Acer 1662WLMi VS 1681WLMi

Hi!

I have been in a fix about these two models for a long time now!! I have read all the forums, and have finalised these two models.

Acer Aspire 1662WLMi

Pentium 4 3Ghz w/ HT,
512MB RAM,
60 GB HDD,
ATi Radeon 9700 64MB,
DVD Writer,
15.4" WXGA display,
Wifi Ready b/g,
Bluetooth.
US$1350 Retail

Acer Aspire 1681WLMi

Centrino 1.5Ghz,
512MB RAM,
60 GB HDD,
ATi Radeon 9700 64MB,
DVD Writer,
15.4" WXGA display,
Wifi Ready b/g,
Bluetooth.
US$1420 Retail

As you can see, almost everything about these two is similar. They both feature the new Acer FOLIO design, which offers really cool features.

So the main difference here is the Processor..

Most of the time, I will be plugged into the wall outlet, and mobility is not THAT BIG a concern.

As you have seen from the specs, I need a fairly powerful machine, which will last me for a couple of years.. if not more![xx(]

So please give in your suggestions, comments, raves, rants, ANYTHING.

!! HELP ME !!

 

If being mobile is not that big a deal, I would go 1662.

If you have read all the forums, then you are up on the uP differences. If not, check out:

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2129

If you do not plan on trying to upgrade the 1681 in the future to the 745 or 755 Dothan, then stick with 3.0 P4, which clearly rules over Dothan 715 on the benchmarks. (The Dothan 715 was not tested, but it is easy enough to extrapolate the data.)

If you decide being mobile is important, look at the 4501, which has double the battery life of 1681. If you decide on the 1681 anyway, consider newegg.com which has the 1681WLMi for $1289 (I think for just this weekend.)

I have nothing to do with newegg, I'm just cheap.

Personally, I have wrestled with a similar debate, but I think I will go 4501 because being mobile is important to me and I like the modular slot for optical drive/battery/nothing to save weight. Also, I like the easyport option. I will upgrade to 755 (appears to be motherboard limit) and Hitachi 7200rpm drive when prices bleed a bit. OK, bleed a lot. I may increase video RAM if it is possible (the GPU should recognize all of the available RAM, but need confirmation from someone at ATI before I start playing with that.)

John

 

Hi!

I thought the 1681wlmi was pretty much identical with 4501wlmi when it came to looks. Could you please explain what the differences are?
Thanks!!

Chris

 

Finally! I have decided on the ACER 1681WLMI.. for the battery time and the overall appeal of the FOLIO design.. I saw the 4501, not as appealing as the 1681, you would agree...

Also, I am planning on getting a spare 8 cell battery. I have checked that this is the same model as the 4501, so that is not a problem...

However, I am concerned about the configuration. In the US, the retailers are NOT bundling the Bluetooth module with the machine.

I am fine with the 4200 rpm HDD, It's not like I'm doing some mission critical work.. I can accept a few minutes of delay...the money is needed for the battery![ ]

Am I making a mistake here? Need your suggestions! HELP[xx(]

 

The designs are generally exactly the same except the 1681 top cover (palm rests area) is more silver (lighter) than the 4501's. The 4501 is a bit darker (sliver/grey). It's because the 1681 is targetted for home use, while the 4501 is more for the office/corporate environments, therefore not as flashy. The HDD size is larger on the 1681. The 4501 has an extra port on the back to support an optional port replicator (same ports on notebook plus more so you don't have to disconnect/reconnect everything all the time, just pull the port rep off and your done).

-Vb-