Maybe this is a case of "we just couldn't help ourselves," but whatever the reason, Acer has decided to introduce a flurry of business notebooks during a period where most of corporate America has taken off (and also just a few weeks before CES). Interesting timing aside, the newest Timeline machines are actually quite interesting on paper.

The TravelMate Timeline series of notebook PCs for business customers are actually stylish enough to double as your main fashion rig, with the Timeline 8571, 8471 and 8371 all offering up mobile workstation performance and battery life for those who live a life on the road. Each packs a six-cell battery that can reportedly get up to eight hours of use on a single charge, though Acer PowerSmart Manager needs to be enabled for that to happen.

These ship with a range of Core 2 Duo CPUs (no Atom in here!), Intel's GS45 Express chipset, 3GB/4GB of RAM and Acer's own Bio-Protection fingerprint solution. There's also Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Gigabit LAN, and with display sizes including 13.3", 14.1" and 15.6" options, you'll certainly be able to spot a version that works for you. These should be shipping out soon, with prices ranging from $899 to $999.

Available now from Acer’s reseller partners, the new TravelMate Timeline series includes the following models:

Acer TravelMate Timeline TM8571-6465

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SU9400 (3MB L2 cache, 1.40GHz, 800MHz FSB)
• Windows 7 Professional (32-bit) pre-installed; Windows XP Professional CD included
• 15.6-inch display (1366 x 768)
• Intel GM45 Express chipset
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• 4GB (2/2) DDR3 1066 SDRAM
• 320GB(3) SATA hard drive
• Integrated Super-Multi drive
• Acer Crystal Eye webcam
• 5-in-1 digital media card reader
• 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N WLAN, Bluetooth, gigabit LAN
• 3 – USB 2.0 ports
• HDMI port
• Multi-gesture touchpad pointing device supporting circular-motion scrolling, pinch-action zoom, page flip
• Acer touch-sensitive hotkeys (Touchpad Lock, Backup Manager, PowerSmart)
• Standard 6-cell Li-ion (5600 mAh) battery
• 3.5 lbs.
• 12.67” (W) x 0.92” to 1.13” (H) x 8.97” (D)
• Energy Star® 5.0 compliant
• MSRP $999

Acer TravelMate Timeline TM8471-6306

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SU9400 (3MB L2 cache, 1.40GHz, 800MHz FSB)
• Windows 7 Professional (32-bit) pre-installed; Windows XP Professional CD included
• 14.1-inch display (1366 x 768)
• Intel GM45 Express chipset
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• 4GB (2/2) DDR3 1066 SDRAM
• 320GB(3) SATA hard drive
• Integrated Super-Multi drive
• Acer Crystal Eye webcam
• 5-in-1 digital media card reader
• 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N WLAN, Bluetooth, gigabit LAN
• 3 – USB 2.0 ports
• HDMI port
• Multi-gesture touchpad pointing device supporting circular-motion scrolling, pinch-action zoom, page flip
• Acer touch-sensitive hotkeys (Touchpad Lock, Backup Manager, PowerSmart)
• Standard 6-cell Li-ion (5600 mAh) battery
• 3.5 lbs.
• 12.67” (W) x 0.92” to 1.13” (H) x 8.97” (D)
• Energy Star® 5.0 compliant
• MSRP $999

Acer TravelMate Timeline TM8371-6457

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SU9400 (3MB L2 cache, 1.40GHz, 800MHz FSB)
• Windows 7 Professional (32-bit) pre-installed; Windows XP Professional CD included
• 13.3-inch display (1366 x 768)
• Intel GM45 Express chipset
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• 4GB (2/2) DDR3 1066 SDRAM
• 320GB(3) SATA hard drive
• Integrated Super-Multi drive
• Acer Crystal Eye webcam
• 5-in-1 digital media card reader
• 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N WLAN, Bluetooth, gigabit LAN
• 3 – USB 2.0 ports
• HDMI port
• Multi-gesture touchpad pointing device supporting circular-motion scrolling, pinch-action zoom, page flip
• Acer touch-sensitive hotkeys (Touchpad Lock, Backup Manager, PowerSmart)
• Standard 6-cell Li-ion (5600 mAh) battery
• 3.5 lbs.
• 12.67” (W) x 0.92” to 1.13” (H) x 8.97” (D)
• Energy Star® 5.0 compliant
• MSRP $919

Acer TravelMate Timeline TM8571-8537

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SU7300 (3MB L2 cache, 1.30GHz, 800MHz FSB)
• Windows 7 Professional (32-bit) pre-installed; Windows XP Professional CD included
• 15.6-inch display (1366 x 768)
• Intel GM45 Express chipset
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• 3GB (2/1) DDR3 1066 SDRAM
• 250GB(3) SATA hard drive
• Integrated Super-Multi drive
• Acer Crystal Eye webcam
• 5-in-1 digital media card reader
• 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N WLAN, Bluetooth, gigabit LAN
• 3 – USB 2.0 ports
• HDMI port
• Multi-gesture touchpad pointing device supporting circular-motion scrolling, pinch-action zoom, page flip
• Acer touch-sensitive hotkeys (Touchpad Lock, Backup Manager, PowerSmart)
• Standard 6-cell Li-ion (5600 mAh) battery
• 3.5 lbs.
• 12.67” (W) x 0.92” to 1.13” (H) x 8.97” (D)
• Energy Star® 5.0 compliant
• MSRP $899

Acer TravelMate Timeline TM8471-8818

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SU7300 (3MB L2 cache, 1.30GHz, 800MHz FSB)
• Windows 7 Professional (32-bit) pre-installed; Windows XP Professional CD included
• 14.1-inch display (1366 x 768)
• Intel GM45 Express chipset
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• 3GB (2/1) DDR3 1066 SDRAM
• 250GB(3) SATA hard drive
• Integrated Super-Multi drive
• Acer Crystal Eye webcam
• 5-in-1 digital media card reader
• 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N WLAN, Bluetooth, gigabit LAN
• 3 – USB 2.0 ports
• HDMI port
• Multi-gesture touchpad pointing device supporting circular-motion scrolling, pinch-action zoom, page flip
• Acer touch-sensitive hotkeys (Touchpad Lock, Backup Manager, PowerSmart)
• Standard 6-cell Li-ion (5600 mAh) battery
• 3.5 lbs.
• 12.67” (W) x 0.92” to 1.13” (H) x 8.97” (D)
• Energy Star® 5.0 compliant
• MSRP $899

All models come with a standard one-year parts and labor warranty, which can be extended to three years with the Acer Advantage service. Additionally, some models have longer warranties offered through specific channel partners. All Acer notebook PCs are backed by toll-free service and support.