A Primer on 3D Laptops
Last updated on 12/03/2010
Manufacturers are easing 3D laptops into the marketplace as consumers wonder: Do I want one?
By Mike Lynch
At first, I didn't take 3D technology very seriously. I dig cool gadgets, but gimmicks don't usually impress me, and 3D has always seemed gimmicky. I expected this 3D thing would be like any other fad. Eventually it would run its course, taper off, and fade away. But 3D looks like it's here to stay. Major movie companies continue to release their biggest films in 3D. And after the success of 3D movies like Avatar and more recently, Toy Story 3, it was only a matter of time before computer makers threw their hat into the ring.
Acer's AS5738DG, the latest mainstream (non-gaming) 3D laptop features a 16-inch screen and all the parts you'd find in any solid, general-use laptop. However, this laptop takes things into an extra dimension; it's equipped with a TriDef 3D screen and comes packaged with a pair of polarized 3D glasses. When you wear the glasses and run 3D content on this laptop, you'll get the same stereoscopic 3D effect that you would at a movie theater.
Pretty cool right? 3D presents a ton of amazing possibilities. Not only can you watch your favorite 3D movies from your laptop, but you can play 3D games as well -- that's the real clincher for many prospective buyers. But the 3D effect won't work without 3D content. A small number of 3D movies are available at the moment, and the NVIDIA 3D graphics engine can transform 2D games into 3D games moderately well. It's not included with the Acer model, though Asus does have an excellent gaming model that comes with that capability out of the box. But overall, there's not enough content to merit running out and purchasing a 3D device as quickly as possible.
However, with each day that passes, more companies express their enthusiasm for the technology and more 3D products hit the market. It looks as though 3D may not be a fad after all! But it's still very early in the life cycle of 3D products, so unless you're a total fanboy with money to burn, it's probably best to hold off on splurging for a 3D-ready laptop for another year or two.
