Acer, the world’s No. 4 maker of branded computers, will introduce the world’s second laptop with HD DVD optical drive in May this year, according to various media reports. The laptop will be a desktop replacement one and will hardly be portable, however, for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts seeking for “promise of mobility”, the new Aspire 9800 is likely to be an option.

Acer Aspire 9800 comes with 20” screen with 1680x1050 resolution, is based on Intel Core Duo processor, features 240GB 3.5” hard disk drive, sports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, is equipped with integrated analogue and digital TV tuner, 1.3MP camera and 5-in-1 card reader, according to Stuff Magazine, a web-site dedicated to digital gadgets.

The main feature of the Aspire 9800 will be its optical drive that will be able to read the new HD DVDs as well as burn dual-layer DVDs. The new laptop from Acer will be the world's second mobile computer featuring HD DVD driver aftet Qusmio G30 notebook from Toshiba introduced earlier this year.

The Aspire 9800 is due to hit the UK in May and, although official pricing has not been confirmed, prices are expected to start at $2600 (£1500, €2157), according to the report.

Acer is not the part of the DVD forum, the organization that backs HD DVD, and also does not participate in the Blu-ray disc association, the alliance that pushes Blu-ray disc format.