Acer Timeline 11.6-inch ULV: A Netbook beater?

A true 720p HD Netbook: the 1810T

(Credit: Macles)

The beauty of breaking out of the Windows XP mold is saying good-bye to Microsoft's set limitations on Netbook power (most notably, 1GB of RAM). Setting the stage for the fall's next-gen Battle of the Future Netbooks, Acer's as-yet-unofficial (according to Acer) Timeline 1810T has all the trimmings that place it head and shoulders above the currently Atom N270 and N280-dominated crowd. Leaked photos have hit online, and it looks like a fusion between Acer's Aspire One line and its super-slim, recently reviewed Timeline 3810T.

First off, it has a ULV processor that's faster than Atom Netbooks by a fair margin. Then there's the HD video decoding. Also, the 1810T can support up to 4GB of RAM. Other bonuses include HDMI, b/g/n Wi-Fi, and the ability to upgrade to Windows 7 (because it runs Windows Vista Home Premium).

Details revealed so far:

• 1.4GHz Intel ULV SU3500 processor
• 11.6-inch 1366x768 screen
• Intel GS45 Express chipset
• Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics
• Up to 4GB RAM
• HDMI
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Optional 3G
• Eight-hour battery life (similar to the 3810T)

More pics after the break:

(Credit: Macles)

(Credit: Macles)

Our expectations are that the 1810T will be comparable to the recently reviewed Timeline 3810T, but in a more affordable price-range. It looks like Netbooks will finally be released from their protective shell that's been keeping them at virtually the same specs for the last year or so.

What price would you buy something like this at? Assuming you'd buy it, of course (but it does look like a great package, on paper).

(Source: Engadget via Macles)

[fokus300]

what is the hard disk memory and how much does it cost....... indeed this is a mordern generation pc and shud qualify to be the best selling this year

[chriscooksey]

Looks to be very nice, but with these specs, it'll be interesting to see what happens to the price. Acer usually keeps things low though...

[Brown_chicken_brown_cow]

Acer has done it again! They have outsmarted their competition. Looks like they have even updated that damn rocker button and now have two buttons on their mousepad.

Give it to me with 3G and I am SOLD!!! ACER I Love you!

[addicted2gadgets]

It's too big, but other than that I like the specs. I have a 9" Acer and that is just the right size for portability and ease of use on a plane.

[hananias]

I'll take all those specs, but leave the 3g optional ( I don't need it)... also that screen resolution, I don't know about that. I'm fine with the 1024 x 600 res on a 9-10" screen.

If it's more than $600 for get it!!

[Firehazel]

yeah. nothing over $600 optional 3G. but keep that 1366 X 700 screen. give me an express card 54 slot and i'm happy.

[bobbybob3680]

ugh i hate acer computers! rawrrr. they are not quality. they are about the cheapest computer you can find and they are JUNK. just ugh they make me so angry lol

[pithenumber]

if you expect more from a computer
try a Thinkpad

[C433Z]

$500? I think that might be pushing it even. Once you reach the $500+ range, you might as well look at full powered laptops.

[Myshkin57]

When did this 1GB limit happen? I have an Asus Eee PC 1000 that's about 9 months old and I put in 2GB of RAM with no problem. It runs as well as any regular laptop, provided I don't do anything graphics-intense.

[amirault0]

I dont think they mean that hardware cant handle more than 1GB of RAM, its that Microsoft is dictating what OEMs can put into the machines because they all run windows xp.

[Myshkin57]

amirault0: If that's what is meant, I'm not sure why it's a big deal then. A 2GB module is only about $20 from online stores.

[jakemochas]

my dell mini 9 runs 2GB no problem with nothing changed

[Donfuy]

I don't think RAM is the problem about netbooks. I mean, putting a lot more RAM won't make that much of a difference. The limiter factor here is the processor. No fast processor, no need for much RAM, as probably you won't open that much programs until the processor tops.

Just an opinion, as I can hardly see a big difference between my 1st gen Asus EeePC (7'') and the newer Atom powered Acer Aspire One, with 1 GB of RAM (from my younger brother). My PC even runs faster, in multi-tasking and such! I do realize the processors are different for these two, and I am still not able to find a reasonable explanation to this :/

[clrgj2]

an 11 inch screen doesn't sound like a netbook to me

[hananias]

That's because it isn't a netbook ; )
A netbook is 10" max!!! I mean come on, you'll have to use a really laptop "bag" for a laptop that size.

On the other hand, it is good that netbooks are trying to crank up their power a little...just enough to get HD video smoothly, and maybe, just maybe play some basic games @ low settings. But everyone should just accept and be content with the limits and benefits of the real concept of a netbook.

[xmeatizmurderx]

I'm sorry I may be way out of line here but I fail to see how a 1.4 ghz processor is faster than a 1.6ghz processor

[pithenumber]

the 1.4GHz processor is half a Core 2 Duo
the 1.6GHz processor is a lowly Atom

clockspeed isn't everything

[billeeyum]

The Intel UVL SU3500 is a core 2 Solo, not a core 2 Duo. meaning it is still single core, not dual core. So the question still stands, how is 1.4 ghz faster than 1.6ghz
Intel website for UVL SU3500 http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37133

[pithenumber]

Core 2 has more L2 cache than Atom
and it has a better architecture than the Atom

[jpmccloud01]

It's funny how just 2 yrs ago we would have said who is Acer even though they are big in the components end of computers and isn't it funny that now we are really starting to see more from other companies in the use of core processors at least in the low and entry level machines. I hope that real choice is comming in even the upscale markets, but we will see and if this machine is in the sub 500 range this is going to be an interesting computer cycle to be sure

[fathernebro]

Give me 2-3 gb of ram at 450 and I'd be in for 1

[bashedinfender]

I think $429 is the max I would consider paying, I would buy 2 at $379 though. Hopefully it will ship with a larger-than-current-standard 160 Gb HDD. 250 or 320 would be great.

[ynspyred]

@bashedinfender: that's as much as an EEE pc 1000HE, and thw Timeline smokes that thing!
@xmeatizmuderx:: It's a Core 2 duo. Dual core. It will totally outdo the Atoms.

[streamline35]

Actually it's a core 2 solo, only one core as well. However, their architecture is quite different, and to put it simply, it's faster, even at lower clock speeds. I'm not a big expert on them, but I know the one thing that the atom can't do that most other processors do today, is out of order processing. For a more detailed explanation and comparison, I'm sure you can find it on google.

[johnb6597]

Sell it for $400 and I'd buy one for each of my 5 family members. Any more than $400 and I'm close in price to some decent laptops. Also, I agree 11.6" takes it out of the netbook category...but I would live with it for $400 and just brainwash my family into thinking of them as netbooks. :-)

[Wully87]

@ynspyred: Its only one core, so I'm curious to see if it performs better that the atom, check the link to see http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090225PD216.html

[pithenumber]

an Athlon Neo underclocked to around 1.3GHz kicks sh|t out of the Atom
and Core 2 is faster than Athlon
so the Core 2 Solo chip should be faster than the atom significantly

[WoodrowCall]

This is sounding perfect. I know it might not be a netbook, but I've been wanting a pc to hook up to my 42" flatscreen and this is sounding like the first laptop that can beat apple tv! It's small so it won't take up space, HD video (HDMI output is a necessity), and enough of a hd to hold divx movies. This sounds like the perfect living room tv laptop. $600 would be the right price.

[billeeyum]

I see nothing about an optical drive. I would not pay a penny over 400 for any computer without an optical drive. and with only 160 GB hard drive its not really that great for downloading HD content either. Give me a blu-ray drive (if it has to be external, make it match and look good with the PC) and i'd pay 500 or 550 for it easy. Especially if they could up the hard drive capacity. But small hard drive and no optical drive = who cares about having an HD display and HDMI out. Useless selling points they will use to sell an oversized netbook (or underpowered notebook, however you choose to look at it). At 550 it would be perfect for a tv room computer. It could handle the video you need it to without having to pay for ram and processing power you aren't going to use.

[streamline35]

Sounds like you're expecting way too much for $550 in 11 inch form factor. That computer + a larger hard drive + external blue ray is completely unrealistic. The few external blue ray players that exist cost close to $200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827257001

That computer is probably going to be ~$600+ as is, since it has a nicer screen, much faster processor, 4 gb ram, plus other extras.

[keegan95]

gateway L110 netbook runs vista and has an Athlon with a 250GB HD

[lqueral]

The screen size is perfect for a netbook and finally a decent processor. I was ready to buy the current 11.6" unit but backed off because of the Z520 weakling processor, which is a step down from the N270 and especially the N280, with it's 667Mz FSB. Now if they will only price it attractively (less than $400 street price).