Skip to main content

Acer's TravelMate Spin B1 is a rugged Windows 10 2-in-1 for the education market

acer introduces travelmate spin b1 for education b118 01
Image used with permission by copyright holder
While it’s not quite true yet that every new Windows PC is a 2-in-1 that can convert from a standard notebook to a tablet, it does seem that the market is turning in that direction. While most manufacturers still make the inflexible notebook, the majority of them are adding 2-in-1s to the mix.

In some cases, they’re taking popular standard notebook models and transforming them into 2-in-1s, as Dell has done with its excellent XPS 13. Now, Acer has joined the fray, offering a new 2-in-1 version of its TravelMate line dubbed the Spin B1.

The TravelMate Spin B1 maintains the line’s utilitarian spirit by being aimed directly at the education market. It will be shown off at the 2017 BETT show being held in London, England on January 28-28, and offers a rugged Windows 10 2-in-1 option to meet the needs of students and teachers.

In terms of components, the Spin B1 will be decidedly entry-level, offering Intel Pentium processors with integrated HD Graphics. Acer has so far been coy in reporting other specifications, but touts up to 13 hours of battery life to ensure that the new machines can make it through an entire school day.

Wireless connectivity includes 2×2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Wired connectivity options include two USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port, and an HDMI port for connecting to external delays. The integrated SD card reader makes it easier for students and teachers to save and share files.

The Spin B1 will also be able to withstand the typical abuse that students can dish out. The 2-in-1s utilize a shock-absorbent middle rubber frame for strength, and the pressure-resistant screen can withstand up to 60kgf of frontal impact force. The spill-resistant chiclet-style keyboard protects against up to 330ml of water via a gutter system underneath the keyboard and Windows 10 Precision Touchpad that drains water away from internal components and out of the bottom of the Spin B1.

The Windows 10 2-in-1 form factor is being well-utilized with an active stylus that supports Windows Ink for taking notes, annotating Microsoft Word documents, and drawing. A stylus click opens Microsoft OneNote in a fashion similar to the pen offered with Microsoft’s own Surface line of machines. Finally, Acer includes its TeachSmart educational software for enhanced teacher-student interaction and works with multi-colored LED lights on the notebook’s cover to let students signal teachers without interrupting the entire class.

The TravelMate Spin B1 will be available in various regions starting in the second quarter of 2017. You can contact Acer directly for pricing and specifications for your specific market.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Coppock
Mark has been a geek since MS-DOS gave way to Windows and the PalmPilot was a thing. He’s translated his love for…
This HP laptop is discounted from $519 to $279
HP 14 laptop with intel Celeron on desk.

There are laptop deals for top-of-the-line machines, but if you only need a basic device for your day-to-day needs, don't spend more than you should by taking advantage of Walmart's offer for the HP 14-inch Laptop. Instead of $519, you'll only have to pay $279 for savings of $240. That's an extremely affordable price for a brand new laptop, but we don't think it will last long. To make sure that you don't miss out on the discount, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the transaction as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the HP 14-inch Laptop
The HP 14-inch Laptop will never be able to match up to the speed of the best laptops, which is expected because of its price. However, if you're thinking about using the device for simple tasks like browsing the internet, watching streaming shows, and typing documents, then its 13th-generation Intel Core i3-N305 processor, integrated Intel UHD Graphics, and 8GB of RAM will be enough. The laptop also ships with Windows 11 Home pre-installed in its 256GB SSD, for an operating system that will be familiar for most people.

Read more
How to connect a keyboard and mouse to the Steam Deck
Steam Deck with Keyboard.

One of the best features of the Steam Deck is its varied controls, from face buttons, to joysticks, to touch controls. But there's never a substitute for a full size keyboard and mouse, and fortunately, you can connect them straight to the Steam Deck. It supports wired and wireless connections, although you'll need a USB hub if you want to use a USB connection.

Read more
This ultra-portable Lenovo 2-in-1 laptop is discounted from $649 to $199
lenovo 500w 2 in 1 laptop deal april 2024 classroom

For super cheap laptop deals, take a look at Lenovo right now. You can pay just $199 and get a Lenovo 500w 2-in-1 laptop. According to Lenovo’s estimated value system, the laptop normally costs $649 which is potentially a little overly optimistic but what we do know is that $199 for a 2-in-1 laptop is incredibly cheap. If you simply want an inexpensive laptop for basic typing of documents or web browsing, you’ll be happy with the Lenovo 500w 2-in-1 laptop. Here’s all we know about it.

Why you should buy the Lenovo 500w 2-in-1 Laptop
The Lenovo 500w 2-in-1 laptop keeps things simple with its hardware but you know you’re in safe hands as Lenovo is one of the best laptop brands. Here, you get an Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor along with 8GB of memory and 128GB of SSD M.2 storage. At this price, we’re delighted to see 8GB of memory rather than 4GB and also the use of an SSD instead of eMMC. Such additions means the Lenovo 500w 2-in-1 laptop will be a little speedier than other laptops in this price range.

Read more