The best deal today? ACER

I recently picked up the Acer 5600 (similar laptop, but with the Intel Dual Core chipset instead of the AMD). I don't have any experience with AMD processors, but I'm loving Acer's Intel build!

hello,

welcome to notebook forums! You sound exactly as I did about a month ago when I was in the market for a notebook. Since then, I've learned a ton about notebook computers. One of those things is that one should stay away from ACER notebooks.

I've talked to several of my friends about this and they all agree with me. The build quality of Acer notebooks is horrible compared to the competition. I, like you, was interested in an acer notebook. In fact, I think that I was going to buy the exact same ACER that you made reference to in your post. The price and the specs were attractive.

I went down the curcuit city (called "the source" in Canada) and looked at the notebook. I was completely unimpressed. The screen was unclear, the plastic hinges that keep the notebook closed looked cheap, and I didn't like the touchpad and scrolling system at all.

After doing days of research, I finally found a notebook that suited my budget. I got a Compaq v2650CA for about 855 US inc. tax. Its specs are as follows:

Turion 64 ML-34
ATI 200M 128MB (same as the 1100)
1GB of Ram
100 GB hard drive
wireless internet + BLUETOOTH:>
14" Brightview screen
Lightscribe DVD burner
6 in 1 card reader

I absolutely love this computer. The build quality is A++++ and the design of the case is awesome. I also can't complain about the performance. It runs all my favorite games. Maybe its just me, but after using my computer for a month, when I look at lower end toshibas, gateways, and ACERs, the build quality of those machines is subpar.

So, my final recommendation is to get a HP or a Compaq (same company). The warrenty might be good if you don't know a whole lot about fixing computers.

I just did some reseach. I would recommend going to compaq.com and customizing a v2000 series notebook.

I customized on and got the 2 year warrenty (100$ value) for a total of 920. Plus, you can get a 50$ mail in rebate, which brings the total to 870 without tax. Not bad for a laptop with two years of warrenty. Here are the specs.


AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-34 (1.8GHz/1MB L2 Cache)
14.0 WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x768)
ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M
1.0GB DDR SDRAM (2x512MB)
100 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support
54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
2-year HP Express Repair extended service plan

I know what you are going to use this for, and if I were you, I would definately get this machine.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...rowse1/SDP_SDP

I also forgot to mention that these compaq laptops have Altec Lansing speakers (super high quality for notebooks!!!!!)

yes, definately look at it in person before you buy. I forgot to mention something important. Stay away from DELLs Let me know what you decide.

I also forgot to comment on the extra goodies that you get with the ACER. All of those things sell on Ebay for next to nothing. I was offered the same deal but in order to get them for free, I had to first pay for them and then submit a mail in rebait. Knowing that they were all worth very little, I declined the offer. I hope that you don't let those affect your decision

Oh, I wish I had a pound for every person unsure of Acer quality. Don't take my advice, read what new users think;

www.notebookforums.com/thread169845.html

Let us know what you decide...

hmm err err hello chris, now while i back jason on the stay away from acer statement, i honestly dont think very high of compaq either...

for more info on this, go to http://forum.notebookreview.com/index.php and look under each manufacturer forum, most have a 'satisfaction poll' stuck to the top... you decide for yourself... acer's completely satisfied percentage is very low, one of the lowest in the forum... and compaq, i didnt even look at compaq cos my girlfriend has one and she hasnt got too many great thigns to say about it... her housemate has one too, and his lcd hinge broke....

dell... well, i agree with the view that dell isnt that great really.. but having said that, i have used my dell for 3 and a half years without a single problem.. but, teh thing is 3 or so years ago dell did have some good technical expertise and advantage, but no more... if youve read the papers lately, youll know dell is recalling 4.1 million batteries.. why? cos they blow up, no other reason... dell blames it on sony cos sony manufactured those batteries.. but my question is, what exactly happened to the dell quality assurance and testing department?? out for an extended lunch break??

in terms of that satisfaction poll, ibm leads at 80% 'couldnt be happier' and asus trails second with 67% or so... those polls arent biased at all eh, cos a lot of ppl vote... there were 80 or so ibm voters and 200 or so asus voters... so ya, those are your top quality choices...

now, i think asus would be the better choice for you, cos they are quite a good build on a good price... and, seriously have a good look around - a lot of places are clearing laptops with lower specs which i think are enough for what you need.. if you find one that you like in the clearance sections, itll be a good choice... proportable and milestonepc are two recommended web sellers eh... now, i would recommend you to get specs similar to these:

core solo or centrino 2.0 GHz or above (if youre only doing those tasks you said, this is more than enough)
1gb ram
hdd - bigger the better, but MUST be faster than 4200rpm... that is slower than usual, not recommended..
on board graphics (i.e. no discrete graphics card)
14 inches wide screen
battery should last for well over 3 hours...
all of that should not exceed 6 pounds...

oh and btw, asus comes with 2 years international warranty standard for their ensemble (meaning pre-built, not custom built) lappies, so thats good... and, while the polls might not agree, toshiba is actually quite good i think...

g'luck

consider the Dell 1505 http://www.dell.com/content/products...=19&l=en&s=dhs

and 1405
http://www.dell.com/content/products...=19&l=en&s=dhs

they have gotten really good reviews on these forums. check out the Dell section and you will find tons of people who will be able to help you out if you want to pick one of these.

The Acer does get really hot around the touchpad after prolonged use if it doesn't have a good deal of airflow underneath it. The speakers are awful. In terms of quality and performance however it's been fantastic, and most laptop speakers are really bad anyway. I'm currently looking for the perfect laptop cooling pad to go with my Acer, but I'd be looking for one no matter which laptop I picked up. I recommend the Acer.

I won't dispute the notion that some people may not be satisfied with compaq. All i know is that the v2000 series is built like a tank compared to other laptops. (except maybe IBM, but those are quite expensive)

lets see, ive owned a Dell 700m, Dell 600D, and acer 5672

if i could choose which to get again of those 3, it would be the acer

the acer is light as a feather from hell (burnt to a crisp light!) but speaking of hell, mine was very very hot, it made my wrist sweat often, so im guessing the first bad thing to happen is wrist spots on the plastic pain job

the 6000D was heavy as hell, but super cold......

my advice if your choosing acer over dell, go acer, unless your worried about a waranty......then go with dell, lol dell sent a dude 3 times to replace my 6000D's lcd screen, with out question, i said the lcd is bad, ok sir we have someone ready to come to your house tomorrow at ___ time window

acer.....wlel i havent messed with their warenty.....

however acer was all around better build quality, and i was hoping the x1600 version of the 5672 would be cooler, but seems it isnt, and the reason it isnt, is cause the fans on the bottom of it dont match up with the proc/vid card, and the output fan is lacking....

very quiet tho! all in all, get acer unless like i said you worry about warranty


soulsaver

I recommend this lenovo 3000 N100

http://www.costcentral.com/proddetai...7686FU/K22553/

Well i have used Sony,Toshiba,Samsung,Acer,Asus,IBM,Lenovo,Dell,HP,Compaq and Gateway. And the Acer was the best. Yes the build quailty was as good as the HP but my HP broke after 3 months of use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HP repaired it and took my keyboard and processor! Very Good Support!!! I also hate how rude HP staff are.

I would get the Acer.If you buy the HP and it breaks dont expect support.

I made the mistake by buying a shinny HP costing me £1000 (i could of had the acer for £750) And it broke.

DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE!

Christina,

I'm an IT trainer by profession. I meet a lot of laptop people. Generally Acer is a very reliable brand. Remember that most people who support a particular brand do so because they own that brand and feel loyalty to it.

I can tell you now that I have never owned Toshiba or HP Compaq but I have met an awful lot of people who were thoroughly dissapointed in those brands. Undoubtably someone will write and tell you the opposite. I can only tell you what my experience is.

I really think that if you bought Acer with the three year warranty you would at least have some support should things go wrong. Things are equally likely to go wrong no matter which manufacturer you pick. It's the luck of the draw.