With ultrabooks and Windows 8 forming a formidable relationship, a lot of people are eyeing these sleek gadgets this season. Not only do you get a robust gadget for work and play, you also get an OS that is fresh and a breeze to use.

Two factors that affect a person’s ultrabook shopping are: performance and price. The Acer Aspire V5 Series delivers on both fronts. That means investing in these beauties will give you smooth performance without burning a big hole in your pocket.

Here’s a look at two of the models that you should consider this holiday season. One is for an ultrabook freak, and the other is for a shopper who’s looking for the same features at a much reduced rate.

Acer Aspire V5-571P:

This V5 model is all about decent looks, midrange configuration as well as a touch screen. All this comes to you at a moderate price, thus making it a worthwhile 15.6 inch laptop to check out.

Features: Available at many stores for about $699, the 571P is a steal considering the features you pay for – a Core i5 processor, a 500GB hard drive and 4GB RAM. Running Windows 8, it offers users the option of switching to touch whenever they want. With the operating system’s tile view, this is a treat for any user. The 10-point multi touch support as well as the edge-to-edge glass makes the 571P a budget buy for the serious ultrabook shopper.

Final Verdict: With the holiday season in full swing, you could find a great deal for this mid-range laptop. Packing in quite a punch, it certainly steals the show when compared to higher priced models with the same configuration. However, if you’re on the move, then the four-cell battery might be a small drawback.

Acer Aspire V5-171-6867:

How about an 11-inch laptop that houses the specifications of an ultrabook? What if it’s available for at least $150-200 lesser than a mainstream ultrabook? The Acer V5-171 is that and much more.

Features: With an Intel Core i5 processor, this model can run applications without any bumps -thanks to the 6GB RAM and a 500 GB hard drive. There is no optical drive (even though it’s quite a bulky laptop) but there are 3 USB ports and an SD card reader slot. This device is ultraportable considering that it is much smaller than a regular 13inch ultrabook. However, the features are at par with many entry level ultrabooks.

Final Verdict: It depends on what you’re looking for. If you are on a shoestring budget and need an ultrabook, then the 171 is the right device for you. You’ll get used to the lack of space, but the poor battery life might be a downer. At $500-550, this is a laptop that is designed keeping the economical shopper in mind – powerfully packed but hidden under an unimpressive body.

Overall, Acer has made all the right moves with its Aspire V5 series. Unveiled just before the holiday season, these gadgets are bound to attract a lot of attention from shoppers.

This is a guest post is brought to you by Samantha Kirk, a writer for Verizon Fios Deals. Samantha provides up to date content and information for FIOS bundles, TV, internet, digital voice and other deals.