset, it should also go on sale either in July or not before September.
From 28 to 42.5 inches: three new gaming monitors
Regardless of their size and other features, two of Acer’s three new gaming monitors offer 3840 × 2160 pixel, 4K resolution while supporting Nvidia G-Sync. The X38 S only displays in UWQHD with 3840 × 1600 pixels.
The Predator CG437K S is 42.5 inches across, and should be suitable for both PC and console use. It supports HDMI 2.1 and has a refresh rate of 120 hertz. You can connect a variety of accessories via its USB hub, with 2x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0 and 1x USB Type C including PowerDevilery. The integrated RGB light strip can be synchronised with music and media. However, you’ll have to wait at least until November to spend 1599 Euros on this monitor.
The Predator X38 S, on the other hand, is scheduled for release in September and will cost 2199 Euros. Its curved display measures 37.5 inches, has a 2300R curvature and covers 98 per cent of the DCI-P3 colour space. With overclocking, it can reach a refresh rate of 175 hertz.
The Predator X28 only reaches 155 hertz by way of overclocking. Its 28-inch display edge is supposed to be particularly narrow. You can see for yourself in October, if you’re willing to invest 1199 Euros in a screen.
When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.