What to tell Acer to receive a brand new 8204 via warranty - Page 2

samsung are one of the main manufacturers of lcd's their years of experience mean they make some of the best around
I have lost track of what generation the lcd's are on now

many brands use their displays

Hmmm, I think you might be mistaken. I shipped my 8204 to Acer's only Canadian location, and picked it up there when the repair was complete. The shipper even asked me if I had any questions for the tech "since she's on her way home". I would argue thats pretty conclusive the repair was done by them.

Besides, a tech's level of competence has zero to do with their knowledge of multiple brands, and more to do with individual aptitude.




My experience is similar to corrado85's. A particular point that encouraged me to consider Acer products was localized support. When I dial 1-800 for tech support I get to speak with another North American. I have nothing against out-sourcing or globalization, however when it comes to technical support it should be offered in the language the customer is both fluent and confortable with.

I actually used to moonlight as an Acer hardware engineer in Australia. My company was a distributor and repairer. It really depends who/what you get as a service engineer. I used to spend the extra 10 minutes making sure everything's put together, turn it upside down to make sure the keyboard don't drop out and things like that. Most of the time I worked on machines that I know the owners of - I have to take it back on-site to return them so I'd rather not end up with egg on my face, personal pride in work and all. The issue (which is common to most manufacturers if not all) is that no matter how new the machine is, chances are the replacement parts are refurbished. Should see some of the mainboards that I had to put in, soldered wire joints bridging broken bits ... masking tape over them to stop them falling out sort of thing. Swore I'd never buy an Acer, now 7 years down the track, I went and got the TM8204. Touch wood it's been a fab machine for me.

My two cents

I work doing tech support for a reseller. We support everything we sell, so we're first line of defence for problems with anything. Laptops, wireless routers, macs, you name it.

I wanted to say that I agree about poor service not necessarily reflecting the entire company. Even in my immediate department, we have some technicians who are only 10% as capable as some of the rest of us. This especially applies when you're talking about outsourcing the support. Even in places where everybody receives good training, some people just aren't as good at critical thinking and troubleshooting. That's just luck of the draw.

I've heard a lot of good things and a lot of bad things about Acer laptops, and I'm very convinced that they're no better or worse than any other company, in general. I'll be watchful for some of the common problems when I get my Aspire, and be firm and clear about the warranty policies if I ever have any problems. Firm and polite, of course.

Somebody said it already but I'll repeat it again. Always be nice on the phone and you will get much more. If you're frustrated, remember that the person on the other end either a) wasn't personally responsible for whatever the problem was, or b) would be more inclined to fix whatever they did wrong if you were tolerant of their mistakes and willing to keep a good attitude about fixing everything. People that call me and make it clear that they just want somebody to take out their frustrations on, using words like "you" "your company" "you guys", when talking about the problems with their machine, doesn't give me any incentive to help them, it just makes me resent their lack of appreciation for the service we provide.

Also, any policies that the technicians are forced to follow, don't take that out on them. Very few technicians *want* to leave a job unfinished or unfixed, but company policies can force them to strictly give the minimum service. Acting irate will make people push that minimum service as low as possible. Being nice will make the techs want to give you the benefit of the doubt and stretch the rules the other way. We're all human.

I have a Toshiba M200 Tablet. Paid $2499 for it. Very nice system, but:

1. I have an issue that's now gone in for two service calls without being resolved where battery life drops from 30% to 3% instantly, with two separate batteries (one of which is brand new). I don't hold out hope that this issue will be resolved, meaning that I'm losing about a full hour of battery life for a sytem that's intended to be ultra-portable.

2. The M200 has a general issue experienced by many where dust gets trapped between the digitizer and the LCD. This is beyond annoying--imagine working with a system with a coating of dust on the screen that can't be removed. I'm sending mine in for the second time, I'm sure to have the LCD replaced again with another assembly that will suffer from precisely the same issue.

3. The LCD itself, while bright, has a grittiness to it that's worse than any matting. It's a far worse viewing experience than my 8204 (perhaps making me just a little more tolerant of the screen, but then I have two Sony notebooks and a work ThinkPad that I also use, and the 8204 is 90% as easy to view as those).

Ultimately, I could attack Toshiba for creating a system that has systemic errors that have been reproduced among a number of users and never resolved. I don't, though, because 1) again the M200 is otherwise a great system and 2) I did my research and was aware of the issues before purchasing.

What's amazing to me about this thread is there's an individual here who went through four (!) systems, gave up, moved on to another notebook entirely, and still feels the need to come here and exagerate the negatives of a notebook that he no longer owns.

The problem with doing so is that it creates the impression that the notebook and vendor are _that_ bad when they're demonstrably _not_, thus driving away potential purchasers of the system and, basically, insulting those of us who own 8204's and like them. How could we, one could ask, when it sucks so badly?

It's just bothersome, I suppose... Sorry for the vent, but yeesh.

There is more people having constant problems with this notebook and many of them gave up before, so actually that's you who's making false impression that there is no problems with these computers!!! Potential users should be aware of all the problems that Acer notebooks have and decide if they want to buy them anyway... And driving away potential customers could be the only way to change Acer's policy and make them care more about their products - so it's good for all of us in the end...

Not to get into an argument or flame war, certainly, but: the point is, if you visit ANY forum, you'll find complaints. You'll find persistent problems that many users experience. You'll find support nightmares, driver issues, numerous BIOS revisions, bitches and moans about the manufacturer, software vendor, third-party warranty issuer, reseller, ad infinitum.

I've owned notebooks by Sony, IBM, Toshiba, Compaq/HP, Acer, and Fujitsu (and, I might be forgetting one or two), and I can say: I've had issues with all of them. Just as many in every case, and more in some. I've had a notebook by Sony that was perfect, and one that was a lemon. I've owned two Acers so far, and they've both performed admirably. I've owned one great Toshiba, and one so-so. My IBM's have been flakey (I once sold an order of 100 ThinkPads where 45 of them were DOA; stuff happens). The one Compaq/HP I owned was a complete piece.

I've waited on hold for hours to talk to support techs who couldn't speak English, and I've waited mere minutes to talk to pleasant techs who solved my problems in seconds. And I've experienced both with every vendor I've ever worked with.

What I suppose bothers me the most is when so many complaints come from specific individuals who, it would seem, have a real axe to grind, and don't offer any constructive advice except "Don't buy Acer!!! They're terrible!!!" There's a few of those on every forum for every vendor selling every product known to man. It just gets a little tiresome after a bit.

Okay, rant over. I'll not bother anyone again. I'll just continue to use my 8204 to be productive, ask questions, and help out if/when I can. Good luck to anyone who's had issues with their Acer, I wish you at least the experience that I've had.

i think you should just send it in when your acer is having hardware problems and kindly add a request could you please change the plastic assembly above the keyboard plesae?

BOTH times i sent in my ferrari 4005, i requested them as goodwill if they can replace the top lid (because it had full of scratches) and they did it no question asked. the tech rep just said ok 'il put it in the system but no garauntees'

BrickTop, just to let you that I got my 8204 a 2 weeks ago and it's a 06/04 model with 667 Mhz ram with a decent screen. I must be one of the lucky few who doesn't have the problems with it like most people here and not to mention I'm very happy with it. So, good luck to you and hope you'll end up with one without any problems.

i would choose 8204 over ANYYYY any! laptop out there!

seriously. if acer would get their act together and have the screen issue fixed.


667mhz ram is awesome! i love the design of acer/ standard features over anyone else.

Really, it's not _most_ people who have problems with the model. Just a loud minority.

Is recommending the product even when one knows there are issues that ACER does not want to comment or solve CONSTRUCTIVE?

Those "individuals" who had problems with "four" units lost nice portion of time due to practiques of certain brand and feel some responsibility to prevent others from experiencing similar situation.

If that is bad or tiring, please do not read it and be lucky you have no issues. I think this is a whole different problem - for somebody 3000 USD (that much it costs here!) is not a little thin money, here in my country people are making 400 a month, okay? Believe or not.

Plus - if the market would be healthy it should work like this: ACER would care much more about customers opinion if people who have had C O N S T A N T (I repeat) CONSTANT (yes four 3000 USD laptops and one 2400USD unrepairable that spent 4 months at ACER repair service) bad experience would share it with others and would avoid buying such product. But if speaking about people posting here - there is equal number of happy users who feel like to defend ACER because in the lottery of 8204 they got the working piece whitout issues.

Yes, those unsatisfied usually move on, because do not want to loose any time with a product that stepped into their way and was far from what was advertised! But some "individuals" who were saving up for ages to afford a great laptop and stepped into the s..t can have some sympathy and are checking every now and then and give their OPINION and EXPERIENCE vs. ATTITUDE given by few "individuals" who are happy, which I am very glad for.

Appropos - speaking about people constantly complaining and those who would never like any laptop. Please search for my posts at HP - maybe it is just the badge HP, maybe I was lucky to get good one, but I have nothing to complain about. And be constructive not offensive please. If you feel touched I am sorry, it was not the purpose. If you feel that complaining "individuals" are posting too much, go and post more with your positive experience, or have the moderator make a note that negative experience are not welcome, because every manufacturer has issues...

Many thanks

Oh ....... My ........ God ..........

She's within an inch of her life now!

Careful iBorg and gweilo8888 you'll have enlighten on your back about making jibes at people and not posting concise intelligent replies.

Eh, what is the reason for such posts msnealo? How helpful or related to the topic is it? Arent you and wynand and iborg those guys who were calling for constructive discussion? Now it is clear who is talking rubbish.

to iBorg and the rest of 8204 fan club: Are you guys sure you are not paid by ACER...?

Very helpful, and clearly related to the topic. A fine example of "constructive discussion".

just read after yourself man and think about it a bit

Wow! I've purchased Acers for a staff of 150 for the past five years. Never had any problems that I didn't expect. You want tech support problems try WinBook, or better yet, try to get Dell's hooks out of you once you've bought a Dell. I'll happily put up with Acer.

Let me shed some light on some of you,, Acer America is a warrenty repair depot not an exchange depot. Most of you clown's probly dont even ask questions before sending in your computer nor read the email's that specificlly tell you do not send anything but the notebook itself. Notebooks are only replaced with a refurb only if your notebook can not be repaired. You think they want to have stacks of old crusty box's laying around? no its easier to to ship it back in new box and packaging.