Monday, April 21,2008 @ 8:25am
Acer unveils WiMAX-equipped Aspire notebook
Acer started its week today by announcing a special version of its Aspire 5920 notebook for Intel's WiMAX technology. The modified 15.4-inch system will let the computer connect at broadband speeds within a few miles of an access point rather than the 300 feet or less of the best Wi-Fi hotspots. Other changes are unavailable, though the current model runs on a 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo and includes a 320GB hard disk, a Blu-ray drive, and GeForce 8600M GS video.
Pricing has not been set but will follow a structure similar to cellphones, Acer says. Customers will have the option of signing a contract in exchange for a lower up-front price. Launch dates aren't specified but are said to be timed with the release of WiMAX networks around the world. Sprint's Xohm service is confirmed as one home for the 5920 and will offer the computer later this year; the service itself is planned to debut in the summer.