actually to njalterio and gcolefla, check out either the new Lenovo T400s (slimline like X300, but with 2.53GHz processor, and 14" screen - can even get with a Blu-Ray reader) or the new IdeaPad U350 (has external optical though).
In response to this article, Acer is an OEM to me - that's how they started. Secondly, they got bigger by acquisition (they bought Packard-Bell and Gateway). To me, Packard-Bell tells me what quality Acer is looking for. The problem with companies like Acer and Dell is that they suck the innovation out of the computer field - the reason you can't have aluminum cases is because these companies cut to the bone, and suck the innovation out. Acer used to have some good products (like the Ferrari notebook), but they went all Dell on us and decided that cheaper is better (for that matter, so has Toshiba).
Net is that only Lenovo and Apple make innovative, quality products. HP makes decent quality, and the rest get the PT Barnums of the world to buy.