ACER 6292 - Short Review

OK, here's my short review.

The most important reason for my choosing ACER over its competitors is that it’s FULLY BACKWARD COMPATIBLE WITH WIN XP PRO WITH AVAILABLE XP HARDWARE DRIVERS for my immediate needs even though this machine is built for VISTA. FI, my existing 15.4” ACER notebook has been grounded as I find it too heavy to lug around.

This review is without any kind of performance test. The configuration is 1.8GHz, 2x1GB 667MHz RAM and Hitachi SATA 7200rpm hard disk

Specs can be found here:-
http://www.acer.com.sg/products/travelmate6292/psp_travelmate6292.asp

Another review with pictures and performance testing has been done here:-
http://www.tech2.com/india/reviews/ultraportable-laptops/acer-6292/6862/0

Weight and Size

This is indeed a relief on my shoulder/back as it weighs only 2.1 Kg as compared to my 15.4” ACER notebook. Also, due to its reduced size it does not pose much problem when traveling on public transport. However, other accessories like mouse (as I’m not use to the touchpad), extra 3rd-party battery (replaces the AC adapter), carrying bag, writing notes, stationery etc add weight to it as well. Comparatively speaking, it’s still manageable compared to my 15.4” ACER notebook.

Casing

The dark grey casing is solidly built. Finger prints can be easily wiped off the surfaces. However, the lid flexes if you presses on it. There’s no catch mechanism provided for the lid but this seems to be the in-thing. Don’t worry! The lid will not open up if the notebook is turn upside down. Control the closing of the lid otherwise it would slam down on the keyboard. Overall the layout of the ports suits me fine with the exception of the two USB ports on the right side with one on top of the other. This will hinder the second USB device if a wide body USB device had previously been inserted. On the minus, the USB ports on the right side are located after the dvd writer which will hinder a right-handed user if he uses a wired device, say a mouse or writing pad, when the dvd writer is open/close. FI, I’m using a Bluetooth mouse. Hot air is exhausting on the left side which is alright to me as I’m right-handed. The five buttons (WiFi/Bluetooth / WWW/E-mail/Launch Manager) sit neatly in a vertical row on the right side and flushes with the body of the casing. It would be nice if the dvd writer was provided as an external device for I do not watch movies on-the-move knowing its battery limitation neither do I use CD/DVD. IMO, the noise generated during the loading of the dvd writer is acceptably quiet with slight noise from its loading mechanism and after which just a soft whirling noise being heard. During reading/writing the drive whirls quieter than during loading.

Keyboard

Keys are fine for typing although the ‘Home’ and ‘End’ keys require extra stroke now through the ‘Fn’ key. Keyboard feels solid too as long as you don’t hit the keys too hard.

Screen

IMO, its superior to the matte type and it’s easier to clean too. Glossy screen do reflect images, don’t they? For indoor use the brightness is great. Resolution depends on individual preference. Outdoor and on a clear day without the sun beating down the screen brightness is still good enough to type and see the text here. Well, I suppose nobody would sit directly under the sun and work on his/her notebook, right? Since I’m the one using the notebook it doesn’t bothers me how the screen looks when view from the top or the sides.

Built-in Webcam

Webcam gives good picture quality even though it’s not megapixel. Anyway I’ll be using it for video chatting only. It’s convenient to have it built-in otherwise I’ll have to carry an external one.

Heat Emission and Noise

It’s warm but still comfortable to touch in a non-aircon environment after 2 hrs of continuously running. Noise level is hardly audible at sitting distance even in the dead of the night unless you put your ear to the hot air outlet on the left side.

Battery life

With the 6-cell built-in battery I’m able to get about 2 hrs 10 min with WiFi, Bluetooth (for mouse) and MS Word running. My external 3rd-party battery gives about 6 hrs (with 118WHr) as a backup when AC is not available outdoor.

Speed of Operation

Operational speed using XP is pretty fast like opening programs. However, when opening MS Office Word 2007 the first time I can see a lag on the screen before it fully opens. Not sure if this is due to MS Word.

Video Performance

Ran BLADE II (dvd) and finds that the video color is good. There’s no lag too.

WiFi

So far so good. Able to connect to hotspots and other locations without signal disconnected. ‘a/b/g’ suits me well for I’m using a ‘a/b/g’ router at home with ‘g’ IP cameras and ‘b’ pocket pc.

Service

In my country ACER provides a 2-hr Express service and as a current owner of another ACER machine I’m very pleased with their quick and professional service. Not sure of other competitors’ service.

Future Upgrade

Its already there!! This machine is built for VISTA, hence, in the near future when the OS is more stable with more hardware drivers available and VISTA-compatible software I can see myself returning to VISTA. Another plus point.

Finger Print

Despite using the latest XP driver version and installed by ACER service staff the finger print still fails to function with the driver unable to detect the hardware. The finger print hardware, however, works fine when I tested it using the original VISTA program. Well, a driver issue that needs to be addressed.

CONCLUSION

The ACER 6292 meets my immediate needs although VISTA is available and more feature-rich and powerful notebooks like the DELL XPS M1330, X61 etc are around.

PROS

1) Availability of XP hardware drivers
2) OS and hardware drivers can be restored to VISTA
3) Dark color casing looks solid. Screen and casing are easy to clean
4) Quiet in operation

CONS

1) Operation of ‘Home’ and ‘End’ keys requires additional stroke
2) Finger print driver requires upgrade for Win XP
3) Glossy screen reflects images
4) USB ports on the right-hand side may hinder dvd writer operation and vice-versa

Many might consider the lack of ExpressCard slot, HDMI port, WiFi ‘N’ or even Turbo Cache as CONS but these are not my immediate needs. Just ask yourself ‘How many PCMCIA/ExpressCard device(s) do you own?’ Do you have device(s) that accepts HDMI input now? Do you want WiFi ‘N’ considering it’s still in the draft stage and the interoperability issues amongst manufacturers’ devices?

 

Ok, one more issue.

Checked with ACER service staff and was told that Empowering Technology is not fully supported on downgraded WinXP.

It, however, works with VISTA

 

I just got my third Acer 6292-6192 today and I'm a happy camper!! The CD tray problem is gone and I really am liking it now. It does come with a 9-cell battery and it lasts approx. 4 hours with WiFi turned on.

I really like this notebook over the Asus W7S and I don't really do gaming. It definitely runs a lot cooler than the W7S.

.ERiC

 

Hi, where did you buy the extra battery(third-party made) for the Acer 6292?

 

I received mine last Wednesday from CCLonline for the cheapest price (£637 inclusive VAT and shipping). Spec is 2.0Ghz T7300 2GB DDR2 RAM and 160gb HD. the biggest suprise to me is the matte screen and I'm very happy about it. Every shop (including those in ebay) i asked told me that the screen is glossy but what I've got is a matte screen (which official UK Acer site tells me that screen can be either matte or glossy) and for a price £200+ cheaper than any other online shop i found. Screen is sharp/crisp (WSXGA in 12.1" huh!) and bright. Somebody here mentioned that the keypad is not good but to me the feel is superb compared to my other older laptops (HP and IBM). OS (Vista Home Premium) was unstable when I started it but is OK now after I updated it. Body is solid, thanks to the magnesium aloy(?) chassis. For those in UK who are interested about this laptop, here's the link of the shop where i bought it. there's still 12 in stock a few minutes ago:

http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=17394&category_id=86&manufacturer_id=288

 

Same question about the 9-cell battery...where would you be able to purchase one online? I've checked but haven't have any available in Canada.

I'm considering purchasing the 6292 (but the T7100 w/ Vista Business) but it only comes with a 6 cell battery. This seems like the perfect lecture notebook. The 6292 version with the T7300 w/Window XP comes with a 9-Cell but it costs a bit more here in Canada that the one with Vista.

 

I just purchased a 6292-6700 with the nine cell battery running XPP. So far I quite impressed with the unit as well as the features it came loaded with for the price.

I was tring to configure a Lenovo with the same specs and it became apparant that the Lenovo would have been cost prohibitive for my budget. This is by no means a Lenovo, but for the price and features it can't be beat.

Another factor that actually sweetened the deal was the 3 year warranty that was included with the unit. One of those years includes a total international warranty as well. So if I'm overseas Acer will pick up the tab no matter where I am.

 

I was downgrade from vista home premium to Windows XP Pro.All drivers for XP are availabel on acer site. Perfect working on Windows XP Pro, all hardware are working too. Only need for sata driver at begining of XP installation. Great Laptop!!!