Acer, the fourth largest vendor in the global PC market (source: Gartner data, 2Q 2007), today presented two new notebook families – Aspire 7520 and Aspire 5520 – designed to combine the needs of both home users and creative professionals looking for a multi-purpose notebook with strong entertainment and multitasking capabilities.

Crafted with the rounded shapes of the new Gemstone design and powered with a choice of dual- or single-core AMD processors – Turion 64 X2 dual-core mobile technology, Athlon 64 X2 dual-core mobile technology or Turion 64 mobile technology – both series offer dependable power to satisfy a wide range of budget and performance needs. In addition, the AMD Better by Design program delivers superior graphics and wireless technology. Long battery life lets you enjoy all the greatest digital media, gaming and powerful multi-tasking, even on the go.

The Aspire 7520 and Aspire 5520 make you experience digital entertainment in high-definition.
To start with, both platforms feature Dolby Home Theater for truly enhanced virtual surround sound. The high-fidelity sound effects can be fine-tuned via eAudio Management, a module of Acer’s Empowering Technology that provides a single interface to manage the notebook’s sound capability with specialized modes for movies, music and games.

For shared graphics, both notebooks are equipped with NVIDIA GeForce 7000M graphics card with up to 896 MB of TurboCache technology (256 MB of dedicated system memory, up to 640 MB of shared system memory), supporting Microsoft DirectX 9.

For dedicated graphics, both notebooks offer a choice of dedicated graphics cards: either NVidia Geforce 8400G with 256MB VRAM and up to 1024MB of Turbocache or NVidia Geforce 8600GS with 512MB VRAM and up to 1280MB of Turbocache , supporting Microsoft DirectX 9 and DirectX 10. The graphics engine manages the 17” WXGA+ (Aspire 7520) and 15.4” WXGA (Aspire 5520) displays powered with Acer CrystalBrite, a technology that dramatically increases the clarity, brilliance and brightness of the image, improving contrast and colour saturation.

Uniting the multimedia front is Acer Arcade Deluxe, an integrated software suite that provides a simple interface for viewing and editing music, images and movies.

Both new Aspire series offer the Acer Video Conference solution that comprises of

• Acer Crystal Eye, the integrated webcam that thanks to Acer PrimaLite technology offers improved performance in low-light environments.
• The optional Acer Xpress VoIP phone , which communicates with Bluetooth-enabled devices within a 10-meter radius, lets users connect to any built-in audio device or Internet messaging service (via VoIP or VVoIP) with the click of a button.
• Acer Video Conference Manager (VCM) provides quick and easy setup, monitors incoming video conference invitations from Instant Messaging applications, and instantly switches audio from the notebook to the Acer Xpress VoIP phone for extended freedom while video conferencing.

Aspire 7520
Targeted for creative professionals and SOHO users who require maximized multimedia capability, comprehensive connectivity and powerful communication, the Aspire 7520 series features dual-channel DDR memory upgradeable up to 4GB, multiple storage options – up to two large HDD’s of up to 250GB, a 5-in-1 card reader – and a DVD-Super Multi double-layer to record and store thousands of multimedia files. For a complete home entertainment experience there is the possibility to add a digital (DVB-T) TV tuner to the Aspire 7520.
To help both home and professional users to seamlessly switch from different connectivity options, the new Aspire series offers flexible solutions that help the Acer user adapt to different situations and requirements: from WLAN (Acer InviLink 802.11b/g Wi-Fi CERTIFIED solution, supporting Acer SignalUp wireless technology), WPAN with the built-in Bluetooth 2.0 module (optional), LAN connection with Gigabit Ethernet cards and standard connectivity with the integrated 56K ITU V.92 modem.

Aspire 5520
Designed for home users looking for the best value in enhanced entertainment performance, digital home connectivity, and multimedia management, the Aspire 5520 is powered by the capable yet affordable AMD Turion 64 X2 mobile technology. Equipped with DDR2 memory upgradeable to 4GB, the new Aspire series features generous Hard Disk Drives up to 250GB, a 5-in-1 card reader supporting Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD) card formats and a DVD SuperMulti optical drive.
For communication, the Acer InviLink 802.11b/g Wi-Fi CERTIFIED solution delivers generous bandwidth and total interoperability with any hotspot or wireless LAN. The optional built-in Bluetooth 2.0 module provides swift connectivity with all the personal Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Empowering tools
The Acer notebooks all feature the helpful Empowering tools that allow users to make full use of advanced technology. While Acer Empowering technology expands notebook functionality by giving users easy control over their notebook’s security, performance, settings and communication with a touch of the Empowering Key, Acer has also improved the in-front-of-screen experience with the development of Acer GridVista, a software utility that provides the Acer user a comfortable and rational use of the display. GridVista allows side-by-side viewing of applications that makes multi-window management a simple and easy task.

All Acer Notebooks are fully compliant with Energy Star. In addition, further power consumption optimization is achieved thanks to Acer QuicCharge, a technology that extends battery life by retaining its charge longer and shortens recharge time.

The Aspire 7520 and Aspire 5520 notebooks come with Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate / Vista Home Premium / Vista Home Basic preinstalled. Additional installed software includes Acer Empowering Technology, Acer Arcade and Acer Arcade Deluxe, Acer Crystal Eye, Acer GridVista, Acer GameZone, Acer Launch Manager, Acer Video Conference Manager, Adobe Reader, CyberLink PowerProducer, Norton Internet Security, NTI CD-Maker, Microsoft Works 8.5 with Office Home and Student 2007 Trial.

All Acer notebooks come with a standard 1 year Carry In (International travellers warranty - ITW) which can be extended to 3 years’ cover with the Acer Advantage service that also covers accidental damage to the notebook.