Miedama said 3D game effects and performance will vary depending on the system and graphics performance. While the TriDef 3D Ignition game driver will support games running on 3D framework of DirectX 9, not all game titles which run on the Windows Vista or XP operating systems will be supported by the Windows 7 operating system. Acer will include a free demo of Microsoft's Flight Simulator X with the laptop. Acer is also offering gamers two polarized glasses options in the box to complement the 3D experience.
"We have the standard flat, 'ugly' glasses, which you can put on your reading glasses and the second pair are more stylish," said Morbello. "We decided to develop some nice glasses because style is important to gamers. This way you can have nice glasses to enjoy your 3D gaming or entertainment experiences with."
There will also be additional glasses available for purchase on its website. With this 3D technology, as many as four or five people can watch 3D content on a single laptop. Morbello believes the step from 2D to 3D in PCs will be similar to Hollywood's jump from black-and-white to color in movies. As a result, Acer is not only working with game publishers and talking to hardware makers like NVIDIA about future 3D laptops and PCs, the company is also talking to Hollywood to support the wave of new 3D movies that have been successful on the big screen like Up!, The Final Destination, Coraline and upcoming films like A Christmas Carol and Avatar.
"For the time being, Hollywood has not been as excited as I thought they would be," said Morbello. "They still don't see laptops and PCs as their main ways to promote their content. They still see the old channel, which are theaters, DVD and Blu-ray Disc."
Of course, that could change with a $799 option that turns 2D movies, games and even digital pictures into 3D experiences. The laptop comes with demos to show all of the ways one's world can become 3D.
"With more people now working on laptops with HD screens, they are constantly looking for something better," said Morbello. "We see 3D as the next logical step. We're working on 3D products, including a new 3D projector and 3D monitors and PCs. We do believe that 3D is going to be one of the major changes in how people interact with computers and home entertainment in the future."
It wasn't long ago that the Acer brand wasn't the first place a gamer would go for a PC, but a lot has changed over the past year. The company recently overtook Dell to become the number two PC maker in the world. Morbello said the company has focused on building up its infrastructure to accelerate new technology like 3D, touch screen and longer battery life. In addition, Acer's purchase of Packard Bell and Gateway last year added two new brands to the line-up. Once a small company, Acer has grown into a worldwide brand. The Aspire 5738D is just the beginning of new options that gamers should-- many for the first time - take a look at come December, and beyond. The ability to play upcoming PC games like Avatar on-the-go should help open up this still niche market beyond the hardcore gamers.
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