Acer is to embed 3G mobile-phone technology into its future notebook PC products, kicking off with a pair of Centrino Duo-based machines, the company said this week.

The TravelMate 4260 and Aspire 5650 will both incorporate UMTS 3G and tri-band GSM/GPRS 2.5G radios to allow their users to connect to the internet across cellular networks without the need to connect the computer to a mobile phone.

Acer said the 3G radio would be updated to support higher-speed downloads using HSDPA (High Speed Data Packet Access) technology when it is offered by the mobile phone networks.

The notebooks are based on Intel’s Core Duo processors, 945PM chipsets and ProWireless 3945ABG Wi-Fi adaptors. Acer didn’t provide further specification details, or indicate when the machines will ship, or how much it will charge for them.

Lenovo also plans to introduce ThinkPad Centrino Duo notebooks featuring Vodafone 3G capabilities. The new X60 Series which includes the lightest ever ThinkPad weighing in at only 1.22kg and the T60 will come equipped with a 3G wireless antenna protruding slightly from the lid and in-built SIM Vodafone SIM card for easy connectivity to wireless broadband.

Lenovo said the new models will be available in late March, April timeframe.