Acer H233H and X1700

Taking a two-prong approach, Acer this morning has introduced both a new range-leading 23-inch computer LCD as well as a mini desktop built partly with that display in mind. The 23-inch H233H stands as one of Acer's most upscale displays and replaces the usual hardware buttons with backlit, touch-sensitive controls. It importantly produces a more TV-like 1080p picture with a dynamic 40,000:1 contrast ratio and carries both HDMI input and a 3W stereo speaker array to take in video from Blu-ray players and consoles.

The screen likely uses a TN panel to save on costs and has a relatively narrow 160-degree viewing angle, 300cd/m2 brightness and a 5ms pixel response time. Besides the HDMI connector, Acer outfits the H233H with HDCP-encrypted DVI and a regular VGA port. It ships today and should sell for $300.

Acer's small desktop upgrade is the X1700, a new low-end headless model; the system fits a basic 2.4GHz Pentium dual-core chip but is one of the first systems to use an integrated GeForce 100M for faster integrated graphics and is a potential home theater PC with HDMI output plus eSATA for fast external hard drives. An example $480 system carries 4GB of RAM, a 640GB hard drive and a DVD burner on top of the processor. Prices normally start at $410 for the X1700, which is also available today.

Acer has also provided a minor but significant update to its Predator gaming PC; the G7710 switches to Core i7 and comes with a 2.93GHz Core i7 four-core processor as well as 6GB of DDR3 memory. The configuration sells for $2,300.

H233H



X1700 (with optional display and speakers)

By Electronista Staff