If you've been holding out to see what Acer had in store for IFA 2018, the company didn't disappoint. During its Next@Acer event at the Berlin trade show today, Acer showed off a whole range of products, including a new Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headset, several updates to its Swift line of notebook PCs, and a high-end gaming monitor.
Acer OJO 500 WMR headset
The most notable addition to Acer's lineup is the OJD 500, its new WMR headset. So far, most of the WMR headsets on the market have been relatively similar, with the only differentiator being aesthetics. What makes the OJD 500 unique is that it has a detachable design, allowing you to remove the headstrap from the lens housing for easier cleaning.
The OJO 500 also comes built with an interpupillary distance (IPD) wheel, along with a smart phone app that can measure the gap between your pupils and the display. The combination allows you to granularly adjust the distance of the display for your eyes in order to get a sharper image.
Lastly, Acer has included a new audio system that lets you use the headset without the need for headphones. A "patented soundpipe design" directs the audio output from a set of built-in speakers toward your ears, letting you hear the audio from your WMR experience while still being able to listen in on what's going on around you. If you'd rather stick with headphones, the headset's optional hard head strap comes with a set built in.
The OJO 500 is expected to launch in North America in November at a starting price of $399. EMEA regions will get the headset in November as well, starting at €499.
Acer Swift 5 and Swift 3
Acer had already previewed the new 15-inch version of its Swift 5 notebook in May, but it finally got a price and launch window today. Powered by Intel's 8th Gen Core i7-8565U and i5-8265U processors, the new Swift 5 (SF515-51T) will launch in North America in January at a starting price of $1,099. China and EMEA regions will see the notebook a little earlier in November, starting at ¥7,499 and €1,099, respectively.
Also unveiled today were some updates to the 14-inch version of the Swift 5 (SF514-53T). The notebook is now available with the same 8th Gen Intel Core processors as its 15-inch sibling. That bump in processing power joins the 14-inch FHD display while adding Gigabit WiFi to the package. All of this is in the same thin and light design, coming in at 2.14 pounds and 0.59 inches thick.
The Swift 5 with a 14-inch display will launch in EMEA regions in September, starting at €999. The notebook will also come to China in November, starting at ¥7,499.
Lastly, the Swift 3 line includes several new models with 13.3-inch and 14-inch displays, along with thinner bezels (6.1mm), Intel's 8th Gen processors, and a new option for integrated LTE connectivity.
The Swift 3 with a 14-inch display will be available in North America in November at a starting price of $799.99. It will hit EMEA regions in January, starting at €799. Meanwhile, the 13-inch Swift 3 will only be available in EMEA regions in October at a starting price of €799.
Acer Predator XB273K gaming monitor
For gamers, Acer also has a new high-end monitor ready to hit the market. As an addition to the company's Predator line, the XB273K packs a 4K display with NVIDIA G-Sync, which should keep frame tearing and stutters to a minimum when combined with an NVIDIA graphics card. The refresh rate is also buttery smooth at 144Hz, and the display should be bright and poppy with DisplayHDR 400 certification. Also included is a shielding hood around the edge of the monitor, intended to give gamers a more immersive experience.
If you're more a fan of AMD's Radeon graphics cards, Acer launched its new Nitro XV273K monitor, which opts for Radeon FreeSync tech in place of G-Sync. The new Nitro display also includes a 4K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and DisplayHDR 400 certification. In addition to the UHD option, two WQHD models will also be available.
The Predator XB273K is set for launch in Q4 for $1,299 in North America, €1499 in EMEA regions, and ¥9,999 in China.
Meanwhile the Acer Nitro XV273K monitors will start becoming available in Q4 in North America starting at $899, EMEA regions for 1049, and in China for ¥6,999.
