Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra M3 Review: A True 15-inch Ultrabook Discussion

[Jerry Jackson]

One simple problem has been troubling us since the arrival of the ultrabook category of thin, Intel-based premium laptops last year: Ultrabooks don't really deliver premium performance. Acer hopes to change that with the new Aspire Timeline Ultra M3; the first 15-inch ultrabook with high-performance NVIDIA GeForce 640M graphics inside. Can a thin-and-light ultrabook really give you "ultra" performance?

Read the full content of this Article: Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra M3 Review: A True 15-inch Ultrabook

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[martynas]

well if its meant to be "thin desktop replacement", then 3 flaws you mentioned doesn't matter..
nice graphics performance, btw

[darrickmartin]

Wish they hadn't cheaped out on the display so much. A 1440x900 display would make this perfect.

On another note, is it normal for notebooks nowadays to come without mic jacks? (I haven't been keeping up with the latest notebooks for a while now)

[Jerry Jackson]

martynas, you are correct. If you are using the Ultra M3 as a thin desktop replacement then none of the "cons" I mention in the review really matter. That said, I think at least "some" people who buy this ultrabook will still want to use it as a "laptop" from time to time.

darrickmartin, I wouldn't be surprised if Acer releases a configuration of the M3 with a better display. Acer usually has multiple SKUs for every model and based on what I understand Acer views the Timline Ultra M3 to be a top-of-the-line ultrabook ... so it would make sense to offer a version with a premium 1080p (or at least 1600x900) display.

The headphone jack is actually a "headset" jack so you can plug in headphones, a microphone or a combination headset. Yes, this is a growing trend with thin and light laptops because there isn't as much room for ports. That said, this is a 15-inch machine so Acer probably could have used separate headphone and microphone jacks if they wanted.

[heavyharmonies]

4.4 pounds? It's not an ultrabook. It's just another freaking laptop.

Coming next: 6.5 pound 17-inch "ultrabooks". Come on!

No backlit keyboard = fail.

Power button - Uber-fail.

Come to think of it, I'll just call it the Failbook.

[fifafreak18]

4.4 pounds? It's not an ultrabook. It's just another freaking laptop.

Coming next: 6.5 pound 17-inch "ultrabooks". Come on!

No backlit keyboard = fail.

Power button - Uber-fail.

Come to think of it, I'll just call it the Failbook.

Little harsh don't you think? Sure the power button is a fail but for they squeezed every ounce of power out of that form factor while keeping a long lasting battery life thats actually better than advertised (something you barely see).

The price of this would be a turnoff for me though, when will they have that?

[Bronsky]

darrickmartin, I wouldn't be surprised if Acer releases a configuration of the M3 with a better display.

I would be very surprised. The lack of higher resolution display has been the Timeline's most obvious shortcomming of this flagship model for the past 3 generations. At least the 14" is not likely to have a higher res option IMO.

As far as price, my bet is that Acer keeps this in line with past prices and lists a base I5 model at $850ish.

[yknyong1]

I would be very surprised. The lack of higher resolution display has been the Timeline's most obvious shortcomming of this flagship model for the past 3 generations. At least the 14" is not likely to have a higher res option IMO.

As far as price, my bet is that Acer keeps this in line with past prices and lists a base I5 model at $850ish.

I remember the new CEO's focus on high-end... So, resolution???

[accesskb]

oooohhh nice laptop but the powerbutton sure is a deal breaker for me.

I cringe at the thought of losing important work after accidently pressing the powerbutton on my lap

major fail

[jmunjr]

We would love it if every ultrabook featured an IPS display with near perfect colors at all viewing angles, but the higher cost probably isn't something the average consumer wants to pay.

I strongly disagree. Consumers don't want to pay because they don't know any better. If the displays were marketed better and consumers get to experience them they will want these better displays. Regardless, the cost is not much more...certainly less than $100 per display.

The Sony SE 15.5" laptop with an IPS display on display at a local shop here in town simply wows the heck out of everyone who sees it, even with the panels "orangegate" issues. It is night and day better than any laptop display I have ever seen.