One Fast Hard Drive: Acer's latest Ferrari 1200 laptop
While Ferrari prepares the replacement to the F430 and its racing team continues to fine-tune the new F60 ahead of the Formula One season opener, the company's tech partner Acer has released the latest addition to its Prancing Horse-emblazoned laptop range.
Called the Acer Ferrari 1200, the new ultraportable succeeds the 1100 (pictured above) introduced last year. It comes packed with an AMD Turion X2 Ultra CPU, four gigs of RAM, a SATA HDD, 12.1-inch LED-backlit screen, WiFi, fingerprint reader, bundled Bluetooth mouse and optional VOIP one, all packed inside a partial carbon-fiber case, with vents supposedly inspired by an F1 exhaust and an anodized metal touchpad styled after the pedals on a Ferrari sportscar. A load of BS? That depends entirely on your perspective, but Acer and Ferrari have lead a trend in automotive-themed laptops, and you can bet they're going to push through every corner to stay ahead of the pack. Pricing has yet to be released as the laptop nears market launch in the UK, with the rest of the world to follow. See the press release after the jump for more details.
[Source: Engadget and Inside Line]
PRESS RELEASE
Acer Ferrari 1200
Get ready for pole position
2009-01-29 - Milan
Acer, the third largest vendor in the global PC market (source: Gartner data, 1H 2008) today presented the new Ferrari 1200, an all-new notebook series designed to deliver mobile computing superiority in an exclusive style.
In the true spirit of the Ferrari racing team, the Acer Ferrari 1200 notebook combines powerful performance and extreme portability with the excellence of design. From the choice of materials to the smallest detail, the Ferrari 1200 conveys the look and feel of a F1 racecar. The carbon-fibre cover, a material actually used in racecars, is lighter yet stronger than magnesium alloy, making the Ferrari 1200 the perfect travel companion. Unique ventilation design echoes the exhaust pipes of F1 cars and the anodized-metal touchpad resembles the brake and acceleration pedals of a Ferrari car. A tasteful wave pattern embellishes the cover, while the soft-touch coating and the velvety texture of the interior ensure ergonomic comfort.
Peak digital entertainment
Mobile, versatile and powerful, the Ferrari 1200 enables users to reach new levels of high-powered entertainment. Without sacrificing portability, the Ferrari 1200 includes an integrated slot-loaded DVD SuperMulti optical drive and 2nd generation Dolby Home Theater for true multimedia enjoyment. A wide-aspect 12.1 Acer CrystalBrite LCD with white LED backlight displays business and creative content with superb clarity. LED backlight technology also consumes less power than traditionally lit displays. Together with energy star compliance the Ferrari 1200 helps reduce CO2 emissions.
Exclusive peripherals
The high-tech yet classy design is mirrored in the exclusive Ferrari peripherals, that include the bundled Bluetooth™ wireless mouse and optional Xpress VoIP phone. Emblazoned with Acer and Ferrari Racing Shield logos, they are both covered with a soft-touch coating for a comfortable feel and touch.
A trusty travel companion
With the Ferrari 1200 you never lose connection thanks to the Acer InviLink Wi-Fi Cerfitied network connection, supporting SignalUp technology, that ensures connectivity to any 802.11 based network. And to help you meet with anyone, anyplace, anytime the Ferrari 1200 can be equipped with the Acer Videoconference solution, that comprises the Acer CrystalEye webcam, the optional Acer Xpress VoIP phone and Acer PureZone technology to obtain the highest VoIP call quality, even in noisy environments.
Superior performance
Inspired by the unmatched Ferrari heritage, the Ferrari 1200 is driven by the powerful AMD Turion™ X2 Ultra dual-core mobile technology, based on AMD's innovative Direct Connect Architecture, which provides superior system performance due to a direct high-speed link between the cores within the same processor. The AMD M780G chipset enhances graphics capabilities within modest power consumption levels, while up to 4 GB of dual-channel DDR2 system memory increases throughput for running multimedia applications, intensive gaming, and complex video editing.
A large capacity Serial ATA hard disks provides users with plenty of storage space, allowing the system to boot up and load applications faster, and enabling rapid data access.
Intregrated security
The integrated Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution ensures enhanced network and data security and faster, easier application launches through convenient finger-swipe security instead of a password to safeguard your data. Physical protection is offered by Acer's enhanced DASP which provides damper-like protection on the X, Y and Z axes, insulating the hard disk from damage in all directions.
The Ferrari 1200 notebooks come with Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Home Premium preinstalled. Additional installed software includes: Acer Empowering Technology (Acer ePower, eAudio, eRecovery Management); Acer Bio-Protection; Acer Crystal Eye; Acer GridVista; Acer Launch Manager; Acer Video Conference Manager; Adobe® Reader; Corel® WinDVD; McAfee® Internet Security Suite; NTI Media Maker™; Microsoft® Office Ready 2007 (Professional 2007).
All Acer notebooks come with a standard 1 year Carry In (International travellers warranty - ITW).
Acer Ferrari 1200
Get ready for pole position
2009-01-29 - Milan
Acer, the third largest vendor in the global PC market (source: Gartner data, 1H 2008) today presented the new Ferrari 1200, an all-new notebook series designed to deliver mobile computing superiority in an exclusive style.
In the true spirit of the Ferrari racing team, the Acer Ferrari 1200 notebook combines powerful performance and extreme portability with the excellence of design. From the choice of materials to the smallest detail, the Ferrari 1200 conveys the look and feel of a F1 racecar. The carbon-fibre cover, a material actually used in racecars, is lighter yet stronger than magnesium alloy, making the Ferrari 1200 the perfect travel companion. Unique ventilation design echoes the exhaust pipes of F1 cars and the anodized-metal touchpad resembles the brake and acceleration pedals of a Ferrari car. A tasteful wave pattern embellishes the cover, while the soft-touch coating and the velvety texture of the interior ensure ergonomic comfort.
Peak digital entertainment
Mobile, versatile and powerful, the Ferrari 1200 enables users to reach new levels of high-powered entertainment. Without sacrificing portability, the Ferrari 1200 includes an integrated slot-loaded DVD SuperMulti optical drive and 2nd generation Dolby Home Theater for true multimedia enjoyment. A wide-aspect 12.1 Acer CrystalBrite LCD with white LED backlight displays business and creative content with superb clarity. LED backlight technology also consumes less power than traditionally lit displays. Together with energy star compliance the Ferrari 1200 helps reduce CO2 emissions.
Exclusive peripherals
The high-tech yet classy design is mirrored in the exclusive Ferrari peripherals, that include the bundled Bluetooth™ wireless mouse and optional Xpress VoIP phone. Emblazoned with Acer and Ferrari Racing Shield logos, they are both covered with a soft-touch coating for a comfortable feel and touch.
A trusty travel companion
With the Ferrari 1200 you never lose connection thanks to the Acer InviLink Wi-Fi Cerfitied network connection, supporting SignalUp technology, that ensures connectivity to any 802.11 based network. And to help you meet with anyone, anyplace, anytime the Ferrari 1200 can be equipped with the Acer Videoconference solution, that comprises the Acer CrystalEye webcam, the optional Acer Xpress VoIP phone and Acer PureZone technology to obtain the highest VoIP call quality, even in noisy environments.
Superior performance
Inspired by the unmatched Ferrari heritage, the Ferrari 1200 is driven by the powerful AMD Turion™ X2 Ultra dual-core mobile technology, based on AMD's innovative Direct Connect Architecture, which provides superior system performance due to a direct high-speed link between the cores within the same processor. The AMD M780G chipset enhances graphics capabilities within modest power consumption levels, while up to 4 GB of dual-channel DDR2 system memory increases throughput for running multimedia applications, intensive gaming, and complex video editing.
A large capacity Serial ATA hard disks provides users with plenty of storage space, allowing the system to boot up and load applications faster, and enabling rapid data access.
Intregrated security
The integrated Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution ensures enhanced network and data security and faster, easier application launches through convenient finger-swipe security instead of a password to safeguard your data. Physical protection is offered by Acer's enhanced DASP which provides damper-like protection on the X, Y and Z axes, insulating the hard disk from damage in all directions.
The Ferrari 1200 notebooks come with Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Home Premium preinstalled. Additional installed software includes: Acer Empowering Technology (Acer ePower, eAudio, eRecovery Management); Acer Bio-Protection; Acer Crystal Eye; Acer GridVista; Acer Launch Manager; Acer Video Conference Manager; Adobe® Reader; Corel® WinDVD; McAfee® Internet Security Suite; NTI Media Maker™; Microsoft® Office Ready 2007 (Professional 2007).
All Acer notebooks come with a standard 1 year Carry In (International travellers warranty - ITW).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MemphisNET 8:14AM (2/09/2009)
Good laptops on the whole, but I'd be more interested if it had an i7 or Core 2 Duo under the hood.
Reply
hashiryu 2:06PM (2/09/2009)
Ditto, but that will never happen, since AMD sponsors Ferrari's F1 team.
JH 1:04AM (2/10/2009)
And you know it's a bad sign when a press release for an ultraportable doesn't mention weight *or* battery life.
JN 8:29AM (2/09/2009)
I don't care if the Lord himself decorated an Acer laptop, I will NEVER own another one. They are absolute junk, and I wasted $900 on one two years ago only to have it steadily disintegrate after the one-year warranty gave out. And I'm not alone in having that happen.
I'm using an MSi Wind now, and it is everything the Acer never was.
Reply
dukeisduke 9:30AM (2/09/2009)
Amen. They could slap Pagani Zonda emblems all over it, but it would still be an Acer. Junk.
imoore 10:44AM (2/09/2009)
You're lucky. My Acer junked itself two weeks after I bought it. I only use HP and Dell now.
Torrent 1:23PM (2/09/2009)
I bought an Aspire for $398 3 years ago. Has survived Disneyland, tons of coffee, 2 dogs and a fat ass roommate. Maybe you should take better care of yours.
JN 5:32PM (2/09/2009)
If you consider 20 months of web surfing, e-mailing and publishing church bulletins abuse, then call me guilty. By the end, the camera, touchpad and finish around the touchpad were absolutely shot.
I was never so glad to have an excuse to junk a computer in my life.
LoneWolf 9:01AM (2/09/2009)
How much fps has it in Crysis:Warhead?
Reply
chconline 9:33AM (2/09/2009)
Based on the press release and provided information, this laptop is actually pretty crappy besides the chassis. I can bet my relatively basic configured Lenovo T400 (P8600, 4GB, 250GB, 3470 - switchable with X4500HD IGP for battery life, LED backlit screen, 9-cell battery) can beat it in practically any benchmark besides looks. And yes, my laptop lasts nine hours on a single charge at very reasonable brightness and surfing the internet. :P
Reply
MajorGeek 9:36AM (2/09/2009)
As Memphis pointed out, Ferrari is all about performance, so they picked the slower of the 2 chipsets available? It better be priced like a Miata.
Reply
JD 10:19AM (2/09/2009)
AMD is a Ferrari F1 Sponsor. Acer/Ferrari laptops have always been built around AMD chipsets.
jv2k 11:01AM (2/09/2009)
I will never see the point of this.
I mean I can understand a t-shirt, coffee mug or keychain or something if you are a fan of the brand, but why pay extra to have a logo glued onto your mediocre computer?
Reply
Malaycobra 3:09PM (2/09/2009)
I have had a 4006 model for four years (not a fan, it was a gift) and it's still running great. Not a single issue with it that wasn't caused by me. Happily runs most games and I use it mainly for CAD work in the field. Build quality on mine is excellent, and the rubber/carbon fiber is excellent.
Having said that, this one seems to be a little anemic on features.
I also hope they haven't made the same mistake with this that they did with the 5000 model. These run hot and they moved the vent to the right side. After 10 minutes you have a medium-rare mouse hand. (Unless you're a southpaw)
Reply
Jeremy 3:24PM (2/13/2009)
Cool.I have a Acer Ferrari 4000.It is awesome.
Reply