Acer Aspire P3 Convertible Wants To Replace Your iPad And Keyboard Dock

Acer] has revealed its latest ultrabook, the Aspire P3, throwing Windows 8 into a touchscreen convertible as part of the company's renewed focus on touch devices. Packing an 11.6-inch HD IPS LCD display, Core i3 or i5 processors, and up to six hours of battery life into a 0.77-inch thick notebook, the Aspire P3 looks at first glance like a regular laptop but – with the screen section pulled forward in what's effectively a keyboard dock – can be flipped into a slate.

In that orientation, the P3 can be used either with the fingers or with a stylus; Acer will offer that separately, though the case will have a slot to store it in-between use. Connectivity includes a USB 3.0 port, HDMI, and a headphone socket, and there are Dolby Home Theater speakers and a 720p HD webcam on the front.

On the back, Acer has included a 5-megapixel camera. Inside it's a choice of 60GB or 120GB SSD, and Acer says the Aspire P3 should wake from sleep in "only a few seconds." The whole thing tips the scales at 3.06 pounds, and Acer is billing the P3 as ideal for those who might otherwise have considered a tablet – like an iPad – and a separate keyboard dock.

The Acer Aspire P3 runs full Windows 8 – not Windows RT – and is expected to go on sale immediately. It'll be priced from $799.99 depending on specifications.