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Acer took to IFA Berlin to push a full lineup of new gaming rigs, Chromebooks, convertible notebooks, desktops and monitors, kicking things off with the company’s Predator gaming product line. The company was joined at the conference by its sponsored e-sports team, TeamAcer, whose members provided early customer feedback, as well as research and development for the following products.
Acer’s phones and brutal gaming gear of IFA 2015 (pictures)
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Predator gaming lineup
Enlarge ImagePredator 8
Acer
First up is the new gaming tablet, the Predator 8 , with an 8-inch FHD display that can run at 1,920×1,200 resolution and offers haptic feedback to gamers using a technology Acer calls TacSense.
Gaming audio is well-handled by the quad-speaker set up on the front that works on conjunction with a “special DSP algorithm” to produce a virtual surround sound environment.
The company claims that its smaller touchscreen sensors distributed across the display allows for more precision control during gameplay, and the user-experience operates just as well with a 2mm fine tip stylus as well.
The Predator 8 GT-810 will sell exclusively at Newegg for two weeks beginning November 6 for $299, after which prices will vary according to their specific markets.
We also got more details on the 15 and 17-inch Predator gaming notebooks that Acer previewed earlier this year. Both models build in Core i7 6700HQ processors, Nvidia GeForce GTX980 graphics , and up to 32GB of memory.
To battle the dreaded in-game latency problems, Acer worked with Killer to install its network manager and DoubleShot Pro service into the laptops that effectively let you use a wireless connection and Ethernet at the same time, distributing bandwidth to the priorities that you specify. The Predator notebooks will start shipping in November starting at $1,499 for the 15 and $1,599 for the 17.
Enlarge ImagePredator G6
Acer
For stationary gamers that like to set up their rigs at home, Acer announced the Predator G6 and G3 desktops, code-named “war machines” for their tough-looking armored cases.
The PCs incorporate 64GB of system memory, GeForce GTX graphics, and the ability to overclock both computers with a touch of the “One-Punch Overclocking” button that adds a kick of speed to the systems. To make sure they don’t overheat, both computers also include IceTunnel, an Acer enhanced thermal system that dissipates heat coming off the internal components.
The Predator Z35 and XB1 monitors round out the Predator series for gamers. The latter lets you switch between three customizable display profiles and offers easy-access shortcuts for adjusting settings during games, while the former gets a curvy, wraparound 35-inch UltraWide HD display that supports overclocking up to 200Hz. The Z35 will hit stores in North America in December for $1,199 and the XB1 will sell for $799 when it becomes available here in November.
Notebooks
Enlarge ImagePredator 17
Acer
Acer granted our wishes and upgraded the new Aspire V Nitro series with a new touchscreen option for the 15-inch version, and the company makes sure that both the V Nitro and the V 13 are future-proof with USB 3.1 Type-C ports and certain models that come with Thunderbolt 3 for up to 40Gbps.
The Aspire V Nitro series get a design refresh with a new position for the slot-antenna, which supposedly gives it complete coverage with no dead zones. You can also pick up the premium “Black Edition” that has a fancy light bar beneath the display and a super quiet thermal exhaust.
The Aspire V 13, on the other hand, is only sold in black or white, but it’s designed to be a professional-quality notebook with an HD Web cam for online Web calls, four USB ports, and dual speakers powered by Dolby Audio Technology .
The Acer Aspire V 17 will go on sale in North America in October for $1,099, the V 15 Nitro will sell starting at $999, and the Acer Aspire V 13 is the most affordable at just $599 for the base model.
Acer Chromebook
Chromebooks are the fastest growing segment in 2014, according to Acer, and the R 11 is the company’s ticket into the ultraportable category. It’s a convertible tablet that can switch switch back and forth between a host of different software modes to match any environment, from “tent mode” that lets you experience the tablet in a tight spot or simple laptop mode for times when you know you’ll be stationary for awhile to use the device in one place.
The Acer Chromebook R 11 will go on sale in North America with prices starting at $299.
For more of the best of IFA 2015, see CNET’s complete coverage.
