Acer LX.SA90X.059 Black Friday Discounts!
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Acer LX.SA90X.059 Black Friday Discounts!.
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I preserve checking out the Netbooks that approach into the hardware lab where I work, looking for something to replace a cheap one I bought for my kids to play with, but they all impartial seem too runt. As a result I've been poking around the high-end of the Netbook spectrum / grievous raze of the Ultra-portable spectrum for something more usable. The Acer Aspire 1410 series does a expansive job of bridging the gap between exiguous extreme cost "Netbooks" and more expensive "Ultra-portables" (which is what Acer classes this as) . It manages to overcome many of the short comings of Netbooks without getting anywhere come the $1000+ note range of most ultra-portables. It has a few drawbacks, notably material quality: like a lot of Acer products the plastic molding is fine and the tolerances are tight. However the quality of the plastic is more in line with what you would question with a Netbook (which is to say it is lower density plastic and more likely to scratch or smash) . To me it's reasonable that the overall component quality is lower than what I would accumulate if I spent $1000 (reveal not as nice, effect not as refined, buttons not as responsive, etc...) . Level-headed, overall this is a well build together computer with friendly earn quality considering the imprint. While I didn't kill up buying one myself if might be the apt fit for you: if you are on a budget and you need a dinky laptop that can do more than browse web pages this would be a very great choice.
Let's go over the specs:
CPU: The Core 2 ULV SU3500 is a vast CPU choice and far more grand than the Atom CPU found in most Netbooks. This is a single core (as opposed to the two core "Core2 Duo") Ultra Obscene Voltage cpu running at 1.4GHz. Depending on the sincere application this CPU is about 3-6x more remarkable than the typical Atom Processor. It also has 3 MB of cache (cache is a accomplish of on-chip high hasten memory) vs the Atom's 512 KB. With 6x the cache of the Atom this CPU is going to utilize a lot more time running instructions and a lot less time waiting on the memory sub-system. It also helps that the Core 2 ULV SU3500 memory bus is about 25% faster than what you will net on an Atom. The Core2 is technically more power hungry than the Atom but when running applications the disagreement isn't famous (5 watts for the Core2 vs 1.5 watts for Atom) . The main inequity happens when in standby or sleep mode where the Atom will consume mighty less power than the Core2 (because the kind of transistors on the Atom "leak" less power than those extinct on the Core2 when in those modes) . So if you need long battery life while carrying your computer around in standby with brief periods of activity you might choose the Atom based Netbooks (say for sales calls on the road) . I mediate most users will probably recall the Core2 - I know that I do. Update: there may be a dual core version of this coming out soon. It's on the list to approach where I work but that doesn't mean it will be sold in the US.
MEMORY: 2GB of DDR2 RAM is plenty and the 667Mhz memory run is marvelous enough (faster notebooks go up to 1066Mhz) . This system runs Vista which is more memory hungry than the Windows XP or Linux found on most Netbooks so 2GB, while enough, doesn't go as far as you might judge. Quiet, as long as your aren't planning on doing any really serious gaming 2GB will handle the typical office application with no troubles.
HDD: The 250GB HDD has plenty of storage given that most users don't utilize more than 50GB. Serious gamers and video encoders will need a lot more site than this.
DISPLAY: The 11.6" 1366x768 veil looks noble and is a lot more useable than the 8-10" screens found on most Netbooks. The resolution is mighty better than what you will salvage on most Netbooks and it is reasonably sparkling (200 nits vs 300+ nits on higher kill laptop) . I passed on this model because the viewing angle is dinky (the manufacturer list the viewing angles as 60vert/90horiz compared to 120v/140h on a high raze present) and my sons like to sit with me and examine YouTube videos. The slight viewing angles might be a selling point for somebody traveling who would choose not to fragment what's on their conceal with others. So while Acer clearly saved some money here it's smooth a superior display: unless you need a really high quality LCD I deem most people will be splendid joyful with this veil (again it's far better than what you'll derive in most Netbooks) . For those few who care it's made by AU Optronics and I contemplate it's model B116XW01.
GRAPHICS: The Intel Mobile GMA X4500HD graphics won't stamp any gamers but if you're running business applications it will do fair attractive. Update: they loaded Autocad on this thing at work and it wasn't aesthetic. It might have been a driver bellow but the render times were awful. It's not really a surprise but don't grasp this to hasten your CAD software. Of course for most users this won't be an insist.
AUDIO: notebooks are not known for colossal speaker sound and this notebook doesn't crash from that trend. Again it's better than most Netbooks but not by a lot. Update: With headphones on I found the sound to be exquisite.
DRIVES: Like most Netbooks and Ultra-portables this has no CD or DVD drive. I recommend buying an external CD Drive. The software industry may inaugurate to switch over to USB drives soon (Windows 7 will be sold on USB drives) so this may not be a enormous deal for great longer. Today it's a damage to not have a CDROM.
BATTERY: The 6 cell battery is perfect for this notebook (thanks to the extreme power components) . This notebook is probably too minute for an 8 cell to fit cleanly but the 4 cell found in most Netbooks objective isn't adequate, even for an Atom CPU. This 6 cell battery will provide about 3-5 hours of actual exercise though with aggressive power saving modes you can acquire over six hours. Update: we have two of these in our hardware lab and it was impartial pointed it out to me that one (which came pre-release) had a higher capacity battery than the release version (5600mAH vs. 4400mAH) . I've adjusted my battery life numbers down to mediate the release version. Interestingly the non-US version of this laptop has the higher capacity battery. I can only prefer Acer was trying to bring the designate down to compete in the tight US netbook market.
WEIGHT: Coming in a 3.1 lbs this is limited bit heavier than the typical Netbook but not by noteworthy (Netbooks will range from 2-3lbs) . Most regular notebooks are 6-8 lbs.
WIRELESS: The usual Intel 5100 A/G/N supports the most popular standards ("A" and "G") along with the recent "N" standard. You should have no misfortune connecting to wireless networks. This is blooming standard though a few laptops will relieve 3G out of the box.
In short: while this notebook isn't perfect it is well built and unlike most Netbooks, actually has a decent CPU. It's itsy-bitsy and light but immense enough that you can actually exhaust it. If you've got 1K-2K to utilize you can pick up a better Ultra-Portable notebook (I'm partial to Sony's and Apple's offerings in that segment) but in this notice range there isn't considerable competition.
Oh I should heed that while this model is murky blue, Acer makes this in two other colors you can buy:
Acer Aspire AS1410-8913 11.6-Inch Ruby Red
Acer Aspire AS1410-8804 11.6-Inch Black
Also if you're outside the US this might be sold as the "Acer Timeline 1810T" locally and may have slightly different specs (such as a better battery) .
This laptop is fair by far the best laptop for the overall features.
Pros:
1. Very thin and light. Unprejudiced a bit bigger than today's netbooks
2. Distinguished faster than Atom based netbooks
3. Incandescent and immense veil with correct HD aspect ratio. Very useful resolution.
4. 4g upgradeable memory cap.
5. Large webcam and gracious microphone
6. Extraordinary battery life even with Core2solo CPU. Last longer than my other netbook with the same capacity battery.
7. HDMI out! wow
8. Wireless N and Bluetooth
(Edited:8/31/2009) No Bluetooth! My terrible assumption from the bluetooth switch and LED indicator on the laptop. Sorry...
9. Multi finger/gesture touch pad like iPhone
10. Very usable keyboard
11. Level-headed fan and harddrive
12. It does not fetch hot like my other netbook
13. Spacious speakers!
14. Centrino architecture seems to be faster in network response compare to Atom based netbooks
15. Inexpensive for the quality laptop with all the features
16. (Added on 8/29/2009) Substantial 250G HDD
17. (Added on 8/29/2009) Free upgrade to Windows 7 from Acer. Nice! (However, it was microscopic tricky to register using Chrome. I had to expend IE. They may have fixed the hiss though...)
18. (Added on 8/29/2009) The lid opens up wider (deeper? ) than my netbook. This is kind of well-known to me while using it on my lap.
Cons (I do not really care about these cons, but here they are)
1. Vista. I like XP myself
2. Bright LCD cloak is too reflective. This may be unbiased me.
3. HD movies from Vimeo and Youtube are bit lazy (not because of network bandwidth. It is more like not enough CPU power for Flash based HD movies.
(Added on 8/29/2009) Even though the movies are cached all the arrangement, the CPU hits 100% with Flash based HD movies. SD movies are impartial beautiful. I can kind of witness HD Flash movies better with this laptop than my Atom netbook though.
4. All the pre-installed applications that I removed.
5. My wish for the laptop originate to be somewhat like macbook or HP Mini series.
6. I opinion the CPU had hyper-threading like Atom. Task manager shows only one thread. I know it is "solo", but Atom shows two threads.
(Added on 8/29/2009) The CPU does not have HT (Hyperthreading) . I had some despicable info there. Even without the HT, this minute laptop performs worthy faster than my Atom netbook.
Although I listed cons, they are very least items that I wish for. Of course, It does not invent like Intel i7 CPU based desktops. However, for the size and usability, this is a champ of all laptops and desktop PCs I have ever owned. I will exhaust the i7 desktop for Video and photo editing. That may be only 5% of all my computer usage. The rest, 95% of tasks can be done with this small laptop for me. I cannot talk about the durability yet, but it seems to be well built. Anyway, this is a enormous laptop with very reasonable mark sign!
(Added on 8/29/2009) Some usual stuff that I did to get the laptop even better.
1. Usual Vista tune ups like turning off Aero and other graphic intensive features.
2. Removed many pre-installed apps mainly Office trial and Anti-virus software.
3. Turned off unused launch up programs
(Added on 8/30/2009) Some tests
1. HDMI out to HD TV
1080p resolution worked perfect including sound with not remarkable config. 1080 resolution gets everything too tiny to read for my setup. I switched to 720p. My TV does not adjust automatically, so I had to adjust the size using Intel TV wizard software (This app cannot be weak with Dual monitor config. Switching to Digital TV only mode enables it.) . I adjusted using the app to 720p. The app works, but the cover refreshes every time the adjustment button was clicked, I had to press the adjustment button very slowly and patiently. When I clicked too hastily, the app froze with 100% CPU for a long time like 10 min. I had to restart. Other than that all worked perfect!
2. Web cam and digital microphone using Skype
I wanted a cramped laptop with webcam, so I can establish it true next to my baby and explain her to my parents in Japan via Skype. My other netbook kind of worked, but in crude light region, the video was so sad that they could notice only my white eyes. Mic was also giving them echo. When I tried with this laptop, it was literary day and night. This laptop webcam is optimized for obscene light. They could watch my baby clearly. The mic was certain and no echo. The only minor philosophize is that the image is bit white tinted with default setting. My wife belief I was smoking... haha. I had to tweak a bit in config. Nonetheless, the webcam and mic worked expansive for Skype. FYI: It does not build like high resolution after market webcams, but the built-in webcam satisfies my needs very well.
This notebook is one of those instances when you say to yourself, "Wow, it is as qualified as I expected, and more."
I have refrained from buying a netbook because the outrageous resolution and unpleasant performance prevents me from multi-tab web browsing, not to mention continuous scrolling with Office documents. When I first saw this notebook, I was very indignant because it has something the older generation netbooks have lacked:
- Decent resolution (1366x768)
- Decent performance
- Even better battery life (6 hours)
Except, it actually exceeded my expectation.
LCD Screen: Very absorbing, and very shining. I am amazed that Acer can squeeze 1366x768 into an 11.6 trek mask, and peaceful retain it so spellbinding and positive. It is very comfortable to opinion, and I do not feel any different from viewing my passe 14 ride LCD.
Performance: In terms of word processing, web surfing and installing software, it has been as level-headed as my archaic dual-core laptop. This notebook has upgraded the CPU and chipset from the previous generation netbook, which contributes to the performance I am seeing.
Keyboard/touchpad: It's fat size keyboard, and it's comfortable to type on. I am unexcited trying to fetch faded to some of the key placement, and the lack of home/end buttons. But it's definitely no worse than my other laptop's keyboard. Acer has also learned the lesson from Aspire 751h, so the touchpad is centered to the touch-typing keyboard, and has two buttons. However, the touchpad edge is difficult to distinguish.
Battery: From what I read, one Acer hour is usually shorter than one Asus hour. This notebook has proven me scandalous. I hurry it on high performance mode, and it mild gives me about 6 hours of battery life. Running company VPN and remote desktop seems to carve it to about 5 hours.
Size: While slightly bigger than the prev-gen netbooks, I don't feel it's bulkier. At 3 lb, it's very light, but can aloof stand to lose some weight.
Temperature: It doesn't heat up considerable, you can exhaust it on your lap the whole day.
Other Pros: 250 GB HDD, 2 GB RAM, 1 Gb LAN, 802.11n, webcam, microphone, no-latch lid
Cons:
- Lack of separate Home/End buttons. Unfortunately I assume most netbooks have to create this sacrifice.
- Battery charging is tiresome (I estimate about 4 hours) . On the flip side, the charger is microscopic and light.
- Level-headed requires a fan to dissipate heat, albeit mild.
- Others: lacks bluetooth
As I said, the moment I started using it, all I could say was "Wow". I could not enjoy Acer could arrive out with something that outshines Asus (and the rest of the computer industry) . For all the laptops I have owned (5), none of them have impressed me as remarkable as this one does.
Update 2009-09-07:
I went on a business shuffle moral after getting this laptop. It's proven to be very mobile. I charge the laptop at night, and assume it to work with me in the morning, without the charger. The keyboard feels very natural, and overall work is level-headed sailing.
At night I exercise this laptop to play demo games and peer a few videos (I had the foresight to rip a few ISOs) . Most DVDs play large, but there was one that does not play smoothly, so I guess it depends on the DVD encoding.
Overall like this laptop's portability. The battery life ensures that the laptop is always ready when I need to exercise it.
