Acer Aspires to Entertain

At a splashy launch on the top floor of one of Taipei's trendy shopping malls, Acer Wednesday introduced the two latest models of its Aspire home PC line, which are designed to blur the distinction between home computing and home entertainment.

The two new models, the RC500 and RC900, are based on either Intel's Celeron processor, or its Pentium 4 processor with support for the faster 800-Mhz front-side bus introduced last month. They are available with either a traditional CRT monitor or a flat-panel LCD screen, and are housed in a silver metallic-colored case with a detachable remote control that sits on top.

Both machines--which Acer's marketing department has dubbed "one-stop pleasure centers"--also include a large dial on the front of the case that allows users to switch between five entertainment modes: video, TV, picture, music, and FM radio. Users can also switch between these modes using keyboard hot keys, the remote control, or buttons located on top of the PC cases.

Just the Facts

The RC500 has a smaller case than the RC900, measuring 15 inches by 15 inches by 4 inches, compared to 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches.

Both models ship with Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system and include 4 USB 2.0 ports, a 7-in-1 media reader for removable memory cards, and optical and coaxial Sony/Philips Digital Interface connectors which allow users to connect their PCs directly to some stereo components.

With a 2.6-GHz Pentium 4 processor, the RC500 is priced starting at $1180 with a 17-inch CRT monitor, $1330 with a 15-inch LCD monitor and $1420 with a 17-inch LCD monitor. The RC900, with a 2.4GHz Pentium 4, is priced at $1130 for the version with a 17-inch CRT monitor, $1270 with a 15-inch LCD monitor and $1360 with a 17-inch LCD monitor.

Both models are available with the Pentium 4 at speeds ranging up to 3.2GHz.

The RC500 and RC900 are currently available in China and Taiwan. They will be made available in other Asian markets during early July, with availability for North America and Europe scheduled for late July or early August.