A bunch of questions about the AS6920 series!

I'm looking at these two laptops

Aspire 6920-6610
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29723&vpn=LX.APQ0X.397&manufacture=Acer

and the

Aspre 6920-6428
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29288&vpn=LX.APQ0X.401&manufacture=Acer

I'm looking for a notebook for university use. (not planning on taking it to class, mostly a desktop replacement with the option of taking it around if need be). The reason the 6920 series is attractive to me is because of its price point, it seems to offer the most for its price.

There are a few concerns though,
-Are there any other comparable laptops at around the same price? (any brand)
-I have no idea how large this notebook is (weird size), will it be a problem to carry around if I want to do so? How heavy is it (compared to 14inch and 15inch)?
-How hard will finding a case for it be due to its unusual size (16inch 16:9).
-The 6428 comes with a 8-cell battery as opposed to the 6-cell on the 6610, what are the rated battery lives for both?
-Is there firewire? The specifications listed on the vender site doesn't mention it and many reviews online mention the lack of a firewire port. However on the Acer laptop matrix sheet from acer.ca, it says that both S-Video and firewire are included. ( http://www.acer.ca/public/wr-resource/2439635907/upload/pent1/71/notebooks_matrix.pdf)

 

Hi.

Buy the 2nd one. It has Blue-ray drive and GeForce Go 9500M GS. It has 3 GB of RAM, but because you'll get x86 Vista, 4 GB (which has the 1st one) is useless.

That's correct. If you can try keyboard. My experience is that keyboard is not for prolonged typing. That's the major and only one reason why I didn't bought 6920G. Btw, keyboard taste is personal .

As far as I know, no.

It has 16" display, by dimensions is similar to 17" and is heavy - 3,5 kg which is not pleasant for often carrying.

Case for 17" is only solution.

Acer's 6 cell batteries are average i.e. in power saver mode you can reach up to 2,5 hours. 8 cell battery has 50% more capacity and it worths .

No firewire.
No S-Video.
No DVI-D.

 

I heard the first one comes with a 64-bit version of Vista. Not sure yet as it hasn't been released.

Hmm... I guess I'll have to go check out a display model somewhere... (circuitcity?)

damn... more choices is always good

Not sure how heavy that is as I'm not too good with recognizing weights... is there a common object that is around the same weight that I could use as a reference?

Where could I purchase extra batteries?

Damn thats disappointing...
I guess I could get a expresscard firewire controller
but I was hoping for S-video so I could connect it to my TV as I don't have a HDTV at the moment

 

Highly doubt the first model has 64-bit Vista. I own the 2nd one, the keyboard is excellent for prolonged typing, especially for a notebook - very little flex and solidly built. The 8-cell battery can easily last 3.5 hours on medium settings, it is far better than the 6-cell. The weight is heavy at around 7.7 lbs but I do not mind carrying it around. Weight is more of a personal preference because what is light to me might be heavy for you and vice versa. So far it's the only laptop with 16:9 aspect ratio. Also, the sound quality is quite good for a laptop.

 

I dunno, I got that from a staff member on NCIX forums.. supposedly the delay is being caused by problems with Vista64


Comparing the two models I get this

6920-6428
-bluray drive
-better battery

6920-6610
-4GB ram
-$140 cheaper


second one is the better deal i think? opinions?


edit: I've thrown more systems into the mix

ASUS M51SN - $1069
15 inch, T5550, 3GB, 250GB, 9500M
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29401&vpn=90NFEA2432C8ECQL950Y&manufacture=ASUS


ASUS F8SN - $1174
14 inch, T8100, 3GB, 250GB, 9500M
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29279&vpn=90NLRAA133AABCQL350Y&manufacture=ASUS

ACER 5920-6574 - $1199
15 inch, T8100, 3GB, 250GB, 8600GT
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=28015&vpn=LX.AKS0X.114&manufacture=Acer

 

wow tigerdirect has the 6920-6428 for $1,049

 

i dont see it. i only see 6920-6213

 

oops, i meant tigerdirect canada

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3732526&sku=A180-AS6920

 

Its not as big or heavy as I thought it would be. Actually sits easily on my lap and not heavy at all. Fine for carrying about the house, though not sure about carrying it around university.

I compared it with my old Acer Travelmate 2300 15.4" and was very similar in terms of size and weight.

Finding the keyboard great and very comfortable for typing. My only criticism would be that it rattles quite a bit so makes a bit of a noise.