Acer, Asus Release Ultra-Fast, Ultra-Portable Laptops
Both Companies Targeting Apple's MacBook Air
We've been seeing a lot of discussion lately about Apple's iPad 2, which clearly dominates the nascent tablet market. But one other area Apple has dominated is the ultra-portable but also ultra-powerful computer market, where the MacBook Air reigns supreme. That could change soon, however, with the recent release of similar machines from Acer and Asus.
Asus weighs into this market with two versions of a line it calls the 'Zenbook'. First, there's a $999 11-inch model running Windows 7 and using an Intel Core i5 processor. Buyers get 4GB RAM under the hood along with a 128GB SSD. However, resolutions for this base Zenbook appear to be limited to 720p.
If you're willing to spend a bit more cash, there's also a 13.3-inch Zenbook that offers 1600x900 resolution (1080p supported, in other words) along with 4GB RAM and the Intel Core i5 processor. It should be noted that both versions can be upgraded to a more powerful Core i7 processor. The 13-inch version of the Zenbook also gets a larger, 256GB SSD. Oh, and both versions weigh less than three pounds.
Unfortunately, adding components isn't cheap: top-of-the-line versions of the 13-inch Zenbook can reach nearly $1,500.
Acer has also recently released its slightly cheaper but still very powerful (and portable) S3 Ultrabook. For just $899, buyers get an ultra-light (less than three pounds) PC with a 20GB SSD (designed to store the Windows 7 operating system), 320GB HDD (for storing media files, documents, etc.), 4GB RAM and a Core i5 processor.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of drawbacks to the S3 Ultrabook: its screen resolution is limited to 1366x768 (720p rather than 1080p) and it uses a less-than-ideal Intel Integrated HD 3000 graphics card. For these latter reasons this PC won't be the first choice of gamers, but for everyone else looking for lightning-fast performance while on-the-go, this is an option that is hard to beat.
Both the Zenbook and the S3 Ultrabook boast remarkable battery lives, as well. Acer says that its device will run for at least six hours while in use, and in sleep mode can last 50 days with a six second wake-up.
Both the Asus Zenbook and the Acer S3 Ultrabook should be available online and at electronics outlets across the U.S. right now.
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