Intel’s Alder Lake-N processors will be used in a new Aspire 3 series model, according to Acer. Although Raptor Lake replaces Alder Lake processors for the most part, Intel displayed the Alder Lake-N series at CES 2023 as a low-power alternative to its new U- and P-series chips.
The new Aspire 3 is currently available
from Acer in 14-inch and 15.6-inch sizes. The Core i3-N305 processor powers
both devices, despite differences in size, keyboard design, and display type.
For context, the Core i3-N305 has no P-cores, no Intel Hyper-Threading
capability, and eight E-cores running at 3.8 GHz. The processor also features a
UHD Graphics Xe 750 iGPU with 32 Execution Units and a 15 W TDP.
Acer adds 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, most likely
LPDDR5-4800, to the processor. Both Aspire 3 variants include a 3-cell
Li-Polymer battery that allows 45 W charging and 256 GB of NVMe SSD storage.
The laptops will feature multiple ports including 1 x 3.5 mm jack, 1 x DC
power-in, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Kensington lock slot, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, 1 x USB
3.2 Gen2 Type-C.
Although Acer claims that the 15.6-inch
variant features an RJ45 Ethernet connector, none of the marketing images show
one. According to rumors, the larger model also comes with an IPS display,
which should offer better viewing angles and color reproduction than the TN
panel found in the 14-inch model. Acer has not yet confirmed any further
display specs like peak brightness or color accuracy, although both are 1080p
monitors with 16:9 aspect ratios. Naturally, the 15.6-inch is heavier and
bigger than the 14-inch, but Acer has made use of the extra width to
incorporate a dedicated number pad.
The Aspire 3 14 weighs 1.4 kg and measures
32.7 x 21.6 x 1.9 cm, which is just slightly less than the Aspire 13 15’s
measurements of 36.3 x 23.9 x 1.9 cm and 1.7 kg. There isn’t much of a
difference in their costs as Acer charges US$ 479.99 for the 14-inch model and
US$ 499.99 for the 15.6-inch one.
