eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
Computer maker Acer announced that its Aspire Z3-605 series of all-in-one (AIO) desktops is now available for consumers in the United States, which puts an emphasis on high audio quality, boasting two 3W front-facing Harman Kardon speakers and Dolby Home Theater v4 audio features optimized digital output technologies for delivering media content in surround sound.
The Aspire Z3-605 Series comes with a 23-inch 1080p Full HD display, and select models offer 10-point touch technology for intuitive operation. In addition, many configurations offer hand recognition software that enables gestures to execute common commands, and an ergonomic frame tilts from 10 to 30 degrees and an integrated 1 megapixel HD Webcam with 720p image capture can be adjusted between 0-20 degrees to help maximize viewing comfort.
The desktops will be available at a variety of retailers with a limited one-year warranty and a starting price of $699.99 without touch and $799.99 with touch, a company release stated. The capsule-shaped port bay on the front of the chassis groups together the on-screen display (OSD) button, SD card reader, USB 3.0 and 2-in-1 combo audio jack. The stand also has hooks to keep cables organized, while Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11a/b/g/n help to eliminate an overabundance of wires.
The series comes with Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system, up to an Intel Core i5 processor, as much as 8GB DDR3 dual-channel memory and a 1TB hard drive. The AIOs come with an HDMI port for attaching a gaming console or television and two USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 ports to link the systems to peripherals and digital devices. An integrated SuperMulti optical drive enables DVD movie viewing as well as the burning of music and photos to CDs.
“Integrating Harman Kardon speakers is an important milestone and showcases Acer innovation and technology leadership,” Frank Chang, director of desktop product management for Acer America, said in a statement. “Acer is the first in the market to bring Harman Kardon premium sound to a mainstream all-in-one desktop, setting a new standard. The Aspire Z3-605 delivers a dynamic, high-quality audio experience for music and movie lovers and furthers convenience and comfort with an ergonomic and adjustable frame and webcam.”
The release comes as Acer and its rivals face a rapidly shrinking PC market as consumers turn to mobile devices and sophisticated smartphones. Both Acer and Asus showed steep declines compared to the second quarter last year, according to a report from IT research firm Gartner that was released earlier this month. The decline was partly affected by their strategies to exit the mini-notebook market.
Worldwide PC shipments dropped to 76 million units in the second quarter of 2013, a 10.9 percent decrease from the same period last year, according to preliminary results by the analytics firm. This marks the fifth consecutive quarter of declining shipments, which marks the longest duration of decline in the PC market’s history. In the U.S. market, PC shipments totaled 15 million units in the second quarter of 2013, a 1.4 percent decline from the second quarter of 2012. This decline was less than the past seven quarters, and the market grew 8.5 percent sequentially.
