Acer 3820TG North America Purchase Options

Due to Acer refershing their TimelineX stock, 3820tg seem to be outstock everywhere. New models are expected to be realeased late september/early october. Hopefully more purchasing options will become available to North America customers.

 

I'm amazed at how quickly they sold out of stock. Either Acer didn't make a lot of them or they really sold out fast.

Which do you all suppose it is? Perhaps a little of both?

 

The 3820TG is selling like crazy in every market it has been introduced to. Just look at how many of us imported units from god knows where. Production also got off to a rocky start becuase of Intel's delays delivering the CPUs. Only the I5's have sold out though. The I3's don't sell nearly as well. But, they will also probably be sold out before the refreshed models are available. That might be the plan.

Bronsky

 

So is it not possible to get the 3820TG in America? If it is, where can I look?

 

Not only did we import units, we did so knowing there was a (good) chance that the units would not carry a standard 1 year warranty.

That's dedication.

 

It isn't, and in all likelihood it probably won't be for the rest of this year.

Can't blame Acer. If a number of us in the US were willing to buy the 3820TG, regardless of lack of warranty, then where is the incentive for Acer to sell it in the US? Acer saves money by not having to pay for repairs under warranty. In fact, Acer makes money by getting to charge us for those repairs.

Brilliant, if unintentional, business decision on Acer's part.

 

Sounds like a crappy company to me. What kind of company doesn't sell its units in America? Especially if they have plenty of other units being sold there?

Also, what do you do if you get your laptop dead on arrival? Or its severely flawed the second you get it?

 

I am looking to purchase one of this but i have no idea where to start, so i would like to know some websites where the 3820TG is for sell and maybe a little tutorial on how to import it to the states, i am in the US of course ha and i would really like for the cheapest but best configuration option.

what are price ranges i'm looking at since i would have to import also?

 

There are many reasons why it might not yet be ready for sale in the US.

Parts and service setup for this model?
Can they get the chips form Intel? I see chip shortages every time I read the news.
Quantity enough to satisfy bulk large store purchasers like Best Buys, Newegg, Walmart, Tiger?
Plus many more.

If you get a broken one, you send it back.
PChome will even pay shipping to send it back to them.


It does have a full warranty of 2 years.

Getting it serviced in the US is another story yet to be determined.

Getting it serviced "might" require you to send it back to country of origin, which is Taiwan with PChome, and is where the warranty covers, plus international travel, whatever that means. You also "might" be able to get it serviced in the US, now, or in the near future.

here are warranty details from item at PChome:
(google translated)

Click on one of the units to see warranty, Use Google toolbar to translate if needed.
http://world.pchome.com.tw/?mod=store&func=style_show&SR_NO=DHAE0U&tm=u


International travel is about one-year warranty and service locations around the world up to the Island58States, to enjoy a full service and protection
(ACER Acer Notebook258Pledge- >Taiwan two years warranty , first year58Fast End Direct -minute repair center! ! )

•2 years full warranty
Other brands qualifications , limited to machine types of semi -nested service is outdated and often will find a lot of time in the maintenance of spare parts , model aircraft Dubu under warranty , the macro Acer whole series to screen a large notebook , motherboard , small to power Line 2-year machine warranty , providing a complete full-service , as long as the warranty period of normal use , all hardware repairs are free of charge.
(Note : battery warranty for one year , and the other random gifts of non- warranty item )

•58 minutes quick repair completed (Only Direct Service Centre)
Other brands qualifications , limited to semi-nested models service is outdated and often will find a lot of maintenance parts , model aircraft is not under warranty , the full range of Acer notebook computers to large screen , motherboard , small power Line 2-year machine warranty , providing a complete full-service , as long as the warranty period of normal use , all hardware repairs are free of charge.
(Note : battery warranty for one year , and the other random gifts of non- warranty items)

One more thing I should add.
I have never seen such quick service.
About 4-7 days from order to receipt.
The Dell's and Lenovo's I have ordered usually took 4 to 8 weeks, and they also come from the same general area of the world. Then there was a good chance that what you got was not what you ordered, and you would need to return item or live with what they send you. (last for me was Lenovo that they screwed up and installed Vista instead of Win7, yet it had Win 7 sticker on bottom and was sold special for Win 7 launch)

 

Me thinks the big boyz shut them out of NA because they knew they would make a killing with this machine.

 

What kind of WEI do you get with that 8GB ram?

 

So I guess it's too late to get any 3820tg or 4820tg action in the i5 form now eh? =(

I see the i7-620 version of the 4820tg on sale at computeruniverse but it's more than what I would like to pay for a laptop. xD

 

I suspect stock will replenish in a few weeks with the new arrandales. I would wait even if the current models were available.

Bronksy

 

This looks like a pretty great warranty. If they pay for the retrun shipping, more the better. Parts are probably far more available over there than here in the US.

Bronsky

 

WEI jumped from 5.9 to 6.7. Installed a kit of G.Skill purchased from the egg. No issues what so ever.

 

I want a 6.7 too lol. Do you notice any performance improvements?

 

Seems to be a little snappier than before.

 

where did ya get the ram? how much was it? im looking to upgrade to 8gb also.

 

I just posted Part 8: Some Benchmarks http://forum.notebookreview.com/6621901-post3790.html

 

Ordered it from newegg ca (G.SKILL F3-10666CL9D-8GBSQ). Cost me 218 when I ordered it early last week.... just noticed that the price dropped since then and it's down to 197 now.

I compared the ram settings with the stock ram via CPU-Z and everything is identical except for the row refresh cycle time tRFC. The G.SKill has a higher value (80+ clocks vs 60 clocks for the stock ram).

 

Would love to see a couple of benchmarks and temps. How about 3dMark06 and Vantage score?

Bronsky

 

Thanks for the information. +1 rep!

I just ordered this RAM from Newegg.com. Great price for some great RAM!

Now, all I need is for the SSD prices to drop and I'll be really done!

 

Hey guys,

First off, thanks for all the amazing information that you guys put on these boards. I'm one of those people that has to read every single piece of literature out there on a product before I buy it, and these boards are a lifesaver.
Little background on me, just graduated from college and I'm in Shanghai, China for the next couple months. Just got a job and I'm looking to buy a laptop. I have access to HK/Taiwanese style PC markets here in China so the 3820TG with any sort of configuration is accessible. I've been visiting these markets, and I've gotten a quote of around 5800rmb which is $850 dollars for the i5-450/5650/4gb ram/320gb 5400rpm hard drive version + extras like a mouse, etc, which I might even be able to bargain down some.
At this point, is it worth it to snap one up? Or should I wait for the refresh? I guess I'm just afraid of buying one and then having the product line be refreshed in a month. It's not that urgent, and I can definitely wait a month or so.

Thanks so much!

 

If you're in no hurry, I would wait and see. I would think you will see the refresh first where you are. So ... keep us informed.

Bronsky

 

There's a refresh coming out?
Man have I missed a lot!

 

That's already a great price for that variant. If you're able to bargain it down more, it'll be an excellent price.

Unless you need AES for your work, you're not going to see much performance difference between the i5-450m and the i5-520m.

I'd go for the more cost-effective model (what you see today). Of course, I've never been one to pay a premium just to claim the title of "early adopter"! Especially when it comes to technology.

PS: I know what you mean about reading everything you can. I just finished almost 400 pages of posts in the 3820TG Owners Thread!

 

Just the new Arrandales that we know of. Acer has been changing models on the fly. They changed the cover and added BT 3.0 (kind of) already. The I3-350M and I5-450M must be no longer available to keep Acer's production going so they are switching to the I3-370M and the I5-460M. They are selling so many of these that I still don't expect to see a lot of higher specs in the near term.

The good news is that mostly all of the new units seem to OC. I've seen no clockgens coming from the Taiwaneese imports that have TME.

The 450M has turned out to be a OC'ing monster. I suspect it is becuase of its 4.8GT/sec DMI Bus. None of other arrandales have been able to reproduce its % increases from OC'ing. Hopefully, the 460M will show the same propensity.

Bronsky

 

No kidding!
This is sort of great news, but it's still not released in the STATES which has me confused, not sure what there waiting for.
How's your laptop holding up?
Is there a benchmark thread dedicated to the 3820 to see results of OCing and benchmarks?
I've used a SONY Z the last couple of days and I'm really impressed with it but if the ACER has a chance to release anytime soon I'd be all over it.

 

Hopefully PCHome gets a ton. They sound like a great option.

 

Acer is having a hard time keeping this laptop supplied in the markets it's already in. I don't expect a lot of expansion soon. PCHome in Taiwan has singlehandedly been supplying North America.

My laptop is holding up great. I have not had the slightest problem with it (I messed up a speaker experimenting but that's another story ) and could not be more pleased. I have one of the few units that does not OC. I've decided to swap in a remanufactured motherboard to see if I can get one that can be OC'd. I might put a stronger CPU in at that time. I am really trying to boost my unit to workstation power.

The Owners thread is the place to go for performance discussions. It's just so dam big now.

I still like the Z. I know a few people that have them. For those businessmen who don't like taking their units apart and upgrading all the time, it is the ultralight business machine of choice if you're going to do anything other than sit in Starbucks and look good (you MBP users know who you are ).

Nice hearing from ya.

Bronsky

 

I'm just a little worried about ordering from a foreign site.
What if something goes wrong and you have to RMA?
Nothing against PCHome but to me it's too big a risk.
@Bronsky
Thanks for all your answeres you seem to be MR. ACER 3820 and I wish you the best of luck with your unit, you do a good deed to us that don't follow this thread religiously

 

My laptop is also holding up great! Granted, I only got it last week.

The Owner's thread has been where we've been posting our benchmarks. Fortunately, Acer owners aren't as thread-happy as ASUS owners, who seem to like to create a thread for every possible thing!

They are a fantastic option. I'd buy from them again! Not to crazy about PayPal charging a Foreign Exchange (FX) fee. Hopefully, PCHome will allow those of us in North America to avoid PayPal in the future (and the dreaded FX fee).

 

To each their own. Just now that quite a few of us have successfully ordered our 3820TGs already.

One has even returned his without any problems.

 

I'm happy for you guys really!
It would be nice if all the benchmarks were compiled in a separate thread for all to see.
Congrats on your new laptop !

 

That is an excellent idea. It is why many choose this laptop.
Far too many posts of various things.

Nice to know what happens when performance changes are made, as well as real difference between the various CPU versions.

Almost impossible to see a lot of results the way things are now, even when searching with the term "overclock".

While the thread "Acer TimelineX 3820TG Owners Lounge. Info, benchmarks, tweaks, mods and upgrades" is an excellent source for info in general, it covers far too much to read when all you want to know is one of the subjects. It is now pushing more than 3800 messages...

 

Looks like PCHOME has them back in stock.
PChome½u¤WÁʪ« - 24¤p®É±M°Ï¡mACER Aspire 3820TG-5452G50nss.(i5-450/1G ¿WÅã)¡n
PChome½u¤WÁʪ« - 24¤p®É±M°Ï¡mACER Aspire 3820TG-5452G50nss.(i5-450/1G ¿WÅã)¡n
PChome½u¤WÁʪ« - 24¤p®É±M°Ï¡mACER Aspire 3820TG-5452G50nss.(i5-450/1G ¿WÅã)¡n
PChome½u¤WÁʪ« - 24¤p®É±M°Ï¡mACER Aspire 3820TG-5452G50nss.(i5-450/1G ¿WÅã)¡n

I think they're all the same.

 

Those are Open Box items, possibly missing parts as description states.

Please note : This product is opened the whole new machine, commodities may be a slight flaw or missing pieces , does not affect the function of goods have switched the entire new and re- packaging of goods Figure 『 left indicate reference purposes only 』 ,Specification -based components to the actual shipment. Special clearing , stand-alone sale ! No additional purchase activity , no gifts .

Best bet when using PChome is to use World site at this link:

PChome¥þ²yÁʪ« - 3C À]º¶

It will not show the open box items.

 

They're all 'open box' models (ie customer returns?): 'commodities may be a slight flaw or missing pieces, does not affect the function of goods have switched the entire new and re-packaging of goods'. Good find though; certainly an option.

Personally, I'm even leaning towards an old I3-330m (with the intent of upgrading to an I5 or even I7 down the line). I only have a week or so left before class starts and I run out of time...

Does anyone have an opinion on whether the I3-330m would be too much of a bottleneck when multi-tasking (multiple tab browsing, office, PDFs simultaneously)? Could get an I3-370m, but if I'm going to upgrade anyway...

EDIT: Too quick for me RobsTV!

 

The i3-330m is only slightly slower than the i5/i7 and is still faster than most other laptops in this size, such as those that use the SU7300 (which itself is still a fine CPU for 97% of buyers IMHO).

Google i3-330m Vs i5-450m to see many comparisons. You will see a difference on a second hand of a stop watch while timing both. For most, the real world difference between even an i3-m and an i7-m would not be noticeable (without a watch), and most could not tell them apart in a blind performance test. If you already run special apps that really need the power of a high end i7, then you already know you must have that CPU. If you need to ask, you probably don't need it. I'll have benchmarks of the i3-330m Tuesday. Can't seem to find any here.

As you mention, in the future, if you find the need for more power, then you can upgrade the CPU.

 

The I3's are thermally limited. They can throttle in the 87C-90C range. It is related to the CPU's max temp and the 85C max temp of the IGPU interconnect. We have seen the chip throttle in the 4820TG repeatedly under heavy load. Whether the 3820TG cooling can compensate for that, I don't know.

The I5/I7 has a max temp of 105C and can still perform at temps in the 100C range without throttling.

So the choice of an I3 depends on your use. For the uses you list Phobos, the I3 should be okay. For anything demanding that will raise core heat in the CPU, you need an I5.

Bronsky

 

Now, that again is the ASUS laptop owners' way of thinking and creating threads dedicated to a single topic! Just kidding!

And how would the number of posts differ if the one thread were splintered into several?

Just use the "Search" function within this one thread alone. It works great.

Or you can read the entire 400 pages like me if you have trouble sleeping. It works great and is cheaper than any sleeping pill!

 

The difference between the i3 and i5 has more to do than just clock speed.
Bronsky has explained several times in this 1 thread alone about how the i3 is throttled by high temperatures.

Do a search for it in this thread and you will see how you do NOT want the i3 for your CPU.

 

Yes, I have lurked my way through this entire thread. I appreciate all of the information that you (BankerGolfer), Bronsky and others have provided!

1. I'm not sure that my CPU will get to 90C. I should come clean and say that I will at some stage be using this to game (hence the fixation with the 5650). In theory I will be studying and not gaming, but I'm sure you know how that goes... Starcraft II, CIV 5, COD4:MW are all more interesting things than class...

That said, I won't have a lot of time, so the gaming sessions should be short. The CPU may not get that hot?

2. The real issue is that there are no i5s available, and I have a very fixed deadline when I will absolutely need a new machine (early September, less one week for delivery). This is why I'm posting here; to discuss the North American purchase options for those with no patience!

Unless someone with inside information can tell us exactly when the new i5s will be available, I will have to buy an i3. The question, then, is whether the 330m will suffice for the moment (until I can upgrade in around 9 months, after graduation), or whether I should fork out the extra ~US$125 for the 370m to tide me over until the planned upgrade. Or whether I forget about this machine altogether.

RobsTV seems to think it won't make much difference whether I get the 330m or an i5 (at the same clock speed as the i3-370m: it's about an 11% difference in raw numbers; not sure how that converts to real life). Bronsky also seems to think an i3 will be fine for the uses I listed (though it will be interesting to see whether his opinion changes now that he knows that I intend to game... sorry, should have been upfront about that -- perhaps was trying to fool myself into thinking that I would be a diligent student this year).

I guess I would be interested to hear from any 3820tg (w 5650) i3 owners that game, as to whether their CPU gets too hot/they are able to run the above games on medium settings without issue? That said, given PChome's apparent abundance of i3 processors, it seems most of you sensibly went with the i5...

The other question, I suppose, is whether there are any other differences between the 330m and the 370m, beyond the clock speed and thermal limitations?

Thanks again for all your help!

 

Most I3 owners are in the 4830TG thread. It is worth a read if you haven't already. The other difference I3/I5 is the turbo boost. But I understand your impatience. The CPU can always be upgraded.

Bronsky

 

sorry, I keep forgetting about that....

 

Just uploaded Part 9: Battery Discharge Rates http://forum.notebookreview.com/6623229-post3819.html

 

Does anyone know if these are refurbished?

Acer Aspire 3820TG-5454G64Nks 3G - Notebooks - computeruniverse.net
Acer Aspire TimelineX 3820TG-5454G64Nks - Notebooks - computeruniverse.net
Acer Aspire TimelineX 3820TG-5454G64nks - Notebooks - computeruniverse.net

I have family in Germany and this might be an option.

 

They do not look like refurbished units. Plus, those are the Computeruniverse prices of new units. I bought mine there. At least they still have units available.

Bronsky

 

You might want to check the MSRP of i5-450m 3820TG in China and see how much discount you are getting right now. You may end up paying much more if you wait for the refresh because when the new refresh comes out it won't have clearance pricing like the current i5-450m.

People here got their i5-450m for NT$29900/30900 from PCHome due to the fact that PCHome is clearing out their inventory, but the MSRP is actually 36900 and that was how much PCHome charged when the unit first appeared for sale a couple months back. There was at least one retailer that was selling i5-450m at MSRP in their retail stores just when PCHome was selling it for 29900 for the Computer Application Exhibit promotion.

If you can wait three months, I'll say you can wait for the refresh to come on sale. Otherwise, you may get marginal performance improvement with MSRP level pricing, which I think most people would regret.

 

And that is a superior way.