Acer Aspire AS5741Z-5539 15.6-Inch HD Wi-Fi Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been using this laptop for about a week and overall I am very happy with this purchase. The machine is fast, the screen is looks amazing (glossy, FYI), very bright and no dead pixels. Another plus is that there was not excessive bloatware on this unit, and I only had to remove a handful of trial software, un-needed apps and desktop shortcuts to clean it up. The speakers sound good, and HDMI out is a nice option (though we're unlikely to use it). I like, too, that the outside of the case is matte, so it does not attract fingerprints.
I removed one star for two key reasons:
- The keyboard is "soft"; we're clicky-keyboard family. It's layout is fine, comfortable, etc, but it will take some time to adjust to the softness of this keyboard.
- I was unable to connect to my 5GHz wireless N network, but a few comments about this:
I have a dual-band router (Linksys WRT600N), sending both G and N speeds separately. This Acer was unable to connect to the N, but the G connection was fine. Note that my work laptop connects to the N network without issue. I think it may have to do with a newer wireless chipset in this unit because, although it only connects to G, it's reporting speeds of 130mbs (over the 54mbs 802.11G standard). Regardless, we're happy with the wireless performance and speed so far, but disappointing and frustrating it didn't "just work".
I tried contacting Acer support and though I only had the unit less that week, they stated that they did not have resources to assist me with this problem and directed me to fee-based support. Frankly, I find that a bit appalling. I happen to be fairly technical, but if you need basic support from a company, it's best to look elsewhere. This was the main reason for the star coming off.
In summary, if you need an affordable, full-featured laptop, this is a great option, but only if you're comfortable digging out of your own support holes -- Acer is not your friend post-sale. Extra props to Amazon (as always) for crediting me when the price dropped prior to my receiving the computer.

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Enjoy multimedia brilliance, power and performance with the Acer Aspire AS5741Z-5539 Notebook, showcasing a vivid 15.6-inch HD widescreen CineCrystal LCD display, Intel Pentium performance and a 1.3 megapixel HD Webcam. Add to that a stylish yet functional case design, cutting-edge digital media features and unprecedented connectivity, and you've got a perfect machine for multitasking, getting creative, or just enjoying your favorite entertainment at home or on the road.

Multimedia Brilliance, Power, and Performance

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Acer Aspire AS1551-5448 11.6-Inch Laptop (Mesh Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review applies to both the 721 and the 1551 (I own the 1551, but the cons mentioned are common to both)
Vertical Viewing Angle
----------------------
One MAJOR shortcoming of these Acers (AO721/AO1551) is the vertical viewing angle. In fact if you look at a black, but still backlit screen, at the optimal viewing height/angle, you will see that the only part that is actually black is a horizontal stripe which is about 1/3rd of the vertical height of the screen. Above and below this stripe (i.e., the upper and lower thirds of the screen) are basically a dark gray. As you move your head up and down and/or tilt the screen, the image changes brightness dramatically in the vertical direction. Fortunatelly, the horizontal viewing angle is pretty good, but you almost have to tilt the thing perfectly to maximize vertical viewing and brightness falloff. I can see this happening with a 24-27" LCD screen at small viewing distances, but with a tiny laptop screen that measures approx. 5 5/8" vertically, this is plain embarassing for a 2010 run of LCD panels. In my opinion, one star should be taken off for Acer taking the cheap route with something as important as the screen. Fortunatelly, at 200 nits the screen is relatively bright at its maximum brightness, giving one some consolation to the non-uniforum vertical brightness issue.
Cheap Plastic Hinge Arms that Hold the LCD Panel
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Not much to say here. The arms are hollow molded plastic and do not seem sturdy at all. As you open and close the panel, there is some give, and one constantly fears that these things will break in a year. A friend of mine has an older model Acer netbook whose swivel arms and mechanism feels much more sturdy. I'm going to take off a half-star here, for Acer saving a whopping $2 on something this important, and not using aluminum hinge arms, opting for hollow molded plastic instead.
Bloatware
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Seriously Acer, how much bloatware needs to be installed on an Ultra-Portable? Couldn't you just supply all the crap on a cheap 4GB MiniSD memory card or something (since these things do not contain optical disc readers) and let the user choose whether or not they were interested in all the apps most users won't even use. I won't go into too many details here about each installed app, but let me just say that it took at least a good 45 mins to an hour to uninstall all the junk (involving at least a good handful of required restarts for good measure). Some of the device drivers were as much as nine months old, as well. I realize that nearly all laptops and netbooks come with some bloatware, but I think that the amount included on these is way over the top. Half a star off for the trouble of uninstalling the junk and replacing very outdated drivers.
Inability to Adjust Brightness after Putting Laptop to Sleep
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The title says it all. Put the laptop to sleep, wake it up and you will no longer be able to adjust screen brightness until the next reboot. I won't subtract any more stars here, because this may be fixed with a future BIOS, but it is a royal pain in the neck for now.
Update: Thanks to some workaround tips from on the MS forums along with some of my own experimentation with this particular model, I now have a workaround. The workaround is to set your "Choose what closing the lid does" action in the Control Panel / Power Options to "Do nothing." Unfortunately, that means that you will now have to manually put the display to sleep prior to closing the lid. This is a pain, but in my opinion it's a good idea in any case, because you will cause less vibration while the hard drive is still active (i.e., still spinning), putting the laptop to sleep prior to closing the lid. What this whole two step (Step 1. Press Fn-F4 to enter Sleep Mode and wait for completion / Step 2. Close the lid) process buys you is this:
- Putting the laptop to sleep will still cause the "inability to adjust brightness" issue
- However, you can get your brightness controls back, without a reboot, by following this procedure:
"WITHOUT putting the laptop to sleep, close the lid and reopen it several seconds later."
Since closing the lid is set to "Do Nothing" this seems to be a no-op (i.e., a pointless non-operation). However, this seems to re-enable the keyboard brightness control, although the cool pop-up that tells you the current brightness level will no longer pop-up until the next reboot. The keyboard brightness adjustment controls will once again be functional, though.
I realize that this whole process is a royal pain in the rectum, so you may not want to go through the trouble unless you actually have a need to adjust screen brightness frequently after putting the laptop to sleep.
Laptop Cannot be Used Comfortably on Lap Without a Lap Mat
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If you try to use it on your lap (e.g., on a plane, train, bus, toilet seat, whereveer you would normally use a laptop on your lap) it will rock back and forth when you use the lower portion of the laptop (i.e., the Acer Pad and the mouse buttons). I am talking about a significant amount of rock (picture a rocking chair) which basically makes it unusable, or perhaps usable if you want to be uncomfortable and destroy the hard drive in short order. I won't subtract stars, because I am uncertain if other similarly sized laptops share this problem. I would recommend a lap mat if you need to use your laptop on your lap. Targus make a good one (Lap Chill Mat).
Laptop Takes a Long Time to Charge
----------------------------------
I am talking hours while in a sleep state here. No stars off, but it is a pain.
UPDATE: Many more technical details are available in the comments section below this review.
UPDATE 2: In retrospect, after upgrading the HD on the unit and looking at the crap other manufactures have put out in recent weeks, I have decided that I may have been a little harsh in giving this product three stars, so I've bumped my rating up to four stars.


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Acer Aspire 1551: Ultraportable Performance
Weighing just over 3 pounds, the ultra-mobile 11.6-inch Acer Aspire AS1551 notebook PC (model AS1551-5448) offers great performance features in a netbook-sized chassis and weight that lets you travel light. Premium usability features include a full-sized keyboard for more accurate typing and a multi-gesture touchpad that is perfect for scrolling, rotating images, zooming and browsing--all with fingertip convenience. And with up to 5-hours of battery life, you can mobile longer when not connected to an AC outlet.

With the AMD Athlon II Neo dual-core mobile processor and 4 GB of memory, you'll enjoy the benefits of multi-core processing that does more in less time. And the impressive ATI Radeon HD 4225 Graphics delivers the performance you need to take your high-definition experience to the next level by combining the power of desktop graphics with mobility so you can experience smooth viewing of rich content built from popular sites like Hulu.com or YouTube.

Enjoy the next generation of video playback with the HDMI output, which allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video and audio to your digital TV or capable external monitor. Immerse yourself into your entertainment with Dolby Sound Room, delivering spectacular surround sound from any pair of speakers or headphones. Other features include ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, and an integrated webcam for video chats.

This Aspire laptop comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).

Note that, because of its size, the Aspire AS1551 doesn't include a DVD drive, but you can connect an optional optical drive to the laptop via a USB port.

Key Features
11.6-inch CineCrystal LED-backlit widescreen display with 1366 x 768-pixel resolution (native 720p for high-definition viewing), support for a 16.7 million color depth, and high brightness rating (200-nit).
1.5 GHz AMD Athlon II Neo dual-core processor K625 (2 MB L2 cache) provides a full-featured PC experience, exceptional HD entertainment and long battery life rating so you can do more on the go.
320 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; maximum capacity)
ATI Radeon HD 4225 graphics card provides exceptional features, performance and power-efficiencies that enrich what you see and do (256 MB - 1405 MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory).
Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites such as Google Earth. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more. (Learn more)
Built-in webcam and microphone delivers solid communication to all your family and friends.
Built-in stereo speakers with Dolby Sound Room, which combines a suite of technologies to deliver truly stunning virtual surround listening from your two laptop speakers, or on headphones for a more immersive private performance.
Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capability provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers). This laptop uses Acer InviLink Nplify technology that enables multi-stream input or output for faster and more reliable bandwidth, and it also offers Acer SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency.
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD)
Three USB 2.0 ports
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD. It also includes a standard VGA video output.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.(Learn more)
Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works SE 9.0 for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
Up to 5 hours of battery life (6-cell battery)
Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.0 x 1.1 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 3.1 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty
Energy Star certified

What's in the Box This package contains the Acer Aspire AS1551-5448 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions
It also comes with the following software: McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); Google Toolbar; Acer Recovery Management; Acer GridVista; Microsoft Works; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Trial (60 days); Norton Online Backup

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The Acer Multi-Gesture Touchpad
A Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. The Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

The TouchPad can also be disabled with a one-touch button, eliminating accidental cursor movement with palms and wrists when using an external mouse.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings

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Acer Aspire AS8943G-6190 18.4-Inch Laptop (Aluminum) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had this laptop for 3 weeks now. I haven't even had time to really push it to it's potential because it has so much to offer. Don't know about any wireless malfunctioning. Mine works just fine anywhere I go, in an N or G WIFI environment. I use it at home using my DOCSIS 3 cable internet with gigabit wired network or WIFI N class whenever I want to move to an unwired room,and I have not had a problem at all. The HDMI 1080P HD output using the onboard blueray is simply fantastic when hooked up to my LED flatscreen TV. Simply put, this laptop is flawless. Just a beautiful machine, with a gorgeous screen, big sound and a great useable keyboard. You will not be disappointed buying this laptop. I am certainly very satisfied.

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Acer Aspire AS8943G: Ultimate Multimedia Center
Whether are used for creating multimedia content, watching movies or dominating the latest PC games, the Acer Aspire 8943G notebook PC (model AS8943G-6190) delivers high-end styling and world-class performance. It features a brilliant 18.4-inch CineCrystal edge-to-edge glass LED back-lit display with full high-definition (1080p) resolution. And it combines best-in-class Intel Core i7 processing power and stunning ATI Radeon HD graphics with a Blu-ray Disc drive for viewing movies in crystal-clear HD resolution and a Dolby-optimized surround-sound system for an immersive on-the-go cinema experience. And the Blu-ray Disc drive includes an integrated SuperMulti drive for creating your own DVDs and CDs.

The AS8943G's exterior sports an aluminum cover that not only looks sharp, but also protects the seamless, frameless display. Upon opening the lid, you'll be wowed by sharp design lines as well as a host of balanced contrasts, including glossy and matte finishes and silver and black accents. The new dual-mode touchpad combines Acer's multi-gesture actions with a touch-sensitive media console. And the new chiclet style keyboard (keys with straight edges vs. slanted sides) extends to a dedicated numeric keypad.

You'll be able to burn through the hottest new digital media, content creation and advanced 3D gaming with the breakthrough performance of the Intel Core i7 processor thanks to the combination of Intel Turbo Boost technology and Intel Hyper-Threading technology, which maximizes performance to match your workload.

Quickly retrieve and store all your media files on the large 500 GB hard drive, and with dual hard drive support you can add another drive for backups or up to 1.2 TB of extra storage.

Enjoy the next generation of video playback with the HDMI output, which allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video and audio to your digital TV or capable external monitor. The 1.3-megapixel HD webcam presents vivid images even in low-light situations so you can go face-to-face in online chats and easily take still pictures and videos to share. And to make data transfer painless, it includes an eSATA port to speed up large file transfers while a FireWire port moves videos quickly from your digital camcorder.

This Aspire laptop comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).

Key Features
18.4-inch CineCrystal LED-backlit widescreen display with 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution (native 1080p for Full HD viewing). Its widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio is designed to present websites without lots of left-right scrolling, as well as with a smoother line of sight. Specs include a 220-nit high brightness rating, 8ms response time, and 60 percent color gamut.
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM processor (with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80 GHz) delivers maximum processing power in response to peak demands. Intel's Turbo Boost technology maximizes speed for demanding applications, dynamically accelerating performance to match your workload--providing more performance when you need it the most. It also comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics--an advanced video engine that delivers smooth, high-quality HD video playback, and advanced 3D capabilities, providing an ideal graphics solution for everyday computing.
500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM) with support for a second hard drive
4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; expandable to 16 GB)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 graphics deliver advanced technology to deliver cinema-quality audio and video with 1 GB of DDR3 discrete graphics memory. Using ATI Stream technology, it helps accelerate even the most demanding applications, enabling you to do more than ever with your notebook. It's compatible with the latest DirectX 11 games
Watch Blu-ray Disc movies in crystal clear resolution with the read-only Blu-ray drive; this notebook also includes an integrated 4x DVD±R/RW SuperMulti drive capable of reading/writing of CD-R/RW, DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, and DVD-RAM.
Dual-Mode Touchpad lets you switch functions between a Multi-Gesture Touchpad and a Media Console.Control the show with touch-sensitive buttons that take you straight to your favorite movies or music. In addition, the scrolling volume wheel puts sound management at your fingertips. (Learn more)
Bio-Protection Fingerprint Reader provides an extra level of laptop security safeguarding unauthorized users from accessing your PC at the touch of your fingerprint.
Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capability provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers). This laptop uses Acer InviLink Nplify technology that enables multi-stream input or output for faster and more reliable bandwidth, and it also offers Acer SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency.
Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity enables you to communicate and synchronize wirelessly with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as printers and cell phones.
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
5 built-in speakers and dedicated subwoofer simulate surround sound with trumpeting clear tones and deep bass beats while Dolby Home Theater Audio delivers riveting sound from any pair of PC speakers or headphones.
Headphones/speaker/line-out with SPDIF support for true 5.1-channel surround-sound output
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD)
Four USB 2.0 ports
Next-generation eSATA port offers a transfer speed of 3GB/s, delivering enhanced scalability and doubling the bus bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saves. It allows easy sharing and transfer of entertainment content and digital media on external devices.
FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals.
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD. It also includes a standard VGA video output.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.(Learn more)
Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works SE 9.0 for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
Up to 3 hours of battery life (8-cell battery)
Dimensions: 17.3 x 11.6 x 1.7 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 10.1 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

What's in the Box
This package contains the Acer Aspire AS8943G-6190 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions

It also comes with the following software: McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); NTI Media Maker; Google Toolbar; Acer Recovery Management; Acer GridVista; Microsoft Works; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Trial (60 days); Norton Online Backup

Learn More
The Acer Dual-Mode Touchpad
The dual-mode touchpad offers integrated, capacitive touch media controller icons that allows you to switch between multi-gesture mode to media console mode. At the flick of a finger, you can go straight to your favorite movies or music. Integrated into the touchpad, the backlit media console icons glow underneath the pad, providing a clean simplistic design. In addition, a convenient scrolling volume wheel directly under the touchpad makes it easy to control volume levels.

With built-in multi-gesture capabilities, you can pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings

Click here for more information about Acer Aspire AS8943G-6190 18.4-Inch Laptop (Aluminum)

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Acer Aspire 5335-2238 - C 585 / 2.16 GHz - RAM 2 GB - HDD 250 GB - DVD?RW (?R DL) / DVD-RAM - GMA 4500M - Gigabit Ethernet - WLAN : 802.11b/g/n (draft) - Vista Home Basic - 15.6" Widescreen TFT 1366 x 768 ( WXGA ) CineCrystal - camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This PC is a great value for the price it's selling at these days.
It's fairly high powered within its price-range, and unlike a lot of low-end laptops, this one has a great feeling keyboard. Even better yet is the fact that the keyboard comes with a (numeric) keypad. You usually don't see that on laptops this size and for some of the applications I use (particularly remote hosting to server systems and financial programs), it's great. One draw-back however is that it means that the main keyboard (non-numeric) is a bit smaller than normal and I do notice this although I think you can easily get used to this.
It also has a dedicated $ (and euro) key, although I'm so used to shift-4 I don't see myself as using it for anything other than one-hand typing.
I'm not crazy about the placement of certain keys (PgUp, PgDn, Home, End, arrows).
One thing I found VERY VERY annoying is that there are no USB-ports on the right-hand side of the unit. This means that your wired mouse has to be plugged into the left-hand side and most of the length of the wire is wasted running to the other side which gives you less options. (This is all assuming you use your mouse with your right hand.)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Acer Aspire 5335-2238 - C 585 / 2.16 GHz - RAM 2 GB - HDD 250 GB - DVDRW (R DL) / DVD-RAM - GMA 4500M - Gigabit Ethernet - WLAN : 802.11b/g/n (draft) - Vista Home Basic - 15.6" Widescreen TFT 1366 x 768 ( WXGA ) CineCrystal - camera

Aspire 5335 Notebook PC -AS5335-2238

Click here for more information about Acer Aspire 5335-2238 - C 585 / 2.16 GHz - RAM 2 GB - HDD 250 GB - DVDRW (R DL) / DVD-RAM - GMA 4500M - Gigabit Ethernet - WLAN : 802.11b/g/n (draft) - Vista Home Basic - 15.6" Widescreen TFT 1366 x 768 ( WXGA ) CineCrystal - camera

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Acer AO532h-2326 10.1-Inch Netbook (Onyx Blue) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Acer Aspire One 532h is a lovely little netbook, for the price it is fantastic but like all things it isn't perfect. Let's begin shall we?
The netbook is a great simplistic design, very lightweight and compact, perfect for traveling or school. It has an SD card slot for your Digital Camera, etc. 3 USB 2.0 ports, a VGA-out port (great if you wanna use the netbook with a projector), a Headphone and Microphone port, and a kensington lock slot (great if you wanna physically lock up your computer).
The keyboard is a chiclet key style, although this looks nice, the keyboard is forgettable, and by that I mean there is no way to physically remember what key your fingers are touching. This is definitely a shortcoming for the device.
The trackpad is pretty cool, it has your typical tracking area and vertical scroll off to the side, but what makes this interesting is Acer has bundeled software which lets you use multi-touch gestures. a two-finger swipe to the left will act like the "back" button, two fingers in a circle would be "refresh", it's nifty, but the lack of speed on some commands makes it more of a novelty.
The screen is bright and beautiful, of course at maximum brightness, its an LED screen so it doesn't use alot of battery power.
The computer comes with Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g), a built-in microphone, and a 0.3Mp camera. Although the camera's specs aren't great, it still looked good when testing with Ustream and Google Video chat.
The other thing you'll want to remember is this IS windows 7 Starter, so you do get some nice features that come with Windows 7 Home, Pro, etc. You are missing some basic functions. If you want to change the desktop background... you can't, personalize the sounds... nope. It's definitely a starter, and if you want a more "full" experience, you will have to fork out some more cash to upgrade.
The computer maxes out the processor when more than two windows are active, this makes it difficult to multi-task. One easy way to remedy this is to give your processor a break, install more RAM in the computer (1Gb to 2Gb extra of 200-pin 667MHz SODIMM RAM should suffice). The last thing is this computer is light, so light that you will find that the computer will want to tip over in your lap (not enough weight in the front), just something to mention.
So let's cover the key things I've learned...
*Beautiful LED screen
*Webcam is good
*computer is pretty powerful and gets basic tasks done quickly
*wakes up from standby in less than 3 seconds
*Battery power is great and could last an entire work day without a recharge
#Chiclet styled keyboard is forgetable and a mediocre experience
#multi-touch trackpad is sort of nice, mostly a gimmick
#computer isn't properly balenced
#you'll want to add some RAM if you expedt to get the most out of the device.

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Aspire One AO532h: Go Anywhere Mobility Browse the Web, check email, share photos, keep up with social networks, listen to music and enjoy a wide variety of entertainment with the Aspire One AO532h, which features a small compact design that you can take anywhere. Combining the power of the latest Intel Atom N450 processor and NM10 Express chipset with a 6-cell battery, this Aspire One AO532h model (AO532h-2326) in onyx blue provides up to 10 hours of battery life on the go--enough for a full workday.
A great choice for students as well as business travelers who like to travel light, Acer makes it easy to stay productive while on the go with the 10.1-inch CrystalBrite LED-backlit screen as well as its excellent near full-size keyboard. You'll be able to easily video chat wherever you roam thanks to the Crystal Eye webcam integrated into the LCD's bezel, delivering smooth video streaming and high quality images even in low-light situations. Pinch, flick and swirl your fingers on the multi-gesture touchpad for an intuitive navigation to view web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

It comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Starter operating system, which combines the latest in reliability and responsiveness with the familiarity and compatibility of Windows. It includes new Windows 7 features like Jump Lists to help you to better find and manage files, and connecting to printers and peripherals is easier than ever.



Key Features The Aspire One AO532h is only 1-inch thin and weighs just over 2.5 pounds, yet the keyboard is 93 percent standard size with large keys for better typing.

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Acer Aspire AS5251-1805 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been using this Laptop PC for more than a couple of weeks now and I would give it a 3.5 out of 5 ratings. Here are my findings and opinion about it-
Its a good starter / entry level Laptop that was sent well packed by Amazon. One can rightly term this LPC as "BIG BROTHER OF LITTLE NET-BOOK".
BUILD - It showcases a well-build body made up of tough Plastic with a contoured dotted touch which makes it non-glossy and fingerprint resistant. Extended numeric key-pad is an added advantage, though I feel that the keybaord would accumulate dirt very fast and would mis-operate. Missing are the LED indicators for Number / Caps lock key which a "kind-of-a" is compensated by an OSD (On Screen Display) indicators which informs the user about the current state of these Keys the moment these keys are pressed but still, LED indicators would surely be the first preference for many.
PROCESSOR - AMD V 120 single core with 2.2 Ghz clockspeed and 512 KB L2 cache is not a "Fast Enough" Processor compared to today's technology and customer demands, but, it well complements a Laptop thats priced below $400 (NOT $479.99). There heven't been any heating issues so far with the processor after prolonged usages ranging up to 5:00 Hrs of operation with Internet, Media player, PDF and MS Paint, Skype/Yahoo chat running in parallel.
LCD - This came to me as the most surprising feature, This laptop features a wide 15.6" LED-backlit LCD that is really very crisp, clear and bright . Another thing that impressed me a lot is the steadyness/stiffness of its LCD BEZEL, unlike Dell LPC's, it really holds to its place to what ever angle you may want to set.
ADD-ONs (WEBCAM/MIC/CARD READER/HDMI) - The LPC has an average performing integrated Webcam on the LCD bezel. You may not find it impressive on the very first use but, some tweaks and change in settings (Pixel resolution, Brightness, Contrast etc) will make it a bit better. In-built MIC really scores over the webcam with its good reception and quality of voice either recorded on-board or when transmitted onto the other side (when used with Skype / Yahoo voice chat). It also has a Multi-in-1 card reader along with a HDMI port something that makes it unique in its class.
O/S ISNTALLATION - The LPC came pre-installed with Windows-7 Home Premium and it was really very easy to configure (or should I say, Finalize) the installation though it took the system about 15-20 mins to get fully functional.
WIRELESS INTERNET - The wireless internet access was satisfactory as I couldn't find any edge over my old Dell D600 LPC with Intel Pro 2915 Wireless Mini card.
OTHERS - This system comes with 3GB DDR3 RAM,out of which hardly 2 GB is available for you to run your Apps. The HDD capacity is claimed to be 250GB but available/visible Lot is only 218GB (lesser RAM and HD space are though a normal and universal phenomena). The sound quality of the inbuilt speakers is good. The system does not comes with the recovery CDs, but it does has an option to create recovery / installation CD/DVDs, which should be created at the very first use when you Log in the system.
To sum up, Acer Aspire AS5251-1805 seems to be a good, above average, entry level Laptop PC with an attractive price tag that most can avail.
Thanks for reading...
Farah.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Acer Aspire AS5251-1805 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)


Acer AS5251: Everyday Multitasking
The stylish Acer Aspire AS5251 laptop (model AS5251-1805) offers powerful AMD V Series performance, the latest connectivity technology and rich media features at practical price. Starting from the gorgeous 15.6-inch widescreen LED-backlit display with integrated HD webcam to the full-size keyboard with dedicated numeric keypad, you have everything you need for efficient multitasking and smooth communication at home or away.

This Aspire laptop's modish yet practical design brings a slenderized look, and the mesh-patterned cover brings a rich appearance while also preventing fingerprints and scratches. The full size keyboard extends to a Dedicated Numeric Keypad making number key in's quick.

A Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. Other features include ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, an integrated webcam for video chats, and a SuperMulti optical drive that's compatible with double-layer DVD discs. You'll also be able to connect this laptop to your HDTV via the HDMI port.

This Aspire laptop comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).

Key Features
15.6-inch CineCrystal LED-backlit widescreen display with native 720p resolution for high-definition viewing. Its widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio is designed to present websites without lots of left-right scrolling, as well as with a smoother line of sight.
2.20 GHz AMD V Series V120 single-core processor with 512 KB L2 cache and 1066 MHz front-side bus for good multi-tasking. And with Vision Technology from AMD, you'll get a combination of cutting-edge processing and video power that allows you to experience vivid web and video content, sharp photos and crystal-clear music.
250 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
3 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; expandable to 8 GB)
ATI Radeon HD 4250 graphics (with 256 MB of discrete video memory) is equipped with 40 stream processors and an advanced 3D engine to provide support for hybrid graphics when paired with this system's Windows operating system. It provides up to 1919 MB of total shared system memory and is compatible with Microsoft DirectX 10.1.
8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW drive can also write to CD, DVD-RAM, and dual-layer (DL) DVD±R discs--which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data.
Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites such as Google Earth. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more. (Learn more)
Crystal Eye webcam with a built-in digital microphone that helps keep background noise levels low and minimizes echoes. Acer Video Conference Manager software supports 640 x 480 resolution online video calls.
Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capability provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers).
Fast Ethernet (10/100/1000)
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD)
Three USB 2.0 ports
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD. It also includes a standard VGA video output.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process. (Learn more)
Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works SE 9.0 for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
6-cell battery (4400 mAh)
Weight: 5.74 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

What's in the Box This package contains the Acer Aspire AS5251-1805 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions

It also comes with the following software: McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); NTI Media Maker; Google Toolbar; Acer Recovery Management; Acer GridVista; Microsoft Works; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Trial (60 days); Norton Online Backup

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The Acer Multi-Gesture Touchpad
A Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. The Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

The TouchPad can also be disabled with a one-touch button, eliminating accidental cursor movement with palms and wrists when using an external mouse.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings

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Acer eMachines eM250-1162 Netbook - 10.1" LED / Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz / 1GB Ram / 250GB HD / 802.11g/g Wireless LAN / Webcam / Windows 7 Starter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this sight unseen at Wal-Mart yesterday. They had apparently received them for a day after Christmas sale but never put them on display. I saw a bunch of them sitting in the "laptop cage" with a price tag of $228 on it. I went ahead and bought it, figuring that if I didn't like it I could take it back.
Well, I love it and I am so glad that I did get it. It's a great little netbook and I am already getting used to the keyboard. My only complaint is with the trackpad - I wish it was slightly larger. It seems to me like it could be a little wider and not affect the overall size of the case.
The screen is bright, keyboard good, I've been happy with the performance of it so far...overall I would rate this as one of my best purchases of 2009. I might even go back and try to get one for my wife. Even though I paid less than what this is selling for on Amazon, I would not hesitate to pay up to $300 for this netbook.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Acer eMachines eM250-1162 Netbook - 10.1" LED / Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz / 1GB Ram / 250GB HD / 802.11g/g Wireless LAN / Webcam / Windows 7 Starter

Take the web with you!This eMachines eM250-1162 netbook weighs under 3 pounds, making it ideal for on-the-go computing! An Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz processor and 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM memory help you tackle your work and play-related commands. The 250 GB hard drive provides plenty of room for music, games, videos, and other critical data. Plus, Microsoft Windows 7 Starter comes pre-installed!There is no optical drive, however, three USB 2.0 ports make it a breeze to connect an external drive of your choice. Connect to the Internet via its integrated 10/100 Ethernet LAN. Unplug, roam free and connect to wireless "hot spots" using the 802.11b/g wireless LAN.Stay in touch with friends and family and chat online using the built-in webcam and digital microphone. The 10.1-inch LED-Backlit widescreen LCD is perfect for browsing the web and working on spreadsheets! Use this eMachines eM250-1162 for work or play! Order today! By law, California shipments of this product are subject to an $8.00 Electronic Waste Recycling Fee

Click here for more information about Acer eMachines eM250-1162 Netbook - 10.1" LED / Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz / 1GB Ram / 250GB HD / 802.11g/g Wireless LAN / Webcam / Windows 7 Starter

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Acer AO532h-2382 10.1-Inch Onyx Blue Netbook - Up to 10 Hours of Battery Life Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Have been using the system for about a week.
The battery life is unreal. With wi-fi on I get about 8+ hours, with wi-fi off the system says it can go 12+ hours and I believe it. recharge is fast as well.
The screen is very bright although i would have spent more to get 1280 wide rather than 1024. Screen reclines way back so its fine for just about any viewing position.
The body is plastic but feels very solid - no flex like I noticed in some of the ASUS netbooks.
Speakers are fine for everyday use. Haven't used the mic or speaker out jacks.
System is very light, and the charger is far lighter than I expected.
Trackpad is very responsive although I haven't mastered the zoom in and out gestures. The left and right click thing is a little stiff and takes some getting used to. I don't really like the keyboard style. It has teh flat keys with very little room in between and I'm having some problems gettign used to it rather than a standard PC keyboard (hence all the spelling mistakes in this review). that said the keys are very well arranged and none of teh common keys are hard to find or require complex ALT-FN-CTRL-SHIFT type combinations.
Keep in mind that this is a netbook, not a desktop replacement. The machine can get a little slow, usually if you are working in Internet explorer - this machine is going to have be seriously tryign out other, lighter weight, browsers.
this machine would get five stars except for the keyboard, which is a matter of personal typing style. If you are looking to all day battery life for non heavy duty computing then this machine is perfect.

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Aspire One AO532h: Go Anywhere Mobility Browse the Web, check email, share photos, keep up with social networks, listen to music and enjoy a wide variety of entertainment with the Aspire One AO532h, which features a small compact design that you can take anywhere. Combining the power of the latest Intel Atom N450 processor and NM10 Express chipset with a 6-cell battery, this Aspire One AO532h model (AO532h-2382) in onyx blue provides up to 10 hours of battery life on the go--enough for a full workday.
A great choice for students as well as business travelers who like to travel light, Acer makes it easy to stay productive while on the go with the 10.1-inch CrystalBrite LED-backlit screen as well as its excellent near full-size keyboard. You'll be able to easily video chat wherever you roam thanks to the Crystal Eye webcam integrated into the LCD's bezel, delivering smooth video streaming and high quality images even in low-light situations. Pinch, flick and swirl your fingers on the multi-gesture touchpad for an intuitive navigation to view web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more. It comes preinstalled with the familiar Microsoft Windows XP Home operating system.



Key Features The Aspire One AO532h is only 1-inch thin and weighs just over 2.5 pounds, yet the keyboard is 93 percent standard size with large keys for better typing.

Click here for more information about Acer AO532h-2382 10.1-Inch Onyx Blue Netbook - Up to 10 Hours of Battery Life

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Dell Inspiron Mini IM10-2863 10.1-Inch Obsidian Black Netbook Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)So far I'm very impressed with this system. The keyboard is just awesome for a netbook, and with Windows XP Home, it's really not all that slow. I've had several heavier applications open at the same time and didn't really have any problems. Aptana Studio (My web development IDE of choice), FireFox 3, TrueCrypt, XAMPP (Apache & MYSql) just to name a few. I've only got a few real complaints about this computer. One, the touchpad is horrible. It really shouldn't have had the two buttons integrated into the bottom of it, it's not possible to have your index finger navigating and thumb clicking at the same time. It's quite annoying (I bought a cheap travel mouse). The other complaint I have is the video playback quality. It's really just not that good. It's actually quite choppy for the most part if you try watching videos in fullscreen. I have however found a workaround for this, and it makes the video quality look awesome (see notes at the bottom).
Pros:
Awesome 10" display
Great almost full-size keyboard
3 USB ports (one of the left, two on the right)
2.6lbs, it's super light
Decent speed for a 1.3Ghz system.Cons:
Cruddy video playback (mostly full screen problems)
Horrible Linux video driver support (Intel GMA 500, google it)
Battery life is a little bit lacking compared to other netbooks.
Touchpad needs to be redesigned.
Video Playback Notes/Quality tweak:
As far as the cruddy video playback is concerned, the one thing that I have found to help with this is the usage of a third party media player. A friend of mine turned me on to a player called KMPlayer [...] which comes bundled with just about every video codec ever made, and not to mention that it's portable (it runs off of a thumb drive). Anyway, you can customize the video rendering to allow for a much smoother playback of videos even on this slower model. Here's what I do:
Right-Click in the main KMPlayer window
Click on "Video (Advanced)"
Click "Video Renderer" up near the top.
Down near the bottom select "Enhanced Video Renderer".
Be amazed at how much better your videos look.
The playback quality that I received from doing this rivaled my full-size desktop with a real graphics card in it. This is definitely the most redeeming quality about this netbook because it really unlocks the ability for this to be a good portable media player. Cheers.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Dell Inspiron Mini IM10-2863 10.1-Inch Obsidian Black Netbook

A larger sibling to Dell's Inspiron Mini 9, the Inspiron Mini 10 in obsidian black adds keyboard comfort and even more entertainment-friendly dimensions to the Inspiron Mini family. Like the Inspiron Mini 9 and Mini 12, the Mini 10 is a compact, easy-to-carry Internet companion that's ideal for teens, tweens, travelers and "Tweeters" to surf the Web, chat with friends (both via text and using the integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam), stream video and audiocontent, and upload on-the-go photos to blogs or social networking sites. Standard built-in Wi-Fi means quick and easy wireless internet access to hotspots in the home, on campus, in a local coffee shop, in the office or at a conference.
The Inspiron Mini 10 features an intuitive Dell-developed custom home screen interface that is designed to make it easy to find what you're looking for. Intuitive icons link directly to groups of similar applications, like games, Web and entertainment, and favorite web links for quick access. Plus, the home screen can be personalized, putting your favorites front and center.

A bright 10.1-inch display is designed to be able to present web sites without a lot of left-right scrolling, and the 92-percent full-size keyboard is large and easy to navigate. An HDMI port also allows you to connect the Mini 10 to your HDTV for large-screen, high-def viewing. Other features include a 160 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM (533 MHz; maximum capacity), integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, three USB ports, 3-in-1 memory card reader, and up to 3 hours of battery life.

It comes preinstalled with the Microsoft Windows XP Home operating system, which offers more experienced users an enhanced and innovative experience that incorporates Windows Live features like Windows Live Messenger for instant messaging and Windows Live Mail for consolidated email accounts on your desktop.

A Better Keyboard You won't lose any flexibility with the Mini 10's keyboard. At 92 percent the size of a standard laptop, it's almost as if the Mini 10's keyboard is at full range. And with a multi-touch track pad, your fingers will have an easy time navigating. Plus, it's spill resistant, so you can rest assured if accidents happen.

Display and Audio The Inspiron Mini 10 has a 10.1-inch LCD screen (1024 x 576; WSVGA) with TrueLife high-gloss/anti-reflective technology, which features a sharp contrast finish that's well suited to immersive 3D games and watching videos. Its widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio is designed to present websites without lots of left-right scrolling, as well as with a smoother line of sight. Expand your screen by connecting to an external monitor or TV using the HDMI port. This notebook has two speakers for stereo sound.

Power-Sipping Processor Newly designed from the ground up, the Intel Atom Z520 uses a 45nm (nanometer) design structure with new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--to conserve even more energy and give you more time away from the wall outlet. The Intel Atom Z520 provides a 1.3 GHz CPU speed with a 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and 512 KB L2 cache--which uses just 2 watts of power. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.) It supports Intel's 64-bit computing architecture, which can allow the use of extended virtual and physical memory with compatible 64-bit software, as well as Intel's Hyper-Threading technology for speedier multitasking.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion This notebook has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. With the integrated Bluetooth connectivity, you can communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones as well as use Bluetooth-enabled headsets for handsfree video chats. It comes with the following external connectors:

3 USB 2.0 ports (1 powered) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
Analog video output: None
10/100 Fast Ethernet networking
1 headphone (line-out) and 1 microphone (line-in)
3-in-1 memory card reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC), Multimedia Card (MMC), and Memory Stick

Dimensions This laptop measures 10.28 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches and weighs 2.6 pounds.

What's in the Box This package includes the Dell Inspiron Mini IM10-2863 (obsidian black), 3-cell rechargeable battery, AC adapter, and printed documentation. It's backed by a 1-year limited warranty with mail-in service. Dell provides a variety of service offerings and add-on options to help ensure devices are easy to use and maintain optimal performance, including:

Dell Support Center: Quickly access Dell service and support from an icon on your desktop that provides automated fixes, software upgrades and tools to help keep your system up-to-date and running efficiently.
DellConnectRemote Assistance: Dell experts help diagnose and solve PC problems via an Internet connection (available only on Windows-based systems).

Even More Storage and Access to Your Files Dell has teamed up with Box.net to offer exclusive web-based file storage, access and sharing to Inspiron Mini users, including a free Basic plan with 2 GB of remote storage space that's expandable to 25 GB. The Inspiron Mini 12 includes a direct link to a Dell-exclusive home page on Box.net (www.box.net/dell), providing you with an easy way to add incremental online storage space to easily manage your digital lives. Individuals can safely and securely upload files of any type to their Box, including photos, videos, music, documents and presentations, and then access those files from almost anywhere on any device.

Box.net's world-class service requires no software to download. With its OpenBox platform, Box.net enables people to edit documents and photos directly from their web-browser and post media to their blog or social networks, further enhancing the mobility and user experience on the Inspiron Mini.

Additionally, with Dell Remote Access you can find, use and share your digital world, even while away from home. Whether you use a mobile phone with a web browser, a computer outside your home, or share files and folders with a friend; you will have the ability to access files and devices in your home from anywhere with Internet access. Here are some examples on how you could use Dell Remote Access:

Remotely control any PC running Windows XP or Vista on your home network as if you were sitting in front of it.
If you have a smart phone with document viewers, you can open presentations, spreadsheets, and documents.
Take a picture on your phone and upload it to a folder on your computer... and then share the folder with a friend.
While on a vacation, transfer pictures from your camera (using an Internet connected PC) to a folder on your home computer, so your friends and family can see your vacation in real time.

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Acer Aspire AS1410-8414 11.6-Inch Sapphire Blue Laptop - 6 Hour Battery Life Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I keep checking out the Netbooks that come into the hardware lab where I work, looking for something to replace a cheap one I bought for my kids to play with, but they all just seem too small. As a result I've been poking around the high-end of the Netbook spectrum / low end of the Ultra-portable spectrum for something more usable. The Acer Aspire 1410 series does a great job of bridging the gap between small low cost "Netbooks" and more expensive "Ultra-portables" (which is what Acer classes this as). It manages to overcome many of the short comings of Netbooks without getting anywhere near the $1000+ price range of most ultra-portables. It has a few drawbacks, notably material quality: like a lot of Acer products the plastic molding is attractive and the tolerances are tight. However the quality of the plastic is more in line with what you would expect with a Netbook (which is to say it is lower density plastic and more likely to scratch or break). To me it's reasonable that the overall component quality is lower than what I would get if I spent $1000 (display not as nice, finish not as refined, buttons not as responsive, etc...). Still, overall this is a well put together computer with good build quality considering the price. While I didn't end up buying one myself if might be the right fit for you: if you are on a budget and you need a small laptop that can do more than browse web pages this would be a very good choice.
Let's go over the specs:
CPU: The Core 2 ULV SU3500 is a great CPU choice and far more powerful than the Atom CPU found in most Netbooks. This is a single core (as opposed to the two core "Core2 Duo") Ultra Low Voltage cpu running at 1.4GHz. Depending on the exact application this CPU is about 3-6x more powerful than the typical Atom Processor. It also has 3 MB of cache (cache is a form of on-chip high speed memory) vs the Atom's 512 KB. With 6x the cache of the Atom this CPU is going to spend a lot more time running instructions and a lot less time waiting on the memory sub-system. It also helps that the Core 2 ULV SU3500 memory bus is about 25% faster than what you will find on an Atom. The Core2 is technically more power hungry than the Atom but when running applications the difference isn't significant (5 watts for the Core2 vs 1.5 watts for Atom). The main difference happens when in standby or sleep mode where the Atom will use much less power than the Core2 (because the kind of transistors on the Atom "leak" less power than those used on the Core2 when in those modes). So if you need long battery life while carrying your computer around in standby with brief periods of activity you might prefer the Atom based Netbooks (say for sales calls on the road). I think most users will probably prefer the Core2 - I know that I do. Update: there may be a dual core version of this coming out soon. It's on the list to arrive where I work but that doesn't mean it will be sold in the US.
MEMORY: 2GB of DDR2 RAM is plenty and the 667Mhz memory speed is good enough (faster notebooks go up to 1066Mhz). This system runs Vista which is more memory hungry than the Windows XP or Linux found on most Netbooks so 2GB, while enough, doesn't go as far as you might think. Still, as long as your aren't planning on doing any really serious gaming 2GB will handle the typical office application with no troubles.
HDD: The 250GB HDD has plenty of storage given that most users don't use more than 50GB. Serious gamers and video encoders will need a lot more space than this.
DISPLAY: The 11.6" 1366x768 screen looks good and is a lot more useable than the 8-10" screens found on most Netbooks. The resolution is much better than what you will find on most Netbooks and it is reasonably bright (200 nits vs 300+ nits on higher end laptop). I passed on this model because the viewing angle is limited (the manufacturer list the viewing angles as 60vert/90horiz compared to 120v/140h on a high end display) and my sons like to sit with me and watch YouTube videos. The limited viewing angles might be a selling point for somebody traveling who would prefer not to share what's on their screen with others. So while Acer clearly saved some money here it's still a good display: unless you need a really high quality LCD I think most people will be pretty happy with this screen (again it's far better than what you'll find in most Netbooks). For those few who care it's made by AU Optronics and I think it's model B116XW01.
GRAPHICS: The Intel Mobile GMA X4500HD graphics won't impress any gamers but if you're running business applications it will do just fine. Update: they loaded Autocad on this thing at work and it wasn't pretty. It might have been a driver issue but the render times were terrible. It's not really a surprise but don't buy this to run your CAD software. Of course for most users this won't be an issue.
AUDIO: notebooks are not known for great speaker sound and this notebook doesn't break from that trend. Again it's better than most Netbooks but not by a lot. Update: With headphones on I found the sound to be fine.
DRIVES: Like most Netbooks and Ultra-portables this has no CD or DVD drive. I recommend buying an external CD Drive. The software industry may start to switch over to USB drives soon (Windows 7 will be sold on USB drives) so this may not be a big deal for much longer. Today it's a pain to not have a CDROM.
BATTERY: The 6 cell battery is perfect for this notebook (thanks to the low power components). This notebook is probably too small for an 8 cell to fit cleanly but the 4 cell found in most Netbooks just isn't adequate, even for an Atom CPU. This 6 cell battery will provide about 3-5 hours of real use though with aggressive power saving modes you can get over six hours. Update: we have two of these in our hardware lab and it was just pointed it out to me that one (which came pre-release) had a higher capacity battery than the release version (5600mAH vs. 4400mAH). I've adjusted my battery life numbers down to reflect the release version. Interestingly the non-US version of this laptop has the higher capacity battery. I can only assume Acer was trying to bring the price down to compete in the tight US netbook market.
WEIGHT: Coming in a 3.1 lbs this is tiny bit heavier than the typical Netbook but not by much (Netbooks will range from 2-3lbs). Most regular notebooks are 6-8 lbs.
WIRELESS: The usual Intel 5100 A/G/N supports the most common standards ("A" and "G") along with the new "N" standard. You should have no trouble connecting to wireless networks. This is pretty standard though a few laptops will support 3G out of the box.
In short: while this notebook isn't perfect it is well built and unlike most Netbooks, actually has a decent CPU. It's small and light but big enough that you can actually use it. If you've got 1K-2K to spend you can get a better Ultra-Portable notebook (I'm partial to Sony's and Apple's offerings in that segment) but in this price range there isn't much competition.
Oh I should note that while this model is dark blue, Acer makes this in two other colors you can buy:
Acer Aspire AS1410-8913 11.6-Inch Ruby Red
Acer Aspire AS1410-8804 11.6-Inch Black
Also if you're outside the US this might be sold as the "Acer Timeline 1810T" locally and may have slightly different specs (such as a better battery).


Click Here to see more reviews about: Acer Aspire AS1410-8414 11.6-Inch Sapphire Blue Laptop - 6 Hour Battery Life

Weighing just over 3 pounds and measures 1.2 inches slim, the Acer Aspire AS1410-8414 makes it easy to roam the globe with a powerful PC. It includes a 6-cell battery that provides up to 6 hours of continuous use and a vividly colorful 11.6-inch LCD screen as well as an HDMI port for connecting it to an external monitor or HDTV for viewing presentations and movies. Presented in a stylish sapphire blue case, the thin and light Aspire 1410 also features a full-size keyboard and Acer's Comfy Touch technology, which uses an innovative Laminar Wall Jet Engine design to air-cool the processor and notebook case.
A Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. The Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more. An integrated Acer Crystal Eye webcam delivers smooth video streaming and high quality images for online chats and business video conferences, even in low-light situations.

Other features include a 1.4 GHz Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 processor, 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM, Draft-N Wi-Fi networking, and a multi-format memory card reader.



Key Features
11.6-inch LED-backlight widescreen display with 1366 x 768-pixel resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio and 200-nit high brightness (Learn more)
Energy efficient 1.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 processor with ultra-low voltage uses only 5.5 watts of energy--less than 1/10 that of a normal desktop processor--for extended battery life (Learn more)
250 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
2 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (667 MHz; 2 x SODIMM slots; 4 GB maximum capacity)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with up to 1700 MB of shared video memory and support for DirectX 10 games (Learn more)
Multi-gesture touchpad supporting circular-motion scrolling, pinch-action zoom, page flip (Learn more)
Thermal-efficient cooling innovation ensures the notebook achieves comfortable skin temperature during use. (Learn more)
Crystal Eye webcam supports Acer PrimaLite technology, which consists of a premium sensor, firmware and lenses to provide superior video performance under low-light conditions. A built-in digital microphone helps keep background noise levels low and minimizes echoes.
Draft-N Wi-Fi wireless networking (802.11a/b/g/n) with SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
5-in-1 memory card reader
HDMI (with HDCP) and VGA video output
Stereo speakers with Dolby Sound Room audio enhancement transforms the experience of movies, music, and games.
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit) operating system (Learn more)
Up to 6 hours of battery life with included 6-cell battery
Dimensions: 11.2 x 8 x 1.2 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 3.1 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion With its integrated Draft-N Wi-Fi networking capabilities, this laptop provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). This notebook also provides ultra-fast Gigabit Ethernet networking (10/100/1000).

3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
1 HDMI output for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable
Analog video output: 1 VGA
5-in-1 card reader compatible with MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card
1 headphone/line-out jack (with SPDIF digital audio support), 1 microphone jack
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet

What's in the box This package contains the Acer Aspire AS1410-8414 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions

It also comes with the following software: McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); CyberLink PowerDVD; Google Desktop; Acer Backup Manager; Acer GridVista

Learn More
11.6-Inch Widescreen Display with True 16:9 Aspect Ratio The 11.6-inch LED-backlit display (1366 x 768 pixels) presents true 16:9 aspect ratio with high-def resolution and fast 8ms (millisecond) response time for high-quality media playback as well as increased readability in low-light conditions. And the LED backlight technology is 33 percent more energy efficient than standard CCFL LCD screens.
Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD, which uses shared video memory (providing up to 1700 MB of video memory as allocated by the system memory). This graphics card is built with Intel Clear Video technology, which delivers clearer, more detailed images by eliminating many of the jagged edges and video artifacts seen when viewing interlaced content and features powerful color control to ensure videos are not too dark, overly bright, or washed out.



Energy Efficient Intel Core 2 Solo Processor Offering the latest in ultra-low voltage processing power, the single-core Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 processor has a has a power consumption rating of just 5.5 watts and a 1.4 GHz speed that's paired with a fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and extra-large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.) The Core 2 Solo processor delivers enhanced performance for today's demanding applications such as CAD tools, 3D and 2D modeling, video editing, digital music, digital photography and gaming. And Intel's Smart Cache technology enables smarter, more efficient cache and bus design for enhanced performance, responsiveness and power savings.


The Multi-Gestured Aspire 1410
Cool to the Touch The Acer Aspire 1410 notebook includes Acer's ComfyTouch technology, which uses an innovative Laminar Wall Jet Engine design to air-cool the processor and notebook case. Even when running for a full day the notebook remains cool in your hands or on your lap.




Windows Vista Home Premium Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit version) is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

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Acer Aspire AS7551G-5056 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well so far it is a really nice machine.
Pros: Nice Graphics, Very very nice display, keyboard is solid.
Cons: Onboard graphics drivers are terrible, the speakers could be better, the mouse pad could be better.
Based on what I have seen so far I would say its worth getting. At first I was really annoyed because I was having display issues with Call of Duty 4 and Civilization IV would crash frequently. Eventually I installed ATI's drivers and it solved those problems. The screen is gorgeous though, its nicer then my monitor on my desktop and that thing is really sweet. The keyboard responds well and I especially like the number pad. It runs rather hot but most laptops do. I have just been setting it up so it is off the surface about half an inch and it runs much cooler now (cooling pad would also work). Oh right and the HDMI port is handy too. The battery lasts about half an hour to 45 minutes while playing Call of Duty on high settings, which is better then I would have expected from a 6-cell laptop battery.
On the other hand it runs into the same problems that all Acer's have rather bad speakers. I mean don't get me wrong laptop speakers are not the best around but these things are very loud and on the loudest setting they distort the sound a little. But I was expecting that from an Acer. Also the customer support for it is TERRIBLE!!! Again that is a problem with Acer though. Luckily I really haven't had any really issue to call Acer about. The mouse pad on it feels a little cheap. I mean I haven't had any problems with it but the pad on an HP or Dell are much better.
Overall its a very nice laptop once you install ATI's drivers. And since it is about $100 cheaper (when I got it) then a different company's essential identical twin it does make it worth it. Just be warned it is an Acer.
Oh right I think it says it comes with Windows 7 Pro. It lies it is Windows 7 Home. Still 64 bit though so not a big deal I guess. I'll try to check back later on after I have played with it more.

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Acer Aspire 7551G: Mobile Cinematic Entertainment
Enjoy a portable theater experience with the Acer Aspire 7551G (AS7551G-5056) PC laptop, which features a 17.3-inch CineCrystal display with a fast response time so that fast action moves seamlessly across the screen and a 16:9 aspect ratio--perfect for viewing content created for the widescreen. The two built-in speakers produce vividly realistic audio, and you can connect the laptop to your own home theater receiver for 5.1-channel surround sound. You'll also be able to connect this laptop to your HDTV via the HDMI port.

The notebook's rounded edges and smooth lines bring a slenderized look while the mesh-patterned cover brings a rich appearance. The keyboard also extends to a dedicated numeric keypad, making number key-ins quick and streamlining productivity.

It's powered by a triple-core AMD Phenom II processor and the ATI Radeon HD 5650 graphics processor, which combines multi-core processing and powerful graphics for a superior digital entertainment experience. A Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. Other features include ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, an integrated webcam for video chats, and a SuperMulti optical drive that's compatible with double-layer DVD discs.

This Aspire laptop comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).

Key Features
17.3-inch CineCrystal LED-backlit widescreen display with 1600 x 900-pixel resolution (native 720p for high-definition viewing). Its widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio is designed to present websites without lots of left-right scrolling, as well as with a smoother line of sight.
2.10 GHz AMD Phenom II Triple-Core N830 processor with 1 MB L2 cache and 1333 MHz front-side bus for excellent multi-tasking. You'll enjoy movies, music and games like you never have before, with amazing detail, clarity and color. Plus, you can experience Microsoft Windows 7 the way it was intended. And with Vision Technology from AMD, you'll get a combination of cutting-edge processing and video power that allows you to experience vivid web and video content, sharp photos and crystal-clear music.
500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; expandable to 8 GB)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 graphics deliver advanced technology to deliver cinema-quality audio and video with 1 GB of DDR3 discrete graphics memory. Using ATI Stream technology, it helps accelerate even the most demanding applications, enabling you to do more than ever with your notebook.
8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW drive can also write to CD, DVD-RAM, and dual-layer (DL) DVD±R discs--which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data.
Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites such as Google Earth. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more. (Learn more)
1.3-megapixel Crystal Eye webcam with a built-in digital microphone that helps keep background noise levels low and minimizes echoes. Acer Video Conference Manager software supports 1280 x 1024 resolution online video calls.
Built-in Acer 3DSonic stereo speakers
Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capability provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers). This laptop uses Acer InviLink Nplify technology that enables multi-stream input or output for faster and more reliable bandwidth, and it also offers Acer SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency.
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD)
Three USB 2.0 ports
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD. It also includes a standard VGA video output.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process. (Learn more)
Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works SE 9.0 for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
Up to 3.0 hours of battery life (6-cell battery)
Dimensions: 16.3 x 10.8 x 1.4 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 7.3 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

What's in the Box This package contains the Acer Aspire AS7551G-5056 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions

It also comes with the following software: McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); NTI Media Maker; Google Toolbar; Acer Recovery Management; Acer GridVista; Microsoft Works; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Trial (60 days); Norton Online Backup

Learn More
The Acer Multi-Gesture Touchpad
A Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. The Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

The TouchPad can also be disabled with a one-touch button, eliminating accidental cursor movement with palms and wrists when using an external mouse.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings

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Acer Aspire 3680-2682 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got my notebook computer in August 2007 for my Birthday at Wal-Mart. This is my first notebook computer, but not first computer. At first I was scared about getting it, because when you buy something at a low price. Lot of time you end up getting what you pay for. I'm thankful I got it now. The sound is good on it, also the screen is nice. I like the speed on it.

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The Acer Aspire 3680 delivers reliable entertainment performance and adept multi-tasking via a highly advanced Intel Celeron M processor. Intel GMA 950 graphics deliver superb imagery on the 14.1" Acer CrystalBrite LCD screen. Fully loaded with entertainment-enhancing features, the Aspire 3680 is designed to improve your multimedia experience. Key Features & Benefits: 14.1" Acer CrystalBrite LCD Delivers 1280 x 800 WXGA resolution for clear pictures and video Intel Celeron M processor 420 Handles important multi-tasking with ease, offering an excellent balance of performance and value 80 GB hard drive Provides enough storage capacity for multimedia files 512 MB of DDR2 533 MHz memory with dual-channel support Delivers high-performance, entertainment-based multi-tasking and is upgradeable to 2 GB DVD-Combo optical drive CD and DVD-ROM compatibility and lets you burn up to 700 MB of data on CD-R/RWs for easy backups Type II PC card slot

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Acer AS5742Z-4685 15.6-Inch Laptop (Mesh Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm a somewhat advanced computer user and had been looking at laptops for a while before buying the Acer AS5742Z-4685. I dug into all of the specs of about 6 different models and zeroed in on this one as the best value. The price point was above the $300 I spent on our 'family' laptop a year ago, but I'm glad I spent the extra $100 (check out some of the private sellers' prices).
Pros: Crystal-clear LED screen, fast computing, great multi-tasking, not too much crap-ware pre-installed, lightweight, and easy-to-use keyboard
Cons: Battery life is good, but not great; price point is a bit high if you're willing to wait for Black Friday or Gold Box deals... which I obviously wasn't)
Overall, this laptop is a good buy in the $500 range, a great value at the $400 level, and--if it ever goes on sale in the $300 to 350 range--don't miss your chance to buy it!

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The Acer Aspire AS5742Z notebook PC (model AS5742Z-4685) offers powerful performance, the latest connectivity technology, and rich media features for a fast, responsive PC experience. Start with a gorgeous 15.6-inch widescreen LCD display with built-in HD webcam and the power of an Intel Pentium processor, then throw in cool convenience features and the new Microsoft Office Starter 2010 and you have everything you need within reach to power through daily tasks and enjoy your media wherever you are.
Enjoy smart performance and a seamless visual experience with the Acer Aspire AS5742.

Get 15% OFF

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Acer AS8943G-9319 18.4-Inch Laptop (Aluminum) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review is not short. But I would have loved to have a review like this when I was deciding to buy this laptop. First of all, way to go Amazon getting me the package in two days flat even using the super saver shipping. Acer has the laptop box that is inside a sturdier cardboard box, this is then wrapped by amazon in packing material and placed in an even larger box. Talk about building up suspense when you are opening the thing.
I'd been worried about some of the other reviews that I had read on the AS8943G series. I'd like to set the record straight on a few scores.
You will read quite a few reviews stating there are widespread connectivity issues with the wifi, and when you attempt to reset the connection, the computer locks up entirely. An early fix for that was to spend $30 on a new wifi card and it worked like a charm. This impacted the models with the broadcomm and Atheros cards. It was a driver issue. I would be willing to bet not a single unit actually shipped with a bad card, Acer just didn't have the driver issues sorted out before selling their laptop. (shame shame)
-Wireless
Mine shipped with the most current drivers and Bios found on the Acer website, and I haven't had a single dropped connection with 52 hours of up-time so far. Not only that, but I am getting excellent speeds. It feels like I've upgraded my internet service (I was using a wireless G card before)
-Monitor
Some have complained about the viewing angles on the monitor. I honestly think they are nuts. For a screen this size it is just fine. The screen is good for viewing by two people sitting on the couch. If you are looking down at a sharp angle, it is no good to watch, but if you are doing that, you obviously use your laptop in a way entirely different from what I do. Right out of the box, you get pretty good color reproduction, but it is a bit better if you take the time to calibrate it. The screen is perfect for watching movies in 1080P and very crisp and clear. no issues with brightness. It is a very good panel.
-Sound
The sound quality is just 'okay'. By that, I mean that it blows away any previous laptop speakers I've used, but I had pretty high expectations since it has a 5.1 sound system. You don't need to invest in any extra speakers to use with this. Even with low quality sources, you can make out dialogue. And though you don't get anything approaching true surround sound, the speaker setup is very competent at separating the highs and the lows, and it has made it a lot easier to make out what people are saying in a movie in scenes with a lot of background noise or music.
-Build Quality
This is the sturdiest non-mac laptop I have seen recently. Probably about three pounds of the 10 pound (yes 10 pounds!) weight of this laptop is the aluminum casing, deck, and keyboard. It is a joy to work on compared to some of the laptops I have had to mess around with. the memory slots and hard drive and wireless card are all easy to get to. It has one main panel that you remove to get to all three, and then a separate panel if you want to put in a second hard drive. And that brings me to the first of two gripes I have. The plastic cover for the second hard drive bay is not intended to be used with a hard drive in the bay (!!?!) I was aware of that prior to buying the laptop. So, if you intend to add a second hard drive, you have two options. Order the bay cover needed and wait for it, or mod the existing door to make it fit a hard drive. That can be done in about five minutes with careful use of a dremel tool. But I just have to scratch my head a little that they even bothered to make a hard drive bay cover that won't accommodate a hard drive.
Touchpad
The pad is very responsive, and the multi-touch works without fuss. It IS a fingerprint magnet. I assume the surface they used was dictated by the need for it to be transparent for the media browser. The media browser underlay is very cool, I still haven't gotten over turning it on from time to time just to look at it. I do wish they could have found a way to make it not take so may fingerprints since, you know, you touch it. All the time.
Keyboard
I like the aluminum keys and they have a very pleasant touch. The chicklet layout has made touch typing a good bit easier. The delete key is tiny. But that is fairly common now days. I do wish it was backlit, but I'm not sure I would sacrifice the extra heatsink effect you get from the all aluminum construction, and it will probably win on durability.
Heat Management
I expected this thing to be like a space heater with the i7 and the Radeon 5850 in there, but for the most part, it has run cool and run quiet. Running 3D Mark 2011 on it, there was slightly increased fan activity, but all surfaces stayed cool to slightly warm to the touch. The only thing I would describe as hot was the air coming out of the exhaust port. That is kind of the point though. The fan has never been loud enough yet for me to notice it, unless (like now) I am specifically listening for it. As soon as I got this I slapped a second 500 Gig hard drive in and swapped in 12 gigs of faster ram, so I can't say exactly what the base model benchmarks like, other than it booted up and loaded windows in a reasonable time and was responsive to my limited needs. The windows experience index comes in at 5.8 using the lowest score, which is the hard drive, and i think the others were 6+ range with one 7+. If you are looking to upgrade on this, I'd highly recommend swapping out the ram with something faster than the DDR 1066 that is in there. and get a faster hard drive. Those are the major bottlenecks. You might even look at swapping the current system disk for an SSD, and then using that one for storage. Though I will point out, there is no install disk shipped with this laptop.
Bottom line, this is an excellent laptop for the price (which apparently dropped by like $30 the day after I ordered it :) ) If I was giving it a 1-100 score, it would be about a 90. Losing points for that stupid hard drive bay cover and lack of USB 3 and no express card slot to add it later. This is a perfect laptop to buy and upgrade to something really excessive, and it is also a great laptop out of the box. Hopefully I don't drop this one and break it. You may have wondered why I had 12 gigs of ram and a 500 GB hard drive just laying around.... yeah.
Buy it. Though I would recommend you check out the whole 8943g line to see if there is one that has a configuration you prefer for the price.

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Acer Aspire AS8943G: Ultimate Multimedia Center
Whether are used for creating multimedia content, watching movies or dominating the latest PC games, the Acer Aspire 8943G notebook PC (model AS8943G-9319) delivers high-end styling and world-class performance. It features a brilliant 18.4-inch CineCrystal edge-to-edge glass LED back-lit display with full high-definition (1080p) resolution. And it combines best-in-class Intel Core i7 processing power and stunning ATI Radeon HD graphics with a Blu-ray Disc drive for viewing movies in crystal-clear HD resolution and a Dolby-optimized surround-sound system for an immersive on-the-go cinema experience. And the Blu-ray Disc drive includes an integrated SuperMulti drive for creating your own DVDs and CDs.

The AS8943G's exterior sports an aluminum cover that not only looks sharp, but also protects the seamless, frameless display. Upon opening the lid, you'll be wowed by sharp design lines as well as a host of balanced contrasts, including glossy and matte finishes and silver and black accents. The new dual-mode touchpad combines Acer's multi-gesture actions with a touch-sensitive media console. And the new chiclet style keyboard (keys with straight edges vs. slanted sides) extends to a dedicated numeric keypad.

You'll be able to burn through the hottest new digital media, content creation and advanced 3D gaming with the breakthrough performance of the Intel Core i7 processor thanks to the combination of Intel Turbo Boost technology and Intel Hyper-Threading technology, which maximizes performance to match your workload.

Quickly retrieve and store all your media files on the large 500 GB hard drive, and with dual hard drive support you can add another drive for backups or up to 1.2 TB of extra storage.

Enjoy the next generation of video playback with the HDMI output, which allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video and audio to your digital TV or capable external monitor. The 1.3-megapixel HD webcam presents vivid images even in low-light situations so you can go face-to-face in online chats and easily take still pictures and videos to share. And to make data transfer painless, it includes an eSATA port to speed up large file transfers while a FireWire port moves videos quickly from your digital camcorder.

Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

You'll also experience new ways to deliver your best work with Office Starter 2010.

Key Features
18.4-inch CineCrystal LED-backlit widescreen display with 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution (native 1080p for Full HD viewing). Its widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio is designed to present websites without lots of left-right scrolling, as well as with a smoother line of sight. Specs include a 220-nit high brightness rating, 8ms response time, and 60 percent color gamut.
1.73 GHz Intel Core i7-740QM processor (with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.93 GHz) delivers maximum processing power in response to peak demands. Intel's Turbo Boost technology maximizes speed for demanding applications, dynamically accelerating performance to match your workload--providing more performance when you need it the most. It also comes equipped with ATI Radeon HD 5850 Graphics--an advanced video engine that delivers smooth, high-quality HD video playback, and advanced 3D capabilities, providing an ideal graphics solution for everyday computing.
500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM) with support for a second hard drive
4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; expandable to 16 GB)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 graphics deliver advanced technology to deliver cinema-quality audio and video with 2 GB of DDR3 discrete graphics memory. Using ATI Stream technology, it helps accelerate even the most demanding applications, enabling you to do more than ever with your notebook. It's compatible with the latest DirectX 11 games.
Watch Blu-ray Disc movies in crystal clear resolution with the read-only Blu-ray drive; this notebook also includes an integrated 4x DVD±R/RW SuperMulti drive capable of reading/writing of CD-R/RW, DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, and DVD-RAM.
Dual-Mode Touchpad lets you switch functions between a Multi-Gesture Touchpad and a Media Console. Control the show with touch-sensitive buttons that take you straight to your favorite movies or music. In addition, the scrolling volume wheel puts sound management at your fingertips. (Learn more)
Bio-Protection Fingerprint Reader provides an extra level of laptop security safeguarding unauthorized users from accessing your PC at the touch of your fingerprint.
Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capability provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers). This laptop uses Acer InviLink Nplify technology that enables multi-stream input or output for faster and more reliable bandwidth, and it also offers Acer SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency.
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
5 built-in speakers and dedicated subwoofer simulate surround sound with trumpeting clear tones and deep bass beats while Dolby Home Theater Audio delivers riveting sound from any pair of PC speakers or headphones.
Headphones/speaker/line-out with SPDIF support for true 5.1-channel surround-sound output
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD)
Four USB 2.0 ports
Next-generation eSATA port offers a transfer speed of 3GB/s, delivering enhanced scalability and doubling the bus bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saves. It allows easy sharing and transfer of entertainment content and digital media on external devices.
FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals.
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD. It also includes a standard VGA video output.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process. (Learn more)
Up to 3 hours of battery life (8-cell battery)
Dimensions: 17.3 x 11.6 x 1.7 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 10.1 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

What's in the Box
This package contains the Acer Aspire AS8943G-9319 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions

It also comes with the following software:
McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); Norton Online Backup; NTI Media Maker; Windows Live Essentials; Microsoft Office Starter 2010 (reduced-functionality and advertising; Office 2010 product key can be purchased to activate preloaded suite)
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The Acer Dual-Mode Touchpad
The dual-mode touchpad offers integrated, capacitive touch media controller icons that allows you to switch between multi-gesture mode to media console mode. At the flick of a finger, you can go straight to your favorite movies or music. Integrated into the touchpad, the backlit media console icons glow underneath the pad, providing a clean simplistic design. In addition, a convenient scrolling volume wheel directly under the touchpad makes it easy to control volume levels.

With built-in multi-gesture capabilities, you can pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium

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