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Acer debuts two new high-performance TravelMate notebooks

Teaser
The Timeline 8573 and 8473 will offer a high-end Sandy Bridge CPU and NVIDIA’s Optimus Technology

The Taiwanese PC manufacturer Acer has just added two new models to its TravelMate Timeline series of portable computers. These laptops are reportedly targeted towards professionals on-the-go and will come with a choice of powerful Intel processors, an integrated graphics controller along with an optional Optimus-enabled GeForce card and a light operating system, which should boot up in approximately 8 seconds. Furthermore, Acer’s new notebooks will provide customers with about 8-9 hours of battery life.

Configuration

The TravelMate Timeline 8473 and 8573 portable PCs can be purchased with a choice of second generation Sandy Bridge chips. The latter is powered by an Intel Core i7-2620M central processing unit that houses two cores clocked at 2.7GHz. This processor is ranked 22 in CPU Benchmark List and features 4MB of Level 3 cache and 35W max. TDP. In addition, both models are equipped with LED-backlit widescreen displays that have a native resolution of 1366-by-768 pixels and differ only in size (15.6-inch/8573 and 14-inch/8473).

These new laptops will ship with an Intel HD 3000 graphics controller with dynamically allocated shared video memory (Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0) and an optional Optimus-enabled GeForce card. NVIDIA’s Optimus Technology allows users to switch between two built-in video cards (shared and dedicated VRAM), thus solving the performance versus battery life issue.

Consumers will be able to store data on a 750GB mechanical hard drive (HDD) and also order an additional 128GB solid-state drive (SSD). Moreover, the 8573 and 8473 notebooks pack up to 8GB of internal DDR3 RAM and a DVD Burner.

Connectivity

The new Timeline systems will have integrated Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Gigabit Ethernet and (optional) Bluetooth modules so that you can stay connected. These adapters are complemented by four USB ports (one is eSATA combo and one is USB 3.0), an HDMI interface, a 5-in-1 memory card reader slot and Intel’s Wireless Display Technology.

A built-in 1.3MP web camera is also available for video chats.

Other specs and Pricing

Reportedly, Acer will ship their latest notebooks with a pre-installed copy of Microsoft’s Windows 7 Professional OS and a custom light Linux-based operating system that boots up in 8 seconds. The 8573 has a black aluminum chassis and weighs 5.7lbs with the integrated 6-cell Lithium-ion battery.

Further features include an Intel HM65 chipset, a fingerprint reader for enhanced security and 1-year warranty. The TravelMate Timeline 8573 model can now be purchased online priced for $1,081.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2011 06 > Acer debuts two new high-performance TravelMate notebooks
Ivan Zhekov, 2011-06-28 (Update: 2012-05-26)