Intro
"Talk about your first impressions. Reasons for buying."
Its for work. Price point was actually as low as I could find in a proper branded laptop in stock YET with dedicated video. Initial impression was positive although I most of my history is with Dell. Primary thing is keyboard since for ME I prefer US layout vs UK which sometimes happens here.
Specs:
Primary items include the i3 and Nvidia 310M. 500GB drive, bluetooth, and 3USB ports were also notable items during my comparisons
What's in the Box:
Warranty card/info
90W power brick
battery
laptop (of course)
NOT included: media CD's
Design
"What do you think of the aesthetics of the notebook?"
Quite pleased so far but do not care for the fingerprint attracting surface on the back of the LCD (viewed when closed). The flush mounted look of all the buttons and power are nicely done.
Screen:
"How is the picture quality of the screen? Viewing angle? Level of brightness? Adjust the level of brightness from the lowest to the brightest. Talk about how it reacts in daylight/nightlight. Are there any dead pixels?"
This is one of the newer screens so it looks great. Maybe because its so CLEAN and NEW?
In comparing to some old laptops in our office this stands out. Viewing angle is pretty good but there is still that sweet spot where it looks the way its supposed to. This thing can be BRIGHT. Not tested in daylight but just when I think its already full bright there is another 'notch' to go. Have not had issues with office light reflections and frankly forgot to test for this... to me that means its good since I didnt notice.
Keyboard
Is the keyboard comfortable? Does it come with a keypad? Does it get hot? Are the function keys useful? What are the function keys? (list them starting with F1)
Seems ok to me good feedback, very quiet. So far accuracy is about what it used to be but I still have to adj to something other than the Dell and FTECH I was using. No keypad but I dont use one anyway. I dont use Function keys other than screen brightness and audio controls for this laptop. My wifi/bt controls are done via dedicated buttons to the right of keyboard
Dedicated buttons mentioned above:
"P" button: Application launcher. You assign the application
"WiFi" button: disable/enable
"BlueTooth" button: disable/enable
"Acer Backup" button: launches Acer Backup Manager
Volume UP
Volume DOWN
Touchpad
Just "ok" for me, nothing bad for the pad. Not as good as the Dell 1705 I used to have but maybe I'm not adjusted yet. Havent bothered with multi-touch. The mouse 'buttons' are too small for me and could be placed better - Not a deal breaker but noticeable (for me). You get full control over settings so there are no issues for sensitivity etc that can't be corrected. I found most defaults proper.
Next to touchpad is a small disable/enable button
Features:
Multimedia Keys
Havent bothered - went straight to office apps.
LEDS
"Are there any LED indicators? Where are they and what are their functions?"
Not all are labeled but this is what I can tell:
Power LED at top left of KB (surrounding power button)
Next to power are HDD/NumLock/CapLock
To right of KB there are 6 dedicated buttons 2 with LED for WiFi&BT
Two blue LEDs below touchpad and left mouse button....
Right LED is charging indicator. I am guessing the left one is battery status
Wifi –
Coupled with Win7 wireless works VERY well and much improved over XP in the same environments. This laptop shows "Atheros AR5B93" for card name.
Speakers
"Are there speakers built in? What is the quality? Is there a subwoofer?"
Not tested!
Input and Output Ports
3 USB 2.0 ports,HDMI Port
External display (VGA) port,
Headphone/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support, Microphone-in jack, Ethernet (RJ-45) port,
Modem (RJ-11) port304
Webcam Pictures
Not tested
Right Side:
USBx1, Optical drive, RJ11, security lock plane
Left Side:
USBx2, HDMI, RJ45, line out, headphone, mic, VGA, power, card reader
Rear:
N/A
Bottom:
Nothing too notable.
Benchmarks
Not yet. Windows experience is "5"
Size and Weight
Reasonable. But then I was used to 17" laptop.
Heat and Noise
Fairly quiet. Cool enough with light load to rest hands comfortably on wrist rest. Careful placement on lap is also not hot (for me)
Battery Life
Informal test so far shows 2.5+hrs light duty use nothing disabled.
Software
Warranty registration is done on screen. Confirmed after that Acer had on file so this is painless.
Accessories
Did not get accessories but there was a promo for free bag, mouse, laptop cooler, screen cleaner, usb hub, and headphones.
Pros: In list form, summarize the pros
Not too hot
Not too much bloatware and what is there might be of interest but easy to remove
In spite of cons below, bluetooth READING my phone was great. Good for Win7!
Cons: In list form, summarize the cons
Bluetooth connectivity is not consistant... can transfer files from phone yesterday, cannot today.
Bluetooth mouse drops connectivity randomly. Disable/Enable fixes it. Will explore settings/driver issues later
Fn and Ctrl buttons should be swapped as I keep using Fn instead of Ctrl.
Conclusion:
After a few days Im pleased with this laptop. I did NOT get for gaming but for some admin work and light/med graphical work. 14" is pushing it for the graphical work but could not justify larger screen at this time.
"Talk about your first impressions. Reasons for buying."
Its for work. Price point was actually as low as I could find in a proper branded laptop in stock YET with dedicated video. Initial impression was positive although I most of my history is with Dell. Primary thing is keyboard since for ME I prefer US layout vs UK which sometimes happens here.
Specs:
Primary items include the i3 and Nvidia 310M. 500GB drive, bluetooth, and 3USB ports were also notable items during my comparisons
What's in the Box:
Warranty card/info
90W power brick
battery
laptop (of course)
NOT included: media CD's
Design
"What do you think of the aesthetics of the notebook?"
Quite pleased so far but do not care for the fingerprint attracting surface on the back of the LCD (viewed when closed). The flush mounted look of all the buttons and power are nicely done.
Screen:
"How is the picture quality of the screen? Viewing angle? Level of brightness? Adjust the level of brightness from the lowest to the brightest. Talk about how it reacts in daylight/nightlight. Are there any dead pixels?"
This is one of the newer screens so it looks great. Maybe because its so CLEAN and NEW?
In comparing to some old laptops in our office this stands out. Viewing angle is pretty good but there is still that sweet spot where it looks the way its supposed to. This thing can be BRIGHT. Not tested in daylight but just when I think its already full bright there is another 'notch' to go. Have not had issues with office light reflections and frankly forgot to test for this... to me that means its good since I didnt notice.Keyboard
Is the keyboard comfortable? Does it come with a keypad? Does it get hot? Are the function keys useful? What are the function keys? (list them starting with F1)
Seems ok to me good feedback, very quiet. So far accuracy is about what it used to be but I still have to adj to something other than the Dell and FTECH I was using. No keypad but I dont use one anyway. I dont use Function keys other than screen brightness and audio controls for this laptop. My wifi/bt controls are done via dedicated buttons to the right of keyboard
Dedicated buttons mentioned above:
"P" button: Application launcher. You assign the application
"WiFi" button: disable/enable
"BlueTooth" button: disable/enable
"Acer Backup" button: launches Acer Backup Manager
Volume UP
Volume DOWN
Touchpad
Just "ok" for me, nothing bad for the pad. Not as good as the Dell 1705 I used to have but maybe I'm not adjusted yet. Havent bothered with multi-touch. The mouse 'buttons' are too small for me and could be placed better - Not a deal breaker but noticeable (for me). You get full control over settings so there are no issues for sensitivity etc that can't be corrected. I found most defaults proper.
Next to touchpad is a small disable/enable button
Features:
Multimedia Keys
Havent bothered - went straight to office apps.
LEDS
"Are there any LED indicators? Where are they and what are their functions?"
Not all are labeled but this is what I can tell:
Power LED at top left of KB (surrounding power button)
Next to power are HDD/NumLock/CapLock
To right of KB there are 6 dedicated buttons 2 with LED for WiFi&BT
Two blue LEDs below touchpad and left mouse button....
Right LED is charging indicator. I am guessing the left one is battery status
Wifi –
Coupled with Win7 wireless works VERY well and much improved over XP in the same environments. This laptop shows "Atheros AR5B93" for card name.
Speakers
"Are there speakers built in? What is the quality? Is there a subwoofer?"
Not tested!
Input and Output Ports
3 USB 2.0 ports,HDMI Port
External display (VGA) port,
Headphone/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support, Microphone-in jack, Ethernet (RJ-45) port,
Modem (RJ-11) port304
Webcam Pictures
Not tested
Right Side:
USBx1, Optical drive, RJ11, security lock plane
Left Side:
USBx2, HDMI, RJ45, line out, headphone, mic, VGA, power, card reader
Rear:
N/A
Bottom:
Nothing too notable.
Benchmarks
Not yet. Windows experience is "5"
Size and Weight
Reasonable. But then I was used to 17" laptop.
Heat and Noise
Fairly quiet. Cool enough with light load to rest hands comfortably on wrist rest. Careful placement on lap is also not hot (for me)
Battery Life
Informal test so far shows 2.5+hrs light duty use nothing disabled.
Software
Warranty registration is done on screen. Confirmed after that Acer had on file so this is painless.
Accessories
Did not get accessories but there was a promo for free bag, mouse, laptop cooler, screen cleaner, usb hub, and headphones.
Pros: In list form, summarize the pros
Not too hot
Not too much bloatware and what is there might be of interest but easy to remove
In spite of cons below, bluetooth READING my phone was great. Good for Win7!
Cons: In list form, summarize the cons
Bluetooth connectivity is not consistant... can transfer files from phone yesterday, cannot today.
Bluetooth mouse drops connectivity randomly. Disable/Enable fixes it. Will explore settings/driver issues later
Fn and Ctrl buttons should be swapped as I keep using Fn instead of Ctrl.
Conclusion:
After a few days Im pleased with this laptop. I did NOT get for gaming but for some admin work and light/med graphical work. 14" is pushing it for the graphical work but could not justify larger screen at this time.
