Acer's newest monitors are a treat for your eyes — and your phone

Alongside everything else Acer has to show off at CES 2016, the Taiwanese manufacturer also has a range of new PC monitors that look great, and, in some cases, let you charge up your smartphone without needing a power brick.

There are three new offerings to talk about: The R1 series, the H7 series and the XR342CK Ultrawide Curved. All three promise the help reduce eye strain through Acer EyeProtect technology.

The R1 series' headline feature is being the world's slimmest monitors, coming in at an insanely thin 7mm. Thin bezels around the front further minimize size while keeping the viewing area as large as possible. The R1 Series comes in 21.5-, 23-, 23.8-, 25- and 27-inch sizes, all with 1920x1080 resolution panels. All have flicker-free and blue light filtering technologies to make the experience as comfortable as possible for your peepers.

The H7 series boasts of being the world's first USB-C monitors, allowing you to display content from laptops or smartphones, as well as being able to charge your phone all using just one cable. It features a 2560x1440 resolution panel, Acer TrueHarmony and DTS sound and HDMI 2.0.

The biggest and baddest of the bunch is the XR342CK Ultrawide Curved monitor. It features a 21:9 ratio 3440 x 1440 resolution display with DTS audio, 30-degree swivel left and right of center and AMD FreeSync making it a great choice for serious gamers.

Pricing and availability for each is as follows:

  • R1 series will be available from $129.99 in the EMEA region from January. North American release information is still unknown.
  • H7 series will be available from $499.99/€499.99 in North America and EMEA from February.
  • XR342CK will be available from €1,099 in EMEA from March.

Press Release

Acer Excites with Game-Changing Monitors: R1 Series, H7 Series and XR Series

LAS VEGAS (Jan 4, 2016) Acer today announces the latest additions to its monitor lineup – the R1 series, H7 series and the XR342CK. All new monitors are produced with premium design and high-end performance in mind for stunning images and color capabilities. Featuring IPS1 panel technology, the Acer displays ensure clear-cut details across 178-degree viewing angles and supreme color consistency across the entire screen, enabling users to explore their gaming worlds and watch movies in all their glorious colors without compromising on speed/lag.

Acer R1 Series – World's Thinnest Monitor Enclosure Under 7mm, Perfect for Everyday Computing

The Acer R1 series monitors with ultra-thin enclosures under 7mm are ideal for everyday computing in any space. The stylish ZeroFrame design maximizes the view and minimizes visual clutter with a bezel so thin you barely notice it, providing a seamless viewing experience for multi-monitor setups.

Combining Acer Flicker-less and Blue Light Filter technologies with 5 to 15 degree adjustable tilt, the R1 series is easy on the eyes, providing a comfortable viewing experience. Green credentials feature EcoDisplay and ENERGY STAR 6.0 certification as well as mercury-free construction. The R1 series boasts Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and will be available in 21.5-, 23-, 23.8-, 25- and 27-inch screen sizes.

Acer H7 Series – World's First USB Type-C Monitors

The Acer H7 series monitors are the world's first to support USB Type-C, so that users can conveniently transfer data and display content from notebooks or smartphones, while charging them at the same time through just one cable. With a premium ZeroFrame design, diamondcut and brushed-metal stand, the Acer H7 series models are offered in 25-inch and 27-inch options. They also boast WQHD (2560 x 1440) display resolution, superior audio with Acer TrueHarmony and DTS™ Sound and come outfitted with super-fast USB Type-C and HDMI 2.0 ports. These features immerse the user in beautifully portrayed high-resolution content for the home or office.

The H7 series supports 100 percent of the sRGB color gamut, delivering the color space reproduction desired by design professionals and visual enthusiasts for accurate color matching across applications and print output.

Acer XR342CK – New Angle in Entertainment

Acer's next generation XR series, the XR342CK monitor with an UltraWide QHD (3440 x 1440) resolution and a 34-inch 21:9 panel with a 1900R curvature and 100 percent of the sRGB color gamut, delivers immersive, picture-perfect visuals. Special features like 6-axis color adjustment and DTS® Sound deepen the audio/visual impact, while a customizable ambient light at the lower edge of the monitor provides lighting effects that match the desired mood. The PIP/PBP and daisy-chain modes allow users to take their productivity to a new level, and the base can swivel from -30 to +30 degrees, allowing users to easily adjust the monitor to their desired viewing angle.

The XR series features AMD FreeSync™ technology, which ensures variable refresh rates for a smooth, tear-free experience in gaming and video playback.

Pricing and Availability

In North America, Acer R1 series prices will start at $129.99 with availability TBD and the Acer H7 series will be available in February with prices starting at $499.99.

In EMEA, the Acer R1 series will be available in January with prices starting at €139; the H7 series will be available in February with prices starting at €499; and the XR342CK will be available in March with prices starting at €1,099.

The new monitors will be gradually rolled out to other regions. Pricing will be announced in each market closer to availability.

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 retailer via www.acer.com.

Richard Devine
Managing Editor - Tech, Reviews

Richard Devine is a Managing Editor at Windows Central with over a decade of experience. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you'll find him steering the site's coverage of all manner of PC hardware and reviews. Find him on Mastodon at mstdn.social/@richdevine