Acer's latest PCs include the first curved screen laptop
There's also the world's thinnest laptop and a slew of tablet hybrids.
You no longer have to stick to your desk to enjoy a flashy curved display. Acer is unveiling flood of new laptops at Germany's IFA show, and the highlight by far is the Predator 21 X -- according to Acer, the world's first curved screen laptop. As the name suggests, opening up this gigantic gaming portable reveals a 21-inch curved, ultra-wide display that promises more immersion than you're used to with portable gaming. It 'only' touts a 2,560 x 1,080 resolution, but NVIDIA G-Sync support should give you smoother, game-friendly output.
That's not the only party trick, either. It includes Tobii eye tracking to help you aim and look around paths, a 4.2-channel audio system, and a full-size illuminated keyboard with both Cherry MX mechanical switches (for improved feel) and a trackpad hidden under the number pad. The system is a performance beast, too, between its 7th-generation Core processors and dual GeForce GTX 1080 graphics. Acer hasn't said how much the Predator 21 X will cost. This rig won't ship until sometime in the first quarter of 2017, however, so you'll at least have some time to save up.
There's more. Acer is unveiling a new Swift line of thin-and-light laptops, led by the 13.3-inch Swift 7 you see above. It's reportedly the world's thinnest laptop at just 0.39 inches thick -- take that, LG. Between that and its 2.5-pound weight, you might not notice it in your bag. It's even reasonably powerful between its 7th-gen Core i5, 256GB SSD, 9-hour claimed battery life and dual USB-C 3.1 ports. There's even a high dynamic range webcam to bring out more color and details in video chats. It'll sell for $999 when it ships in October. The lower-end Swift 1, 3 and 5 models all tout 14-inch screens, thicker bodies and and slower processors. They'll arrive between October and November, with respective prices starting at $249, $499 and $749.
And no, Acer hasn't forgotten about the hybrid PC crowd. It's launching four Spin laptops with "360-degree" hinges that, like many rivals, turn your computer into an impromptu tablet, presentation monitor or tent display. The Spin 7 you see here is the portability champ of the bunch through its 14-inch screen (in a 13-inch aluminum chassis), 0.43-inch thickness, 7th-gen Core i7, 8GB of maximum RAM and 256GB SSD. The remaining Spin 1, Spin 3 and Spin 5 systems aren't always steps down, though. While the Spin 1 is an entry-level model with 11.6- and 13.3-inch screens, the Spin 3 carries a larger 15.6-inch screen and two storage drives; opt for the 13.3-inch Spin 5 and you get more RAM (up to 16GB), up to a 512GB SSD and support for an optional pen.
Just when you can get the Spin series varies. The 3, 5 and 7 will all show up in October, with beginning prices of $499, $599 and $1,199. You'll have to wait until December to get the Spin 1, although its $249 price could be worth your patience.
We're live all week from Berlin, Germany, for IFA 2016. Click here to catch up on all the news from the show.
