Acer set to release 11.6-inch Aspire One netbook
updated 12:15 pm EDT, Mon March 23, 2009
Acer 11.6-inch Aspire One
Another netbook PC is nearing a shipping date, as Acer is reportedly preparing a new generation Aspire One netbook with a larger, 11.6-inch, 16:9 screen. The new model's redesign would give it a 1366x768 resolution and a full-sized keyboard that sports flat keys. Under the revised skin and larger body, the new Aspire One would also have a newer Z500 series 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU paired with an integrated GMA500 graphics processor that combined should extend its battery life and improve its overall performance
The GMA500 is capable of decoding various codecs, with H.264 most notable among them, the better to take advantage of that relatively high-resolution display. Acer is claiming the Poulsbo platform has a total thermal power peak of 4.3W, which is significantly lower than the 11.8W of the previous design. Acer says the standard battery will last four hours, with the larger unit providing twice that runtime.
Otherwise, the new netbook has the same connections as past Aspire Ones, including the uncommon positioning of VGA and Ethernet ports.
Acer has not revealed ship dates or approximate pricing for its latest and largest Aspire One, nor which markets it would first be released in. [via Macles]
