View Full Version : A decision to make - any help appreciated ACER & HP
Hi everybody,
well, I got the 8204 and have it now for like 7 days, which I can return it without any questions within.
I ran the EVEREST, so I found out I have the QDI screen (really great!!)and the 667 RAM modules. Also the build quality is not bad, the only con is the middle button of the touchpad which is bit loose, but that is just a detail. I have the buzzing when running Tokamak and the build date is 03/06.
I am considering a gaming laptop with specs similar to the 8204 but need some of your opinions, guys.
I have noticed that HP released their nx9420 with 17" BrightView 1680x1050 WSXGA screen and 2.16 GHz T2600 and X1600 with 256MB of discrete RAM. Its weight is just 3.5kg, which is like 0.5 kg more than 8204.
I used to have ACERs before, but 8104 was a bad experience, and this is 8204 is the fourth one, that is finally so so.
What do you guys think would be wiser? I am searching for a desktop replacement as this is my only computer and also I do trvael quite a lot and for a long trips.
Should I keep the ACER TM8204 or go for the nx9420????
Any help warmly appreciated;)
CoolHotCold
04-14-2006, 07:38 AM
Ughh the HP seems pretty much the same as the 8204.
You have a good laptop at the moment though with the 8204, no problems.
If i had the chance that you had i think i would stick with the Acer. The matt finnish on the screen suits me, and the Acer support have actually been very helpful(UK). But i'd definatly have a look at the HP and check its specs and price out.
Ughh the HP seems pretty much the same as the 8204.
You have a good laptop at the moment though with the 8204, no problems.
If i had the chance that you had i think i would stick with the Acer. The matt finnish on the screen suits me, and the Acer support have actually been very helpful(UK). But i'd definatly have a look at the HP and check its specs and price out.
Well, I mean that is the hard decision, because I have seven days within I can return the ACER with no questions. But so far I like it a lot!
The QDI screen with some tweaks at Catalyst seems to be more than satisfying, I am considering what the quality standards and portability is with HP and ACER.
I still cant get the error sound at the startup and shutdown solved and just knowing that there is some buzzing with Tokamak (even though I do not use any other apps that produce is) just makes me thinking.
I know there was a bunch of people who returned their 8204s and went to MacBookPro or stuff like that...
On the other hand, who knows what the 9420 would be straight out of the box? What if there would be some buzzing too? Or other issues we might just not know right now - there already are some doubts: http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?p=1958119#post1958119 and I do not want to stick arfound with 17" brick with not comparable output to the ACERs one. I mean my screen is supberb plus 667 RAM, no complaints now...:scratch:
Falafel
04-14-2006, 08:11 AM
17" versus a 15" is a big difference. If you are going to be moving this laptop around or using it in your lap a lot then I wouldn't recommend a 17".
The startup/shutdown problems were already diagnosed and fixes where posted in the peer to peer forums.
CoolHotCold
04-14-2006, 08:25 AM
heh congratz Falafel on making your 200 post. And Of course the Acer comes with the 1 year International Travelers Warenty, and as Falafel said 15.4". And its lighter. i wonder what the HP power brick is like... At least the Acer one is small. Yea lets all go and get MacBookPro's that seem to catch fire..
17" versus a 15" is a big difference. If you are going to be moving this laptop around or using it in your lap a lot then I wouldn't recommend a 17".
The startup/shutdown problems were already diagnosed and fixes where posted in the peer to peer forums.
Well, do you think you could be so kind and poin t me toward the links of the fixes...cause I am not quite sure, but I might have been missing some of them...:huh: Many thanks!
I dunno really if I will be moving a lot or not, it is quite open, but I have never ever in my life had a 17" notebook and I am bit concerned about the screen quality and the build as well, cause it is usually less stress resistant and heavier than these 15" guys;)
By the way Falafel, did you get the QDI screen too? I can be happier with it after what I have seen of Samsung. I just hope the Tokamak buzzing is not that serious of an issue. The fact is that also other notebooks produce some buzzing from video cards (on ATIs platform) with lower or higher intensity...
many thanks in advance!!
heh congratz Falafel on making your 200 post. And Of course the Acer comes with the 1 year International Travelers Warenty, and as Falafel said 15.4". And its lighter. i wonder what the HP power brick is like... At least the Acer one is small. Yea lets all go and get MacBookPro's that seem to catch fire..
Hey Cool do not take me wrong, I am just having quite unique opportunity to evaluate the short ownership of 8204 which is in fact my fourth one and least buggy (the only bug that can be disscused is the Tokamak buzzing and very very silent buzzing with the 3D car at Catalyst). I am just trying to find what would be the best value for the money. The warranty does not bother me, cause in the EU you have 2 years European and yeah the ACER has the ITW. I am plannign to spend some time in the US, so this might be an advantage. Does the HP have good-comparable international warranty program or not at all?
CoolHotCold
04-14-2006, 08:37 AM
No doubt the carbon fiber lid will prove to be useful to the structural integrity.
Falafel
04-14-2006, 08:42 AM
This is the suggestion to fix (http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?postid=1942552#post1942552)the shutdown beep
The startup beep is related to the Acer launch manager I believe. I can't seem to find the post.
This is the suggestion to fix (http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?postid=1942552#post1942552)the shutdown beep
The startup beep is related to the Acer launch manager I believe. I can't seem to find the post.
How did you fix yours? Cause there I just found people guessing what the reasons were but not really a working patch:uhoh:
Falafel
04-14-2006, 09:08 AM
I don't use the 4 applicaton buttons on my keyboard that much so I don't have the Acer Launch manager software installed. If you already have them configured then they still work anyway, at least the email and web buttons do.
I haven't uninstalled the Orbicam software so I still get the shutdown beep, but I rarely shutdown and rely on putting my laptop to sleep. Someone suggest that you can just install the drivers for the camera without the extra software which will remove the shutdown beep.
Personally the shutdown beep is not a major issue.
wynand32
04-14-2006, 04:54 PM
137,
I use my 8204 for work (both for my employer and my own writing). I also use it for playing some games every now and then. If I had spent as much time as you have in agonizing over the decision, I wouldn't have gotten anything done. ;-) And, in the last two months or so since I bought it, I've gotten quite a bit done, and enjoyed it immensely.
I say this with the best of intentions: keep the 8204 and enjoy it. I guarantee you: no matter what you buy, you'll have regrets, be it because of the notebook you bought or the one you didn't buy.
Sorry if I sound patronizing, that's really not my intention. But, you just seem to be stuck in this cycle and it looks like you may never get a notebook and actually start using it...
137,
I use my 8204 for work (both for my employer and my own writing). I also use it for playing some games every now and then. If I had spent as much time as you have in agonizing over the decision, I wouldn't have gotten anything done. ;-) And, in the last two months or so since I bought it, I've gotten quite a bit done, and enjoyed it immensely.
I say this with the best of intentions: keep the 8204 and enjoy it. I guarantee you: no matter what you buy, you'll have regrets, be it because of the notebook you bought or the one you didn't buy.
Sorry if I sound patronizing, that's really not my intention. But, you just seem to be stuck in this cycle and it looks like you may never get a notebook and actually start using it...
wynand,
you actually are very correct and I am thankful for your words. Too many options and never ending decisions are not any good, I agree. Just here for me it took very very long time and so much of effort to save up money for a decent laptop and I wanted something really great and reliable. But I admit it is all just technology and will be too too old next year:cool2:
Well, therefor I turned out to you guys who have some experience with this lappy to get some infos if you regret too much or not;)
cheers
wynand32
04-14-2006, 10:18 PM
Well, as you can tell, I don't regret my purchase a bit... Love my 8204... I got a special extension on a return policy, to 60 days--and kept it. So, I've had plenty of time to change my mind.
Stick with it, you'll love it...
Umm - I highly suggest not going with the HP. You seem to love to underestimate and second guess the 8200 - its build quality is far superior than any 17" HP you get.
Not to mention you have the QDI and 667 ram modules.
CoolHotCold
04-15-2006, 05:12 PM
check out www.rockdirect.com
And look for the CTX
check out www.rockdirect.com
And look for the CTX
That is actually COOOL!!!! I mean, that must be a notebook. What do you think of the HP option? I am not quite sure of the availability of the CTX here...
CoolHotCold
04-15-2006, 07:43 PM
its a UK only based company but they do ship worldwide.
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