Acer 3820TG North America Purchase Options

irrelevant crap? all purchasing options available to North american customers are outlined in the first post.

 

Looks like the well has run dry for a while.

All that is left are the i3 versions of 3820tg w/5650 from PChome.
Might be a couple months before the next crop show up, and even then, I'm guessing video will probably be the same. Other posts mention late September to mid October.

For me, that's a good thing. Just placed my order.
Was debating on if it was worth the extra $100 for the i5-450 over the i3-350
After doing more research, have realized that even the i3-330m is great, and by choosing that, save $130 (US). Current deal with the 3 gifts (including the extra 2 gig memory) total is 26900 ($930 US shipped, including PayPal conversion fees). That is the 5650 version.

Found that the i3-330m is much better than the CPU used in the Alienware m11x r1, which comes with Intel SU7300, and was my first choice before finding out about the 3820tg. If that Alienware is a great gaming laptop for most users that own it, then this 3830tg i3 version would be even better! A similarly equipped mx11 r1 would have cost me $1090, and it would have had the slower CPU and slower video card.

Another comparison I made was to the wife's 6 month old Lenovo with a T6600 and nVidia 240GT. The i3-330 is much faster, and the 5650 is much faster. Her laptop plays everything great. Heck even a customers new system I just setup, with AMD P320 and HD4250 was able to play MW2 and SC2. Point is, CPU is far down the list of what is needed in a good compact gaming laptop. It's all about the video, and this thing has that part down.

Down the road in a couple years, if or when the CPU shows it's age, I will always have the option of getting a much cheaper (at that time) i5/i7 or similar. You can always upgrade CPU but are married to the video card.

 

Since it is "your" thread, perhaps you want to add more detailed info in addition to the links you provide on the first page. E.g. prices, how to order from PCHome, pros & cons of ordering from a foreign site, warranty info, etc. Right now the info is all scattered here. You need to compile it all on the first page. Anyone stumbling onto this thread right now sees a couple of links on the first page and probably has no idea what to do.

 

RobsTV, you sure you can't buy i5 version till October? Maybe theres a pause in units for only a while? If what you're saying is true, does anyone know where I can buy the i5 version for the same price? (29900)?

 

No, I am not sure. Just posting info that I read in other posts about newer versions of the CPU coming out in a few weeks, as well as seeing these disappear from PChome. It is 3rd hand info from me. Look in the 4820 owners section as well.

Since this is the "buying options" thread, I wish others that knew more about the situation would post some info in this thread.

 

At the same time that PCHome seems to be out of stock in the I5 units, Microcenter is out of the I5's in the 4820TG. New CPU's have been anounced for September/October release. There may still be some shipments of I5's between now and then, but Acer will probably not let its distributers release the new units before the scheduled date. There might be some 450M's still in the distribution pipeline. Bottom line is that nobody really knows. Guess we'll have to wait & see.

Bronsky

 

Keep checking, PCHome is known to take some models away for a while. Also I'd recommend getting the i5 over i3 if you can/can afford it.

 

Lastdon,
When you registered your 3820TG, did you use Acer's website or a program on the laptop?

If it was a program, is there any way you can upload it so I can download it? I'm about to do a fresh install (can't read Chinese) but that would erase the registration program (if there is one).

If it was the website, what country did you register it from? Was it Canada? The main Acer website asks you to select a country, and from there you get directed to different webpages.

Thanks!

 

Talk about perfect timing! Glad I ordered mine when I did!

 

Comments like this will NOT endear you to the 3820TG crowd.

 

Nah ... anycolour is the man. A bit blunt at times but the man nevertheless.

Bronsky

 

Crappy timing for me lol. Just when i decide i'm gonna buy the i5 one it goes out of stock. Hopefully something pops up by mid September.

 

Do you guys think I should go for the 4820TG, same specs.. just the bigger screen and its for 31900. Plus it has a dvd drive.. which is a plus for me. Whats the difference between the 2 anyways? besides the slightly higher price and the dvd drive.

 

Better cooling and a pound (?) lighter, the 3820TG. You can buy 4820TG in the USA.

 

Hmm.. i looked at the 4820TG thread, and the buying options all come with the i3?

 

4820TG is sold by Microcenter in the US. Online site is sold out of I5's ATM but individual stores may have some I5 units left. $899 for the I5-450M/HD5650 version.

Bronsky

 

The 4820TG (Micro Center $899) in the 4820TG thread is a Core i5 version with a larger hard drive.

Bronsky is always faster than me in this forum. haha

 

If he's ok by you, then he's ok by me too!

 

Well, i used the chinese program! but my MUI made it all engllish so i could understand it. and register, other than that me uploading won't make it english though, sorry

 

yeah, the problem is i live in Canada.. sold outta luck on the online thing. And wouldn't the customs tax be more than if I bought from Taiwan (I mean I read that you don't pay any ordering from PCHome). Oh and I wouldn't be paying the paypal exchange rate thing anyways, I have a Taiwan credit card. So I'm not sure.. should I pull the trigger now? or should I wait? Hard decision..

 

Would someone be so helpful to write up the detailed instruction/information on purchasing from PCHome and relevant warranty information? I'm quite busy as of now. Or I can write one up at a later time (soon? )

 

Just posted Part 4 (review of the R705 - and my final decision).

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6611250-post3560.html

 

Posted Part 5 (review of Yadi Keyboard Protector).

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6611519-post3568.html

 

Posted Part 6: Goodies

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6611596-post3570.html

 

I could do it, but it'd have to be after I finish my writeups on the 3820TG.

If you get to it before me, please feel free to go ahead and do it.

 

apparently acer only gives free bag/mouse to asia customers... hmmm bias? racism? lol

 

Could you occasionally update the first post with info gathered from later posts?

Sucks to have to read through dozens of pages of irrelevant crap just to find out how to track your package with ipost. Or how to purchase, or how to translate, maybe a money conversion, what options mean or are available during purchase, or where to start after purchase (like a link to owners lounge for example). Also fairly up to date status on what is available, such as no I5's currently available as I am typing. You know, all that purchase option stuff people need to know on the first page.

Thanks.


edit: added some links

Google Toolbar
great for Internet Explorer users to translate

Track Flight Status for (CI) China Airlines 5322
change to your flight number found at ipost

歡迎光臨iPOST
enter tracking number obtained from status at PChome link below

https://ecvip.pchome.com.tw/?0x606c5d4a0cd6cde26f8fe603eb829e85113fcd72fecdfa70bc5ea29ccc0c7faa63d19a20ea6eaf675219053d7ac09236
enter email and password to get status

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...nge-info-benchmarks-tweaks-mods-upgrades.html

 

So guys.. Do you guys think the 4820TG is worth it for 31900 or should I continue waiting out for the 3820TG?

 

If you don't need an internal DVD drive and if you value a light weight in a sleek laptop, then I'd wait for the 3820TG.

 

Hmm, here's some stuff I'm considering, oh and thanks for the help btw.

1. I actually prefer the dvd drive.
2. An extra pound won't make much difference to me.
3. The Chinese keyboard would be a plus for me.
4. The rest of what I'm considering is regarding value. Is the 4820TG at 31900 still good value? (Assuming I come from Canada) People have told me I can get the 4820TG at microcenter for $899 ($930ish Canadian). But I don't know if they ship here. And if they do I don't know if they'll charge Canadian duties (probably will) as opposed to PCHome which i've read here I'll only be charged the shipping.. which is 31900 + 2000. I also don't need to pay the exchange rate fee on Paypal because I have a Taiwanese credit card but will for my Canadian one. But then again the US one will probably have warranty?

So yeah.. basically I'm torn between prices here and if the PCHome version is still value for money or not..

 

Very true about the duties and taxes, I think you'll end up paying around $1200 vs $1000 from PCHome (depends on shipping at Microcenter). I'd go with the PCHome one since it seems like they have a good return policy (they pay for shipping).

 

Yeah so I mean.. couple options now.

1. Buy the 4820TG from PCHOME for $1100 CAD everything included.
2. Wait for 3820TG to come back from PCHOME.
3. Wait for new models.. coming when?
4. Wait for Microcenter to stock online?

 

My vote is for #2 or #3.

#3 if you have to have the latest in CPUs and willing to pay a premium for it.

#2 if you want "yesterday's CPU at a discount to what you would pay for #3.

 

When exactly are the new ones coming out anyways? Because school starts Sept. 13th for me and I need something by then.

 

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that the laptop manufacturing companies do not base their product release cycles on the school year.

However, to your point, perhaps they should. I could see a lot of lost potential sales for failing to anticipate the needs of students before they depart for college/university/school.

Actually, the other thing I learned is that laptop's really don't need internal DVD drives. I rather enjoy storing my external USB DVD drive whenever I don't need it and not having to carry its weight and small power consumption around.

Can you imagine the improvements to weight and battery life the R705 would enjoy if they ditched the internal DVD drive?

If they also added discrete graphics, enlarged the keyboard, shrunk the trackpad, added an internal fan, and made a few cosmetic changes?

It would be a 3820TG-killer!

But Toshiba is a Japanese company, so there's little chance of that happening.

 

Bronsky said mid to late September, most likely.

 

What is the best way to get the i5 3820TG in the US with the best possible GPU (5650?) I hate to ask because there's so much info in this thread, but its a little tough to sort through 79 pages of content.

Thanks!

 

I actually don't think thats possible as of now.. PCHome's out of stock?

 

Just posted:

Part 7: These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things http://forum.notebookreview.com/6613754-post3610.html

 

I recommend PCHome (Taiwan).

They're currently out of the i5-450M with ATI 5650 GPU, in anticipation of releasing the i5-520M variants.

When they're in, use Google's Chrome web browser to translate and navigate the webpage to buy the 3820TG.

 

Is the keyboard backlit? Anyone have a date on the new iteration with the newer i5?

 

No backlit keyboard in the stock model, although Hendrickson and Bronsky have briliantly devised and implemented a backlit mod. Next steps are to implement an actual switch to power it on and off!

Mid-to-late September 2010, according to Bronsky, for the new i5 variants.

 

Why is it that you can't buy this acer in America? I see Acer all the time!

 

They don't want your money.

 

LOL! Well, they're getting it! Even if I have to send it all the way to Taiwan!

Oh wait, I already did.

 

Really? The Trackpad? I hate the trackpad.

Bronsky

PS ... I also thought the name should have been inlaid in the metal cover.

 

Actually, bolt was the guy that first drew power from the USB. His write-up is burried in that archive somewhere (3820TG Owners Thread). He was actually taking the power and ground off the motherboard's inset soldering points. That was a nice soldering job.

Bronsky

 

LOL! Yes, really! Granted, it's no MacBook Pro touchpad, but I really do like it a lot.

Inlaying the name into the cover would have been a really nice touch. It's something ASUS, HP, or Apple would have done. Still, it looks great as it is.

Thank you for correcting me and including another innovator of the 3820TG!

LOL! This is what happens when someone doesn't index all the excellent information in the Owners Thread! I'll going to read it all over the weekend, just to make sure I haven't missed anything.

 

I came within clicks of ordering the Alienware m11x today. I just couldn't do it! I'll give it more time. I'll probably settle for a 4820TG w/ i5, but those are damn near nonexistent as well.

 

If you decide to get the m11x (great system I just want a bigger screen and a longer battery life). Read this first. I used it when I ordered my alienware a few weeks ago (I have it now and it's incredible) and I can't begin to tell you how much money I saved. Ordering advice - Alienware M17x Wiki

Good luck!