Low cost Windows laptops
Acer is one of Googles major partners in the Chromebook movement thats seen some success in the education market, but that wont stop Acer from trying to sell low-cost Windows laptops to the same audience. If you need evidence of this, then consider the companys forthcoming TravelMate B117.
Available in two base configurations, the TravelMate B117 was "tailor made for education," Acer says. A big reason why is the price.
The first model—TravelMate TMB117-M-C578—runs $229 and includes an 11.6-inch display with a 1366x768 resolution, Intel Celetron N3050 processor, 2GB of DDR3L RAM, 32GB of eMMC storage. 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, a webcam, up to 12 hours of battery life, and Windows 10 Pro. For $20 more, the TMB007-M-C0DK model doubles the amount of RAM to 4GB.
Acer considers the TravelMate B117 line to be "game changing," and not just because of the price points, but also the feature-set. One of the features Acer is touting is called TeachSmart.
"The TravelMate B117 with Acer TeachSmart features an LED light embedded on the lid which can flash in different colors. Students can toggle between four colors through a software interface to indicate their status, allowing teachers to easily keep track at a glance," Acer says.
"For example, teachers can post multiple-choice questions to the entire class. After students select their answers on the notebook, the LEDs will light up in a corresponding color to indicate the answers they have chosen," Acer added.
The LED light can also be used by students to let a teacher know that he or she has finished an assignment or otherwise needs attention.
As the TravelMate B117 is designed for students, it sports a ruggedized frame with a rubber strip to protect it from bumps and drops. Its also thin and lightweight at 0.8 inches and 2.9 pounds, and boasts a spill-resistant keyboard with a water drainage system.
Acer says the TravelMate B117 will head to the U.S. in March.
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