Computex: Acer unveils Windows 8 ultrabooks, tablets and all-in-one PCs

Firm one of many set to use Redmond's forthcoming Metro interface

TAIPEI: Acer has unveiled a line-up of touch-screen ultrabooks, tablets and all-in-one PCs running the forthcoming Windows 8 operating system (OS).

Revealing its new range at the Computex conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Acer announced the Iconia W510 and W700 tablets that pride themselves on optional docking stations and HD resolution displays.

The first tablet, the W700 (pictured above), is an 11.6in slate with an HD 1920x1080 touch-screen. It can dock with an optional cradle that can store the tablet horizontally, vertically or tilted up to 70 degrees and can be paired with a keyboard to turn it into a desktop PC.

The second device is the Iconia W510 (pictured above), which slots into a keyboard docking station, similar to the Android-powered Asus Transformer tablet range, turning it into a clam notebook but running Windows 8 instead.

It has a 10.1in screen, but its main quirk is that it can be docked back-to-front so it can be used to give presentations without the need to be swivelled around. Acer added that the 510's dock gives the tablet a total of 18 hours of battery life.

Accompanying the tablet range is Acer's updated Aspire S7 Ultrabook series (below), coming in two different sizes of 13.3in that promises a 12 hour battery life and an 11.6in model that should last for around nine hours.

What's worth noting is that Acer's new ultrabooks also feature touch-screen displays, just like its W510 tablet but with a keyboard that you can't physically remove.

Acer drew attention to the S7's innovative hinges, that mean it can be laid out entirely flat.

As for Acer's all-in-one PCs, it announced two touch-screen devices that support multi-touch gestures, with HD displays under a ‘U series' branding. Named the Acer Aspire 7600U and 5600U, the Windows 8 PCs measure 27in and 23in respectively.

Acer once again boasted about the hinges, stating that the 7600U can tilt from zero to 90 degrees and swivel at four sides when laid flat so more than one user can operate the device. The 5600U can only manage 30 to 80 degree tilts, however.

When rotated into portrait mode, Acer said its all-in-one PCs are transformed into the 'world's biggest e-book reader'. Ideal, if 27in or 23in ebook pages are just what you've always wanted.

Acer were very hush-hush about any exact dimensions, processor specs, UK prices and arrival dates for its new line-up but a representative let slip it should be around Q3 or Q4, basically whenever Windows 8 launches.