Acer’s Clear Shift Toward Premium AI Experiences .. Interview with Acer’s Vice-President – CES 2026

Leo Thevenet

Last updated 10-01-2026

3 min

Acer is transitioning from value products to premium AI computing and gaming hardware.

The Aspire AI series drives volume, offering thin, affordable, AI-integrated notebooks under €1000.

Swift is now a premium brand with lightweight designs, high mobility, and OLED displays.

Predator and Nitro gaming lines cater to elite gamers, focusing on portability and top performance.

Acer's notebooks are EPEAT Gold certified, embedding sustainability as a default standard.

During my conversation with Valerie Piau, Vice-President of EMEA Marketing at Acer, it became clear that Acer is no longer playing the “good value” game only. The company is repositioning itself as a serious contender in premium AI computing, gaming performance, and creator-focused hardware.

What struck me most is that this shift is not coming from a single hero product, but from a complete ecosystem rethink.

The Aspire AI Strategy – Making AI Mainstream

Acer’s Aspire AI 14 and 16 series were the company’s best-selling models in 2025. For CES 2026, the lineup receives a full chassis redesign using aluminum A and D covers, delivering thinner, lighter, and more refined notebooks while staying in the sub-€1000 segment.

All Aspire consumer notebooks now share the same family design language, creating a cohesive Acer identity across price tiers.

Swift – Rebuilding Acer’s Premium Image

In EMEA and especially in the Middle East, Predator dominates the performance segment, but Acer’s Swift brand had long been perceived as entry-level. That perception is now changing.

Swift Go AI and Swift Edge focus heavily on mobility, OLED quality, and industrial design. Swift Go models weigh around 1.12 kg with sub-16 mm thickness, while Swift Edge breaks the 1-kilogram barrier using aluminum-magnesium alloys.

The flagship Swift 16 AI introduces the world’s largest haptic touchpad with stylus support, OLED 3K display, Intel Ultra 9 processors, enlarged keyboard keys, and up to 24 hours of battery life.

Gaming – Predator Focuses on the No-Compromise User

Acer refreshed its Nitro and Predator gaming families with a clear segmentation strategy.

Nitro becomes slimmer, more portable, and gains RTX 5070 graphics with a new four-zone RGB keyboard. Predator Helios Neo 16S is built for elite gamers with AeroBlade 3D metal fans, liquid-metal cooling, Intel Ultra 9 processors, and support for up to 64GB RAM.

Displays – From Esports to Pro Creators

Acer unveiled four new monitors, including a Nitro 5K monitor priced aggressively at €899, a Predator curved WQHD display for immersive gaming, and a niche 1000Hz esports monitor.

But the real surprise is the Pro Designer 6K, built for creators and prosumers with 98% DCI-P3 color accuracy and reflection-free coating.

“Not every innovation is for gamers. Creators, designers, and people working in co-working spaces are now a core part of our roadmap,” Valerie added.

Sustainability as a Default

All 2026 notebooks now carry EPEAT Gold certification under Acer’s long-standing RE100 commitment.