Acer 3820TG North America Purchase Options

No, the motherboards are refurbished original boards. They would have the HD5650. But if you have the 3820TG with the HD5470, I don't see any reason that you can't swap in the HD5650.

Bronsky

 

That would be exactly where you need the speed, transferring from the SSD to the momentus XT. If it reads fast in Disk to Disk transfer, the back-up of large files would be very fast. Slow file transfer through the USB 2.0 to an external drive is my only pet peeve with the 3820TG. It would make the dual drive setup of the 4820TG even faster than true mobile workstations like the Dell Precision and the HP Elitebook. Can't wait to see somebody do this and write it up.

Bronsky

 

just bought the canadian model with 6gb ddr3 and a 80gb intel ssd.

Total came to 1060$ plus taxs and shipping!

I'm pretty happy

 

Nice set up. Congratulations.

 

Yes, meant GPU.

The MSI GX640 has the 5850 GPU. It's a 15.4" laptop. Best gaming PORTABLE laptop with bang for the buck out there. Weighs less than 6 lbs. It was my laptop before I pulled the trigger on the 3820TG .

 

Sorry, a bit O.T.

I've been hoping for the 3820TG to arrive locally, but not motivated enough to buy through Taiwan- but its great people have been able to without much hassle. But now I think I will just wait a few more months for Sandy Bridge.

It sounds like the next generation Sandy Bridge graphics will give integrated graphics good enough for games (either 3DMark 4000+ range, maybe even much better.) This shows recent testing, and the final product will likely be better, given the tests were without overclocking and possibly only 1/2 as powerful as what will be in laptops (anandtech is unsure if the got the 6 or 12 EU part:
The Sandy Bridge Preview - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

So I think I'll wait for the next generation R705. It still won't match the ATI5650, but should meet my basic gaming needs. Also, hopefully by then USB 3 will be standard (and maybe WHDI.)

Of course, there will always be something new... but its already September, so if you can wait a few months it could pay off. And this is what happens when companies like Acer and ASUS leave us hanging so long after teasing us in January.

 

I have to believe that an integrated GPU with that much power (3dMark06 4000+) will be an even bigger drain on battery power and reduce battery life than the current version.

As the R705 only came out a few months ago, you could be waiting a while for the refresh.

 

The overall power consumption is actually lower, because it is an on die architecture that shares more resources (and smaller 32nm.) So the improvement is in design, not brute power. http://www.anandtech.com/show/3871/the-sandy-bridge-preview-three-wins-in-a-row/12 (this is the desktop version, but the power consumption comparison will still apply- under load a similar MHZ Sandy bridge uses less power, despite the superior integrated graphics.)

Also, this is just the continuation of the Core series. So starting Q1 2011 the i5-520m will be replaced with a Sandy Bridge i5-2520m. So it won't be as much a product refresh as a natural CPU upgrade. All laptops will go form 1st generation core to 2nd generation (Sandy Bridge) core- just like when laptops went from duo to c2d a few years back. The CPU will get a small 10-15% bump, but the graphics will get a huge boost- without any increased cost or loss in battery life.

 

Interesting. I'll believe it when i see it!

 

Apparently, the I5-460M has shown up in Taiwan. http://forum.notebookreview.com/6660140-post4399.html Probably won't be long before those I5s are winging their way across the Pacific again.

Bronsky

 

from where?

 

Another potential option to order a 3820tg with i5-450m shipped to North America (from China):

dangdang
(and fulfilled by Ochi accessible notebook shops)

The website allows a US address, but I have not attempted to actually complete the purchase. No idea if this can be considered reliable.

 

i5-460 3820TG is available on PCHome now for NTD34900 plus shipping
PChome¥þ²yÁʪ«¡mACER Aspire 3820TG-5462G64nss.(i5-460/1G)¡n

i5-450 has also restocked and still priced at NTD30900 plus shipping
PChome¥þ²yÁʪ«¡m¡½ACER Aspire 3820TG-5452G50nss.(i5-450/1G ¿WÅã).³æ«~¡n

As always, check this page for all the offering, including i3 and any specials
PChome¥þ²yÁʪ« - 3C À]­º­¶

 

The Pacific Rim Shippers miss your business.

Bronsky

 

In the case of 3820TG, I think it's the other way around...

 

How long does it typically take for shipments from pchome to get to your doorstep in the US?

I placed my order Sunday and now it's Thursday. If I'm reading this right, iPost tracking says it's in the US already pending clearance?

Results of the latest deal
Status Processing date and time Management Board Details
Leave the country of destination exchange office　　　　　　　 2010/09/01-10: 35:00 United States　　　　　　　　

E-mail detailed process
Status Processing date and time Management Board Details
Customs inspection　　　　　　　　　　　 2010/08/31-00: 59:00 United States
AMC LOS ANGELES Indwelling reason: Other　　　　　　　　
Exchange office to reach the destination country　　　　　　　 2010/08/31-00: 58:00 United States
AMC LOS ANGELES Send the original country: the Republic of China
Export Office: TAIPEI
Total Package Number: 1126
Export data - details such as the far right　　　　　 2010/08/30-20: 39:34 International Air Mail Division Destination country: United States
Sent to the exchange office: AMC LOS ANGELES
Total Package Number: 1126
Flight number: BR016
Flight Date: 20100830
Posting postal materials　　　　　　　　　　　 2010/08/30-17: 19:00 Successful business unit in Taoyuan Lu Youju Destination country: United States

 

what fees will i be charged ordering from pchome to canada, BC to be exact.

 

The never ending dilemma.
Now what? Repeat every week.

Buy for what is out today, and will fulfill your needs today, never tomorrow because tomorrow will always be tomorrow.

 

Shipping chart with estimated delivery times and prices:

PChome¥þ²yÁʪ« - ÅU«ÈªA°È

 

Does the 460M have the same overclocking potential as the 450M? Are the 100 dollars more for the extra performance of the 460M worth it?

Also, could someone post the link over here of how to order from PCHome? Thank you.

 

do i have to pay any fees for it to cross the border ?

 

It's probably not really worth the extra hundred.

Bronsky

 

So I got my i3-330m version of the 3820tg which actually happens to be an i3-350m. All I can say is, damn this is a beautiful laptop. Way better made than I had anticipated. This thing is begging for a faster CPU upgrade + SSD, coming tomorrow. =D

 

If I buy from PCHome, will the guide above work to install the Windows 7 English?

 

The HDD also goes up to 640GB on the 460M model...but it's probably not a big deal if you are going to stick a SSD in.

 

Yes ... it will. Understand that you will be working in the Chineese langauge until you can run eRecovery and make your backup disks. Bankergolfer posted somewhere the problems he had doing that but he got it done eventually. I was actually easier when I did it in German.

Bronsky

 

Alternatively, will upgrading to Windows 7 Professional (w/ student discount) provide a much easier way to make it English?

 

I held my breath and prayed as I clicked each button. LOL!

But I succeeded in using eRecovery to make both the backup CD and the drivers/programs CD.

 

Sorry, I'm not very tech savvy. What exactly is the step that makes it English?
I will keep the original HD and keyboard. I see the step to create a system image, create a backup of OEM cert, Key, and drivers. But how would I make it English?

 

You need to download a english version of windows 7 home and then activate it with the key provided on the back of the laptop through the phone.

 

So is it official that this laptop won't come to the U.S.?

 

In step 7 you download the english version from the windows site. That is the first URL in that section. Then you have to use a program to strip out the ei.cfg file from the windows english version that you downloaded. The next part of step 7 is putting the windows file on a USB drive that will load it onto your system.

To activate the english version, follow step 10. Works like a charm.

Bronsky

 

Nothing is official ... it's just not here.

 

Thanks. I thought to download the english version (any windows 7) you had to pay. I think I'll sadly have to pass the PChome offer due to my technical incertitude. Hopefully at least Canada gets the English version 3820tg soon.

 

You're a patient man. Not even tempted to get the 4820TG at $839?

Bronsky

 

A little, if it wasn't for the extra weight and the vent issue I would buy it


**BTW, is the windows 7 iso on your guide the 64 bit version and untouched?

Since it comes with only 2gb of ram, can I just stick in another 2gb stick? Its 2x2?

 

the extra weight didnt bother me. i prefer the larger screen. it was less then the asus n80 with 9650gt i bought last year by at least 300 dollars to boot. plus its half as bulky as similar specs in its class. the 13 inch is pretty sweet too no doubt, but its not enough for me to justify a minimum of 300 extra dollars that its going for. for me its the price that partly makes it great.

 

Yep.

Bronsky

 

When I purchased the i3-330m verion, it came with a free stick of ram. I think they recently lowered the price another 1000 NTD which equals to around a $40 US drop. But then again, it doesn't come with a free stick of 2GB ram.

 

hey everyone im going to write up a detailed guide to purchasing/converting/warranty issues regarding the 3820tg in the coming week. I would appreciated if everyone could PM me with links to posts/sites that have been discussed here and elsewhere.

 

^Excellent.
I'm gonna take the plunge lol.

 

If you get an import with a non-US version on Windows 7, I highly suggest you take 3 minutes and run Vistalizator (google).

It will switch it all over to US. You can then easily maneuver throughout windows as if it came with the US version, copying folders, backing up, making recovery disk, testing out the system, backing up the license, registering, whatever you wish. Then, after you are done messing with it, do a format and clean install.

Very fast and effective way to get up and running with the least amount of hassle.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6465732-post1613.html

Here is my write up of converting a foreign unit. It was first based on my German unit conversion. I think this is up-to date.

Bronsky

 

Hi,

so now that the 450's are back in stock i'm looking at this computer again. However, I just wanna confirm with some of the users online, and in particular the Canadian ones about import tariffs/duties.

There was no tariffs involved? And how about HST?

 

This could be a naive question but does any one know if it's possible to hook a 1600x900 LCD onto 3820TG? I can live with 1366x768 but I would really prefer to make it 1600x900.

 

I guess anything's possible. But, no one has identified a display that would work and no one has successfully converted a 3820TG that I know of.

Bronsky

 

There is just no 13.3" 1600x900 panel in any laptop yet. The only 1600x900 screen we know of are on Sony Z and it's a 13.1". Lenovo's X301 uses 13.3" 1440x900 (16:10), so it won't work, either.

 

hmmm The asus u35 and u33 are selling like crazy here in Canada, I wonder if acer had launched the 3820tgs with 5650 graphics, might be a different story...

 

I doubt it would be greatly different. u30 and u35, pricing the same or slightly above, are out-selling 3820TG with 5650 in Taiwan, too.

 

Anyone know if this laptop can be purchased in Japan? I'm trying to find one, but not succeeding so far.