Packard Bell is back, with Acer relaunching the 100-year-old brand at IFA 2026 alongside a new range of affordable gadgets aimed at everyday users.
The reboot comes with a new “Tech it easy” identity and a collection spanning laptops, audio products, a feature phone and even a suitcase-style turntable.
The relaunch is being led by the 14.5-inch DotBook laptop, which is said to be available by the end of the year across Europe, while several other products in the new range are arriving as soon as September onwards.
Packard Bell isn’t exactly a new name in consumer technology. Founded in Los Angeles in 1926, the company started out making consumer radios before moving into colour televisions and, later, PCs. Now part of the Acer Group, the brand is being repositioned around making technology more straightforward and affordable.
That idea is summed up by its new “Tech it easy” slogan, with Acer promising products designed around what people actually need rather than piling on unnecessary complexity or power that goes unused.
The DotBook is the centrepiece of the relaunch. It has a 14.5-inch display and is designed for everyday jobs such as browsing, streaming and general work, taking inspiration from the netbooks that helped make Packard Bell a familiar name in family homes.
But there’s considerably more to the comeback than a laptop. The new lineup includes the DotLoop, a suitcase-style vinyl turntable for £149-equivalent European pricing, and the DotTune, a speaker priced from €34.99.
There’s also the DotLine, a colourful 4G feature phone designed for families and people looking to spend less time on smartphones. Meanwhile, the DotLook are audio glasses for listening to music and taking calls without needing earbuds or a screen.
For aspiring content creators, the DotShine ring light starts at €39, while the DotCombo keyboard and mouse set starts at €39. Rounding things off are the colourful DotBass headphones, priced from €29.
Packard Bell is also moving beyond its own products through a partnership with Steasy. The first result is a connected mini-steamer designed for the kitchen, priced from €199 and arriving in Europe from October.
The first wave of products that will roll out across EMEA from September includes the DotBook which starts at €499, while the DotLine will follow in November from €69. It’s an interesting return for a brand that has been around for a century, particularly as Acer looks to make Packard Bell a more lifestyle-focused alternative within its wider consumer technology portfolio.
Opinion
Devices like laptops, phones and speakers are becoming more and more expensive, which makes them feel less accessible for most people. With that in mind, I’m so excited for Packard Bell’s upcoming line-up as it’s promising to offer a solid performance with a genuinely affordable price.
The DotBook has particularly caught my eye. It feels as if most laptops on the market now are overkill for the average user. Sure, they boast impressive specs but unless you’re a hardcore gamer, running AI models or editing 4K video, you don’t really need all that power for everyday use. Instead, I appreciate the fact that the DotBook is set to serve students, office workers and families.
I also think the DotBook looks very cool. It might not be to everyone’s taste, but the bright orange frame looks great and makes such a welcome change from the muted shades that typically adorn laptops. It probably shouldn’t be the reason you buy the DotBook, but it’s something different.
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