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Acer 7738 (G)

This model was first introduced back in April 2009.

Acer Aspire 7738G in this review is the first ordered Acer that we received with pre-installed with Windows 7 Ultimate 64bits. Being a 7.5lbs notebook, it is not quite mobile as one expects but it serves beautifully as a media and development machine around the desk. Screen feels solid at topening and closing.

The bright screen presents all media with stunning clarity.

The fingerprint reader, working flawlessly with Windows 7 makes it easy and secure at log-in and out.

The full speaker and sub-woofer along the top bezel gives outstanding sound to musics. The volume control touch slider adds a touch of class to the enjoyment experience.

The generous 4 USB ports are being spread over both sides of the notebook, making it easier to connect external devices.

Priced at a bit over €800, this is a hard machine to beat in term of performance and cost ratio.

Specifications:

Operating Systems:
Originally MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64bits


Architecture:
. Intel® Centrino® processor technology
. Intel PM45 Express, L2 Cache, 2MB

CPU Section:
. Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T6500,
. 2.1GHz,
. Data Bus Speed @ 800 MHz

Memory:
. 4 GBMemory Speed
. DDR3 1066 Mhz
. Max. Supported Memory: 4GB

Drives:
. 500GB S-ATA 150
. DVD +/- RW (+R double layer) / DVD Ram

Drives Speed:
. Write: CD x24, DVD-R x8, DVD+R x8, DVD+R DL x 6
. Rewrite: CD x24, DVD-RW x6, DVD+RW x8, DVD-RAM x5
. Read: CD x24, DVD x8, DVD-DL x6

Display:
. WXGA SuperBright LCD
. 17.3
. 1600 x 900

Graphics:
. nVidia GT130 with 2303 Turbo Cache

Interfaces:
. 4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A ¦
. 1 x display / video - HDMI - 19 pin HDMI Type A ¦
. 1 x display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) ¦
. 1 x audio - SPDIF output/headphones/line-out - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ¦
. 1 x microphone - input - mini-phone 3.5 mm ¦
. 1 x audio - line-in - mini-phone 3.5 mm ¦
. 1 x modem - phone line - RJ-11 ¦
. 1 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45 ¦
. 1 x remote control - infrared

Connectivity: - featuring Acer SignalUP
. Integrated Wireless LAN, 802.11a/b/g/n draft
. Ethernet network 100 BASE-TX/10 BASE-T
. Bluetooth 2.0
. Modem

Multimedia:
. Realtek ALC262
. Windows® Sound System Compatible / HIgh Definition Audio
. Subwoofer
. DirectSound, Dolby Home Theater

Built-In Camera:
. Crystal Eye

Card Reader
. 5 in 1
. SD Memory Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, MultiMediaCard,

xD-Picture Card

Keyboard:
. Touch Pad (and Touch Pad lock)
. Fingerprint Reader

Features:
. Power button
. Auto Resolution: Plug and Display
. Kensigton Lock
. ACPI 3.0

Softwares:
. Adobe Acrobat Reader,
. Acer Launch Manager,
. Google Toolbar,
. Adobe Flash Player,
. Acer Backup Manager,
. Acer PowerSmart Manager,
. Acer Recovery Management,
. Acer GridVista, Google Desktop,
. McAfee Internet Security Suite (Trial),
. Acer Arcade Deluxe,
. Acer Bio-Protection,
. Acer Crystal Eye,
. NTI Media Maker (OEM)


Supplied Accessories:
. AC Adapter
. 8-Cell 11.1v 4400mAh battery, 90w power supply - 3.5hrs
. Power Cord

Dimensions:
. 16.1" x 11.3" x 1.7"
. Weight with Supplied Battery and Supplied Drive : 7.5lbs

What's in the Box:

. Notebook
. AC Adapter
. Power Cord
. Manual, quick setup

Looks & Design

Nice form design, lacquered casing packed with solid palm areas, it embraces both aesthetic and practicability.






Screen:

The 17.3-inch screen offers bright and clear and sharp presentation of videos, film and pictures.


Keyboard

Keys are solid, repsonsive and comfortable to type on. They are far enough apart for larger fingers, yet close enough not to make it look out of place on a notebook. The full keyboard makes it simple with Office documentation.






Touchpad

It is of a wide footprint, responsive and comfortable. The "lock" button on the right side helps turning it on and off easily for when one types on the notebook's keyboard. I must ask the thinking of the position of this device when a left-handed customers uses it








Multimedia Keys

On the right side of the keyboard one finds a touch slider control of volume, along with the optical drive controls. Smartly designed is such that the optical drive situates also on the right side of the notebook.

This add-on gives the Aspire 7738 a touch of class.




Sound

I must say that the sound on this notebook is superb, thanks to the added sub-woofer and the built-in virtual digital surround.






Heat and Noise

For its size, the notebook runs surprisingly cool and quiet.

Venting is adequate with the heat flow being channeled out to the large exhaust.




Gaming Performance

I have yet run any ganes on this Acer, since it is mainly for work. But one can expect decent performance with the current configuration.


System Performance

We run 2 XP Virtual Machine on this system, along with many CAD processes. No complaint none whatsoever with the smooth performance. Blu-Ray dvds play beautifully with VLC, not yet trying with some paid software, but I personally feel that there is no need for it.


Input and Output Ports

Front:




Right Side:



Left Side:



Back Side:



Bottom:





Battery Life

The notbook would support 3hrs plus of video/film watching easily.

For surfing with wireless and some download, the system barely pulls 2hrs plus.


Pros:

. Good price/Good performance ratio
. Solid built
. Good screen and Sound
. Quiet Operation

Cons:

. Bit heavy, but then it is a 17" plus notebook.
. Battery performance can be better with the 8-cells battery.


Conclusion:

A good investment for home media usage.

It is being noted that an extension to this model offers Core 2 Quad Q9000 4x 2.00GHz.

This configuration can be had for about €900+

cheers ...

nice!

I had a few inquiries over p.m. regarding the graphic driver used for W7.

FYI: GeForce GT 130M Driver version: 186.78

cheers ...

I have this model, and I'm starting to worry about the noise level.

"Normally" the fan is off, it's completely silent and very nice, however, just web surfing is enough to get the fan spinning up every 30-60 seconds to lower the temperature, and the fan isn't THAT quiet. My 3-4 year old dell was more quiet during heavy use than this is surfing the net :/.

I need to pay attention to this tomorrow when I am back at work. It did not come across to me as "loud" for a large comp. Have you tried to elevate it a bit?

cheers ...

I wouldn't call it loud, and it's on a normal table so it shouldn't need to be elevated (and brand new). But it's annoying me quite a lot working in a quiet environment (which is my work environment, always).

It seems to be 3 steps for the fan for me atm, off, on, and gaming. Gaming being slightly more than on is. And on happening even doing basically nothing.

And "loud for a large comp", larger = better in terms of noise, as it's more area to spread heat, and more room for cooling. Of course a powerfull display adapter doesn't help on heat, but even disabling all desktop effects I see the behavior.

I will check it out against my FX sometimes this week at work and give a feedback. I have hard hearing sometimes so it never bothers me

cheers ...