With the launch of Windows 11 tomorrow, Acer is set to introduce a trio of new laptops running Microsoft’s latest OS. And one of those laptops has sustainability as a core feature. Say hello to the eco-friendly Aspire Vero, ultrathin and light Swift 5, and the Nitro 5 gaming laptop.
Acer Aspire Vero
The Aspire Vero is Acer’s first sustainability-focused product, and it manages to make recycled plastic look pretty fantastic. The EPEAT Silver-certified laptop uses 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic in the chassis, which results in a 21% saving in carbon dioxide emissions. There’s also 50% PCR plastic used in the keyboard caps.
The recycling and sustainability continues to the packaging, which is 100% recyclable and earned Acer a 2021 Red Dot Award for Brand & Communication Design. The box included with the packaging can be recycled or reused by folding it into a stable computer stand with customizable angles to suit your preferred setup. The Vero is also going to demand higher marks in teardowns for repairability, as it uses standard screws and offers a simple disassembly process for hardware upgrades.
Incorporating sustainability doesn’t impact performance, though, with Acer offering Vero configurations up to 11th-gen Intel Core i7 with Iris X graphics, a 512GB M.2 SSD, and a 15.6-inch FHD IPS display. As well as Wi-Fi 6 support, Acer included a USB Type-C port, two USB 3.2 ports, and a HDMI 2.0 port.
The Aspire Vero will be available in two configurations starting Oct. 5. The Core i5 model with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256GB SSD will cost $699.99, while the Core i7 model with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB SSD will set you back $899.99.
Acer Swift 5
The Swift 5 is Acer’s first attempt at an ultrathin and light laptop that not only runs Windows 11, but also meets Intel Evo platform requirements.
The laptop only weighs 2.29 pounds and is 0.59 inches thick. Acer claims it’s the “first thin and light consumer laptop with a full-featured antimicrobial solution.” What that means is, Acer added a BPR and EPA-compliant silver-ion antimicrobial agent throughout the surface of the chassis, keyboard, hinge, and fingerprint reader to kill 99.99% of bacteria picked up by the laptop.
Even though it’s thin and light, the Swift 5 incorporates a 14-inch FHD IPS touch screen with 100% sRGB compliance, 340 nits of brightness, and a 90% screen-to-body ratio. The first configuration to be available will use an 11th-gen Core i7 processor and has a 56Wh battery rated at 17 hours (fast charging allows for 4 hours of use from a 30-minute charge). Cooling is provided by dual copper heat pipes.
The Swift 5 will be available on Oct. 5 with prices starting at $1,099.99.
Acer Nitro 5
If you need a Windows 11 gaming laptop, then Acer offers up the Nitro 5, which aims to tick all of the boxes for a modern portable gaming device.
Choose between 15.6- and 17.3-inch models, both of which use a 144Hz FHD display. Inside, you’ll have the option of 11th-gen Core i5 and Core i7 processors, GPU options in the form of an Nvidia GTX 1650 or the much more performant RTX 3050Ti. As for storage and memory options, Acer allows configurations containing up to 32GB of DDR4-3200 RAM and 2TB of PCIe SSDs in RAID configuration.
Cooling is handled by twin fans linked to four exhaust ports and Acer CoolBoost technology, which is capable of increasing cooling by 9% compared to auto mode. You can also monitor and manage your laptop’s performance using the NitroSense software, where temperatures and fan speeds are listed and updated in real-time.
On the exterior, you’ll find a keyboard with four-zone RGB lighting, dual 2W speakers with DTS:X Ultra support, and ports for HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, and USB 3.2. Wi-Fi 6 support and Ethernet connectivity is provided by Intel Killer to help ensure low-latency connections for online gaming.
The Nitro 5 will be available from mid-October. The 15.6-inch model with a Core i5, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 256GB SSD will cost $769.99, while the larger 17.3-inch model with a Core i7, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB SSD will cost $1,199.99
