Rumor: A Thinner, Frameless Laptop by Acer in 2010

Acer, a company not that well known for their laptop designs, is rumored to be considering the concept of a frameless cover for an ultra-thin laptop design. Yeah, that's right — just a glass screen connecting to a tiny laptop body — something right out of Minority Report or Avatar. On one hand, three cheers for a unique idea in laptop design! On the other, the words "fragile" and "expensive" come to mind, but that might not be the case.

The rumor is that — courtesy of a DigiTimes source — Acer will be releasing a new ultra-thin profile notebook. If true, this thing will be nothing like we have experienced before.

The design will supposedly feature a glass substrate from Corning that will act as both cover and screen for the laptop. This glass is being touted as "damage resistant." But not only is it potentially stronger, it is also potentially cheaper as well.

Alright, so I am fascinated.

While the screen and frameless cover will be getting a lot of attention, as they should, Acer allegedly plans on implementing a touch keyboard as well. This, if true, will cut down on the profile of the laptop as well — to further out-thin the thinnest notebooks of today. And while that is fine and dandy, I can't help but think that it will result in an odd typing experience. Then again, people somehow manage to type well enough on touch screen devices, but I'll take a traditional keyboard any day.

So now I am indifferent.

If you are looking to get your Minority Report on, you'll have to wait until the second half of 2010. Be prepared to pay for the cool factor, though. The price premium people will pay is likely great, and it wouldn't shock me if it was right up there with the Macbook Pros and Macbook Airs of the world.

Regardless, it is nice to see laptop manufacturers thinking outside the box when it comes to design. As by Apple's example, people are willing to pay outstanding premiums for excellent design and quality. Maybe — just maybe — Acer is on to something here.