Acer to Launch CULV Processor-built NB PC in April

Taipei, March 30, 2009 (CENS)--Actively introducing Intel's CULV (consumer ultra low voltage) platform, Taiwan-based Acer Inc., the third-largest notebook PC brand in the world now, is going to launch its newest notebook PCs available in different screen sizes and with CULV processors in April, according to company sources.

Accordingly, Acer will contract Quanta Computer Inc. to roll out 11.6-inch CULV processor-built notebook PCs, Inventec Corp. for 13-inch models and Wistron Corp. for 14 and 15-inch models, with 13-inch models to adopt magnesium aluminum alloy housings. In other words, suppliers, including Catcher Technology Co., Ltd. and Foxconn International Holdings, who are able to produce magnesium aluminum alloy housings, will very likely benefit from debut of the new notebook PCs.

Since its debut in the fourth quarter of last year, Intel's CULV platform, featuring both power and cost efficiency, has piqued intense interest from large-sized international notebook PC brands, like HP, Lenovo and Dell, who have been actively engaged in applications of the new platform and planned to launch related notebook PCs in May.

Goldman Sachs pointed out that CULV-based notebook PCs, selling for between US$560 and US$700 per unit and featuring lightweight and large screen sizes, are expected to become popular with consumers as netbook PCs did before. In fact, insiders noted, the success of netbook PCs indicates that consumers have increasingly preferred models with proper functionality and reasonable prices to high-end models featuring useless functions.

Therefore, the launch of CULV-based notebook PCs, like netbook PCs, will likely impact sales of Sony and Apple's high-end models in the future, according to institutional investors. CULV-based models are expected contribute 20% to the total sales in the notebook PC market, helping brands to carve out market niches this year.