I’m currently in Berlin for IFA 2025, where I watched Acer unveil its upcoming lineup of computing tech – and its presentation included a teaser for the world’s first official Panther Lake PC (powered by Intel’s upcoming chip series).
Unfortunately, that laptop was sealed behind a cabinet, which I was politely but firmly instructed shouldn’t be moved when I attempted to shift it to get a better photo.
However, I was able to get up close and personal with the rest of the lineup, and while we’ll have to reserve full judgment until we’ve properly tested these new devices, there are three devices I really want to highlight as ones to watch from the event.
The productivity-focused amongst you will want to check out the Acer Swift 16 Air. Similarly named to the aforementioned Panther Lake laptop, this Windows 11 machine is instead powered by (in the top configuration) an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with AMD Radeon 860M graphics, with up to 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage.
But what makes this laptop stand out for me is that the model outfitted with an IPS display comes in at just 0.99kg – which, even having picked the thing up, sounds ridiculous. It’s like picking up a toy, or as if Acer had forgotten to include a battery – but this is a fully functional (and sizable) laptop.
The AMOLED display version is 1.1kg, but even so this heavier option is still one of the lightest laptops we’ve seen, especially for models with a screen larger than 14 inches.
If you’re more of a gamer, then keep your eyes on the Acer Nitro XZ403CKR monitor, which is set to drop at the start of next year.
This widescreen curved monitor measures 39.7-inches – just over 1m if you prefer metric – and boasts a 5K (5120 x 2160) resolution with a 180Hz refresh rate and a 1ms VRB and 0.5ms GTG response time. If you’re wiling to drop to WFHD resolution (2560 x 1080) then you can bump that refresh rate up to 288Hz.
It’s big, but not ridiculously so – it looks like an ideal replacement for a two-monitor setup if you wish you could spread one app across your whole screen real estate.
Unfortunately it won’t come cheap at $999.99 / AU$1,899 (we’re waiting for official UK pricing), but if you’re after the ultimate gaming setup and can afford to splurge a little, this could be the monitor you’ve been waiting for.
Rounding things out is the limited-edition Acer Predator e-bike I saw. Inspired by the brand’s gaming line, this bike boasts a 750W motor, a max speed of 45km/h (around 27.9mph), and a max range of 75km (about 46.6 miles).
What I loved was that it even incorporates the RGB lighting look synonymous with gaming tech, thanks to its colorful pedals and front suspension which glisten with a rainbow of yellow, pink, and blue.
It’s not Acer’s first electric mobility machine – it’s made a handful of scooters before, for example – but this entry really looks to combine the aesthetics of its gaming tech with the practicality of an e-bike in a way that I loved.
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hamish.hector@futurenet.com (Hamish Hector)
