We knew that smaller Windows 8 tablets were coming, and it looks like Acer is on the starting blocks to get this into your hands. At Computex 2013, Acer brings a surprisingly small (and relatively light: 1.1lbs) device that brings […]
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At Computex 2013, Acer is updating its 13″ S7 Ultrabook with impressive specs across several models. The original S7 Ultrabook was already known for its super-thin design but Acer has decided to up the ante by adding 30% more battery […]
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On stage at Acer’s press event at Computex 2013 in Taipei, wrapping up a day of new Ultrabooks, tablets and smartphones, it revealed the Orbe, a new storage hub that connects to AcerCloud. You’ll be able to tap into 2TB of storage with the curiously-shaped device, which will connect to… yep, Ultrabooks, tablets and smartphones — something that’s particularly useful given the cloud service’s relatively recent update allowing any Android or iOS device to connect. Unfortunately we have yet to dig up any more specs on the device, but you can take a closer look at the hardware in our hands-on photos below.
Gallery: Acer Orbe hands-on
Zach Honig contributed to this report.
It looks like the promise of smaller Windows 8 tablets has been fulfilled, and Acer’s revealed its plans for a smaller form factor. Yep, we heard word of (and even peeked at listings for) the 8-inch Iconia W3, but it’s been unveiled in earnest here at Computex 2013, weighing just over a pound and measuring under half an inch thick. Acer’s promising around eight hours of battery life, while that smaller screen can still beam out 720p video playback on its 1,280 x 800 display. Better still, Acer has added in a full version of Office free with the tablet which should go well with the optional full-size keyboard accessory (69 euros, around $90) — one that apparently mirrors those found on Acer’s 13-inch notebooks. On the tablet itself, there’s front- and rear-facing two-megapixel cameras, plus connectivity through Bluetooth 4.0 and micro-USB.
The Iconia W3 also houses Intel’s dual-core 1.8GHz Atom Z2760 processor, one we’ve already seen on larger Windows 8 slabs, and will have either 32 or 64GB of internal storage, with an additional 32 gigs of space possible through microSD expansion. A built-in micro-HDMI port should also ensure displaying content on larger screens is relatively painless, although the tablet does lack the plethora of ports found on its bigger brothers, like USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt. The Iconia W3 will be priced at 329 euros for 32GB and 379 euros for 64GB — Acer US confirms that the tablet will arrive at $379 but haven’t confirmed which capacity just yet. It will go up for pre-order tomorrow at Amazon, Microsoft’s retail stores and online Office Depot, OfficeMax, Staples and Walmart, with a retail launch before the end of June. Before then, though, we’ve already got to grips with the world’s first 8-inch Windows 8 tablet. Check out our impressions right after the break.
Gallery: Acer Iconia W3 hands-on
Gallery: Acer Iconia W3 tablet press shots
Acer keeps the product announcements coming here at Computex, adding a new (and big) Android phone to its new Ultrabooks and Windows tablets. The Liquid S1 arrives with a 720p 5.7-inch display, matching ZTE’s Grand Memo in screen size, and marking Acer’s first contribution to the five-inches-and-over smartphone club. The phone is bound for Asia and Europe (no US release is planned for now), and it comes appropriately equipped with twin SIM-card slots. There is, however, no LTE radios, something that Acer admits will be arriving in its smaller Android devices first.
Other notable specs include a Mediatek quad-core 1.5GHz processor and 1GB of memory to aid Android 4.2. It’s worth noting that the UI here, like we’ve seen from Acer in recent years, is largely a stock one, both in functionality (the two-finger drag-down menu for settings toggles is here, take that HTC One!) and looks, although there’s some additions to the software that we’ll outline later. We’ve managed to get some playtime with the device ahead of its big reveal at Acer’s press event, so check out our (literally) earth-shaking first impressions and hands-on video after the break.
Gallery: Acer Liquid S1 hands-on
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Acer
It was a year ago at Computex that Acer unveiled the Aspire S7, a skinny sliver of a thing that turned out to be one of our favorite Ultrabooks of 2012. Now, 12 months later, the company is unveiling… the Aspire S7. A much-improved S7, to be precise. Going into the second half of the year, there’s only to be a 13-inch version (the 11-incher’s been discontinued), and it has much the same industrial design, with a lightweight chassis and Gorilla Glass lid. The difference is that it will now be offered with a 2,560 x 1,440 screen, which will be standard in certain regions, like Europe. (Elsewhere, a 1080p IPS panel will continue to be the base option.) As you’d expect, Acer’s upgraded the S7 to Haswell CPUs (Core i3, i5 and i7), but it also squeezed in a bigger battery — 47Wh, up from 35Wh. Between that bigger cell and new chipset, Acer is rating the battery life at seven hours, which, if true, would correct one of the OG model’s biggest shortcomings. Rounding out the list, Acer moved the mics to the front, and also updated the cooling system with the promise of less fan noise.
Meanwhile, Acer thoroughly revamped the mid-range S3 Ultrabook so that it looks more like the S7. The main differences are that this has no Gorilla Glass on the lid, and the entire machine is noticeably heavier (1.67kg vs. 1.3). Part of the reason for that chunkier shape is that it will be offered with beefier components, including optional NVIDIA GT735M graphics and a 1TB hard drive (you can also get it with an SSD). Additionally, the S3 steps up to Haswell CPUs, along with a 1080p IPS touchscreen — the same kind that the S7 had when it first launched. Design-wise, as we said, it looks like the S7, particularly with the lid shut, and it’s now made from one piece of aluminum, instead of several. The keyboard looks different from the S7’s, though, and is also a bit clackier, for whatever reason. In Europe, at least, the Aspire S7-392 will start at €1,450, and the S3-392 will go from €999. Both will arrive in July. No word yet on US pricing. For a closer look, check out our hands-on photos and video, both embedded after the break.
Update: US pricing for the S7 will start at $1,400 and go up to $1,700, depending on the configuration.
Acer’s got a variety of hardware on display at its Computex press conference venue, including a TBA smartphone and tablet. The handset appears to be quite large — it’s definitely of the phablet variety, though it’s unclear exactly what size the display is. The device on stage is running the stock Jelly Bean OS. The tablet, for its part, is at least seven inches — possibly larger — and running the latest version of Android as well. Acer’s press conference begins in just a few minutes, and we expect to have plenty more details to share then.
Update: The slate on stage looks remarkably similar to the Iconia A1, which made its debut last month in NYC. Acer is keeping attendees at a distance, so we can’t confirm for sure, but the resemblance is clear even from a few feet back.
Update 2: And the phone is called the Liquid S1 — we’ve got all the details and a hands-on here.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Acer
You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past seven days — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Earlier this year a device code-named DA220HQL was introduced to the world – silently – this being the same device appearing along technology newslines being reported as brand new, and coming soon with Haswell inside. What’s actually happened here is a bit of a mistaken identity – the device in question is, indeed, already on the market – and it comes with a dual-core Texas Instruments processor inside.
This machine is what Acer calls a “Smart Display”, working with a kickstand in the back, a full touch display, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich inside. This machine works with the dual-core TI OMAP 4430 inside and is available in Europe right now for right around $450 USD, depending on where you’re picking it up from. Resellers, according to CNET, had as recently as earlier today been listing the device as coming with a next-generation Intel Haswell processor under the hood.
While the device won’t be busting up the next-generation charts with that particular bit of Intel technology, it will be continuing its odd placement in the market with a 21.5-inch multi-touch display at 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution – across that much display space, it’s not exactly as sharp as some of the top smartphones on the market, but is more than enough to get you through the day as a media center.
Inside is 1GB of RAM, 8GB internal storage, microHDMI out, microUSB (one of them), and included in the box you’ll get both a wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse. This system is very similar to what appeared at the ViewSonic stand earlier this year at CES 2013. ViewSonic showed off their own “Smart Display” by the name of VSD240 – basically the same concept, but ringing in at a slightly more hefty $675 USD (MSRP). While that system did boast an NVIDIA Tegra processor, the style sticks with Acer.
These systems show the continued experimentation being done with Android as its versatility expands. Android notebooks like the HP SlateBook X2 have popped up alongside cross-breeds like this – and Android is inside Google Glass, too, mind you. Expect this trend to keep tapping.
PSA: Acer’s Android all-in-one won’t roll with Haswell is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
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When Microsoft unveiled the Surface tablets last year, many were shocked as many did not expect Microsoft to launch their own branded tablet, especially since they had many OEM partners on their side. Acer was probably the most vocal, even […]
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