Hi Gernot,
1st I must admit that the 8104 seems faster than the x50. But not a huge differnce. The difference is noticebale but not enough to be a concern. Certianly I think both will tackle pretty much most day to day stuff swiftly. Im not really that techy to do sophisticated tests.
2 Ref the hard disk on both lappies they are both quiet. I really cant say that I hear the samsung hard drive. I have had some laptops over the years such as Toshibas and compaqs and Texas and Gateway and must admit those hard drives were noisy but they didnt seem noisy in those days. I currently have a 3 yr old compaq presario and I thought that was quiet but I can hear the hard disk on that when I compare to these machines. Anyway hard disk no problems. Both are quiet.
3 The samsung overall is much quieter in fact its very quiet. I really cant tell if the fan is on or not because it just is that quiet. When the 8104 fan kicks in it really shows how noisy the 8104 is. Any sound omited from the x50 is much smoother. I work in an office and most of the time im the only person in and and sometimes the overall sounds around me are very silent and I dont want to hear a fan all the time and at the same time i dont want to unplug the AC on the 8104 to to shut it up. So as far as sound goes the x50 wins. But i will be able to tell you more after a few days usage.
The build on the samsung seems stronger even though the build on the Acer is good. In my opinion though I think the Acer does look nicer with the gunmetal effect and folio design.
ALot of people have been saying how good the screen on the samsung is. Honestly no differnence. Its only slighlty brighter. Here in the UK they come with the matt finish I suppose if it was the glossy screen it would show a large differnce.
Other big differences apart from the noise is that the x50 has a much more solid chassis. When you lift both machines from the front palmrest then I can hear some movement noise from the 8104 but the x50 seems very solid. I think a lot of this has todo with weight because the x50 has less weight to support on its chassis when you lift it from the front.
The key board feels better on the x50. I made a lot of typing errors on the 8104 because of its shape and key sizes whereas the x50's key's feel more solid and nice feed back. I must admit that the 8104 keyboard is still good but x50's is better for me.
Only quality issue is that the CD tray seems very weak and fragile on the x50.
Im still undecided>>>>.......???? I would keep the 8104 if I worked in a office with some noises and if I played heavy games. I do like the Samsung but i just wish it came in a darker silvery colour rather than this cheapy silver colour.
The jury Is still out but Ive got to make a decision soon and stop messing about and just get on with things.
I think I will ring Samsung customer care just to throw some awkward questions at them to see how helpful they are ( I hope they speak English). Ive found a mixed bunch at Acer some polite and some rude. I think thats what it will boil down to ultimatley.
Another point the x50 is slighlty warmer on the bottoem left. Not uncomfortable but you wouldnt want to keep it on your lap for too long in the summer months.
Any more questions just ask.
1st I must admit that the 8104 seems faster than the x50. But not a huge differnce. The difference is noticebale but not enough to be a concern. Certianly I think both will tackle pretty much most day to day stuff swiftly. Im not really that techy to do sophisticated tests.
2 Ref the hard disk on both lappies they are both quiet. I really cant say that I hear the samsung hard drive. I have had some laptops over the years such as Toshibas and compaqs and Texas and Gateway and must admit those hard drives were noisy but they didnt seem noisy in those days. I currently have a 3 yr old compaq presario and I thought that was quiet but I can hear the hard disk on that when I compare to these machines. Anyway hard disk no problems. Both are quiet.
3 The samsung overall is much quieter in fact its very quiet. I really cant tell if the fan is on or not because it just is that quiet. When the 8104 fan kicks in it really shows how noisy the 8104 is. Any sound omited from the x50 is much smoother. I work in an office and most of the time im the only person in and and sometimes the overall sounds around me are very silent and I dont want to hear a fan all the time and at the same time i dont want to unplug the AC on the 8104 to to shut it up. So as far as sound goes the x50 wins. But i will be able to tell you more after a few days usage.
The build on the samsung seems stronger even though the build on the Acer is good. In my opinion though I think the Acer does look nicer with the gunmetal effect and folio design.
ALot of people have been saying how good the screen on the samsung is. Honestly no differnence. Its only slighlty brighter. Here in the UK they come with the matt finish I suppose if it was the glossy screen it would show a large differnce.
Other big differences apart from the noise is that the x50 has a much more solid chassis. When you lift both machines from the front palmrest then I can hear some movement noise from the 8104 but the x50 seems very solid. I think a lot of this has todo with weight because the x50 has less weight to support on its chassis when you lift it from the front.
The key board feels better on the x50. I made a lot of typing errors on the 8104 because of its shape and key sizes whereas the x50's key's feel more solid and nice feed back. I must admit that the 8104 keyboard is still good but x50's is better for me.
Only quality issue is that the CD tray seems very weak and fragile on the x50.
Im still undecided>>>>.......???? I would keep the 8104 if I worked in a office with some noises and if I played heavy games. I do like the Samsung but i just wish it came in a darker silvery colour rather than this cheapy silver colour.
The jury Is still out but Ive got to make a decision soon and stop messing about and just get on with things.
I think I will ring Samsung customer care just to throw some awkward questions at them to see how helpful they are ( I hope they speak English). Ive found a mixed bunch at Acer some polite and some rude. I think thats what it will boil down to ultimatley.
Another point the x50 is slighlty warmer on the bottoem left. Not uncomfortable but you wouldnt want to keep it on your lap for too long in the summer months.
Any more questions just ask.
I think I wont be able to get the X50 
