Acer LX.SA70X.066 Black Friday Sales!
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Acer LX.SA70X.066 Black Friday Sales!.
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I hold checking out the Netbooks that reach 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 unbiased seem too cramped. As a result I've been poking around the high-end of the Netbook spectrum / obscene destroy of the Ultra-portable spectrum for something more usable. The Acer Aspire 1410 series does a gargantuan job of bridging the gap between runt shameful 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+ label range of most ultra-portables. It has a few drawbacks, notably material quality: like a lot of Acer products the plastic molding is magnificent and the tolerances are tight. However the quality of the plastic is more in line with what you would seek information from with a Netbook (which is to say it is lower density plastic and more likely to scratch or demolish) . To me it's reasonable that the overall component quality is lower than what I would come by if I spent $1000 (demonstrate not as nice, accomplish not as refined, buttons not as responsive, etc...) . Quiet, overall this is a well assign together computer with righteous beget quality considering the stamp. While I didn't demolish up buying one myself if might be the just fit for you: if you are on a budget and you need a little laptop that can do more than browse web pages this would be a very pleasant choice.
Let's go over the specs:
CPU: The Core 2 ULV SU3500 is a big 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 Coarse Voltage cpu running at 1.4GHz. Depending on the steady application this CPU is about 3-6x more considerable than the typical Atom Processor. It also has 3 MB of cache (cache is a originate of on-chip high rush memory) vs the Atom's 512 KB. With 6x the cache of the Atom this CPU is going to exhaust 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 come by on an Atom. The Core2 is technically more power hungry than the Atom but when running applications the contrast isn't well-known (5 watts for the Core2 vs 1.5 watts for Atom) . The main contrast happens when in standby or sleep mode where the Atom will consume grand less power than the Core2 (because the kind of transistors on the Atom "leak" less power than those broken-down 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 remove the Atom based Netbooks (say for sales calls on the road) . I believe most users will probably assume 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 reach 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 rush is expedient 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 consider. Composed, 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 consume more than 50GB. Serious gamers and video encoders will need a lot more place than this.
DISPLAY: The 11.6" 1366x768 camouflage looks top-notch and is a lot more useable than the 8-10" screens found on most Netbooks. The resolution is worthy better than what you will score on most Netbooks and it is reasonably intelligent (200 nits vs 300+ nits on higher ruin laptop) . I passed on this model because the viewing angle is miniature (the manufacturer list the viewing angles as 60vert/90horiz compared to 120v/140h on a high ruin demonstrate) and my sons like to sit with me and behold YouTube videos. The runt viewing angles might be a selling point for somebody traveling who would pick not to part what's on their camouflage with others. So while Acer clearly saved some money here it's level-headed a gracious display: unless you need a really high quality LCD I deem most people will be aesthetic glad with this hide (again it's far better than what you'll accept in most Netbooks) . For those few who care it's made by AU Optronics and I reflect it's model B116XW01.
GRAPHICS: The Intel Mobile GMA X4500HD graphics won't notice any gamers but if you're running business applications it will do fair fair. Update: they loaded Autocad on this thing at work and it wasn't fine. It might have been a driver speak but the render times were poor. It's not really a surprise but don't acquire this to bustle your CAD software. Of course for most users this won't be an philosophize.
AUDIO: notebooks are not known for gigantic speaker sound and this notebook doesn't fracture 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 resplendent.
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 sizable deal for distinguished longer. Today it's a injure to not have a CDROM.
BATTERY: The 6 cell battery is perfect for this notebook (thanks to the uncouth power components) . This notebook is probably too diminutive for an 8 cell to fit cleanly but the 4 cell found in most Netbooks unprejudiced isn't adequate, even for an Atom CPU. This 6 cell battery will provide about 3-5 hours of valid utilize though with aggressive power saving modes you can net over six hours. Update: we have two of these in our hardware lab and it was honest 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 believe 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 trace down to compete in the tight US netbook market.
WEIGHT: Coming in a 3.1 lbs this is minute bit heavier than the typical Netbook but not by remarkable (Netbooks will range from 2-3lbs) . Most regular notebooks are 6-8 lbs.
WIRELESS: The usual Intel 5100 A/G/N supports the most celebrated standards ("A" and "G") along with the fresh "N" standard. You should have no worry connecting to wireless networks. This is fine standard though a few laptops will benefit 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 spend it. If you've got 1K-2K to exercise you can bag a better Ultra-Portable notebook (I'm partial to Sony's and Apple's offerings in that segment) but in this brand range there isn't distinguished competition.
Oh I should designate that while this model is dim 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 honest by far the best laptop for the overall features.
Pros:
1. Very thin and light. Unprejudiced a bit bigger than today's netbooks
2. Great faster than Atom based netbooks
3. Quick-witted and grand conceal with apt HD aspect ratio. Very useful resolution.
4. 4g upgradeable memory cap.
5. Mammoth webcam and top-notch microphone
6. Incredible 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 unpleasant 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. Collected fan and harddrive
12. It does not fetch hot like my other netbook
13. Vast 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) Tall 250G HDD
17. (Added on 8/29/2009) Free upgrade to Windows 7 from Acer. Nice! (However, it was small tricky to register using Chrome. I had to exhaust IE. They may have fixed the divulge though...)
18. (Added on 8/29/2009) The lid opens up wider (deeper? ) than my netbook. This is kind of critical 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. Shining LCD camouflage is too reflective. This may be honest 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 procedure, the CPU hits 100% with Flash based HD movies. SD movies are impartial ravishing. I can kind of observe 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 develop to be somewhat like macbook or HP Mini series.
6. I belief 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 injurious info there. Even without the HT, this cramped laptop performs noteworthy faster than my Atom netbook.
Although I listed cons, they are very least items that I wish for. Of course, It does not design 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 consume 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 tiny laptop for me. I cannot talk about the durability yet, but it seems to be well built. Anyway, this is a astronomical laptop with very reasonable designate impress!
(Added on 8/29/2009) Some usual stuff that I did to construct 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 distinguished config. 1080 resolution gets everything too runt 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 mature with Dual monitor config. Switching to Digital TV only mode enables it.) . I adjusted using the app to 720p. The app works, but the mask refreshes every time the adjustment button was clicked, I had to press the adjustment button very slowly and patiently. When I clicked too rapidly, 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 microscopic laptop with webcam, so I can do it factual next to my baby and indicate her to my parents in Japan via Skype. My other netbook kind of worked, but in shameful light location, the video was so dusky that they could survey 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 contemplate my baby clearly. The mic was sure and no echo. The only minor instruct is that the image is bit white tinted with default setting. My wife conception I was smoking... haha. I had to tweak a bit in config. Nonetheless, the webcam and mic worked titanic for Skype. FYI: It does not gain 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 expedient as I expected, and more."
I have refrained from buying a netbook because the grievous resolution and awful 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 inflamed 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 consuming, and very smart. I am amazed that Acer can squeeze 1366x768 into an 11.6 glide cloak, and tranquil hold it so tantalizing and obvious. It is very comfortable to idea, and I do not feel any different from viewing my feeble 14 journey LCD.
Performance: In terms of word processing, web surfing and installing software, it has been as quiet as my frail 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 beefy size keyboard, and it's comfortable to type on. I am smooth trying to rep worn 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 unfriendly. I race it on high performance mode, and it smooth gives me about 6 hours of battery life. Running company VPN and remote desktop seems to nick 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 unruffled stand to lose some weight.
Temperature: It doesn't heat up great, you can utilize 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 reflect most netbooks have to execute this sacrifice.
- Battery charging is tiresome (I estimate about 4 hours) . On the flip side, the charger is itsy-bitsy and light.
- Unexcited requires a fan to dissipate heat, albeit aloof.
- Others: lacks bluetooth
As I said, the moment I started using it, all I could say was "Wow". I could not enjoy Acer could approach 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 great as this one does.
Update 2009-09-07:
I went on a business slump moral after getting this laptop. It's proven to be very mobile. I charge the laptop at night, and hold 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 utilize this laptop to play demo games and search for a few videos (I had the foresight to rip a few ISOs) . Most DVDs play titanic, but there was one that does not play smoothly, so I guess it depends on the DVD encoding.
Overall treasure this laptop's portability. The battery life ensures that the laptop is always ready when I need to employ it.
