Acer

Taiwanese company Acer produces a whole host of electronics including desktop computers, smart phones and monitors, but is primarily known for its laptops, particularly its Aspire range.

Founded in 1976 as Multitech, Acer took its first steps in the world as a manufacturer of computer gubbins. The company gained its current name in 1987 and unveiled its first PC in 1995. By 2009 it had passed Dell as the world's second-biggest PC maker.

Acer has had a number of prominent sports-related sponsorship deals and was a top sponsor of the 2012 London Olympics. In 2003 the company signed an ongoing partnership deal with Ferrari and subsequently launched a sports car-themed product range, emblazoned with the famous prancing black stallion.

In recent times, Acer scored two of our favourite laptops -- theAcer Aspire Timeline U M3-581TG and the Acer Aspire 5951G. Acer has recently branched out into the tablet market with its Iconia Tab range and Windows 8-powered laptop-tablet hybrids.