New Acer Aspire TimelineX Laptops
by Balraj Sandhu on September 27, 2010 12:01 AM ESTNew Acer Aspire TimelineX Laptops
Acer is launching a series of new notebooks in their Aspire TimelineX range boasting mobile form factors, Intel Arrandale processors, and up to 8 hours of battery life. These new models come in a variety of sizes, starting with an ultra low voltage 11.6" model. 13.3", 14" and 15.6" models with full voltage processors are also available.
All models feature Acer's CineCrystal 16:9 LED-backlit displays with a 1366x768 resolution, a claimed 8 hours of battery life, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Connectivity wise, all models have an HDMI port, VGA port, up to four USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and WiFi 802.11b/g/n. They all feature 1.3MP webcams with integrated microphones, a multi-format card reader and trackpads with gesture support.
The most interesting model is the Acer Aspire 1830T, which features an 11.6" display and Intel's recently announced ultra low voltage Core i7-680UM running at 1.46GHz, but turbo boosting itself to a nippy 2.53GHz. Like all the mobile dual-core parts, it also includes Hyper-Threading and integrated graphics with a TDP of 18W.
The 1830T weighs in at 3.09lbs with an 11.22" x 8.03" x 1.10" footprint and features a "full size" keyboard. Included in the compact chassis is 4GB DDR3 SDRAM, a 500GB HDD and integrated Bluetooth, but there's no space for an optical drive. Unfortunately, all this doesn't come cheaply, with this specification carrying a suggested retail price of $900. Fortunately, cheaper configurations with ultra low voltage Intel Core i3 or i5 processors start at a more reasonable $600.
Acer has also updated the rest of the TimelineX range. The 3820T features a 13.3" display and Intel Core i3 or i5 processors in a chassis weighing in at 3.97lbs. It comes with 3GB or 4GB DDR3 SDRAM (upgradeable to 8GB) and up to 320GB HDD storage.
Acer's larger models feature a more complete computing experience with integrated DVD drives, Intel Core i3 or i5 processors, up to 4GB DDR3 SDRAM (upgradeable to 8GB) and up to 500GB HDD storage. The TimelineX 4820T packs these features into a 4.65lbs chassis with a 14" display, while the TimelineX 5820T has identical features but in a 5.5lbs chassis with a 15.6" display and an integrated numeric pad. Both start at $700.
Acer is also offering additional models based on the 14" 4820T called 4820TG, with the "G" presumably standing for Graphics, as they pair an AMD Mobility Radeon HD5650 GPU with an Intel Core i5-460M for those looking to do some gaming on the move. These models will allow users to switch back to the integrated GPU to save on battery life when required, and will start at $800. While the 11.6" ultra low voltage Core i7 model grabs the interest, the capable midrange models with DirectX 11 support will probably be most relevant to consumers and seem to offer a decent level of performance without any major sacrifices.
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beginner99 - Monday, September 27, 2010 - link
...16:9 & 1366x768 & glossy = failFor what do you mainly use a 11" notebook? Surfing and office where 16:9 pretty much unusable.
ppeterka - Monday, September 27, 2010 - link
RANT ON:Sign me up too!
We should starta petition to all notebook manufacturers to stop this 1366x768 madness!
I don't ever would like to watch movies on a notebook! And if I ever wanted to, I wouldn't care if it was HD or not. Notebooks are not for watching movies - at least not for me! Even 1280x800 is a lot better.
This applies the most to lower budget models. You can always go out and buy a higher-end Lenovo with 1440x900 display, but at the $1000 price range, I did sweat until I found a suitable and capable notebook sporting a 13.3" display NOT having 1366x768 pixels for my wife. (Thank you Toshiba!) And for myself, I went out and bought a used Dell D620 - one from the better spec'd ones, T7200, 14.1" 1440x900, and an nVidia Quadro. It cost ~$500, but it's still C2D technology...
PLEASE!!! Manufacture notebooks for us techies too! I swear I won't complain about HD movies getting grainy at normal resolution...
RANT OFF:
nitrousoxide - Monday, September 27, 2010 - link
Well don't feel too bad about this `cuz those using the Sony Z-Series have to suffer a 13.1" Full-HD lolvol7ron - Monday, September 27, 2010 - link
"Notebooks are not for watching movies - at least not for me!"Many people watch movies/videos from laptops. It's one of the best uses for laptops when on a trip, especially when internet is not available.
This is perhaps the only thing you watch movies on, if in a college dorm.
I am able to take my laptop into another room to do my at-home workouts, which is especially important.
While I agree, there are more important aspects to a laptop than HD video, it is still important, especially with gaming in mind.
therealnickdanger - Monday, September 27, 2010 - link
I use the HDMI out on my TimelineX (i3-330UM) to stream Blu-Ray rips or games or other videos to projectors, HDTVs, etc. in 1080p.Just because a laptop only has a ~720p display doesn't make it useless. Any serious mobile professional uses a docking station anyway.
kmmatney - Monday, September 27, 2010 - link
No docking station ar the airport, on the airplane, or in the hotel room.I wouldn't call 768 vertical pixels "useless" - its just a step backward from 1280 x 800.
xsilver - Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - link
if you bring your own hdmi cable you dont need a docking station.You can use it in your hotel room and at the risk of annoying people, in the lounge at the airport!
B3an - Monday, September 27, 2010 - link
Exactly. Too many idiots put down a product because it's not made SPECIFICALLY for there own needs.When this will be good for the MAJORITY of people.
Then theres also the fact that it's not the only laptop in existence, theres hundreds to choose from, and loads from each manufacturer, so just get one that suits you.
Talk about pointing out the obvious.
Having said that a glossy screen is not good for almost anyone. Laptops will also be taken outside more as they're portable, and any kind of bright or direct light on a glossy screen can make it near unusable.
chrnochime - Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - link
Can't surf or excel on 16:9 and must do it on 4:3 or 16:10 who's the FAIL here anyway? Bwahaha LOLKaarlisK - Monday, September 27, 2010 - link
The 11.6'' model was ~3 pounds, now it's 3.1The 13.3'' model was ~3.5 pounds, now it's 4.
The 14'' model was ~4.2 pounds, now it's 4.65.
Could it be they have a bigger battery, because of higher power requirements?