Acer introduces the TravelMate Spin B1, a Windows 10 S convertible for education

By Mark Coppock May 2, 2017

acer introduces travelmate spin b1 windows 10 s convertible b118 06 header — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft is leaving the low-end Windows 10 S education PC market to its original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners, and will instead focus on positioning its Surface Laptop to compete against the Apple MacBook, which is popular among higher-education students. Acer is an important Microsoft OEM, and it’s acting fast to jump into the fray against Google’s Chromebook education initiative.

First out of the gate is the Acer TravelMate Spin B1, a convertible 2-in-1 device that ships with Windows 10 S education OS, Cortana, Continuum, and Ink, along with an active pen that works with the obligatory touchscreen display. This is the first convertible in the TravelMate line, and it features a 360-degree hinge that supports the four standard modes — stand, tent, tablet, and traditional notebook.

1 of 5

acer introduces travelmate spin b1 windows 10 s convertible b118 04 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

acer introduces travelmate spin b1 windows 10 s convertible b118 01 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

acer introduces travelmate spin b1 windows 10 s convertible b118 02 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

acer introduces travelmate spin b1 windows 10 s convertible b118 06 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

acer introduces travelmate spin b1 windows 10 s convertible b118 07 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The TravelMate Spin B1 offers an 11.6-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) display. Power comes by way of an Intel Celeron processor and integrated HD graphics, and it also boasts 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Connectivity is provided by a USB 3.0 port, a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI connection, and a 3.5mm headset jack. Wireless connectivity includes 2×2 MIMO 801.22ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Acer promises up to 13 hours of battery life.

Acer is touting the TravelMate Spin B1’s overall rugged design, which is aimed at maximizing uptime and minimizing maintenance requirements. The machine is built with a shock-absorbent middle rubber frame, offers a pressure-resistant screen that can withstand a front impact of up to 132 pounds, and features a spill-resistant keyboard that protects against up to 11 ounces of water.

The TravelMate Spin B1 runs Windows 10 S, and supports Acer TeachSmart software, which works with embedded LED lights on the notebook cover to enable students to easily and unobtrusively communicate with teachers, receive class materials, take quizzes, and more. Windows 10 Ink support makes it easy for students to take notes and create drawings.

Acer is releasing the TravelMate Spin B1 this month in North America. It will cost $300, and comes with an active pen and Windows 10 S.

Editors' Recommendations

Acer Chromebook Spin 514 hands-on: Faster, thinner, and pricier

Topics

Computing Writer

Mark has been a geek since MS-DOS gave way to Windows and the PalmPilot was a thing. He’s translated his love for…

Computing

Get this Asus laptop with a year of Microsoft Office for $199

asus vivobook go laptop deal amazon march 2024 lifestyle

You don't need to spend several hundreds of dollars on a new laptop that you'll use as a productivity tool because there are budget-friendly options like the Asus Vivobook Go L510MA. It's actually currently even cheaper from Walmart after an $80 discount, which brings its price down to just $199 from $279 originally. There's no telling how much time is remaining before the offer expires though, so if you want to take advantage of it, you're going to have to proceed with the purchase as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the Asus Vivobook Go L510MA
For a laptop that will be able to handle basic activities like doing online research, building reports, and browsing social media, you can't go wrong with the Asus Vivobook Go L510MA. It's equipped with the Intel Pentium Silver N5030 processor and 4GB of RAM, which are a far cry from the specifications of the best laptops, but it will be enough for simple tasks. The device also comes with a 15.6-inch screen with Full HD resolution, which is pretty large and sharp for its price, but it's still portable as it only weights about 3.5 pounds with a thickness of just 0.72 of an inch.

Computing

These are the 10 best gaming PCs I’d recommend to anyone

Graphics card in the CLX Hathor PC.

We review dozens of gaming PCs each year. In 2024, there are a ton of great options, but we've narrowed them down to a list of the 10 best gaming desktops that deserve your hard-earned money.

In 2024, we still recommend the Alienware Aurora R16 because of its fantastic design, solid performance, and decent value. However, there are several other options depending on your needs and budget. If you want a deeper look into how we evaluate gaming PCs, make sure to read about how we review desktops.

Computing

Samsung’s crazy 57-inch curved 4K monitor is $700 off today

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 57-inch mini-LED gaming monitor placed on a desk.

Your investment in gaming PC deals will go to waste if you don't upgrade your screen, and if you're willing to splurge for the best possible gaming experience, you'll want to go for the 57-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor. It's pretty expensive at its original price of $2,500, so you're going to want to take advantage of any discounts that are available. Fortunately, Samsung has slashed its price by $700 so it's down to $1,800 -- it's still not cheap, but once you're playing your favorite games on this monitor, you'll quickly understand why it's worth every single penny.

Why you should buy the 57-inch Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor features a 57-inch screen with dual 4K Ultra HD resolution and a 1000R curvature, so it will fully immerse you in the worlds of the video games that you play with its lifelike details and vivid colors. It also supports HDR 1000 for better visual accuracy, and it uses Quantum Matrix technology for controlled brightness and improved contrast.