Acer Aspire 1644WLMI (UK Buyer)

[Bilz]

Im intrested in purchasing this laptop. Does anyone here have it? How does it cope under pressure? I want it for 6th form (year 12 at School). It has the following specifications:

Pros:

- Pentium M Centrino 750 2.0Ghz
- 1GB of RAM
- 100GB Hard Drive (not sure what speed)
- 15.4" Widescreen (CrystalBrite)
- DVD Dual Layer drive

Cons:

- Weak graphics
- Relatively heavy 2.94 KG

How will it cope under games? Does anyone know the typical battery life?

If I do purchase, I will be writing a detailed review of my views on the laptop combined with detailed photographs.

Regards,
Bill

[sionyboy]

It has the same Intel graphics as my Acer 3613. Its capable of playing Quake 3 or jedi Knight 2 at 1024x768 @ hi detail. Most things on the Q3 engine should run alright, but anything later than that you will struiggle with. Also be aware that integrated graphics have many compatibility issues. If you do like playing the occasional game, get dedicated graphics for better performance and guaranteed compatibility.

The battery on it seems to be the same 4 cell battery that I have as well, so expect about 90-120 minutes of use.

I'd spend the extra £30 and get the Acer 1652zwlmi from acernotebooks.co.uk. It has an X1300 graphics chip, much better than the intel. You'll probably be able to play HL2 at decent levels, and possibly Doom 3 albeit at basic levels. It also has an 8 cell battery, so you can expect better battery life too.

http://www.acernotebooks.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_1652ZWLMi_LX.AAH05.113/version-1.asp

[Bilz]

Thanks for your reply, although I ordered the laptop yesterday. I dont mind it running normal games, as I dont really play games anyway with my ATI Radeon 256MB on my desktop (what a waste!!).

Also the faster processor of the 1644 will be better for me, at 2.0Ghz with photoshop and dreamweaver, as a pose to the 1.7Ghz from the 1652.

I will let you know how it is, expected today! Also, do you think its possible to buy the 8-cell battery seperatly, and where from? Thanks.

[sionyboy]

Cool, I look forward to reading a review on it.:)

[Bilz]

Not recieved yet, also, does the 1644 have a card reader?? If not I WILL have to buy one

[Bilz]

Also, can I fit a card reader into the unit? There seems to be a blank space above the PC Card slot. If so, where can I buy it from? I need CF, MMC, SD. Thanks.

[sionyboy]

This is the only PCMCIA card reader I have found that supports MMC, SD and CF.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Newlink-23-in-1-Card-reader-Cardbus-PC-Card-PCMCIA_W0QQitemZ7609535943QQcategoryZ48545QQcmdZViewItem

Only other option is a external USB 2 card reader.

[Bilz]

Thanks. Thats the only one I found too. Generally I will only be using CF II (I am a photographer and cameras take only CF). I might just buy a single one for CF. Thanks again.

[Bilz]

OK - Got the laptop. So far no real problems with the laptop, everything works. Will be posting a review shortly. Thanks.

[sionyboy]

Glad to hear, look forward to the review, and possibly some piccies as well?? :)

[Bilz]

Will review the laptop next week - very busy at the moment. Ordered the SanDisk Ultra Compact Flash PC Card Adapter, should arrive today. So far the system is very quick.

I want to change the original 4-cell battery to the 8-cell battery for double battery life, how do I go about doing this? Who else supplies it apart from ACER? Also, could I trade my 4-cell for an 8-cell?

Regards,
Bill

[sionyboy]

Regarding the battery, I'm not too sure to be honest. I've looked myself but its a confusing affair. Best bet is to ring up the retailer and ask them.

Out of interest, where did u buy the laptop from?

[Bilz]

savastore.com