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	<title>PC Pro blog &#187; acer</title>
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		<title>Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook review: first look</title>
		<link>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2011/09/08/acer-aspire-s3-ultrabook-review-first-look/</link>
		<comments>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2011/09/08/acer-aspire-s3-ultrabook-review-first-look/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Sep 2011 09:27:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sasha Muller</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hardware]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aspire S3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[intel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ultrabook]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/?p=42994</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
After our dalliances with Toshiba and Lenovo&#8217;s Ultrabooks at IFA 2011, we managed to find time for one last fling with Acer&#8217;s ultra-slim Aspire S3. With a glossy 13.3in display, a finely fettled figure and a selection of speedy Intel processors to choose from, Acer&#8217;s latest is keen to make its mark in the increasingly-crowded Ultrabook market.
Intel&#8217;s [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC02140.JPG"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-43003" title="DSC02140" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC02140-462x270.jpg" alt="DSC02140" width="462" height="270" /></a><br />
After our dalliances with <a title="Toshiba Portege Z830 first look review" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2011/09/02/toshiba-portege-z830-review-first-look/">Toshiba</a> and <a title="Lenovo IdeaPad U300s first look review" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2011/09/01/lenovo-ideapad-u300s-review-first-look/">Lenovo</a>&#8217;s Ultrabooks at IFA 2011, we managed to find time for one last fling with Acer&#8217;s ultra-slim Aspire S3. With a glossy 13.3in display, a finely fettled figure and a selection of speedy Intel processors to choose from, Acer&#8217;s latest is keen to make its mark in the increasingly-crowded Ultrabook market.</p>
<p><span id="more-42994"></span>Intel&#8217;s grand push of the Ultrabook concept has clearly inspired design minds across the globe, including Acer&#8217;s. The S3 is the best-looking laptop to roll off Acer&#8217;s assembly line in recent memory: measuring 13mm at its thinnest and 17mm at its thickest, and weighing in at a svelte 1.3kg, this is a gorgeous ultraportable. Sorry, Ultra<em>book</em>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC02164.JPG"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-43039" title="DSC02164" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC02164-462x173.jpg" alt="DSC02164" width="462" height="173" /></a></p>
<p>Opting for a magnesium-alloy construction, the Aspire S3 is dressed top to toe in metallic grey, with a matching scrabble-tile keyboard and a strip of black at the rear. Yet, if this were purely a catwalk competition, the Acer would have trouble wresting our gaze from either Lenovo or Toshiba&#8217;s more striking figures.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-43033" title="DSC02156" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC02156-462x346.jpg" alt="DSC02156" width="462" height="346" /></p>
<p>In terms of all-out construction, it falls somewhere in the middle of the pack. Grappling with the Aspire S3 reveals it to be substantially sturdier than Toshiba&#8217;s slender Portege Z830, but it&#8217;s not bulletproof: heavier-handed abuse revealed some give in the Acer&#8217;s base and a slight flex across its silvery lid.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC02158.JPG"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-43036" title="DSC02158" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC02158-462x346.jpg" alt="DSC02158" width="462" height="346" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC02154.JPG"><img class="alignright size-large wp-image-43027" title="DSC02154" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC02154-462x616.jpg" alt="DSC02154" width="200" height="266" /></a>Start pecking away at the Acer&#8217;s keyboard and you&#8217;re unlikely to come away disappointed. It&#8217;s still not the match of Lenovo&#8217;s supreme effort, but the stout construction means that there&#8217;s no sag or give anywhere to be found. The keys have a light crisp action, and we&#8217;re big fans of the wide shift keys flanking either side.</p>
<p>We weren&#8217;t anywhere near as keen on the touchpad. Acer may have followed the trend for glass touchpads, but going by the pre-production samples we saw, they haven&#8217;t got it quite right. The whole pad clicks like one giant button, but there&#8217;s just a bit too much give for our liking, and the touchpad seemed to wobble just slightly with every press.</p>
<p>The screen disappointed, too. With a 13.3in TN panel and the usual 1,366 x 768 pixel resolution, the units we saw were seriously lacking in brightness. Colours lacked their usual lustre and whites were tainted with a yellowish hue: we hope the production models are significantly better.</p>
<p>Connectivity doesn&#8217;t throw up any huge surprises. The two USB 2 ports are a bit of a disappointment &#8211; we would have hoped for at least one USB 3 &#8211; while video outputs are limited to an HDMI socket positioned alongside the power socket at the rear. A combined headphone/microphone socket and SD card reader, meanwhile, are positioned on the sides. We heard no mention of 3G, with single-band 802.11n buddying up with Bluetooth 4. There&#8217;s no Gigabit Ethernet, though - Toshiba&#8217;s Portege Z830 remains the only Ultrabook we&#8217;ve seen with wired networking.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC02152.JPG"><img class="alignright size-large wp-image-43024" title="DSC02152" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC02152-462x346.jpg" alt="DSC02152" width="462" height="346" /></a></p>
<p>The Acer&#8217;s trump card looks to be its price, however. With entry-level models starting at 799 Euros and working their way up to 1199 Euros, the Aspire S3 may end up being the cheapest Ultrabook on the market. Processors start with Intel&#8217;s Core i3 and work up to i7, while lower-end models make do with mechanical HDDs rather than the SSDs that are de rigeur on rival Ultrabooks.</p>
<p>With a UK launch event next week, and the promise of availability &#8216;in select regions&#8217; of Europe sometime in September, we&#8217;re keeping our fingers crossed that a review unit will soon be winging its way to <em>PC Pro&#8217;s</em> offices. At the right price, Acer&#8217;s Ultrabook could yet be in with a chance.</p>

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		<title>First look review: Acer Aspire Timeline X laptops</title>
		<link>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2010/03/31/first-look-review-acer-aspire-timeline-x-laptops/</link>
		<comments>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2010/03/31/first-look-review-acer-aspire-timeline-x-laptops/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:43:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Sasha Muller</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Random]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ati]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[core i3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[intel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[timeline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Timeline X]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/?p=14611</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Acer&#8217;s Aspire Timeline range is no stranger to PC Pro&#8217;s A List, and so the chance of getting to grips with the newly redesigned laptops was more than enough to send us sprinting the 500 metres from our office to the Sanderson Hotel, where Acer was unveiling its latest Timeline X laptops to the UK [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Acer&#8217;s Aspire Timeline range is no stranger to <em>PC Pro</em>&#8217;s A List, and so the chance of getting to grips with the newly redesigned laptops was more than enough to send us sprinting the 500 metres from our office to the Sanderson Hotel, where Acer was unveiling its latest Timeline X laptops to the UK press.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-14629" title="Timeline X range LOWRES" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Timeline-X-range-LOWRES-462x343.jpg" alt="Timeline X range LOWRES" width="462" height="343" /></p>
<p><span id="more-14611"></span></p>
<p>If you were expecting a ground-up overhaul of the range, then the Timeline X serie<a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Acer-Timeline-X-13-closed.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-14620" title="Acer Timeline X 13 closed" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Acer-Timeline-X-13-closed-175x130.jpg" alt="Acer Timeline X 13 closed" width="175" height="130" /></a>s might prove just a little underwhelming. There wasn&#8217;t a great deal wrong with the original models, however, so the emphasis has been placed solidly on evolution, with the laptops benefiting from a host of aesthetic changes. The silver brushed aluminium lids of the previous range have been replaced by a stylish black brushed finish, and interiors which tread a fine line between subtle understatement and alluringly slick design.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Acer-Timeline-X-13-open-side-closeup.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-14623" title="Acer Timeline X 13 open side closeup" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Acer-Timeline-X-13-open-side-closeup-175x130.jpg" alt="Acer Timeline X 13 open side closeup" width="175" height="130" /></a></p>
<p>It&#8217;s not until you cast an eye over the previous Timeline range that you realise quite how much impact the minor tweaks have had. While the older models were attractive compared to many of the CULV laptops on the market, the grey, inoffensive physique was hardly eye-catching. Now the brushed black aluminium makes a bold statement on the outside, and the once-featureless interior is shod with a brushed silver aluminium finish and a glossy black keyboard surround.</p>
<p>Even the trackpad&#8217;s had some attention: its smooth, slightly concave figure is complemented with a single rocker button beneath. That scrabble-tile keyboard doesn&#8217;t look to have changed much, but that&#8217;s no bad thing. The spacious layout proved perfectly comfortable in use &#8211; although the wide channels between each key still look like a haven for crumbs, dust and accidental coffee spills &#8211; but we hope the half-height enter key will make way for a full-height one when UK models finally hit our shores.</p>
<p>Build quality seems to have taken a step forwards, too, with the slim 25.4mm<a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Acer-Timeline-X-13-right-side.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-14626" title="Acer Timeline X 13 right side" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Acer-Timeline-X-13-right-side-175x130.jpg" alt="Acer Timeline X 13 right side" width="175" height="130" /></a> thick chassis of the 13.3in model feeling noticeably sturdier than its predecessor, and the rest of the range giving off an air of toughness that belies their relatively diminutive stature. The same screen sizes were in evidence &#8211; Acer had the 13.3in, 14in and 15.6in models on show &#8211; and all of them seemed to have benefited greatly from the brief return to the drawing board.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/14in-Timeline-X-closeup-LOWRES.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-14617" title="14in Timeline X closeup LOWRES" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/14in-Timeline-X-closeup-LOWRES-175x129.jpg" alt="14in Timeline X closeup LOWRES" width="175" height="129" /></a>Scratch beneath the surface and a host of technological advances also rear into view. Intel&#8217;s Core i3 and i5 processors take pride of place, while the larger two models in the range employ ATI&#8217;s HD 5000 series graphics chipsets. Acer was particularly keen to stress the stamina of the new range, claiming a minimum of eight hours of battery life, and as much as 12 hours with its PowerSmart software working to keep power consumption as low as possible.  The new range also features other power-saving measures such as low-power cooling fans and LED-backlit displays which, in tandem with Intel&#8217;s DPST (Display Power Saving Technology), help to eke out the maximum amount of battery life.</p>
<p>Those hoping for USB 3, DisplayPort and other exciting new additions will be a mite disappointed, with just the usual array of USB 2, HDMI and VGA ports partnered with memory card readers for good measure.</p>
<p>Quoted prices give us hope that Acer&#8217;s Aspire Timeline X series will be just as affordable as its predecessors, with Acer suggesting that the 14in model (the 4820) will be available for £599 inc VAT sporting an Intel Core i3 330m processor, 3GB of memory, a 250GB hard disk, an ATI HD 5650 graphics chipset and Windows 7 Home Premium.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft size-large wp-image-14620" title="Acer Timeline X 13 closed" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Acer-Timeline-X-13-closed-462x343.jpg" alt="Acer Timeline X 13 closed" width="462" height="343" /></p>
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		<title>Acer 3D laptop review: first look</title>
		<link>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/10/14/acer-3d-laptop-review-first-look/</link>
		<comments>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/10/14/acer-3d-laptop-review-first-look/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:46:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tim Danton</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hardware]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 7]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[3d laptop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/10/14/acer-3d-laptop-review-first-look/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Acer wasn’t satisfied with just unveiling the dual-booting Android and Windows 7 netbook at today’s global press conference: it also revealed the world’s first mainstream 3D laptop, the Acer Aspire 5738PG (at this point, I should point out to Acer that if Apple launched a 3D laptop it probably wouldn’t give it a terrible name [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Acer wasn’t satisfied with just unveiling the <a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/352444/acer-unveils-dual-android-and-windows-7-netbook">dual-booting Android and Windows 7 netbook</a> at today’s global press conference: it also revealed the world’s first mainstream 3D laptop, the Acer Aspire 5738PG (at this point, I should point out to Acer that if Apple launched a 3D laptop it probably wouldn’t give it a terrible name like 5738PG).</p>
<p>(And before any pedants jump in to point out to me that, actually, <em>all</em> laptops are 3D – yes, I know.)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC01079.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="The Acer Aspire 5738PG 3D laptop complete with specs" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC01079_thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="The Acer Aspire 5738PG 3D laptop complete with specs" width="462" height="347" /></a>The background you see above is, actually, really in 3D. That is, it uses a combination of software, hardware and specially coated glass (if you’d like more detail than this hazy description, we wrote a whole <a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/252963/3d-coming-to-a-screen-near-you" target="_blank">feature dedicated to the future of 3D</a> a few months ago), and you then have to watch the image using the polarised glasses supplied.</p>
<p><span id="more-8608"></span></p>
<p>And it works well. I watched a number of nice-looking demos where futuristic planes flew through futuristic landscapes, monsters emerged threateningly from the screen at random moments, and, um, I looked at a 3D photo.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC01090.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="What you'll look like when using the Acer Aspire 5738DG. Brown jacket optional." src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC01090_thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="What you'll look like when using the Acer Aspire 5738DG. Brown jacket optional." width="462" height="347" /></a> There are drawbacks. You need to have your head positioned carefully to see the 3D effects without ghosting – where every object seems to have the slightest of shadows – and you do look a bit of a fool. Just to prove it, that’s me looking a fool above.</p>
<p>And, naturally, demos only tell you so much. We want to test it properly, with 3D games designed for the purpose and see just how immersive the technology really is.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC01083.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC01083" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/DSC01083_thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="DSC01083" width="462" height="347" /></a> As a piece of hardware in itself, the Aspire impresses. Though the screen has some very slight horizontal lines – a side effect of the 3D technology, no doubt – it’s bright, sharp and vivid. And it’s pretty large, too, at 15.6in.</p>
<p>The keyboard is a joy to type on, with large keys and a solid feel to it. Thanks to the extra-wide chassis, there’s also room for a separate numeric keypad.</p>
<p>It’s set for release in tandem with Windows 7 on October 22, and as with the <a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/10/14/acer-android-netbook-review-first-look/" target="_blank">Acer Aspire One D250 with Android</a> we’re already chasing Acer for a review sample so we can provide a full, in-depth review.</p>
<p>*Incidentally, I say &#8220;first mainstream 3D laptop&#8221; because, as a colleague of mine has kindly reminded me, we actually reviewed the <a title="PC Pro reviews | Sharp Actius RD3D" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/laptops/56393/sharp-actius-rd3d" target="_self">Sharp Actius RD3D</a> way back in 2004. It didn&#8217;t catch on.</p>
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		<title>Acer Android netbook review: first look</title>
		<link>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/10/14/acer-android-netbook-review-first-look/</link>
		<comments>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/10/14/acer-android-netbook-review-first-look/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:08:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tim Danton</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hardware]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 7]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Android]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aspire One]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Google]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[netbook]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/10/14/acer-android-netbook-review-first-look/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Following Acer’s announcement of its dual-boot netbook that boasts both Google Android and Windows 7, I got an opportunity to spend some time with the netbook in question: the Acer Aspire One D250 with Android.
 On this occasion, it isn’t the hardware I was interested in, but the software. For this is the first netbook [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Following Acer’s announcement of its dual-boot <a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/352444/acer-unveils-dual-android-and-windows-7-netbook" target="_blank">netbook that boasts both Google Android and Windows 7</a>, I got an opportunity to spend some time with the netbook in question: the Acer Aspire One D250 with Android.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/acerandroid.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Acer Aspire One D520 Android close up" border="0" alt="Acer Aspire One D520 Android close up" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/acerandroid_thumb.jpg" width="462" height="310" /></a> On this occasion, it isn’t the hardware I was interested in, but the software. For this is the first netbook <em>PC Pro</em> has seen to include Android as the OS, and the big question is – just how well can an operating system designed to work on a phone work on a full-blown PC?</p>
<p> <span id="more-8587"></span>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/acerandroidapps2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Acer Aspire Android apps home screen" border="0" alt="Acer Aspire Android apps home screen" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/acerandroidapps2_thumb.jpg" width="462" height="347" /></a>The answer is, from my initial experiences, not very convincingly. This photo shows all the apps that are bundled as standard, which as you can see won’t stun you. There’s a photo gallery, Mozilla Firefox, a camera app, a horrendously basic music player, email – and that’s pretty much your lot. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/webbrowsing.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Acer Aspire with Android browsing the web" border="0" alt="Acer Aspire with Android browsing the web" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/webbrowsing_thumb.jpg" width="462" height="347" /></a>Once I’d convinced the Aspire to join the wireless network, browsing was a fairly pleasant experience – so long as you don’t try and do anything rash, such as watch BBC iPlayer (I couldn’t get this to work).</p>
<p>I was impressed by the boot-up times, though, with the netbook living up to Acer’s promise of booting within 30 seconds. Battery life appears pretty poor, though, and I wouldn’t expect it to last much more than two hours.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/acerandroidfromtheside2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Acer Aspire with Android from the side" border="0" alt="Acer Aspire with Android from the side" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/acerandroidfromtheside2_thumb.jpg" width="462" height="347" /></a></p>
</p>
<p>If you want to move away from Android then you can instantly boot into Windows, but I couldn’t find a way to swap from Windows 7 to Android: there’s nothing built into Acer’s installation of Windows 7 that allows this (although there is a Quick Switch option from Android).</p>
<p>Aside from the software, the Acer Aspire One D520 does have some appeal: it’s slim and light, and definitely has more than a hint of style. The maroon finish here is particularly nice, to my eyes at least.</p>
<p>I’ll now be haranguing Acer so we can get a sample to fully test in the Labs, so look out for a review soon.</p>
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		<title>Time for Microsoft to name its Windows 7 price</title>
		<link>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/05/18/time-for-microsoft-to-name-its-windows-7-price/</link>
		<comments>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/05/18/time-for-microsoft-to-name-its-windows-7-price/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2009 14:23:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jon Honeyball</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Windows 7]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/?p=5580</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A few months before the launch of Vista, a very senior person at Acer spilled the beans to me in a one-on-one press briefing held in Taipei, that Acer was going public with its criticism of the Vista pricing model, and that it felt it had no choice but to swallow the cost for putting [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/american-dollars.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5581" title="Dell ain\'t happy about the cost of Windows 7" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/american-dollars-150x150.jpg" alt="Dell ain\'t happy about the cost of Windows 7" width="150" height="150" /></a>A few months before the launch of Vista, <a title="PC Pro News | PC make fumes at cost of Vista" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/96566" target="_self"><strong>a very senior person at Acer spilled the beans</strong></a> to me in a one-on-one press briefing held in Taipei, that Acer was going public with its criticism of the Vista pricing model, and that it felt it had no choice but to swallow the cost for putting Vista Home Premium onto its products rather than Vista Home Basic. Apparantly, Home Basic was the same cost as XP Home, and Vista Home Premium was some $20 more.<span id="more-5580"></span></p>
<p>My news story went round the world like wildfire. It even ended up being quoted in court documents for the class action suit against Microsoft over the claim that Vista Home Basic wasnt really &#8220;Vista&#8221; due to all the things that were missing.</p>
<p>At the time it was clear &#8211; Acer wanted to get the story out about Vista pricing, and it poked its head above the parapet. Third-party hardware vendors have a rocky relationship with Microsoft &#8211; would you want to negotiate with Ballmer?</p>
<p>This time round it&#8217;s <a title="PC Pro News | Dell: Windows 7 is too expensive" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/252988/dell-windows-7-is-too-expensive.html" target="_self"><strong>Dell which has gone public about Windows 7 costs</strong></a>. It hasn&#8217;t done this randomly; right now, behind the scenes, there&#8217;s a skirmish on an epic scale going on between Microsoft and its &#8220;partners&#8221; on exactly how much they should pay per licence.</p>
<p>Note that Microsoft still hasn&#8217;t said what the costings of the product will actually be. And you can bet that the OEM prices will bear little resemblance to the shop price. But nevertheless, it&#8217;s Dell who is having a squeak this time around.</p>
<p>The problem is that, once again, Microsoft is playing its cards too close to its chest. I can understand why it doesn&#8217;t want to absolutely commit to a release date, but until we hear some concrete, good news about the price, we&#8217;re only going to hear bad news about the cost. And that could undo much of the excellent work of the programming team.</p>
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		<title>Acer&#8217;s new laptops and netbooks &#8211; first look</title>
		<link>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/04/30/acers-new-laptops-and-netbooks-first-look/</link>
		<comments>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2009/04/30/acers-new-laptops-and-netbooks-first-look/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:15:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jonathan Bray</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hardware]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aspire One]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[laptop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[netbook]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[timeline]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/?p=5489</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Once upon a time, manufacturers would launch one product at a time, allowing you to soak up the details pass comment and have time for reflection. Some, however, insist on the scatter gun approach.
And Acer, having just announced a new netbook, six new laptops, two nettops, and several all-in-one PCs, including a Windows 7-equipped touchscreen [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft alignnone size-full wp-image-5490" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dsc00011.jpg" alt="Acer Timeline" width="450" /></p>
<p>Once upon a time, manufacturers would launch one product at a time, allowing you to soak up the details pass comment and have time for reflection. Some, however, insist on the scatter gun approach.</p>
<p>And Acer, having just announced a new netbook, six new laptops, two nettops, and several all-in-one PCs, including a Windows 7-equipped touchscreen model (which a spokesman said would be on the shelves on October 23) fall firmly into the latter category.<span id="more-5489"></span> First on show was the new Timeline series of laptops (pictured above), a range targeted firmly at consumers and focused on long battery life. We weren&#8217;t bowled over by the looks &#8211; all silver-grey with very little concession to style &#8211; but we did like the feel of the machines. The aluminium lid felt pleasingly cold to the touch and the low-profile keyboard with its scrabble-style keys was nice to type on.</p>
<p>And with prices promised to start at £549 for the 13.3in model, added to eight-hour plus claimed battery life, things look more interesting still. There are three chassis in the range: that 13.3in model (3810T/3810TG) plus 14.1in (4810T/4810TG) and 15.4in (5810T/5810G) models. All employ Intel Centrino 2 Utra Low Voltage processors, boast LED backlit screens and, interestingly, boast &#8220;multi-gesture&#8221; trackpads, which allow Mac-alike pinch-to-zoom actions. Though we didn&#8217;t like these much.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dsc00014.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5491" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dsc00014.jpg" alt="Acer Aspire 10.1in netbook" width="450" /></a>Next up were the new netbooks: a 10.1in model and a larger 11.6in model the Aspire One 751. The former looks like pretty standard netbook fare, but the latter is more interesting.</p>
<p>As with the Timeline series, it boasts scrabble-style low profile keys, that stretch all the way to the edge of the chassis and, from the brief encounter we had with it, was very nice to type on.</p>
<p>Also interesting, but not necessarily in a good way, was the fact that the 11.6in netbook runs on Intel&#8217;s 1.33GHz Z520 Atom. In our experience performance with this processor is even slower than a standard 1.6GHz N270. It&#8217;s unlikely to be any different here.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dsc00018.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5492" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dsc00018.jpg" alt="Acer Aspire One 11.6in" width="450" /></a></p>
<p>That&#8217;s before we get to the Revo &#8211; a nettop based on Nvidia&#8217;s Atom-based Ion platform. Acer was showing off Call of Duty 4 being played on one of these and it looked pretty smooth. There are those new all-in-one desktops, too, with touchscreens and Windows 7 on board. The pictures looked nice in the presentation, but alas there weren&#8217;t any to play with at the event.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dsc00019.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5493" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dsc00019.jpg" alt="Acer Aspire" width="450" /></a></p>
<p>What were on show, but sadly neglected in the excitement over the netbooks and Timeline laptops, were a couple of the new Aspire range of laptops, which looked very nice indeed. These are set to replace the home entertainment-focussed  Gemstone Blue. More subtly styled this time around, these laptops boast glowing keyboards, striking looks and familiar-looking crazy media controls to the right of the keyboard.</p>
<p>All of which we&#8217;ll be getting in for a thorough going over, of course, just as soon as we can. So be sure to check back soon for our full reviews.</p>
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		<title>All the week&#8217;s reviews</title>
		<link>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/12/05/all-the-weeks-reviews-3/</link>
		<comments>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/12/05/all-the-weeks-reviews-3/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:26:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David Bayon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hardware]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fujitsu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lenovo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Navigon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Packard Bell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[samsung]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[songbird]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toshiba]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/?p=4524</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Free laptops for life, monitors sprouting mini offspring, Toshiba&#8217;s first netbook and an open source media player from the chaps behind Firefox &#8211; it&#8217;s been a busy week for reviews.
Firefox vs iTunes
Surely the most interesting release of the week was from Mozilla. Although its been in development for a few years, Songbird finally saw an [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Free laptops for life, monitors sprouting mini offspring, Toshiba&#8217;s first netbook and an open source media player from the chaps behind Firefox &#8211; it&#8217;s been a busy week for reviews.</p>
<p><strong>Firefox vs iTunes</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/songbird-logo.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-4527" title="songbird-logo" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/songbird-logo.jpg" alt="" width="162" height="46" /></a>Surely the most interesting release of the week was from Mozilla. Although its been in development for a few years, <strong><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/241107/songbird-10.html" target="_blank">Songbird</a></strong> finally saw an official release, with a media player and browser in one. Darien was hopeful it could finally give him an alternative to iTunes: &#8220;Since it&#8217;s open source, freely extensible and unfettered by corporate interests, Songbird&#8217;s future looks bright.&#8221; Try it and let us know what you think.</p>
<p><strong>Not just for christmas</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/fuj.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-4548" title="Fujitsu" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/fuj-300x269.jpg" alt="Fujitsu" width="162" height="143" /></a><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/it_portal_pic_111924.jpg"></a>Fujitsu stole the headlines with its offer of a free laptop every three years forever, and Jon reckons &#8220;if you&#8217;re a cheapskate and don&#8217;t mind being tied to one brand for the rest of your life it&#8217;s got to be worth looking into&#8221;. If the best you can get is the <strong><a title="Fujitsu" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/240846/fujitsu-siemens-lifebook-s7720.html" target="_blank">Fujitsu Siemens Lifebook S7720</a></strong>, however, you&#8217;ll probably be turning them down on their kind offer.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/inspiron13_06080005_003.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-4530" style="float: left;" title="inspiron13_06080005_003" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/inspiron13_06080005_003-300x233.jpg" alt="Dell" width="168" height="136" /></a><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/241245/dell-inspiron-1318.html" target="_blank">Dell&#8217;s Inspiron 1318</a></strong> is a much more tempting proposition, with a price tag of just £383 exc VAT putting it dangerously close to netbook territory. Sasha was impressed by the &#8221;portable chassis with great ergonomics and fine battery life &#8211; a potent combination&#8221;, and more than enough to earn it an award. </p>
<p><span id="more-4524"></span></p>
<p><strong>Sideshow 2?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/samsung-2263dx.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-4533" style="float: right;" title="samsung-2263dx" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/samsung-2263dx-300x168.jpg" alt="Samsung" width="268" height="149" /></a>Sideshow never caught on, largely because it was rubbish. But the concept of a smaller screen by your main display has merit if it&#8217;s actually an extension of your desktop. <strong><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/240012/samsung-2263dx.html" target="_blank">Samsung&#8217;s 2263DX</a></strong> comes with a 7in supplemental screen that clips anywhere on its frame, and you can drag anything you like onto it. It&#8217;s certainly a novel twist, and we can see it catching on &#8211; but only if the price drops.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/it_portal_pic_112038.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-4542" title="it_portal_pic_112038" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/it_portal_pic_112038-300x213.jpg" alt="Navigon" width="175" height="105" /></a>The <strong><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/241209/navigon-1210.html" target="_blank">Navigon 1210</a></strong> doesn&#8217;t have the same stumbling block, as it&#8217;s a satnav that costs just £85. But far from being a cheap and cheerful bargain, Jon found plenty of advanced features and solid navigation, and called it &#8220;a very good deal indeed.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/cases-next_proalist.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-4554" title="Acer" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/cases-next_proalist-300x240.jpg" alt="Acer" width="163" height="145" /></a><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/it_portal_pic_111834.jpg"></a>Another short throw projector arrived in the Labs, and the <a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/240465/acer-s1200.html" target="_blank"><strong>Acer S1200</strong></a> proved every bit as good as &#8211; if not better than &#8211; the BenQ from a few weeks back. A huge 82in picture from just a metre away is phenomenal, and apart form a few focus issues the Acer came through our tests with a Recommended award that was well deserved.</p>
<p><strong>Best of the rest</strong></p>
<p>Toshiba finally entered the crowded netbook market with the <strong><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/240423/toshiba-nb10011r.html" target="_blank">NB100-11R</a></strong> but while Tim liked the screen and the light weight, he reckons it&#8217;s a missed opportunity for the laptop giant.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/240018/lenovo-thinkpad-t500.html" target="_blank">Lenovo&#8217;s T500</a></strong> did much better, with Jon delivering a Recommended award, calling it a solid buy &#8220;if you don&#8217;t mind sacrificing sex appeal for comfort and reassurance&#8221;.</p>
<p>And the <strong><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/240228/packard-bell-easynote-rs65m700.html" target="_blank">EasyNote RS65-M-700</a></strong> had Matt gushing about it being &#8220;by far the most attractive Packard Bell laptop we&#8217;ve seen&#8221;, even if it wasn&#8217;t quite enough to gloss over a few other weaknesses.</p>
<p>In the business world, <strong><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/240507/dell-poweredge-t100.html" target="_blank">Dell&#8217;s PowerEdge T100</a></strong> pedestal server walked off with a Recommended award, the <strong><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/240900/iqstor-iq2850-iscsi-storage-system.html" target="_blank">iQStor iQ2850 iSCSI Storage System</a></strong> came mighty close, while Cyberoam launched its <strong><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/240240/cyberoam-cr250i.html" target="_blank">CR250i</a></strong> web filtering utility.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>State of the netbook nation</title>
		<link>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/10/17/state-of-the-netbook-nation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/10/17/state-of-the-netbook-nation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:39:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tim Danton</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hardware]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[netbooks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/?p=3750</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the last six months, I&#8217;ve spoken to a variety of laptop vendors about netbooks, and the sheer range of opinions and strategies is fascinating.
This week, for example, I was talking to Thomas Teckentrup, the general manager of Toshiba Europe Computer Systems, and his take on netbooks was decidedly downbeat: &#8220;We have to find out [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/eecpc1000-2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3753" title="eecpc1000-2" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/eecpc1000-2.jpg" alt="Asus Eee PC 1000" width="283" height="255" /></a>In the last six months, I&#8217;ve spoken to a variety of laptop vendors about netbooks, and the sheer range of opinions and strategies is fascinating.</p>
<p>This week, for example, I was talking to Thomas Teckentrup, the general manager of Toshiba Europe Computer Systems, and his take on netbooks was decidedly downbeat: &#8220;We have to find out the usage of these products&#8221;, he said, explaining his company&#8217;s late arrival into the market and the fact it hasn&#8217;t exactly exploded onto the scene &#8211; the <strong style="font-weight: bold;"><a title="PC Pro first look | Toshiba netbook" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/10/15/first-look-toshiba-satellite-nb100/" target="_self">Satellite NB100 </a></strong>is only available with one specification, and there are no options. &#8220;We [still] have to see for ourselves how consumers are going to leverage the features of a netbook,&#8221; he later added.<span id="more-3750"></span></p>
<p>And to be fair, this is a view very much shared by Dell. When I interviewed Michael Dell himself in late September, he was virtually dismissive. &#8220;Certainly we have already entered a product there [the netbooks sector], and there will be additional products coming, and it will be what it will be. [But] I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s going be the massive factor in the growth of the industry.&#8221;</p>
<p>Contrast that with Acer. At this year&#8217;s Global Press Conference in Budapest, the CEO and president of Acer, Gianfranco Lanci, spoke for a good five minutes about the netbook, and made it clear the <strong style="font-weight: bold;"><a title="PC Pro reviews | Acer Aspire One" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/208539/" target="_self">Aspire One </a></strong>was just the start of its aspirations.</p>
<p>&#8220;Internet is becoming part of our life, but people need it to be mobile,&#8221; Lanci said. &#8220;People in most cases prefer a full internet experience [when on the move] to a limited internet experience on a mobile device. On a netbook you can have a full experience.&#8221;</p>
<p>Then you&#8217;ve got Asus being similarly bullish. Indeed, an IDC press release that just fell into my inbox declares: &#8220;<strong><span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Asus</span></span></strong><span> stepped further up [the notebook vendor rankings] to 4th place shipping over 2 million units this quarter, leveraging from the unabated success of the Eee PC product range.&#8221;</span></p>
<p>Of the rest, HP has been decidedly half-hearted with its one netbook offering, the <strong><a title="PC Pro reviews | HP Mini-Note" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/212013/" target="_self">Mini-Note</a></strong>, Sony has <strong><a title="PC Pro news | Sony says Eee PC is trouble" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/171990" target="_self">actively dismissed netbooks </a></strong>as a &#8220;race to the bottom&#8221;, although indications are that it will release a netbook some time soon, while the ever-aggressive Samsung has produced one of the <strong><a title="PC Pro blogs | First look: Samsung NC10 netbook" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/10/02/first-look-samsungs-nc10-netbook/" target="_self">sexiest netbooks we&#8217;ve seen </a></strong>in the form of the NC10.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s obvious that this is a sector that&#8217;s having a huge effect on vendors&#8217; sales figures. Here&#8217;s a not very beautiful table, courtesy again of IDC, that shows the number of PC shipments (both desktop and notebook) in 1,000s of units in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, in which it compares the third quarter of 2007 to the third quarter of 2008:</p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="423">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="103">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Vendor</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">3Q07</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">3Q08</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Share   3Q07</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Share   3Q08</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">3Q08/3Q07   Growth</span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="103">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Acer (1)</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">3,113</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">5,920</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">14.2%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">21.3%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">90.2%</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="103">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Hewlett-Packard</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">4,291</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">5,203</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">19.6%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">18.7%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">21.3%</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="103">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Dell</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">2,351</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">2,659</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">10.7%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">9.5%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">13.1%</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="103">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Asus</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">805</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">2,060</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">3.7%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">7.4%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">156.0%</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="103">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Toshiba</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">1,137</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">1,628</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">5.2%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">5.8%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">43.2%</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="103">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Others</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">10,240</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">10,387</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">46.7%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">37.3%</span></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">1.4%</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="103">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Total</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">21,936</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">27,857</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">100.0%</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">100.0%</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-US">27.0%</span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Toshiba has good reason to be cheerful as it beat the market&#8217;s growth, but both HP and Dell who either entered the netbook market late or half-heartedly, have less reason to shout. On the other hand, the two companies that really excelled &#8211; Acer and Asus &#8211; are the ones that embraced netbooks wholeheartedly. Even if you remove the boost Acer received due to its acquisition of Packard Bell and Gateway, its sales are still up 63.5%.</p>
<p>Sales, of course, aren&#8217;t everything. We hear reports about a high volume of Linux-based netbooks being returned because consumers who bought them on a whim then find the OS too difficult to use, and it&#8217;s impossible to know for sure just how much profit Acer and Asus are actually making from each netbook sale. Or even if they&#8217;re making a loss.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, it&#8217;s obvious that netbooks are here to stay, and the big vendors who&#8217;ve traditionally made their money through more expensive notebooks will have to embrace the new form factor if they&#8217;re going to make any impression on the market.</p>
<p>And in the end, they&#8217;ve nothing to lose. All the signs are that consumers are buying netbooks as a secondary PC in the west, so it&#8217;s an additional not a replacement purchase. They also open up the traditionally closed market of education. There&#8217;s the opportunity for shared revenue when the netbooks are sold with a 3G contract. And finally, there are promising signs for netbooks in the developing worlds too.</p>
<p>The end result? By this time next year, I&#8217;m 93% certain all the major vendors will have some serious netbook offerings, not just their current token efforts, and they&#8217;ll all be casting accusing looks in the boardroom as to why they allowed Acer and Asus to pull out such a big lead.</p>
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		<title>What type of person are you?</title>
		<link>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/09/19/what-type-of-person-are-you/</link>
		<comments>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/09/19/what-type-of-person-are-you/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:04:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tim Danton</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Random]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/?p=3306</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There&#8217;s a continual attempt from political parties and big companies alike to define the population, and Acer is the latest to unveil its thoughts. So the question is, do you recognise yourself in any of the below?
Techno Leader
Is very advaned in technical matters. He knows what he wants: &#8220;The best and up-to-date&#8221;. He wants best [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/img_0189.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3309" title="img_0189" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/img_0189-150x150.jpg" alt="Acer splits the IT population" width="150" height="150" /></a>There&#8217;s a continual attempt from political parties and big companies alike to define the population, and Acer is the latest to unveil its thoughts. So the question is, do you recognise yourself in any of the below?</p>
<p><strong>Techno Leader<br />
</strong>Is very advaned in technical matters. He knows what he wants: &#8220;The best and up-to-date&#8221;. He wants best performance and he is not price-sensitive. And &#8211; he can afford it. He is affluent and young.</p>
<p><strong>Techno Rational<br />
</strong>Shares the same positive attitude towards technology as Techno Leader, but his comparatively lower income makes him less ready to pay a premium for brands.<span id="more-3306"></span></p>
<p><strong>Conventional<br />
</strong>Can be seen as a &#8220;follower&#8221;. He looks at what his neighbours have and buys the same as long as the brand is known and fulfils basic design criteria. He is young and uses the computer more than others for online meeting portals.</p>
<p><strong>Practical and Value<br />
</strong>Is a &#8220;no-frills&#8221; person. He does not use the computer intensively. He doesn&#8217;t care about brand. It has to be simple and very cheap. Consequently he seeks discounts and buys in independent stores. Many live in single households. This segment is found often in Germany.</p>
<p><strong>Simple and Easy<br />
</strong>Is &#8220;helpless&#8221;. This segment needs computers, but has very limited knowledge. Computers should be easy to use, no extras are required. Trusted brands give them some reassurance and they are willing to pay more for a hotline. Is much older than average and many are female.</p>
<p><strong>Trendy<br />
</strong>Also values simplicity for computers and cares a lot abou the brand she purchases. He is also younger and more sensitive to design than the Simple and Easy segment.</p>
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		<title>First look: Acer&#8217;s new TravelMate laptops</title>
		<link>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/07/17/first-look-acers-new-travelmate-laptops/</link>
		<comments>http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/07/17/first-look-acers-new-travelmate-laptops/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:25:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike Jennings</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hardware]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Just in]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[3G]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centrino 2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[draft-n]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travelmate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/?p=2475</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
With the launch of the Centrino 2 platform, we&#8217;re expecting to see a flurry of activity from all the major manufacturers as they refresh their current ranges &#8211; or launch entirely new ones, as we saw from Sony yesterday &#8211; that are able to proudly bear the Centrino 2 sticker.
Accordingly, Acer has launched an updated [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/tm5730_11.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2481" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/tm5730_11-300x246.jpg" alt="The Centrino 2-enabled notebook features new processors and mobile graphics chips" width="300" height="246" /></a></p>
<p>With the launch of the Centrino 2 platform, we&#8217;re expecting to see a flurry of activity from all the major manufacturers as they refresh their current ranges &#8211; or launch entirely new ones, <strong><a title="Sony's new range of Centrino 2 FW notebooks" href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2008/07/16/first-look-sony-vaio-fw-series/" target="_blank">as we saw from Sony yesterday</a></strong> &#8211; that are able to proudly bear the Centrino 2 sticker.</p>
<p>Accordingly, Acer has launched an updated range of TravelMate notebooks that fully embrace the new platform. Five laptops run the size gamut from 12.1in to 17in screens, but all promise plenty of power thanks to the inclusion of new processors. The 17in TravelMate 7730G includes the Intel Core 2 Duo T9600, T9400, P9500, P8400 or P8600 &#8211; with clock speeds ranging from 2.26GHz to 2.8GHz.</p>
<p>The rest of the specification promises more than enough performance for business users, too: there&#8217;s 2GB of RAM, the chance to include GeForce 9000M-series discrete graphics and one or two hard disk drives, with sizes ranging from 120 to 320GB. The entire range supports draft-n wireless, and the 6593G, 6493G and 6293G can all be equipped with optional HSDPA connections.</p>
<p><span id="more-2475"></span></p>
<p>It&#8217;s worth bearing in mind that not every model can be fitted with every part available in the new range of TravelMates. The larger 7730 and 5730 models have discrete graphics, more storage and an HDMI output, for instance, whereas the smaller notebooks &#8211; the 6593, 6493 and 6294 &#8211; include more connectivity. They can all be equipped with GRM, GPRS, EDGE and 3G connections, although they do rely on integrated graphics rather than a discrete chip.</p>
<p>Just as intriguing as the specification are the various new features that Acer has included. Security has been tightened: as well as TPM, there&#8217;s now pre-boot authentication, so you have to log in using the fingerprint reader before you can even get near the OS. The hard disk can also be set with a password, so even if it&#8217;s swapped into another laptop, people can&#8217;t access it without permission.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/tm6493-11.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2487" src="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/tm6493-11-300x250.jpg" alt="Equipped with 3G and new processors, the 6493 is a speedy corporate machine" width="300" height="250" /></a></p>
<p>Acer FingerLaunch, despite sounding unutterably rude, sounds interesting: each finger can be linked to a different application, music file, picture, movie or game &#8211; so, swipe your index finger to open Outlook, or use your little finger when the boss isn&#8217;t looking to boot up a quick game of TrackMania over lunch. While the image of us playing our laptops like a piano is endearing, we&#8217;re worried that it will be difficult actually remembering what each finger does unless we&#8217;ve tattooed each application onto our fingernails.</p>
<p>On the outside, little has changed since the last generation of TravelMate laptops. The magnesium alloy chassis returns and feels suitably robust, but won&#8217;t set the world alight with stunning design. We&#8217;re still not sure about the slightly curved keyboard &#8211; it certainly takes a while to get used to, and we&#8217;re hard pressed to find the genuine ergonomic benefits that Acer keeps banging on about.</p>
<p>A couple of models also include TrackPoints &#8211; usually seen on older ThinkPad models &#8211; for those who don&#8217;t like to use the touchpad. If you&#8217;re keen, then the 6593 and 6493 both feature these. These two models also both feature a second set of mouse buttons directly above the trackpad.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s no denying that Centrino 2 brings plenty of extra power and connectivity to the TravelMate series, although whether this will be enough to topple the Dell Latitude and Vostro machines from the A List is something that we&#8217;ll have to hold judgement about. Keep checking the site for a full review &#8211; Acer assure us that the new laptops will be arriving on these shores within a month, and we&#8217;ll be first in line to deliver the definitive verdict on the new notebooks.</p>
<p>The specs:</p>
<p><strong>Acer TravelMate 7730<br />
</strong></p>
<p>Intel Core 2 Duo T9400/P9500/T9600/P8400/P8600 (2.26GHz &#8211; 2.8GHz)</p>
<p>2GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM</p>
<p>17in 1440 x 900 TFT LCD display</p>
<p>Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT/9300M GS graphics</p>
<p>One or two 120 &#8211; 320GB hard disk</p>
<p>Intel Wireless Wifi Link 5100 or 5300 with 802.11a/b/g/draft-n support</p>
<p>Bluetooth 2.0</p>
<p>Gigabit Ethernet</p>
<p>One year RTB warranty</p>
<p>Windows Vista Business/Home Premium/Home Basic with XP recovery disc included</p>
<p>396 x 286 x 44mm (W x D x H)</p>
<p>3.6kg</p>
<p><strong>Acer TravelMate 5730</strong></p>
<p>Intel Core 2 Duo T9400/P9500/T9600/P8400/P8600 (2.26GHz &#8211; 2.8GHz)</p>
<p>2GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM</p>
<p>15.4in 1280 x 800 TFT LCD display</p>
<p>ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470/Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS graphics</p>
<p>120 &#8211; 320 GB hard disk</p>
<p>Intel Wireless Wifi Link 5100 or 5300 with 802.11a/b/g/draft-n support</p>
<p>Bluetooth 2.0</p>
<p>Gigabit Ethernet</p>
<p>One year RTB warranty</p>
<p>Windows Vista Business/Home Premium/Home Basic with XP recovery disc included</p>
<p>360 x 267 x 43mm (W x D x H)</p>
<p>3kg</p>
<p><strong>Acer TravelMate 6593</strong></p>
<p>Intel Core 2 Duo T9400/P9500/T9600/P8400/P8600 (2.26GHz &#8211; 2.8GHz)</p>
<p>2GB 1066MHz DDR3 RAM</p>
<p>15.4in 1280 x 800 TFT LCD</p>
<p>ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 graphics</p>
<p>120 &#8211; 320GB hard disk</p>
<p>Intel Wireless Wifi Link 5100 or 5300 with 802.11a/b/g/draft-n support</p>
<p>Bluetooth 2.0</p>
<p>Gigabit Ethernet</p>
<p>UMTS/HSDPA 3G and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity optional</p>
<p>One year RTB warranty</p>
<p>Windows Vista Business/Home Basic/Business 64-bit/Home Basic 64-bit/Windows XP Professional</p>
<p>360 x 267 x 44mm (W x D x H)</p>
<p>3.1kg</p>
<p><strong>Acer TravelMate 6493</strong></p>
<p>Intel Core 2 Duo T9400/P9500/T9600/P8400/P8600 (2.26GHz &#8211; 2.8GHz)</p>
<p>2GB 1066MHz DDR3 RAM</p>
<p>14.1in 1280 x 800 TFT LCD</p>
<p>Intel GM45 express chipset with Intel GMAX4500HD integrated graphics</p>
<p>120 &#8211; 320GB hard disk</p>
<p>Intel Wireless Wifi Link 5100 or 5300 with 802.11a/b/g/draft-n support</p>
<p>Bluetooth 2.0</p>
<p>Gigabit Ethernet</p>
<p>UMTS/HSDPA 3G and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity optional</p>
<p>One year RTB warranty</p>
<p>Windows Vista Business/Home Basic/Business 64-bit/Home Basic 64-bit/Windows XP Professional</p>
<p>338 x 245 x 44mm (W x D x H)</p>
<p>2.63kg</p>
<p><strong>Acer TravelMate 6293</strong></p>
<p>Intel Core 2 Duo T9400/P9500/T9600/P8400/P8600 (2.26GHz &#8211; 2.8GHz)</p>
<p>2GB 1066MHz DDR3 RAM</p>
<p>12.1in 1280 x 800 TFT LCD</p>
<p>Intel GM45 express chipset with Intel GMAX4500HD integrated graphics</p>
<p>120 &#8211; 320GB hard disk</p>
<p>Intel Wireless Wifi Link 5100 or 5300 with 802.11a/b/g/draft-n support</p>
<p>Bluetooth 2.0</p>
<p>Gigabit Ethernet</p>
<p>UMTS/HSDPA 3G and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity optional</p>
<p>One year RTB warranty</p>
<p>Windows Vista Business/Home Basic/Business 64-bit/Home Basic 64-bit/Windows XP Professional</p>
<p>306 x 227 x 36mm (W x D x H)</p>
<p>2.1kg</p>
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