Acer mimics Google's Ara, unveils modular block PC

Acer has mimicked Google’s Project Ara and implemented the same feature in its new desktop PC, the Revo Build. The concept is simple—just as the Ara, or Lego blocks, the Revo Build can also be built with simple modular accessories, right on the desktop. You won’t need a screwdriver anymore, unless you need to repair each block. The product was unveiled at the Berlin IFA tech show.

The Revo Build is a simple PC based on modular units that need to just sit on top of each other. Each unit (block) has pins on the top and bottom, allowing the blocks to interconnect and be stacked on top of each other. Each block can be individual components of the basic PC. Sound, storage, power bank, graphics, etc. the main idea is to make customization and building, upgrading and expanding easier as compared to the current scenario. The Revo Build will be a boon to gamers who don’t have to get their hands dirty and can replace their desktop’s components in under a few seconds.

For now, Acer has offered introductory base units, which have limited processing power. Users can have a choice between Intel Celeron and Pentium processors only. Intel’s iCore chips will be later introduced. The cheapest base unit with a processor and 8GB of RAM will be available for approximately Rs 20,000. All one needs to add is storage. In the future months, Acer will introduce a power bank block, audio block and a graphics block. Each block can be exchanged with another PC (or friend) and are all compatible with each other.

At present, the idea seems great, but investing on such a modular PC would only make sense if Acer commits to keep the production running and not abandon it in future.