Hands-On With Acer's Switch Alpha 12, Predator G1, 17x, And Aspire S13
Acer held a global press conference yesterday at 4 World Trade Center in New York City, to reveal a wide array of new products. Acer showed off everything from a fitness-related wearables, to a bicycle-mounted computer, new smartphones, ultra-portables, and gaming PCs.
We posted up some press-shots and technical details of the new Acer Switch Alpha 12, and new Predator G1 small form factor system and Predator 17x gaming notebook, as Acer was making the announcements yesterday. However, we were also present at the event to get some hands-on time with Acer’s new products.
The Acer Switch Alpha 12
To quickly reiterate, the Acer Switch Alpha 12 is the company’s latest Intel Core i-based 2-in-1 convertible, which resembles devices like Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 and HP Spectre X2. We’ll have a few more details and images below, along with some shots of other devices too, like the Aspire S13 ultrabook, Liquid Leap Fit, and Xplova bicycle computer, among others, but before we get to them, here’s a quick video tour of a few of the products…
Acer’s Switch Alpha 12 will offer up to a Core i7 processor, with either 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR4 memory and SSDs ranging in size from 128GB to 512GB. It also sports a 12-inch IPS touch screen display with a resolution of 2160x1440 (this is pushed by an Intel Graphics 520 GPU, built into Skylake). You’ll find three USB 3.0 ports, two USB 3.1 Type-C ports, a DisplayPort, and HDMI outputs on the Switch Alpha 12, and wireless connectivity comes by way of Bluetooth 4.0 and a 2x2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac Wi-Fi controller.
We posted up some press-shots and technical details of the new Acer Switch Alpha 12, and new Predator G1 small form factor system and Predator 17x gaming notebook, as Acer was making the announcements yesterday. However, we were also present at the event to get some hands-on time with Acer’s new products.
The Acer Switch Alpha 12
To quickly reiterate, the Acer Switch Alpha 12 is the company’s latest Intel Core i-based 2-in-1 convertible, which resembles devices like Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 and HP Spectre X2. We’ll have a few more details and images below, along with some shots of other devices too, like the Aspire S13 ultrabook, Liquid Leap Fit, and Xplova bicycle computer, among others, but before we get to them, here’s a quick video tour of a few of the products…
Acer’s Switch Alpha 12 will offer up to a Core i7 processor, with either 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR4 memory and SSDs ranging in size from 128GB to 512GB. It also sports a 12-inch IPS touch screen display with a resolution of 2160x1440 (this is pushed by an Intel Graphics 520 GPU, built into Skylake). You’ll find three USB 3.0 ports, two USB 3.1 Type-C ports, a DisplayPort, and HDMI outputs on the Switch Alpha 12, and wireless connectivity comes by way of Bluetooth 4.0 and a 2x2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac Wi-Fi controller.
One of the standout features of the Alpha Switch 12 is its cooling solution. Acer calls it a liquid cooled tablet, but there are no pumps, radiators or fans used of any kind. Instead, a pair of heat-pipes are mounted to the CPU, which are then routed away – and around – the chip. The dual-loops are efficient enough to cool the Alpha Switch 12, without the need for fans or additional bulk.
The Liquid Leap Fit is Acer’s fitness wearable. It’s akin to something like a Fitbit or Microsoft Band. Aesthetically, the new version looks just like last year’s model, but the battery has been beefed up considerably and it now offered continuous heart rate monitoring.
Continuum In Action On The Acer Liquid Extend
Continuum In Action On The Acer Liquid Extend
Acer also showed off a new laptop-like solution that leverages the Continuum functionality built into Windows 10 for phones. Acer showed their existing Liquid Jade Primo kit, with consists of a monitor, input devices, and a doc for its Windows Phone, but the new edition takes the integration a step further and morphs it into a notebook form factor. The Acer Liquid Extend looks like a notebook, but it plugs into Acer’s Windows Phone and enables portable, Continuum functionality.
Acer Chromebook 14 For Work
Acer Chromebook 14 For Work
There as a new Core i-powered Chromebook 14 for Work being shown off as well. The Chromebook 14 for Work looks much like Acer’s Windows-based, affordable ultrabooks, but it is running Google’s Chrome OS. One of this machine’s claims to fame is its Corning Gorilla Glass lid. Not only does the Gorilla Glass class the machine up, but it is durable, and also customizable with artwork, like company logos, etc.
Acer also set out to produce a premium, ultrabook, to compete with machines like the MacBook Air, but at a more affordable price point, and the end result is the Aspire S13 you see here. The Aspire S13 is packing Intel’s latest Skylake-based Core i-processors, solid state storage, and full HD screens (touch or non-touch). The roughly .57” machine is also made mostly of aluminum and has a glammed up hinge mechanism and diamond-cut, beveled edges. The lid features a linear texture that adds some visual appeal as well. Starting price for the S13 is only $699.
Acer’s also made an update to its Liquid Zest 5.5” smartphone and packed a massive 5000mAh battery into the device. And its Xplova 5 bicycle computer, which gives users the ability to socialize with other bikers and share routes, etc. debuted as well. Visible in the video is the new Predator 17X notebook, which comes with a 17.3-inch 4K G-SYNC, Intel Core i7-6820HK Skylake processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 GPU — both of which can be overclocked via software. The Predator 17X has three SATA SSDs in a RAID 0 array as well, and includes DDR4-2133 memory support, Killer DoubleShot Pro Ethernet/Wi-Fi and Thunderbolt 3 support.
The Acer Predator G1 is a small form factor gaming machine that also supports the latest Intel Skylake processors and up to an NVIDIA GeForce GTX Titan X GPU. You can also configure the machine with up to 64GB of memory, up to a 4TB HDD or a 512GB SSD. Although you won’t find Thunderbolt 3 support, the Predator G1 does, include USB 3.1 Type-C ports and Killer DoubleShot Pro networking capabilities. The case features customizable lighting and aggressive design language similar to its brother, which debuted last year.
The Acer Predator G1 is a small form factor gaming machine that also supports the latest Intel Skylake processors and up to an NVIDIA GeForce GTX Titan X GPU. You can also configure the machine with up to 64GB of memory, up to a 4TB HDD or a 512GB SSD. Although you won’t find Thunderbolt 3 support, the Predator G1 does, include USB 3.1 Type-C ports and Killer DoubleShot Pro networking capabilities. The case features customizable lighting and aggressive design language similar to its brother, which debuted last year.
