Aspire 3951 - Acer's First Ultrabook.

All Aluminum Chassis
13.3" display
ULV CPU
6 hour internal battery
under 3 lbs.

Sure sounds like an ultrabook. Standard model will have conventional drive. SSD optional. Acer is shooting for a price > $1K. No word on availability.

Bronsky

 

I'm very curious to see if Ultrabooks can crack the thin and light department. My only suggestion to Acer would be to create a better name than Acer Aspire 3951. How about the Acer Aspire Ultra One or something similar. To compete with Apple you have to compete with their marketing and naming, too.

 

Acer's product development and marketing departments are as weak as its distribution network. Just look at what they did to their Timelines. Where is the 1830T CULV refresh? The 1830T would thrive with an I7 CULV and HD 3000 graphics.

The success of ultrabooks will depend on the quality of Intel's specs. I think the entire business community will gravitate toward them if Intel's performance claims are true (of course, that pre-supposes that Apple hasn't completely taken over the ultralight market before these are released). They will also be greatly improved when Ivybridge CPU's are released. Shame that the CULV chips are mounted in a BGA socket.

Bronsky

 

When they said they wanted to be like Apple, they were telling the truth. Look at that chassis, looks like a mix between macbook air and pro The touchpad is almost the same.

Anyway, nice to see Acer on the Ultrabook wagon. But 6 hours sounds so weak for an ultrabook? Especially with a SB CULV

 

Intel is investing 300 million into companies developing ultrabooks. Intel creates $300 million fund to promote ultrabook technologies - Liliputing Call it a bribe if you want but it will probably assure that there will be more than a few of these in production by the end of this year and more when Ivybridge CPU's are released. I would prefer full powered CPU instead of the CULV but I think the low powered unit will give it the ultrabook a decent battery life without the need to have massive batteries. Should be interesting to watch.

Bronsky

 

What about a fair balance and use LV cpu instead of the ULV models?

 

The ultrabook already has specs, built and mobility, they only need to win them in 1 more department to win: price.

 

Manufacturers are asking Intel to subsidize about $100 of the cost of building ultrabooks. Acer, Asustek, Lenovo to launch sub-US$999 ultrabooks in 4Q11, says Intel That woud be interesting. It would be like getting a $100 discount at list price.

Bronsky

 

Ultrabooks will either bomb or pave the future.

 

It seems the laptop might be arriving earlier according to digitimes:

Acer Ultrabook pushing for September launch, says paper

 

September Chosen for Acer Ultrabook Launch - Softpedia

 

My wife needs to replace her Lenovo S12 netbook. The Lenovo X1 is selling new for under $900 in the outlet with a full powered SB I3. If the ultrabooks are cheaper, we'll consider them. She likes the look of the MBA, but is not big on OSX.

 

Looks like this notebook is close to release. Acer Aspire 3951 photos leaked, new Ultrabooks to launch in September -- Engadget New pics.

So is the UX31. http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/267122,first-look-asus-13in-ux31-ultrabook.aspx Although I'm not a big Asus fan, the UX31 is a far better looking design and its 1600 x 900 display is a real plus. Acer will probably stick with its usual 720p, > 200 nits display.

 

I'm starting to feel less inclined to believe ultrabooks will catch on. You basically have the following segments in thin/light mobile computing:

1. Low to mid-range notebooks ($400 - $800) - for typical PC users who don't need anything "fancy."

2. Macbook Air ($1000+) - thin/light enthusiasts who need more style, oomph, etc. plus want Mac OS

3. Tablets ($300-$600) - people who don't need a notebook but want mobile capabilities for basic browsing, streaming, etc.

Ultrabooks are trying to sneak into that $800-$1000 category but I don't see them denting the above sectors. If you want thin, light, and basic, you go for a tablet or notebook. If you want sleek and hip, you go for a Macbook Air. Intel seems to want to attract people who like the Air's design but don't have the money or don't like Apple. Nevertheless, I think they're trying to wedge themselves into a small space.

I could be completely wrong and Ultrabooks could blow up big time. However, with the rise of ARM computing and potential for Windows 8 on nVidia's Tegra 3, I think Intel is trying to squeeze the last drops out of their x86 architecture. They've created a $300 Ultrabook fund basically to offset costs and give manufacturers imperative and means to produce these new laptops. There are strong rumors of Apple testing ARM-equipped Macbooks. There is a decreased demand for uber power and uber speed in most users' needs. This might be the wrong discussion forum but it just seems Intel is trying to find its identity in this changing market and they're not sure where to invest themselves.

The other gripe is that laptops are becoming thinner, lighter, cooler, and faster anyways. Intel's calling this trend their own "Ultrabook" design when in reality it's a part of a greater evolution of mobile computing. Here's an interesting take on the matter:

http://www.bnet.com/blog/technology-business/intels-ultrabook-investment-wont-save-pcs-8212-their-day-is-done/12290

 

Actually, I agree that ultrabooks are nothing new. They are a logical extension of the ultrathin notebook development that has been going on for the past few years. Nor do I think they are for everyone. But, a lot of people love the new MBA and would buy one in a heart beat if it would run windows natively. Enter the Acer, Asus and Lenovo ultrabooks. It is just a subcategory of ultrathins.

Acer's new ultrabook looks thinner in these pictures. Acer's Ultrabook S3 up for pre-order on Italian site, is this the Aspire 3951? -- Engadget It will be interesting to see if the display is HD+ like the Asus UX31. I think the Asus unit will sell well. I also think the sweetspot for ultrabooks will be 13", not 11.6". The market is the business user who wants something thin, sleek and powerful for under $1K. I think they will sell well, if well designed.

Acer seems to be going with a 20GB SSD (mPCIA?) and 350 GB conventional drive. I like the idea since it saves space and will make for a speedy boot time. With this configuration, I would guess that Acer will make these available for ~$800, undercutting the Asus by a couple of hundred dollars at least.

 

Looks like there will be a US version of Acer's Ultrabook. Acer To Intro US Model of S3 Ultrabook Next Month, and It Might Surprise Acer usually ignores the US market. Hopefully, this is the start of a new trend. My guess is that this will be the most affordable of the ultrabooks. Maybe Acer is considering full powered CPU's for the US market?

 

It is not don't have the money, it is more of money not justifying purchase with Apple's Products.

 

The S3 is through the FCC. Acer Aspire S3 ultrabook hits the FCC - Liliputing Should be at the retailers soon. Cooling vents under the display?

 

I remember that being a concern for the Envy 14, but it seemed nobody had actual problems with the display heating. I could be wrong, though.

 

The S3 is on Acer's US site. Aspire S Series: A slice of life

 

The Ultrabook appearing in a Finnish webshop:
Haku | Tuotekuvasto | Verkkokauppa.com
Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook 13.3" LED/i5-2467M/4 GB/320 GB/Windows 7 HP 64-bit voor 849 eur

 

My guess is that the base model Acer S3 will sell here in the US for ~ $800. Since the Asus UX-31 base model going for $999 with 128 GB SSD and 1600 x 900 display, I think the Asus is the better buy, as much as I dislike Asus service in the US.