Acer TravelMate B117 Windows 10 Laptop

Acer and Microsoft have today unveiled a new windows 10 laptop which has been specifically created to help both teachers and students in the classroom and takes the form of the new Acer TravelMate B117.

Tailored for the educational market the Acer TravelMate B117 has been designed by both Acer and Microsoft in partnership and was built using feedback from students and teachers.

The TravelMate B117 is the first laptop to be equipped with Acer’s TeachSmart solution that provides both tools and cloud-based services for classroom interaction and to help empower teachers to cover subjects more effectively.Microsoft explains a little more about the inspiration and features in the new Acer laptop that is powered by the latest Windows 10 operating system.

    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.

    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.