Acer introduces new Windows 10 PC tailor-made to help students and teachers in the classroom

Acer recently announced their new TravelMate B117 notebook powered by Windows 10 Pro, tailor made for the education market.

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1. Windows 10 Pro
2. Powered by Intel Pentium or Celeron processors
3. Spill-resistant keyboard
4. Less than an inch thin
5. Weighing in at just under 3lbs
6. LED light embedded on the lid

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Built in collaboration with Microsoft over the last year, The TravelMate B117 was built off common feedback educators and students provided during in-school visits and in multiple-rounds of qualitative and quantitative research that Acer performed. What students and teachers told Acer was that they needed longer battery life, a rugged and yet compact design to withstand the classroom setting and a device that was great for wireless sharing.

The TravelMate B117 is the first notebook that features Acer’s TeachSmart solution. TeachSmart enables new ways of classroom interaction, and empowers teachers with tools and cloud-based services to distribute class materials and collect assignments digitally.

A Brighter Way to Interact

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, where teachers can easily keep track at a glance.

For example, teachers can post multiple-choice questions to the whole class, and after students select their answers on the notebook, the LEDs will light up in a corresponding color to indicate the answers they have chosen. Alternatively, students can toggle the LED light after they have finished an assignment, and teachers can monitor the progress of the whole class simply by looking at the students’ notebooks. The LED light can also replace traditional hand raising, signaling the need of attention to the teacher. In addition, teachers will also have a user interface that displays the total status, such as the number of students that have finished their assignments, or the breakdown of multiple choice answers.

Classroom in the Cloud

Acer TeachSmart also includes an integrated cloud solution that keeps teachers and students connected. Through a Microsoft ID and OneNote sharing, teachers can distribute class material and assignments and stay informed of each student’s progress, eliminating the need for hard copies. The system keeps teachers and students connected not only in the classroom, but away as well, with customizable features to fulfill the individual needs of different teachers.

Designed for the Classroom Environment

Designed with classroom environments in mind, the TravelMate B117 features a ruggedized frame with a rubber strip that frames the chassis to protect the device from unexpected bumps and drops. It also weighs in at just under 3lbs and measuring less than in inch thin. A solid hinge which opens up to 180 degrees can take on up to 25,000 swings, while the cover can withstand up to 60 kg of pressure. The keyboard is spill-resistant with a water drainage design that protects against accidental spills.

Performance Exceeding Classroom Needs

Powered by Intel Pentium or Celeron processors, the 11.6-inch TravelMate B117 features Intel HD graphics, up to 4GB of DDR3L memory, HDD or eMMC storage options, a discrete TPM (Trusted Platform Module), dual digital microphones, and an Acer Crystal Eye HD webcam with HDR support. In addition, a Precision Touchpad supports Windows 10 gestures, and provides a smooth and responsive experience.

Plentiful Connectivity Options

The TravelMate B117 features 802.11ac wireless with 2×2 MIMO, enabling blazing fast network connections with up to three times faster wireless connectivity compared to 802.11n. Wired connectivity options include one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, and a full-sized HDMI port with HDCP support.

Pricing and Availability

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, visit acer.com.