Acer Introduces 20-inch Wide-Screen High Definition-DVD Notebook PC; New Aspire 9800 Platform Provides All-in-One Multimedia Solution Complete With Cutting-Edge Technology, Performance and Value

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2006--Acer America Corporation, one of the leading worldwide suppliers of IT solutions, today announced the North American availability of its new 20.1-inch wide-screen Aspire 9800 high-definition notebook PC. Introduced to the world in June at Computex Taipei, the Aspire 9800 notebook combines cutting-edge multimedia PC performance, HD-DVD technology, IP-based communication facilities, and superior TV, audio and gaming functionalities.

Ideal for mainstream and full-feature multimedia segments, the Aspire 9800 is perfect for the savvy home user, student or SOHO professional, who desire a High Definition (HD) solution - a PC and television in one - for intensive multitasking and entertainment enjoyment. The HD video and picture quality for advanced graphic design and realistic visuals is perfect for gaming and HD movie presentation. With a digital and analog hybrid TV-tuner and remote, the Aspire 9800 delivers dedicated performance for watching traditional TV, recording TV shows and capturing video, along with HD-DVD technology and a host of other entertainment options.

All-in-one multimedia center

The Aspire 9800 notebook provides users with an all-in-one multimedia center, incorporating Intel Centrino(R) Duo mobile technology processing power, top-line NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7600 graphic chipsets, up to 4GB DDR2 in system memory, and 240GB Intel(R) Matrix RAID ready serial ATA hard drives for serious computing performance. The 20.1" widescreen LCD - 36% larger than 17" widescreen LCDs - incorporates Acer CrystalBrite(TM) technology to provide brighter colors, crisp images, and sharp 3D pictures and video for a cinematic viewing experience. For serious games and image-sensitive applications, the ultra-fast eight millisecond gray-to-gray response time easily handles HD multimedia content, while maximizing playback quality.

Accentuating its notebook PC feature set, the Aspire 9800 has also integrated multimedia functionality and high-fidelity audio. Fine-tuned Acer 3Dsonic stereo speakers and an Acer BasSonic subwoofer deliver enhanced low-frequency effect and crystal-clear audio, along with Dolby(R) Digital Live and DTS CONNECT technology providing instant home-theater experience via a single cable S/PDIF connection. The analog and DVB-T hybrid TV-tuner supports worldwide standards expanding the user's entertainment options.

The Aspire 9800 also features Acer Arcade(TM) - allowing users to browse pictures, burn music, play DVDs, edit video from a single interface, and the one-click Acer Video Conference solution with Acer OrbiCam(TM), an integrated LCD panel-mounted 1.3 megapixel CMOS camera, for face-to-face instant communication.

HD-DVD technology

The first 20.1" notebook to ship with HD-DVD technology, the Aspire 9800 supports 13 types of optical media formats, with up to six times the image quality of standard DVD movies and complete backward compatibility. The new HD-DVD technology offers high-fidelity visual and audio, and is a key content driver utilized by leading media companies and IT players, certifying the demand for high processing performance, software support, audio decoding technology and content security enforcement. Specifically, HD-DVD technology offers enhanced interactivity by providing picture-in-picture overlay with moving video background; at the same time streaming Internet video and synchronizing updates with pre-recorded HD-DVD content. Exceptional HD viewing supports the highest quality HDTV resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, subset recognition through SDTV, and CIF of 320 x 240 pixels.

The Aspire 9800 includes an HD-DVD-ROM drive that offers maximum data transfer rates three times higher than DVD, an improved screen response time, enhanced brightness and superior audio experiences. Acer's HD notebooks are also equipped with HDMI and HDCP support for projecting HD movies, and extreme gaming to high-end LCD TVs.

High-powered performer

Featuring Intel's Centrino Duo mobile technology for smooth multitasking and enhanced high-definition content, the Aspire 9800 comes with Mobile Intel(R) 945PM Express chipset with the latest dual-channel DDR2 667MHz memory to deliver increased throughput demanded by multiple multimedia applications, such as intensive gaming and complex video editing. Utilizing up to 240GB 5400rpm SATA Dual HDD (120GB x 2), the Aspire 9800's dual Serial ATA hard disk drives with RAID 0, 1 and Intel(R) Matrix RAID Technology, provide enhanced data integrity and better availability, while eliminating the need for hard disk drive upgrades. The Aspire 9800 specifications decrease the total cost of ownership, while maintaining the power to hold loads of large multimedia files.

The Aspire 9800 comes equipped with Acer QuicCharge(TM) battery technology, which recharges the notebook's Lithium-ion battery up to 80 percent within one hour.

Empowering multimedia technology

The Acer Aspire 9800 notebook series comes with Microsoft Windows(R) XP Media Center Edition pre-installed, giving users a friendly, all-in-one environment for serious digital entertainment. Additional installed software includes Acer's exclusive Empowering Technology, Adobe Reader, Norton AntiVirus, CyberLink Power Producer, NTI CD-Maker together with Acer GridVista - a software utility that improves a user's productivity by dividing the screen up to four different windows - each one associated with a different application, Acer Arcade and Acer ClearVision(TM) video optimization technology.

Acer's Empowering Technology software suite - offered on all Acer systems - gives users access to a simple 1-2-3 step intuitive interface designed to easily manage the notebook's advanced functions. With a single touch of the "e" Empowering Key, a navigation bar prompts and provides immediate access to the notebook's security, performance, settings and communication, for an improved user experience.

Pricing

Aspire 9800 notebooks are available through Acer authorized resellers and retailers throughout North America with prices starting at $2799.

Service and Support

The Acer Aspire 9800 notebook comes with a standard one-year parts and labor limited warranty, including concurrent International Traveler's Coverage. Additionally, all Acer notebooks are backed by toll-free service and support. Online support is available at www.acersupport.com.

About Acer America Corporation

Established in 1984 as a subsidiary of Acer Inc., Acer America Corporation designs and markets client and server solutions for professionals who require reliability, enhanced productivity and greater value of ownership. Acer ranks as the world's No. 4 branded PC vendor, designing easy, dependable IT solutions that empower people to reach their goals and enhance their life. Since spinning-off its manufacturing operation, Acer has focused on globally marketing its brand-name products: mobile and desktop PCs, servers, LCD monitors and e-business solutions for business, government, education, and home users. Acer's unique Channel Business Model has been instrumental in the company's latest success. The model encourages partners and suppliers to collaborate in a winning formula of supply-chain management, allowing Acer to provide customers with fresh technologies, competitive pricing, and quality service. Established in 1976, Acer Inc. employs 5,600 people supporting dealers and distributors in more than 100 countries. Revenues in 2005 reached US$9.7 billion. Please visit www.acer.com/us.