Acer : Debuts Switch Alpha 12 Liquid-Cooled 2-in-1 Notebook

Editors' Summary

• Fanless design featuring Acer LiquidLoop™ cooling technology for silent and reliable operation
  
• Industry's first fanless 2-in-1 notebook to use 6th Generation Intel Core™ processors; delivers exceptional performance and 8-hour battery life
  
• Versatile design with multi-position kickstand for flexibility
  
• 12-inch display boasts 2160x1440 resolution, optional Acer Active Pen takes advantage of the best Windows Ink has to offer
  
• Several optional docks extend the capabilities of the Switch Alpha 12

NEW YORK (April 21, 2016) Acer today announced the new Switch Alpha 12 2-in-1 notebook with Windows 10, which delivers a heightened level of mobility with Acer LiquidLoop™ cooling, excellent performance, and an ultra-slim, flexible notebook-to-tablet design that is both elegant and sturdy - helping people do more.

The new Switch Alpha 12 is the industry's first fanless 2-in-1 notebook to use a 6th Generation Intel® Core™ i7, Core i5 or Core i3 processor. It is powered by Windows 10, which is off to the fastest start in Windows history, with more than 270 million active devices.

'The Switch Alpha 12 is part of Acer's new generation of mobile 2-in-1 products that focuses on providing exceptional performance, while also remaining cool and quiet,' said Jerry Hou, general manager, Commercial & Detachable Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. 'This new Switch Alpha line takes the best aspects of our award-winning Switch 2-in-1 product line and adds new features such as a fanless design, an ultra-thin attachable keyboard and the latest in mobile computing performance.'

'The 2-in-1 category continues to grow with new innovative designs coming to market,' said Navin Shenoy, corporate vice president and general manager, Client Computing group, Intel Corp. 'The new, 6th Generation Intel Core-powered Acer Switch Alpha 12 is a great combination of performance, no-compromise computing and long battery life, making it ideal for work as well as playing on the go.'

'The Acer Switch Alpha 12 2-in-1 with Windows 10 allows people to have choice to experience entertainment and productivity as a notebook or tablet, with full PC functionality,' said Peter Han, vice president worldwide OEM Marketing, Microsoft Corp. 'Only Windows 10 can deliver more personal computing, help reinvent productivity and use the power of the cloud to make all of your personal experiences across devices familiar.'

LiquidLoop™ Cooling Provides Silent Operation; Boosts Performance and Stability
The Acer Switch Alpha 12 is ideal for places where quiet operation is appreciated - such as meetings, shared offices, classes and libraries. The silent LiquidLoop Cooling System keeps the Switch Alpha 12 at a stable temperature and running efficiently without fan noise. The device is the industry's first 2-in-1 with a 6th Generation Intel Core processor to use a fanless design; this combination contributes to the system's excellent performance and all-day 8-hour battery life1.

The LiquidLoop cooling system also provides improved reliability; since no fan is present, the Switch Alpha 12 doesn't require venting that can be compromised by airflow issues and dust accumulation.

Versatile 2-in-1 Design
Equipped with a versatile kickstand, attachable keyboard, and an optional Acer Active Pen, the Switch Alpha 12 utilizes Continuum to be enjoyed as a Windows 10 notebook and as a tablet with full PC functionality, virtually anywhere. Two keyboard options are available: standard and backlit models for improved efficiency in low-light areas. The stable U-shaped kickstand has an anti-slip design to hold the display upright when customers touch or write on the display. It can be adjusted fluidly to any angle up to 165 degrees, making the Switch Alpha 12 comfortable to use on a desk, airplane, or lap. Also, the kickstand has sturdy hinges that can handle frequent angle adjustments.

The Switch Alpha 12 has an anodized aluminum chassis that is elegant and modern. The brushed hairline texture complements the design while enhancing the comfort of the device during transport.

The Switch Alpha 12's full-size keyboard is incredibly thin and light with amply-spaced keys. Measuring just 5.85mm thin, the keyboard delivers 1.4mm of travel to ensure comfort and productivity while typing. The large trackpad supports convenient and intuitive navigation with Precision Touchpad supporting Windows 10 gestures to provide a smooth and responsive experience. The keyboard connects via a magnetic hinge that is secure, easy to connect, and can be adjusted to an ergonomic angle for customer preference. When closed on top of the tablet, the keyboard protects the screen and ensures easy transport.

Customers can also enjoy 10-point touch controls on the display and use the optional Acer Active Pen for a more intuitive writing and drawing experience. The Acer Active Pen features a high report rate which minimizes delay for a fluid and precise experience, palm rejection, and 256 levels of pressure sensitivity. The Acer Active Pen will enable people to better take advantage of Windows Ink which will come in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update this summer.

Brilliant Display
The Switch Alpha 12 has a vibrant 12-inch touch display, which is the ideal size for anyone who creates, edits and enjoys content on the go. With IPS technology, an impressive 2160 x 1440 resolution and support from Intel HD Graphics 520, customers will enjoy vivid color and crisp detail on the display. Great for videoconferencing and capturing memories, the Switch Alpha 12's webcam provides 1080p Full HD audio and video recording. Plus, the Acer TrueHarmony high performance sound system features dual front-facing speakers that deliver a rich and immersive audio experience to complement the exceptional display.

Ideal for Professionals; Optional Dock
In addition to being a great 2-in-1 PC for home and school use, the Switch Alpha 12 will be available to Acer's commercial customers. Its combination of performance, versatile design and features lets businesses and institutional customers handle all aspects of their work. It can be used as a traditional notebook for dedicated input, as a display for presentations, and as a tablet with the optional pen for capturing ideas and making sketches. Plus, commercial models come with integrated Trusted Platform Modules (TPM) to ensure safer computing in all environments and ship standard with Windows 10 Pro.

Acer offers optional docks to extend the capabilities of the Switch Alpha 12. Customers can connect their Switch Alpha 12 with a single cable to the Acer USB Type-C Dock, easily transforming it into a powerful workstation. This convenient and compact dock enables high-speed video, audio and data transfer and keeps the work area clutter-free with immediate connectivity to multiple displays and other devices simultaneously. It also has all the connections business users need, including DisplayPort, HDMI, two USB 3.1 Type-C ports and three USB Type-A ports, as well as audio input for microphone and audio output for speakers.

The optional Acer ProDock Wireless can support multiple customers with high speed 802.11ad wireless 4.6Gbps data transfer over the 60GHz band. It also supports both 802.11ac and 802.11ad access and includes multiple port support including DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA and USB.

Slim, Lightweight Design Packs in All the Latest Technology
The Acer Switch Alpha 12 is thin and light, measuring just 292.1 (W) x 201.4 (D) x 15.85 (H) mm (11.5 x 7.93 x 0.62 inches) and weights 1250 grams (2.76 pounds) when the tablet and keyboard are connected. The tablet alone measures just 9.5mm (0.37 inches) in height, and weighs 900 grams (1.98 pounds).

The Switch Alpha 12 provides ample storage with a 128GB, 256GB or 512GB SSD and can access additional files on the MicroSDXC slot. The device will be offered with 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR3 SDRAM. It features a thin and reversible USB 3.1 Type-C port for fast data transfers of up to 5Gbps from connected peripherals, to share video and also to power other devices. The Switch Alpha 12 also connects to peripherals via Bluetooth 4.0.

Fast dual-band 2x2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac/a/b/g/n Wi-Fi on the Switch Alpha 12 keeps customers connected and in touch with up to three times faster wireless connectivity compared to 802.11n.

Pricing and Availability
The Acer Switch Alpha 12 will be available in North America in June starting at $599; in EMEA in May starting at €699; and in China in May starting at ¥5,999.

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To find out about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office or authorized reseller via www.acer.com.
The Switch Alpha 12 was unveiled today at the next@acer press event at 4 World Trade Center in New York, where the company announced a range of new devices and solutions for families, students and professionals. For more information, visit acer.com/nextatacer.

About Acer
Established in 1976, Acer is a hardware + software + services company dedicated to the research, design, marketing, sale, and support of innovative products that enhance people's lives. Acer's product offerings include PCs, displays, projectors, servers, tablets, smartphones and wearables. It is also developing cloud solutions to bring together the Internet of Things. Acer is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2016 and is one of the world's top 5 PC companies. It employs 7,000 people worldwide and has a presence in over 160 countries. Please visit www.acer.com for more information.

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