The ruggedization encompasses a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass display and touchpad, reinforced I/O ports and a spill-resistant keyboard.
Acer’s built-in Dust Defender application also adds to overall durability. This app reverses the device’s fan every six hours to flush out dust. “This provides a more consistent performance level and allows not just for a longer battery life but improved longevity of the device, so you’re less likely to have system failure,” Ackerson explains.
Longer Battery Life and More Charging Options Extend Flexibility
Device battery life is an important feature that helps teachers power through their daily schedules of classes without needing to stay tethered to their workstations. Acer TravelMate P4s have from 13.5 to 14 hours of battery life. Additionally, some of the P4 laptops offer quick charging: The device can gain four hours of life from a 30-minute charge.
DISCOVER: Optimize K–12 storage and charging carts.
Another power-related boon is the P4’s USB-C ports, which can deliver power to other devices in the classroom. “They can be used to charge or power external devices such as phones, tablets, wireless headsets or speakers,” Ackerson notes. “With USB-C and Thunderbolt 4, you can also power an external monitor or a projector in the classroom.”
Touch-Enabled Security Options for Data Privacy
Cybercriminals could access sensitive student health and family information from a teacher’s laptop, not to mention numerous administrative platforms and pathways into the school’s network. Teachers immersed in the day-to-day classroom rush need devices that remain secure if they are out of sight for a few moments. TravelMate P4 devices offer several supportive security features.
The first is a fingerprint reader included on all devices, which prevents unauthorized access. The Windows 11 OS offered on the P4s is packaged with Windows Hello, which can pair with the fingerprint reader to guard device access. Alternatively, it can be set up with face recognition or a PIN, preventing unauthorized access to the laptop’s content.
Other Windows security features include BitLocker, which can be enabled to encrypt information on the SSD to protect data if the device is lost or stolen, and Microsoft Defender, a security app that protects devices from online threats such as malware, viruses, ransomware and spyware.
MORE ON EDTECH: Windows 11 delivers built-in security for education and beyond.
The P4s make use of the onboard artificial intelligence technology to support Acer User Sensing, an app powered by a proximity sensor that monitors the user’s range and movement. “If I glance away from my screen but I’m still in front of the laptop, it will dim the screen so someone can’t read over my shoulder,” Ackerson says. “If I step away, the screen locks. When I step back, it recognizes me and unlocks again.”
Easy Access to AI Assistance for Remote and In-Person Teaching
In addition to User Sensing, the TravelMate P4s take advantage of the devices’ neural processing units to support a variety of helpful AI features.
Acer PurifiedVoice with AI noise reduction actively suppresses background noise for clearer audio. Acer PurifiedView 2.0 helps manage the videoconferencing experience with background blur, automatic framing and eye contact features that keep the user always looking good on-camera. For remote learning, these AI-enabled apps take care of the technical minutiae so teachers can focus on student learning.
