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.
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.
"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 :/.