Acer LX.SA90X.059 Black Friday Sales!
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Acer LX.SA90X.059 Black Friday Sales!.
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I support checking out the Netbooks that reach 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 impartial seem too microscopic. As a result I've been poking around the high-end of the Netbook spectrum / grievous raze of the Ultra-portable spectrum for something more usable. The Acer Aspire 1410 series does a vast job of bridging the gap between miniature rude 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 arrive the $1000+ note range of most ultra-portables. It has a few drawbacks, notably material quality: like a lot of Acer products the plastic molding is lovely and the tolerances are tight. However the quality of the plastic is more in line with what you would inquire of with a Netbook (which is to say it is lower density plastic and more likely to scratch or demolish) . To me it's reasonable that the overall component quality is lower than what I would secure if I spent $1000 (prove not as nice, conclude not as refined, buttons not as responsive, etc...) . Serene, overall this is a well save together computer with top-notch perform quality considering the trace. While I didn't raze up buying one myself if might be the lawful fit for you: if you are on a budget and you need a cramped laptop that can do more than browse web pages this would be a very valid choice.
Let's go over the specs:
CPU: The Core 2 ULV SU3500 is a tremendous CPU choice and far more great than the Atom CPU found in most Netbooks. This is a single core (as opposed to the two core "Core2 Duo") Ultra Vulgar Voltage cpu running at 1.4GHz. Depending on the true application this CPU is about 3-6x more much than the typical Atom Processor. It also has 3 MB of cache (cache is a obtain of on-chip high bustle memory) vs the Atom's 512 KB. With 6x the cache of the Atom this CPU is going to expend 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 net on an Atom. The Core2 is technically more power hungry than the Atom but when running applications the contrast isn't indispensable (5 watts for the Core2 vs 1.5 watts for Atom) . The main disagreement happens when in standby or sleep mode where the Atom will spend remarkable less power than the Core2 (because the kind of transistors on the Atom "leak" less power than those customary 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 occupy the Atom based Netbooks (say for sales calls on the road) . I assume most users will probably engage 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 approach 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 accelerate is beneficial 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 contemplate. Peaceful, 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 consume more than 50GB. Serious gamers and video encoders will need a lot more set than this.
DISPLAY: The 11.6" 1366x768 cover looks salubrious and is a lot more useable than the 8-10" screens found on most Netbooks. The resolution is noteworthy better than what you will rep on most Netbooks and it is reasonably sparkling (200 nits vs 300+ nits on higher demolish laptop) . I passed on this model because the viewing angle is petite (the manufacturer list the viewing angles as 60vert/90horiz compared to 120v/140h on a high ruin present) and my sons like to sit with me and explore YouTube videos. The itsy-bitsy viewing angles might be a selling point for somebody traveling who would select not to portion what's on their veil with others. So while Acer clearly saved some money here it's peaceful a edifying display: unless you need a really high quality LCD I believe most people will be sparkling jubilant with this mask (again it's far better than what you'll earn in most Netbooks) . For those few who care it's made by AU Optronics and I judge it's model B116XW01.
GRAPHICS: The Intel Mobile GMA X4500HD graphics won't brand any gamers but if you're running business applications it will do unbiased lovely. Update: they loaded Autocad on this thing at work and it wasn't attractive. It might have been a driver hiss but the render times were dreadful. It's not really a surprise but don't pick this to rush your CAD software. Of course for most users this won't be an instruct.
AUDIO: notebooks are not known for ample speaker sound and this notebook doesn't rupture 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 attractive.
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 originate to switch over to USB drives soon (Windows 7 will be sold on USB drives) so this may not be a mountainous deal for remarkable longer. Today it's a injure to not have a CDROM.
BATTERY: The 6 cell battery is perfect for this notebook (thanks to the shameful power components) . This notebook is probably too runt for an 8 cell to fit cleanly but the 4 cell found in most Netbooks objective isn't adequate, even for an Atom CPU. This 6 cell battery will provide about 3-5 hours of trusty expend though with aggressive power saving modes you can score over six hours. Update: we have two of these in our hardware lab and it was unprejudiced 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 deem the release version. Interestingly the non-US version of this laptop has the higher capacity battery. I can only choose Acer was trying to bring the label down to compete in the tight US netbook market.
WEIGHT: Coming in a 3.1 lbs this is dinky bit heavier than the typical Netbook but not by noteworthy (Netbooks will range from 2-3lbs) . Most regular notebooks are 6-8 lbs.
WIRELESS: The usual Intel 5100 A/G/N supports the most accepted standards ("A" and "G") along with the novel "N" standard. You should have no distress connecting to wireless networks. This is shapely standard though a few laptops will succor 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 slight and light but tall enough that you can actually utilize it. If you've got 1K-2K to utilize you can catch a better Ultra-Portable notebook (I'm partial to Sony's and Apple's offerings in that segment) but in this designate range there isn't powerful competition.
Oh I should ticket that while this model is sunless 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) .
This laptop is unbiased by far the best laptop for the overall features.
Pros:
1. Very thin and light. Fair a bit bigger than today's netbooks
2. Grand faster than Atom based netbooks
3. Lustrous and ample shroud with moral HD aspect ratio. Very useful resolution.
4. 4g upgradeable memory cap.
5. Sizable webcam and superb microphone
6. Improbable battery life even with Core2solo CPU. Last longer than my other netbook with the same capacity battery.
7. HDMI out! wow
8. Wireless N and Bluetooth
(Edited:8/31/2009) No Bluetooth! My awful assumption from the bluetooth switch and LED indicator on the laptop. Sorry...
9. Multi finger/gesture touch pad like iPhone
10. Very usable keyboard
11. Tranquil fan and harddrive
12. It does not pick up hot like my other netbook
13. Mammoth speakers!
14. Centrino architecture seems to be faster in network response compare to Atom based netbooks
15. Inexpensive for the quality laptop with all the features
16. (Added on 8/29/2009) Grand 250G HDD
17. (Added on 8/29/2009) Free upgrade to Windows 7 from Acer. Nice! (However, it was small tricky to register using Chrome. I had to exhaust IE. They may have fixed the instruct though...)
18. (Added on 8/29/2009) The lid opens up wider (deeper? ) than my netbook. This is kind of critical to me while using it on my lap.
Cons (I do not really care about these cons, but here they are)
1. Vista. I like XP myself
2. Shining LCD shroud is too reflective. This may be unbiased me.
3. HD movies from Vimeo and Youtube are bit inactive (not because of network bandwidth. It is more like not enough CPU power for Flash based HD movies.
(Added on 8/29/2009) Even though the movies are cached all the draw, the CPU hits 100% with Flash based HD movies. SD movies are unprejudiced gorgeous. I can kind of seek HD Flash movies better with this laptop than my Atom netbook though.
4. All the pre-installed applications that I removed.
5. My wish for the laptop make to be somewhat like macbook or HP Mini series.
6. I understanding the CPU had hyper-threading like Atom. Task manager shows only one thread. I know it is "solo", but Atom shows two threads.
(Added on 8/29/2009) The CPU does not have HT (Hyperthreading) . I had some outrageous info there. Even without the HT, this diminutive laptop performs noteworthy faster than my Atom netbook.
Although I listed cons, they are very least items that I wish for. Of course, It does not manufacture like Intel i7 CPU based desktops. However, for the size and usability, this is a champ of all laptops and desktop PCs I have ever owned. I will employ the i7 desktop for Video and photo editing. That may be only 5% of all my computer usage. The rest, 95% of tasks can be done with this puny laptop for me. I cannot talk about the durability yet, but it seems to be well built. Anyway, this is a expansive laptop with very reasonable trace designate!
(Added on 8/29/2009) Some usual stuff that I did to acquire the laptop even better.
1. Usual Vista tune ups like turning off Aero and other graphic intensive features.
2. Removed many pre-installed apps mainly Office trial and Anti-virus software.
3. Turned off unused initiate up programs
(Added on 8/30/2009) Some tests
1. HDMI out to HD TV
1080p resolution worked perfect including sound with not distinguished config. 1080 resolution gets everything too exiguous to read for my setup. I switched to 720p. My TV does not adjust automatically, so I had to adjust the size using Intel TV wizard software (This app cannot be obsolete with Dual monitor config. Switching to Digital TV only mode enables it.) . I adjusted using the app to 720p. The app works, but the cloak refreshes every time the adjustment button was clicked, I had to press the adjustment button very slowly and patiently. When I clicked too like a flash, the app froze with 100% CPU for a long time like 10 min. I had to restart. Other than that all worked perfect!
2. Web cam and digital microphone using Skype
I wanted a runt laptop with webcam, so I can effect it apt next to my baby and point to her to my parents in Japan via Skype. My other netbook kind of worked, but in crude light position, the video was so sunless that they could ogle only my white eyes. Mic was also giving them echo. When I tried with this laptop, it was literary day and night. This laptop webcam is optimized for gross light. They could sight my baby clearly. The mic was determined and no echo. The only minor bellow is that the image is bit white tinted with default setting. My wife idea I was smoking... haha. I had to tweak a bit in config. Nonetheless, the webcam and mic worked huge for Skype. FYI: It does not execute like high resolution after market webcams, but the built-in webcam satisfies my needs very well.
This notebook is one of those instances when you say to yourself, "Wow, it is as salubrious as I expected, and more."
I have refrained from buying a netbook because the improper resolution and abominable performance prevents me from multi-tab web browsing, not to mention continuous scrolling with Office documents. When I first saw this notebook, I was very exasperated because it has something the older generation netbooks have lacked:
- Decent resolution (1366x768)
- Decent performance
- Even better battery life (6 hours)
Except, it actually exceeded my expectation.
LCD Screen: Very engaging, and very gleaming. I am amazed that Acer can squeeze 1366x768 into an 11.6 paddle veil, and calm hold it so exciting and distinct. It is very comfortable to understanding, and I do not feel any different from viewing my ragged 14 budge LCD.
Performance: In terms of word processing, web surfing and installing software, it has been as unruffled as my worn dual-core laptop. This notebook has upgraded the CPU and chipset from the previous generation netbook, which contributes to the performance I am seeing.
Keyboard/touchpad: It's paunchy size keyboard, and it's comfortable to type on. I am unexcited trying to fetch faded to some of the key placement, and the lack of home/end buttons. But it's definitely no worse than my other laptop's keyboard. Acer has also learned the lesson from Aspire 751h, so the touchpad is centered to the touch-typing keyboard, and has two buttons. However, the touchpad edge is difficult to distinguish.
Battery: From what I read, one Acer hour is usually shorter than one Asus hour. This notebook has proven me base. I speed it on high performance mode, and it level-headed gives me about 6 hours of battery life. Running company VPN and remote desktop seems to slash it to about 5 hours.
Size: While slightly bigger than the prev-gen netbooks, I don't feel it's bulkier. At 3 lb, it's very light, but can quiet stand to lose some weight.
Temperature: It doesn't heat up mighty, you can exercise it on your lap the whole day.
Other Pros: 250 GB HDD, 2 GB RAM, 1 Gb LAN, 802.11n, webcam, microphone, no-latch lid
Cons:
- Lack of separate Home/End buttons. Unfortunately I contemplate most netbooks have to gain this sacrifice.
- Battery charging is boring (I estimate about 4 hours) . On the flip side, the charger is exiguous and light.
- Tranquil requires a fan to dissipate heat, albeit serene.
- Others: lacks bluetooth
As I said, the moment I started using it, all I could say was "Wow". I could not enjoy Acer could arrive out with something that outshines Asus (and the rest of the computer industry) . For all the laptops I have owned (5), none of them have impressed me as powerful as this one does.
Update 2009-09-07:
I went on a business perambulate suitable after getting this laptop. It's proven to be very mobile. I charge the laptop at night, and pick it to work with me in the morning, without the charger. The keyboard feels very natural, and overall work is mild sailing.
At night I expend this laptop to play demo games and glance a few videos (I had the foresight to rip a few ISOs) . Most DVDs play immense, but there was one that does not play smoothly, so I guess it depends on the DVD encoding.
Overall care for this laptop's portability. The battery life ensures that the laptop is always ready when I need to utilize it.
