Atheros XSPAN 2-stream 11n PCIe solutions deliver up to 300 Mbps data rates for advanced multimedia networking in a wide variety of Acer notebook, netbook and nettop platforms, while the company's Align single-stream PCIe solutions based on the 802.11n specification deliver up to 150 Mbps data rates for robust data networking in Acer's base-model netbooks. Both of these leading Atheros' 11n technologies have been deployed worldwide across PC platforms as well as in infrastructure equipment for retail, enterprise and carrier gateways for the home. This large 11n ecosystem of APs and clients enables high-performance, end-to-end connectivity, enhancing the user's wireless experience. Using Atheros low-power designs, select models of Acer notebooks, netbooks and nettops are ENERGY STAR qualified. Computing products earning this designation use 75 percent less electricity than comparable PCs without power management features.

"Acer's Aspire Timeline thin-and-light series are among the most energy-efficient notebooks available," said David Lee, assistant vice president, Mobile Computing Business Unit for Acer. "Atheros WLAN and Ethernet technologies enable significant power reductions, and when combined with Acer's additional power-saving features, extend battery life enabling the new thin-and-light notebooks to run all day on a single charge."

The new, innovative Acer platforms which embed Atheros' 802.11n and Ethernet technologies include:

• Acer Aspire Timeline Thin-and-Light Series Atheros XSPAN 11n chip, the AR9281, and ETHOS controller solutions, are featured in a variety of thin-and-light notebooks in Acer's Aspire Timeline series. XSPAN's high bandwidth is ideally suited for rich multimedia applications supported by the thin-and-light platform, and Atheros' technology provides the energy efficiencies necessary for the platform's compact design and battery size. Despite its ultra-thin profile, Acer's new Aspire Timeline notebook delivers more than eight hours of use on a single battery charge.
• Acer Aspire One Netbook Series Atheros Align, the AR9285 11n chip, or the AR2425 11g chip, paired with ETHOS LOM solutions, are featured throughout Acer's Aspire One Netbook family, including its Windows®, Linux® and Android-based designs. The series offers a variety of performance options -- ranging from base-models that employ Atheros Align single-stream 11n performance to top-of-the line netbooks that leverage Atheros XSPAN, which delivers the full benefits of 11n MIMO performance.
• Acer Aspire Revo Nettop Series Atheros' XSPAN 11n technology is featured in Acer's first nettop, the new Aspire Revo. XSPAN provides reliable, robust whole-home coverage and enhanced power efficiencies to support the smaller form factor of nettops. Compared to typical desktop computers, Acer Revo nettops are more compact, lighter and consume significantly less power.

"PC platforms for consumers continue to evolve rapidly to meet changing user requirements, leading to the rising popularity of netbooks and notebooks like Acer's thin-and-light models," said Kishore Jotwani, senior director of marketing and product management for Atheros. "We are pleased that Atheros' extensive WLAN and Ethernet offerings satisfy an array of platform requirements in Acer's innovative PC designs to deliver uncompromising wireless and wired performance with green-friendly advantages."