Acer's First 3D Laptop Now Shipping

News
By Jane McEntegart
published

Acer last week revealed its plans for a 3D laptop and this week, the company made the notebook official.

Specs-wise you're looking at a 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 display with an integrated TriDef display, Intel's Core 2 Duo T6600, a Radeon HD 4570 with 2304MB of HyperMemory (512MB dedicated), 4GB of RAM and a 320GB HDD. Throw in a DVD player and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and it's not a bad machine for the $779.99.

That said, a lot of you were unhappy with the fact that you had to wear special, polarized glasses for Acer's laptop, which utilizes the company's 3D CineReal software and the TriDef suite. Unfortunately, it seems the 3D display is as gimmicky as you guys feared.

In a hands-on with the notebook, PC Magazine declared that, while the 3D display was 'not as bad as you think,' there were a few problems with it, such as constantly having to adjust the way you're sitting when looking at images.

However, PC Magazine goes on to say that 2D videos and DVDs lacked any 3D depth; and even 1080p files in WMV formats proved that the 3D HD experience wasn't at all compelling. The magazine concluded that, while the TriDef 3D hardware delivered a worthwhile 3D experience, it's best to judge the Acer AS5738DG as a budget desktop replacement first.

Check out the full hands on here.

What are your thoughts on 3D laptops? Let us know in the comments below?

Jane McEntegart
6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • tayb
    Why? How many people routinely watch movies on their 15" laptop? It's not even a 1080p display. The only time I actually sit and watch a movie on my laptop is at the airport, on the plane, or a similar circumstance and I'm not about to throw on some ridiculous looking 3D goggles to look like an idiot for my 4 hour flight. Maybe it's just me but I can't see the demand for this. I'd love to have a legitimate 3D television but I see no reason for a 3D 720p laptop display.
    Reply
  • haunted one
    It's only the first one. I expect improvement with time, as with any other technology.
    Reply
  • Honis
    I'll give it a look over in Best Buy or Fry's. The rest of the hardware is pretty solid for $780. If you can turn the 3d mode off with a Fn key it'd be worth it (does it?). I'm still holding out for USB 3...
    Reply
  • buwish
    Someone had to start it off. But yes, hopefully in the coming years 3D on a PC can be fine tuned.
    Reply
  • wildwell
    Until more software and content is available for the home 3D market, this laptop will continue to be a novelty. Honestly, I'd think a larger 3D monitor for desktops would be more successful.
    Reply
  • Polarized 3D glasses need not be goofy or ridiculous looking - They can be made as stylish as designer sunglasses. - I would buy this computer if it were smaller - I'd like a 12 inch or 14 inch screen, for viewing photos and videos taken with Fuji's new W1 3D digital camera.
    Reply