Technology
Acer Empowers Education with the Game-Changing TravelMate B117
Acer TeachSmart solution with LED status indicator embedded on the lid enables new ways for classroom participation
Acer February 20, 2016 announced its new TravelMate B117 notebook, tailor-made for the education market and powered by Windows 10 Pro. It’s the first notebook to support the Acer TeachSmart solution, which enables new ways of classroom interaction, and empowers teachers with tools and cloud-based services to distribute class materials and collect assignments digitally.
A Brighter Way to Interact
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, allowing teachers to easily keep track at a glance.
For example, teachers can post multiple-choice questions to the entire class. 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 for 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.
Classroom in the Cloud
Acer TeachSmart also includes an integrated cloud solution that keeps teachers and students connected. Through Microsoft OneNote sharing with a Microsoft account, teachers can distribute class material and assignments and stay informed of each student’s progress, eliminating the need for hard copies. The system keeps teachers and students connected not only in the classroom, but away as well, with customizable features to fulfill the individual needs of different teachers.
Designed for the Classroom Environment
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, while weighing only 1.35 kg1> and measuring 22.3 mm 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 spills2.
Performance Exceeding Classroom Needs
Powered by Intel® Pentium® or Celeron® processors, the 11.6-inch TravelMate B117 features Intel® HD graphics, up to 4GB of DDR3L memory, HDD or eMMC storage options, a discrete TPM (Trusted Platform Module), dual digital microphones, and an Acer Crystal Eye HD webcam with HDR support. In addition, a Precision Touchpad supports Windows 10 gestures and provides a smooth and responsive experience.
Plentiful Connectivity Options
The TravelMate B117 features 802.11ac wireless with 2×2 MIMO, enabling blazing fast network connections with up to three times faster3wireless connectivity compared to 802.11n. Wired connectivity options include one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, and a full-sized HDMI port with HDCP support.
The new Acer TravelMate B117 can be seen today through January 23, at BETT 2016 in London at the Acer Booth #B109B.
Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com.
