Acer S5 and Timeline Ultrabooks Preview

Acer is attempting to claim the title of thinnest PC notebook in the world with the unveiling of its two new ultrabooks at the 2012 CES. While the full specifications of the Aspire S5 and Timeline ultrabooks are still being released and solidified (at least to the press) the S5 is being billed as the thinnest ultrabook to date at only 15mm thick. For reference, the current MacBook Air is 17mm in thickness. Weighing in at less than 3 pounds, the S5 features a 13.3" LED backlit LCD screen and an unusual motorized "Magicflip" panel that opens to reveal the included HDMI, USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt ports. This is the first notebook we've heard of to-date that features Thunderbolt aside from Apple products, though we imagine this will be more commonplace at CES this year.

Acer Aspire S5 17mm Thin Ultrabook

Acer is offer several of the latest Intel Core processors and the Aspire S5 comes with a solid state drive (SSD) so it can boot more rapidly than traditional notebooks. Acer's new "Green Instant On" feature lets the device resume instantly in just 1-1/2 seconds from sleep or via internet or network access, lengthening battery life. The always-ready network functionality is a function of Windows 7 and a feature they label "Always Connect". For those desiring a larger screen, Acer is also putting out the Timeline Ultra in 14" and 15" models - both of which feature an 8 hour battery life.

Acer Aspire S5 17mm Thin Ultrabook

Another advantage of the larger Timeline Ultra devices is that they also include dedicated graphics cards and a DVD Super Multi optical drive. Acer is expected to begin shipping both lines Aspire S5 in the second quarter, but the Aspire Timeline Ultra will be ready in the first quarter of this year. Pricing is still being determined.

Acer Aspire Timeline Ultrabooks

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.