Acer Gadget, the specialised subsidiary of the Acer Group, has announced a strategic investment and partnership with Plugable Technologies. While Plugable will continue to operate under its own brand and maintain its existing support model, the infusion of Acer’s resources is intended to fast-track the development of high-bandwidth hardware, specifically targeting the professional and “prosumer” markets.

As we move further into 2026, the demand for Thunderbolt 5 (TBT5) peripherals and AI-integrated docking stations is increasing. Plugable has already launched an AI docking solution named TBT5-AI. However, with Acer’s backing, Plugable intends to scale these “next-gen” solutions across global markets much faster than it could as a standalone entity.

For those who know Plugable, the most important aspect of this announcement is the preservation of the company's identity. Lynn Smurthwaite-Murphy, CEO of Plugable Technologies, emphasised that this investment strengthens the company without diluting the transparency and dependability that customers trust.

The partnership also addresses the issues that have occasionally plagued smaller peripheral brands during major technology transitions. By tapping into Acer Gadget's diversified supply chain, Plugable can ensure more consistent availability for enterprise-level deployments of its charging devices and multi-display hubs. Allen Jong, President of Acer Gadget Inc., noted that the investment is a core part of Acer's strategy to dominate the high-end PC peripheral portfolio as hybrid work environments continue to evolve into more complex, multi-display configurations.

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KitGuru says: With this partnership, Acer gains immediate access to some of the best connectivity engineers in the business, and Plugable gains the financial and logistical muscle to compete on a global stage. 

A Taiwanese hardware maker has announced a high-end 1080p monitor that it claims to be the first one to feature an 800 Hz refresh rate. AUO Announces Various High-End Gaming Monitors at Touch Taiwan 2026, Including Dual Mode 4K Display and World's First 1080p 24-inch 800 Hz monitor At the Touch Taiwan 2026 event, the monitor maker AUO announced updates on its display technologies, including the mass production of its Micro LED. Among the new displays, a couple of high refresh rate monitors were also announced, which supposedly include the world's first 24-inch 1080p gaming monitor that can run at […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/auo-announces-worlds-first-24-inch-fhd-monitor-with-800-hz-refresh-rate/

Acer has introduced a new SSD called the FA300. This is a mid-range M.2 NVMe drive that uses PCIe Gen 5 technology. The main idea behind this launch is to make Gen 5 speeds more affordable and easier to access for more users.

The FA300 comes in two sizes: 1 TB and 2 TB. Both versions can reach up to 11 GB/s read speed, which is very fast for daily use, gaming, and heavy tasks. The write speed is slightly different between the two. The 1 TB model can go up to 9.7 GB/s, while the 2 TB version is a bit faster at up to 10 GB/s.

This SSD uses a DRAMless controller. While Acer has not shared the exact controller name, common options in this range include models from Phison and Silicon Motion. Even without DRAM, the drive still delivers strong performance for most users.

When it comes to random performance, the numbers are also solid. The 1 TB version can reach up to 1.4 million IOPS for reads and 1.6 million IOPS for writes. The 2 TB model performs even better, with up to 1.7 million IOPS for both reads and writes. This helps in faster app loading and smoother system response.

The company has not revealed the type of 3D NAND used in the drive. However, endurance looks good. The 1 TB version is rated at 750 TBW, while the 2 TB model offers 1,500 TBW. Both drives come with a 5-year warranty, which adds extra confidence for long-term use.

Acer FA300 Gen5 SSD specifications

Acer has not shared the official price yet. But based on its positioning, the FA300 is expected to be one of the more budget-friendly Gen 5 SSDs in the market.

Fans of the Deus Ex franchise must unfortunately brace for more bad news. Eidos Montreal has been hit with another wave of layoffs, reducing headcount for a third year in a row, indicating that a new major game is not close to coming out.

In a statement shared this week, Eidos Montreal confirmed that it is letting go of another 124 employees, marking the third year in a row that the studio has made cuts. This most recent round of layoffs also coincides with studio head, David Anfossi, stepping down from his position at the company.

Eidos Montréal formed in the late 2000s before joining Square Enix. While under the Japanese publisher, the studio led the revival of the Deus Ex franchise, resulting in 2011's Mankind Divided and 2016's Human Revolution. Square Enix ultimately sold off Eidos Montreal and the Deus Ex IP to Embracer Group in 2022.

Eidos Montreal has not shipped a game since 2021's Guardians of the Galaxy, which did score well in reviews but ultimately did not hit its sales targets. It has been rumoured for years that Eidos has been trying to get a new Deus Ex game greenlit but due to the financial situation at Embracer Group in recent years, it has been unable to secure the funding. In recent years, Eidos has found work as a support studio for other major AAA projects at non-Embracer studios.

KitGuru Says: It is a real shame to see what is happening to Eidos Montreal. In an ideal world, they would have instantly jumped into work on a new Deus Ex game after joining Embracer. At the rate things are going though, we may not see a new Deus Ex game again.

It’s about time that we become comfortable with the fact that RAM and storage aren’t going to be available for the same unbeatable prices as before, but you will still be able to get some discounts in the new era, thanks to some solid deals listed on Amazon. For instance, the Acer Predator GM7000 is an excellent 2TB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 SSD available from the online retailer for only $299.99 after a $50 price drop, and best of all, it comes with a DRAM cache. Those searching for a high-speed solid-state drive know all about the significance of this […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/acer-predator-gm7000-2tb-pcie-nvme-gen-4-ssd-50-off-on-amazon-available-for-299-99/

Acer has refreshed its Predator Helios Neo lineup with three new gaming laptops built around Intel’s Core Ultra 200HX Plus processors. Acer has also upgraded the gaming grunt that these laptops provide with the addition of an RTX 5080 laptop GPU. The updated 16‑inch and 18‑inch models focus on high‑end performance, while the new 16S variant offers a slimmer, more portable option.

The Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is the thinnest model, measuring in at under 18.9mm thick. It supports up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and an RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, paired with a 240Hz WQXGA OLED HDR display with 1ms response time and 100% DCI‑P3 coverage. Cooling is handled by a Predator AeroBlade 3D fan and liquid metal thermal grease to maintain performance in the compact chassis. The standard Predator Helios Neo 16 AI offers the same CPU and GPU options but adds a more robust thermal setup with AeroBlade 3D cooling, liquid metal and vector heat pipes.

The Predator Helios Neo 18 AI is the option for those who require a larger display, offering an 18‑inch WQXGA screen with a 240Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI‑P3 coverage. It introduces Acer’s new Ambient Contrast Ratio film, designed to reduce glare and improve contrast in bright environments. Cooling again uses AeroBlade 3D fans, liquid metal and vector heat pipes to sustain top‑end performance. As for the core hardware, it offers the same Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and RTX 5080 as its smaller sibling.

All three laptops include Acer’s AI‑driven PredatorSense controls for performance tuning, RGB lighting and fan management. Acer PurifiedVoice and PurifiedView use AI for noise reduction and improved video quality, while Acer Intelligence Space adds tools such as Game Assistant and ProCam for gameplay support and automatic clip capture.

All three of Acer's newly refreshed laptop models will be available in Europe starting in June.

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KitGuru Says: Are you planning on buying a new gaming laptop this year? Will you be going with an Acer model?

The Acer Predator Orion 7000 has everything you want, apart from two things.  The liquid cooled Core Ultra 9 285K is an odd choice for a top of the line gaming system,…

Acer has expanded its Nitro display family with the Nitro ED340CUR W0bmiipx, a 34-inch ultrawide monitor designed to bring high-refresh-rate gaming to the value-conscious segment. This model pairs a 1500R curved VA panel with a 3440 x 1440 (UWQHD) resolution, offering the expansive field of view that has become a staple for simulation fans and multitasking professionals alike.

Featuring a 240 Hz refresh rate, the ED340CUR W0 (via DisplaySpecifications) brings a significant jump over previous iterations of the ED340 series, which typically maxed out at 165/180Hz. This, combined with AMD FreeSync Premium support, ensures fluid motion and reduced screen tearing in fast-paced titles. The panel uses an 8-bit + FRC (Frame Rate Control) method to achieve 10-bit colour depth, covering 99% of the sRGB colour space. As is typical of VA technology, the monitor boasts a high 3000:1 static contrast ratio. However, its peak brightness is rated at a modest 250 nits, making its HDR10 support more of a baseline compatibility feature than a transformative visual experience.

The monitor follows Acer's streamlined “ZeroFrame” aesthetic, maximising screen real estate by minimising bezel width. The included stand is tilt-only, which is a common trade-off in the budget category. However, the unit is fully compatible with 100 x 100 mm VESA mounts for those who require height or swivel adjustment. Connectivity options include dual HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 input, and integrated 2W speakers for basic audio.

Additionally, Acer has packed the display with its VisionCare suite, including Blue Light Shield Pro, flicker-free technology, and a low-dimming feature. These additions, combined with the “Super Sharpness” processing, position the ED340CUR W0 as a versatile tool for both competitive gaming and general office productivity. The monitor is now available for $349.99.

KitGuru says: It's impressive to see 240Hz in a 34-inch UWQHD monitor at this price point. For gamers coming from older 60Hz panels, the move to 240Hz on a curved 34-inch panel is one of the most cost-effective ways to fundamentally change how your gaming setup feels in 2026, assuming your system can support such a refresh rate.

After several days of downtime, ASUS.de is back online, but Acer has yet to restore its Germany regional website. ASUS.DE is Now Live, and ACER.DE is Still Down; ASUS Removes Disputed Desktop and Laptop Products From the Site Due to Ban by Munich Court ASUS and Acer have been facing legal action from Nokia over a patent licensing dispute related to the HEVC/H.265 video codec.. The Munich I Regional Court forced both companies to halt direct sales of certain desktop PCs and laptops in Germany due to the same reason. The court found that ASUS and Acer had not agreed […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/asus-germany-website-goes-live-with-missing-desktops-laptops-while-acer-is-still-down/

The reveal of Star Wars: Galactic Racer at The Game Awards 2025 was a nice surprise for all those gamers who were dearly missing a Star Wars racing game. The last one to be released was Star Wars: Racer Revenge, launched in February 2002 for the PlayStation 2 console. It's been an age, at least as far as gaming goes. Earlier this month, the developers at Fuse Games even confirmed that podracing would indeed be featured in the game, alongside other vehicle types. Then, last week, a new promising gameplay trailer was shared during the State of Play broadcast. Now, […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/star-wars-galactic-racer-dev-connects-season-pass-to-f2p-games/