Acer reveals its back-to-school portfolio at a "Touch More Connected" press event, one complete with All-in-One (AIO) PCs, tablets, notebooks, hybrids and even a wearable device.

The first devices seen come from the AIO PC selection-- the premium Aspire U5-620 and the budget-conscious Aspire Z3-615. The U5-620 features a 23-inch 10-point touchscreen users can lay-flat or tilt with a single touch, and is powered by 4th generation Intel Core CPUs and optional GeForce GTX graphics.

It also carries up to 1TB of hybrid storage, 16GB RAM and Skype-enhancing features such as a front-facing dual-array microphone, front-facing "hi-fi" speakers and a 1080p webcam.

Meanwhile the Z3-615 is the more basic option, with an adjustable IPS display and 4th generation Intel Core CPU within a sleek metallic stand.

PC cooling component maker Cryorig announces the C1-- a CPU cooler aimed at customers building mini-ITX- or mico-ATX-based systems with a total height of just 7.4cm.

“ITX systems now are housing high performance, high TDP CPUs and GPUs," the company says. "Cooling these crucial components is an even greater challenge in these tight spaces […] the C1 is a solution that has outstanding performance for its size, and provides a great user experience thanks to its hassle free easy installation and robust accessories. Everything you need is in the box.”

EMEA Q1 2014 PC shipments are down by -1.1% Y-o-Y to 21.8 million units IDC reports-- a relative improvement over previous quarters (if still making for a 7th consecutive quarter of decline) as the market requires further recovery.

Improvement is seen mainly in the commercial segment, with desktop PC shipments growing by 1.4% Y-o-Y. On the other hand portables contract by -2.6%.

"The end of Windows XP support was a major driver of the commercial rebound, and supported renewals mainly in the desktop area," the analyst says. "In the EU, as the macroeconomic outlook improved, companies started to invest in IT again after many quarters of postponing decisions. In other parts of the region political unrest and negative exchange rate evolution were inhibitors to market growth."

In fact W. European shipments see growth (8.6% Y-o-Y) thanks to strong enterprise demand brought about by the end of Windows XP support, aging installed base and improving macroeconomic outlooks. Thus commercial PC shipments are the region's winners for the quarter, even as consumer shipments return to positive results for the first time in the 2 years.

The Lenovo PC lineup gets a number of additions, including a pair of Flex 2 dual-mode laptops and the gesture control-enabled A540 AIO desktop, among others.

The Flex 2 laptops are (obviously) updates on the first Flex range, with industrial design featuring 300° flexibility and two usage modes, Laptop and Stand.

Models are available in either 14- or 15.6-inch sizes, both with 1920x1080 resolution displays, Nvidia or AMD graphics and either 4th generation Intel Core i7 processors or AMD A8 APUs. The laptops also feature Dolby Advanced Audio v2 technology and storage in either HDD, hybrid SSHD or SSD formats.