By akademiotoelektronik, 29/08/2022

Acer unveils its new ConceptD 5 and several laptops for creatives

Wave of novelties at Acer. The Taiwanese manufacturer unveils a large number of new laptops. Among them, 3 models caught our attention. The Acer ConceptD 5, designed for professional photographers and videographers; the Acer Swift X, a compact and powerful ultraportable, as well as the Predator Triton 500 SE, which combines portability and a large power reserve. Not to mention the Acer ConceptD Spatial Labs, which opens the doors to 3D without glasses. Back to their main characteristics.

Acer ConceptD 5: the laptop for creatives gets a facelift

First, Acer is updating its laptop for mobile creatives, the ConceptD 5. For the record, the ConceptD range is the one which is most aimed at photographers, videographers, architects... and those who want an excellent compromise between performance and mobility. What we were able to verify last summer during our test of the Acer ConceptD 7.

Externally, the new generation of ConceptD portable PCs adopts a new dress. The chassis becomes slightly thinner, but retains the orange backlighting of the keyboard. On the connectivity side, the Acer ConceptD 5 is complete. There are 2 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C 3.2 ports, an HDMI port, an RJ45 port and an SD card slot.

But the main novelty of this new Acer ConceptD 5 is the arrival of a screen in 16:10 format. Higher than the "traditional" 16:9 format of laptops, it offers a larger display area. Ideal for reworking images or editing text. This higher panel also allows Acer to reduce the lower edge of the screen. Going from 15.6 inches to 16 inches, this display opts for a definition of 3072 x 1920 pixels.

In terms of color reproduction, the panel is Pantone certified and is compatible with the DCI-P3 standard. The Delta E of the screen must also be less than 2.

Under the hood, the Acer ConceptD 5 is equipped with an 11th generation Intel i7 processor, accompanied by a maximum of 64 GB of RAM depending on the version. To offer more performance, this chip is supported by a latest generation NVidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card. It should make the PC much faster when exporting videos; they must also be comfortable performing tasks related to artificial intelligence – with software such as Sharpen AI or Luminar AI. Note that a Pro version is equipped with an RTX A5000 or A3000 graphics card depending on the version.

To cool the beast, the computer is equipped with in-house Aeroblade technology, which should ensure better air circulation while keeping the sound volume low enough.

Acer also offers a ConceptD 7 Ezel Pro workstation. It has the particularity of having a touch screen mounted on a double hinge, tilting on 2 axes (in the same way as the screens of Sony hybrids, for example). This model is available with an 11th generation Intel Xeon processor and an Nvidia RTX A5000 or A3000 graphics card. Ideal for the most demanding uses.

Finally, Acer has updated its ConceptD 3 range. The design remains unchanged; however, Acer integrates the 11th generation Intel processors, accompanied by an Nvidia RXT 3050 graphics card.

Acer ConceptD Spatial Labs: 3D without glasses at your fingertips

Small revolution in the world of 3D. Acer presents its ConceptD Spatial Labs. Externally, the latter looks like any other laptop in the ConceptD range. But it differentiates itself by being able to display a stereoscopic 3D image without glasses. Something to revolutionize the design of 3D objects – for video games, animated short or feature films, architects or engineers.

Equipped with 2 cameras (located above the screen), the computer analyzes and tracks the position of the head and eyes. Thanks to its 2 2D UHD screens, it is capable of displaying both 2D and 3D images. The user can rotate his 3D model 360°: ideal for capturing the smallest details – and retouching them if necessary – by returning to the 2D view to save machine resources. The system is designed to be fully compatible with software like Blender, but also with Unreal Engine. It can also be used to play “native” 3D videos (like the movie Avatar).

In the field, the result is stunning, the objects giving the impression of “coming out” of the computer – but without providing the discomfort created by certain 3D technologies.

For the time being, the ConceptD Spatial Labs is still in the concept stage, and is not yet available for sale. However, interested developers will be able to receive a laptop PC free of charge for a period of 3 months, in order to be able to test its capabilities on Unreal Engine.

Acer Swift X: an attractive ultraportable

The other novelty from the Taiwanese manufacturer is the Acer Swift X. This new model tops the Swift range (already made up of the Swift 3, 5 and 7).

Very thin and light (17.9 mm and 1.39 kg only), it should appeal to creative nomads thanks to its configuration powerful enough to edit photos and edit videos. It incorporates an AMD Ryzen 7 5800 U processor (coupled with 16 GB of RAM). But it is also equipped with a dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card. Enough to give a boost to the export of your videos. On the storage side, the PC is equipped with a 2 TB SSD.

Its 14-inch IPS screen (in 16:9 format) has a very classic definition of 1920 x 1080 pixels (FHD). Some might have wished for a higher definition, but this choice allows the screen not to be too energy-intensive. Note that this screen covers 100% of the sRGB space for better color reproduction.

Its connectivity is quite complete. There are 2 USB-A ports, an HDMI port, a headphone jack and a USB-C 3.2 port. Note that the latter does not allow the computer to be recharged, this role being assigned to a “standard” port.

Finally, the maximum autonomy is announced at 5 p.m. Data that will certainly be lower in the field, but which should give you very comfortable latitude to retouch your photos, edit your videos or edit your texts. Especially since the Swift X is equipped with a 59W battery with rapid charge (30 minutes of charge allowing 4 hours of use).

Acer Predator Triton 500 SE: a (very) large reserve of power

Finally, note the arrival of the Acer Predator Triton 500 SE. The latter succeeds the “very short” Triton 500, released in 2019 and brought up to date last year.

Designed above all for gamers, this laptop will however appeal to creative people who need a lot of power, while remaining on a laptop. Under the hood, there is an 11th generation Intel Core i9 processor, capable of reaching 5 Ghz in Turbo Boost mode (and coupled with 64 GB of RAM).

In addition, it is equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card – the most high-end portable model offered by Nvidia. Acer integrates its Predator Sense software, which allows you to regain control over the performance of the computer. On the storage side, it is equipped with an SSD that can go up to 4 TB.

The Predator Triton 500 SE is equipped with a 16-inch panel offering a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, with a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz. For better color reproduction, the panel covers 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut.

In terms of connectivity, the Acer Predator Triton 500 SE is complete. There are 2 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C 3.2 ports, an HDMI port, an RJ45 port, an SD card slot and a headphone jack.

The computer opts for a very sober brushed aluminum chassis. It measures only 19.9 mm thick – which is still very reasonable given the performance of the beast. Finally, the autonomy can go up to 11 hours.

Price and availability of new Acer computers

The new Acer ConceptD 5 will be available from next July, starting at €2,199. The Pro version, meanwhile, will be available from € 2,599.

For its part, the ConceptD 3 will be available in September, at a price of 1399 €. Finally, the ConceptD 7 Ezel Pro will be sold from €2999 from September.

The ultra-portable Acer Swift X, meanwhile, will be available this summer (without further details), with a starting price of €899.

Finally, the Acer Predator Triton 500 SE laptop will be sold from €2,499, and will be available on the shelves from June 2021.

Note that the brand offers a 15% discount for students.

Our first opinion on the new Acer laptops

As summer approaches, Acer returns to the front of the stage and unveils an enticing batch. Last year, we were seduced by the performance of the Acer ConceptD 7: we bet that it will be the same with the version made in 2021.

We are also very intrigued by the Acer Swift X. Light, discreet and endowed with a good autonomy (theoretical, let us remember), it should offer a very good solution for mobile creatives – which we will try to check in the field.

Finally, the Predator Triton 500 SE seems to be a real workhorse, capable of enduring the heaviest uses without flinching – while remaining sufficiently transportable.

Ultimately, these new laptops from Acer seem relevant. They should undoubtedly be appreciated by those who want a good work machine adapted to their budget.