Acer’s new laptop is made out of oyster shells and recycled plastic

Acer is stepping up its game in sustainability with the latest Aspire Vero 16 laptop, blending innovation with eco-conscious design. The Vero 16’s standout feature is its use of recycled and bio-based materials. The laptop’s chassis incorporates 70% post-consumer recycled plastic and introduces a new ingredient: crushed oyster shells.

Acer states that this blend reduces the laptop’s carbon footprint and aligns with its goal of achieving carbon neutrality through the use of recycled materials and carbon offsets.

The addition of oyster shells is a unique touch, and according to Acer’s Eric Ackerson, the choice was practical. Oyster shells are abundant near Acer’s headquarters in Taiwan and integrate well with the recycled plastic already used in previous Vero models.

While the concept of carbon offsets may spark debate, Acer’s push for sustainable materials and repair-friendly designs is a step in the right direction. The laptop’s keycaps and power adapter casing also use 50% post-consumer recycled plastic, and its palm rest and bottom cover contain about 3% oyster shell material.

The Aspire Vero 16 is not just about sustainability; it also aims to deliver reliable performance. Powered by Intel Core Ultra 200H processors, it offers up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. The 16-inch display has a 1920 x 1200 resolution, and a 1440p webcam with a privacy shutter is included.

Designed to be durable, the chassis meets MIL-STD-810H standards and weighs under 4 pounds, making it portable for its size. Acer also emphasizes that the laptop is easy to repair, helping extend its lifespan.

In terms of design, the Vero 16 maintains the speckled, textured aesthetic from earlier models, but with a smoother finish this time. The minimalist gray look with flecks of yellow and gray-blue gives it a unique appearance without shouting about its eco-friendly materials. It’s set to launch in April, starting at $799 in the U.S. and $1,099 in Canada.

Alongside the Vero 16, Acer announced other products at CES, including the Aspire 14 AI and the Swift Go series. The Aspire 14 AI combines sustainability with functionality, featuring an undefined percentage of recycled materials in a design that mixes aluminum and plastic. Its display options include standard panels and an OLED upgrade, with prices starting at $800.

The Swift Go series, available in 14-inch and 16-inch versions, highlights AMD’s latest Ryzen AI processors and offers impressive display options, including 2K and 3K OLED panels. The Swift Go 14 AI starts at $900 in May, while the Swift Go 16 AI launches in April at $950.

Acer’s lineup also includes desktop announcements like the Aspire S AI and Aspire C AI all-in-ones, plus the compact Revo Box AI mini PC. The Revo Box, slightly larger than Apple’s Mac Mini, features Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPUs, up to 32GB of RAM, and expandable storage. It’s priced at $800 and is set to ship later this year.

Acer’s latest releases demonstrate a focus on sustainability and performance, blending innovative materials with practical designs across its laptop and desktop offerings. Whether it’s recycled oyster shells or high-performance components, Acer is aiming to appeal to eco-conscious consumers without compromising on usability.