PhilSTAR Tech was invited to Acer’s global headquarters in Taiwan last May 21, where top executives from various divisions gave media a front-row seat to their 2025 vision. From AI and gaming to gadgets and green tech, the day was packed with updates, and more than a few quotable moments.
“AI is everywhere”—and Acer wants you to experience it, not pay extra for it
Rather than charging for premium AI features, Acer is leaning into a more accessible approach.
“Our mission and vision is to offer an opportunity for users to know that their device is capable of doing some of these things,” said James K Lin, General Manager of Notebook Business. “Our application is not an expert, not a professional one… once you have a more professional application, then your house is ready.”
He added, “Maybe we’re not doing it perfectly, but once you see that it’s doable, I can show you, through Acer, a different product that can provide a different level of solution quality.”
The direction is clear: showcase what’s possible and don’t gate it behind a paywall.
Instead of bloating devices with heavy preloads, Acer is integrating lightweight, utility-driven AI features across tiers—from entry-level to gaming laptops. Think AI-powered background removal or live wallpaper customization that adapts to your location, all available via updates.
Their approach: offer basic tools out of the box, and let power users install pro-level software if they want. No forced bundles. No performance tax. Just choice.
Why a smart ring? “Too many watches already.”
Allen Jong, President of Acer Gadget, said it best: “There are too many watches already and we need to find a differentiator. There are fewer rings in the world, right? Some people like watches, some people like rings. We want to offer various form factors so everyone can enjoy the AI value.”
The smart ring is part of a broader push toward edge AI devices, which includes the Acer TransBud translator and a vision for wearables that quietly enhance everyday life.
On gaming dominance: “We help them, they help us.”
Gaming continues to be Acer’s crown jewel. In Asia-Pacific, the company is leading the gaming notebook market with over 30% market share.
Acer’s dominance in the gaming space isn’t just about specs, it’s also about strategy. In Southeast Asia, the company has climbed to the top of the gaming notebook market. And their secret weapon? Events like Predator League and Acer Day.
“In the Philippines, we always have SB19 and G22 join us for the concerts,” said Andrew Hou, President of Acer Pan-Asia Pacific Operations. “They’ve become superstars. So now we’re even thinking… maybe we should get into the entertainment business,” he jokingly added.
On the company’s success in education, Hou added with a smile: “Education without Acer is nothing—because if you look at the word ‘teacher,’ T-E-A-C-H-E-R, you’ll find ‘Acer’ right inside.”
Acer’s design team doesn’t guess—they co-create
In a walkthrough of the Acer “A Corner” design studio, the company revealed how its Predator 21X and other gaming flagships were built using real gamer insights. The team conducts interviews, in-home visits, co-creation sessions, and even shadow retail interactions to test new ideas.
“Gamers hate any kind of lag,” said Kristy Weng, Senior Design Manager. “That’s why we know thermal efficiency is extremely important to them.”
They also shared surprising data about gamers’ style preferences: “A lot of gamers tell us, ‘Well, I don’t really like just black. I also like pink, white—more lifestyle-oriented colors for my gaming setup.’”
Acer’s EverBlade fan is in its 6th generation—now with feathers?
No, really. Inspired by owl wings, the tip of Acer’s AeroBlade fan now includes a bionic design to reduce turbulence.
“If you look closely at the tip of the blade, you’ll see a small fin we added—it’s inspired by an owl’s feather,” said Mike Lin, Acer’s thermal engineer. “We use it on our fan to reduce turbulence while it’s rotating, so it can run more quietly and pull in more air.”
This sixth-generation AeroBlade is now just 0.05mm thick, half the size of their first-gen fan from 2015.
Lighter gaming, smarter workstations, and greener displays
Acer introduced a wide range of updates for creators, casual gamers, and sustainability-minded users alike.
On the performance front, the new RX 9060 graphics card delivers “performance equal to or better than the 5060, and the cost is more competitive.” For creative professionals, Acer is rolling out GPUs capable of up to 128GB of bandwidth—“When you compare 24 gigabytes to 128 gigabytes of bandwidth, the difference is huge.”
Lightweight gaming also continues to gain traction, especially with integrated graphics that rival entry-level discrete GPUs like the RTX 2050. Think smooth, 100+ FPS gaming on compact systems—no external GPU required.
Acer is also investing in display innovation, from affordable OLED panels to high-resolution 6K creator monitors. When asked about OLEDs under $400, executives were candid: “We expect the price to come down, but not for another two quarters.”
Sustainability is a key focus across the board, with displays increasingly built using recycled plastics and paper. As one executive put it: “We want our products to be eco-friendly—more eco-friendly than even user-friendly.”
Even Chromebooks are getting attention. Despite a global slowdown, demand remains strong in Asia, and Acer is committed to offering the “right tool for the right job”—whether that’s Windows or Chrome OS.
Connectivity and convergence: The not-so-secret sauce
Perhaps one of the most compelling undercurrents was Acer’s quiet but clear move toward building an ecosystem—not one that locks users in, but one that plays well with others.
Take their MiFi 5G router: rugged, IP68-rated, and featuring NFC pairing and embedded AI functions. It’s not just about faster internet; it’s about enabling seamless connections between your camera, tablet, laptop, or even hotel Wi-Fi. Acer’s not trying to be Apple or HUAWEI with a walled garden, but they are building bridges.
On the return to mobile: “No plans… but discussions are ongoing.”
Asked directly if Acer might re-enter the smartphone market, executives were cautious but didn’t rule it out. “The topic is under discussion internally, but we don’t have any further plans at the moment,” said Eric YL Huang, Director of Connectivity.
Where Acer’s headed next
The Acer Media Interview wasn’t just a product showcase. It was a deeper look into Acer’s evolving identity.
From AI-driven devices to grassroots events and sustainable design, Acer is focused on futureproofing its ecosystem. Expect more rollouts across their Predator, Aspire, and commercial lines, plus AI edge tools that don’t need the cloud.
Between AI workstations, eco-conscious hardware, and gamer-first innovation, Acer is playing a long game, and they’re doing it with surprising heart and humility.
