Acer launches Googlebook 14, a convertible laptop built around Google's Gemini AI

Acer unveiled the Googlebook 14 today, the first laptop in a category the company is building around Google's Gemini AI rather than a traditional operating system. The convertible laptop runs a new Googlebook OS and syncs with Android phones, letting users pick up tasks they started on their phone and pull phone apps onto the laptop screen without installing anything.

Acer and Google, longtime partners on Chromebooks, are positioning it as the start of a new premium hardware category built for AI from the ground up. "The new Acer Googlebook 14 puts intuitive and powerful tools with Gemini Intelligence at the fingertips of anyone wanting to boost their creativity and productivity," said James Lin, general manager of notebooks at Acer.

The laptop is built around Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 chips, with a built-in AI processor Acer says handles up to 50 trillion operations per second. Google's vice president of laptops and tablets, John Maletis, said the pairing reflects a shift "from a traditional operating system to an intelligence system."

Gemini-powered features include a Magic Pointer that activates with a cursor wiggle and proactive suggestions based on what's on screen. Some features are limited to users 18 and older and require an internet connection.

The Googlebook 14 weighs 1.14 kilograms and measures 13.9 millimeters thick, with a 14-inch OLED touch display, an aluminum-magnesium chassis and 360-degree hinges for laptop, tent, stand and tablet modes. A light bar on the lid, which Acer calls the Glowbar, changes color and pattern to show battery and charging status.

Acer says the device is Energy Star 9.0 certified and EPEAT Climate+ designated, built with 49% circular materials and shipped in packaging that's 99% plastic-free. The laptop comes with 12 months of Google AI Pro included, which normally runs $19.99 a month and bundles 5 terabytes of cloud storage.

The Acer Googlebook 14 arrives in North America in October starting at $899. EMEA pricing starts at 1,199 euros, with Australia following in November at 2,599 Australian dollars.