Acer 3820TG North America Purchase Options

the AS3820TG-374G50nks is same as the AS3820T-7360???

why the different configuration number?

 

You don't need to transfer the warranty. The warranty coveres Acer's PanAmerican regions which includes Canada and the US. Just register the unit and you will see the confirmation of the warranty.

You have ato also clip and unclip 7 clips.

Bronsky

 

For the Canucks, seems like TigerDirect.ca just started carrying the 3820TG ( LX.PV102.288 with the i3-370M & HD5650) for 779.99$ a pop.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6946907&CatId=4938

 

Thanks Bronsky. Are there any possible complications from changing the keyboard or language of the machine? I see in your guide you said you got lucky in changing the keyboard and getting a machine that could handle it.

I like to think that I'm fairly fluent in electronics having modded headphones and built amps but laptops are something new to me.

 

The Canadian unit is a bilingual unit. When you first start it, you get to choose english or french. You really don't need to reinstall the OS. All you need to do is replace the keyboard, which is extremely easy. If that was a concern, you can use the bilingual KB but it is a pain in the butt.

Bronsky

 

Amazingly the 3820TG with 5650 will perform within 80% of your Sager in gaming performance once you get an O.C. on the CPU & GPU (Probably more like 90% if you run them both at native resolution)

 

Well, I had an Envy 14 for a while with an i5-520m. The performance was decent, but not as good as I expected. Bad Company 2 had constant freezes and hiccups and load times were atrocious.

I ended up returning it for several reasons, but for one it wasn't "good enough" for my main rig. But for a secondary much more portable one, it will be awesome. I love my little 12.1" Hannsbook, but it doesn't have the oomph to play many games (only has Intel GMA 4500MHD - which still has surprised me though) I'd like.

I also will want to put an SSD in there, and 80GB isn't quite enough considering it'll have the power to game, so will want to load a few games on it, so I'm looking at probably a 120GB SSD for ~$250. So about $1000 for a secondary laptop is hard to swallow.

Although it will most likely give me some longevity and can probably keep it for four years as a secondary laptop. I plan on replacing my Sager when Sandy Bridge comes out. So its either this Acer or a significant upgrade to my desktop PC. With my Sandy Bridge laptop though it may approach performance of my desktop. Maybe I'll just ditch the desktop altogether.

 

A mess up on their part. If you look at the manufacture part # it is identical. They are the same product. I just spoke to a rep from them and they said regardless of which you buy it's considered a special order from them. It takes them a couple days to receive it from their warehouse. So "in stock" doesnt mean they have any units on hand.

She told me probably monday although she sounded like she was pretty clueless.

Use the link I provided as it will save you around 15$.

 

I know that I don't need to reinstall the OS but if I run a clean install I say why not. Looking over your guide and the other one on the site, switching keyboards doesn't seem like too much of a hassle, especially since I don't require a backlit keyboard. Just have no use for it really.

Is there a different keyboard to buy from ebay for a backlit model vs regular or do I just buy the backlit and not solder anything?

 

There is a regular KB that I would get. The backlit model needs to be filed and fitted. If you're not doing the backlit thing, it'
s not worth the time. You can order one from a US retailer for $29. New Acer Aspire 3820T 3820TG 4820T 4820TG Keyboard - eBay (item 200539311019 end time Dec-03-10 13:30:47 PST) You can get one for $15 if you don't mind ordering from Hong Kong. New Acer Aspire 3820 3820G 3820T 3820TG US Keyboard BK - eBay (item 310265692783 end time Nov-26-10 08:48:02 PST) A clean install is a good idea. Everything will run better.

Bronsky

 

Hi,

Does anyone know how to set it up so the machine switches to 5650 automatically when I plug it into the wall outlet? From the help, I should be able to do it by simply checking an option in the display setting but somehow it seems that I don't have that option available (not disabled, just not there). Is this option model specific even within 3820TG?

Another question regarding the hard drive. I get a mere 5.5 out of the performance score while others are at 6.7. Any hint how to improve this without changing to SSD?

Thanks.

 

I got an email from NCIX today, seeming to imply they could use my AMEX, dependent on my billing address.

ok, so here is my long story, its ends out fairly well. I bought the Acer from Lu computers. Here is where it gets Topsy turvy. I only have AMEX for a credit card, and didn't want to use my Visa debit or Paypal. LU takes Visa MC, so I used my girlfriends Visa card. I didn't get an email from them, or so I though, till I checked my spam, I got two. My fault.

Anyhow, they said they could not process the order bc I was shipping to a different location other than my GFs CC billing address and they would need a photo ID and the CC picture emailed to them. No way we were doing that. I was shipping it to my friends in the States, bc I live in the Bahamas at an FPO/APO military address. Another Long story short, my GF had to call the CC company and have her address changed... weird. I buy stuff all the time and send it all over the place, since I travel, never had a problem once, nor has my GF.

So to complicate things even more, I needed it to arrive Friday or Saturday, since my GF will be in the States at that point. Because of the malarkey with processing the order I had little time to get it there, since I was on the phone with Eric last night to get this sorted.

Eric, said that UPS don't deliver on Saturday...omg...I am never going to get this thing. BUT.... He kindly sent it overnight at no extra charge.

So as messed up as this was, Lu computers made it work in the end, so credit to them.

Maybe a Canada rule, about the CC and the shipping address thing, not sure. I am a dual Canadian citizen, first I know of it. but that is the first time I have ever had a problem like that with my CC or anyone Else's.

 

Props to you if you can do that with all your international shipping. Most merchants I've seen go by that rule because in the event of fraud, it is quite te headache and not worth the risk.

 

I also got a confirmation between the two SKU's are identical machines. Here's the response I received from my inquiry:

"The SKU 53531N is one of our supplier SKU and SKU 56223 is NCIX SKU, there is no difference between the two units, the supplier SKU is fed into our search system and shows up with default mark up price."

 

honestly this is the first time I have had an issue, I would say I have been sending stuff all over the place for the past 7 years; it would not of mattered if it was my CC vice my GFs.

I just would have thought the merchant asks the CC company if they want to verify the charge and feel something is strange, if then the CC approves it, then why would the merchant care?

 

Prob have to look back in history (however brief) and find out who "ruined the party for everyone else"

One small issue with one consumer in court can have a great effect on the rest of the industry.

 

Ahh If only I had enough to get the ncix varient, still need more dough though. Has anyone read up on how acers warrenty works with ncix? IS it just a standard 1 year warrenty for parts?

 

Just to vent, I'd just like to throw a general thumbs down to UPS. I have two packages coming from them - a hard drive from Newegg and a 3820tg from Lucomputers. Last night I get home to find that there was a delivery attempt on the hard drive, and that since I was not home at 3:46pm (wow, what do you know, a residential customer in a 100% residential neighborhood was *gasp* AT WORK AND NOT HOME AT 3:45PM), they'd make a second delivery attempt on Friday after 5:00pm. I waited until 8pm; no such second delivery attempt happened. I was not sure if either of the packages would be set for Saturday delivery, so I waited until this morning to check the delivery status before calling. Neither package is "out for delivery" today so I inquired if I could pick up the packages - unfortunately, the distribution center near my house is closed Saturdays. I placed the HDD on hold to be picked up by myself on Monday night.

As for the laptop, itself, since there has not yet been a delivery attempt on it, I cannot place it on hold. The best I can do there is wait until they make their delivery attempt, which will inevitably fail, and THEN I can place it on hold. So the laptop won't be available for pickup until Tuesday night. Wonderful service. I *KNOW* they won't deliver to my address at an appropriate time, and yet I've got to go through the charade of a delivery "attempt" before I can have the package set aside.

Long story short, I'll head down Tuesday night to pick up both packages at the same time. I'm sure that trip, like the "delivery" experience so far, will be a complete circus.

Ah well. It sucks I won't have my new toys until Tuesday but at least I got that all off my chest.

 

My local UPS distribution center (open on Saturdays) will convert a delivery to a will call if you catch them before the put it on the truck. Shame that your local UPS center is so lame.

Bronsky

 

That is not really UPS's fault, you being at work. I can understand your other complaints, but not that one.

Not delivering on the second attempt, is pretty rare, but mistakes happen all the time. You can raise high hell with that, maybe some form of compensation.

I don't know what else you can expect from them though, you just need to set up for alternatives when you can't be there. It sucks, but that is how it works for sig required stuff. Find a ups buddy in the neighborhood.

I have left notes of where to leave stuff on the door etc, and they took that before....a lot of times they won't. As Bronsky says, you need to talk to the distribution center, they will work with you.

What UPS service did you use? 3 day?

 

I've never heard of second delivery attempts being made, but maybe it's different. I do know FedEx and UPS both have to make a delivery attempt before holding the package. Unfortunately that's the way it is. My local UPS depot will let you pick up your package same day from UPS after 8pm usually.

 

Well, I guess all I'm saying is - if you're delivering to a residential neighborhood, where there are no businesses, and it's a major city, where you can't leave packages on doorsteps/patios like the suburbs, and the majority of people aren't home, may as well start at or after 5pm. Anyhow, as for raising hell, eh, I think my little rant earlier was all the hell I wanted to raise I'm over it, I just gotta go get it all Tuesday.

 

yeah, till Tuesday.

 

Is there a big difference between the 370m and 460m.

I know the 370m is stock at 2.4ghz, but is it possible to OC it on the 3820?

The 460m is stock at 2.53ghz, turboboost reaches to 2.8ghz.

Can you OC the cpu and gpu on the 3820t?


Is this a bilingual or just an english keyboard?
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=56223&vpn=LX.PV102.288&manufacture=Acer

Is it hard to replace the keyboard? I guess I should find a video on youtube to show me how.

 

I found some videos on youtube, displaying how to replace a keyboard, looks easy. 15$ for an english keyboard is worth it!

 

Most 3820TGs can OC to a greater or lesser degree using SETFSB (500 yen donation for the shareware version - $6 US). My unit is a Canadian Unit and before I replaced the I3-370M I ran it OC'd at 3.0ghz. My I5-540M OC's to 3.688ghz. There is a significant difference between the I3 and I5 (turbo mode for one) but the I3 is quite capable. I liked it but I needed more power at work. I use my Acer like a mini workstation.

The keyboard is very easy to replace.

Bronsky

 

My unit will also be Canadian, as I intend on ordering from ncix.com. Do I need SETFSB to OC my 370m? I can't just tweak the numbers in the bios, like bump up the FSB? Where do I get/purchase SETFSB?

Thanks.

 

Google it, you will get to abo san's site. You DL the latest version send your 500 yen by paypal and he will ask you to run the program diagnostic and then send you a key. Not all CPU's overclock. The motherboard can have a clockgen that has Trust Mode enabled. That makes the CPU unclockable without a pin mod. The clockgens on each Acer unit are somewhat random.

Bronsky

 

Did Lu computers raise its price?

Bronsky

 

I live in Canada, so ncix.com is good, but they are more expensive than 2 other sites. it's $749 on 2 sites, gotta find them, I forgot which ones they were.

By the way bronsky, I will have to remember about overclocking the Cpu.

 

it's $749 now on ncix.com

 

I have the 3820T (not TG) with i3-370M. I assumed these CPUs were soldered on and not replaceable. I'm wondering if it would take an i7-620M? The problem would be the BIOS, I suppose. The 620M has features enabled that the i5 and i3 doesn't ... like AES New Instructions and VT. Most laptops with the 620M have BIOS options to enable/disable the advanced features.

 

You can do a pricematch if you buy from ncix.com

 

How much better is the 5650 than the 5470.

Staples is selling a 3820 with an i5-460m + 5470 @ $799, or I could get the 3820 with i3-370m + 5650 2 $749.

I figure I should get the 5650, then just OC the 370m.

Is this the site...He's asking for 500 yen, so it must be.
http://www13.plala.or.jp/setfsb/

Bronsky, do you know what the FSB is to reach 3ghz? Can I push it any further than 3ghz, or is that the limit?

By the way, I could not find the appropriate clock generator for the 3820 on his site. Did you find it, if so which is it?

Thanks.

 

Well, after over a year of off and on notebook shopping...mostly 'on'
wishing the 3820TG would come to the U.S....
nearly purchasing an Envy 14....
nearly purchasing the new Macbook Air....
I have taken the plunge and ordered the 3820TG from Lu Computers!!!!!

A little nervous (about the international purchase and screen issues) but can't wait to get it! Now to start SSD shopping and find a U.S. keyboard.

If anyone has a digital copy of the shop manual I would sure appreciate a copy. Please PM me.

 

I wouldn't worry too terribly much about the international purchase stuff - I just ordered Wednesday of last week from Lucomputers, and the device shipped out pretty quickly. They provide you with a tracking number under your account login on their website, too. So far, so good with them. All in all I'll have the laptop less than one week from date of order.

 

What screen issues, can you elaborate? Thanks.

 

Oh, just the occasional mentions in these forums that some people are not thrilled with the screen quality. Of course, it is a very subjective thing. I'll just have to see for myself.

 

Please give us some feedback about your experience when it arrives.

I plan on purchasing the 3820 around mid-late December.

 

I did not realize this, but it does not have an optical drive? I guess every notebook under 14" is like this? Does it come with a external cd/dvd rw drive?

 

it dosnt come with any external drive, have to buy that separately of course no manufactures just give external drive unless you mention it. There is an 13.4 inch lenovo y460 with a optical drive at about the same price.

 

Speaking of which, anyone have a good comparison review between the Y460 and 3820tg? I think the Y460 is 14.0" screen, but either way, a compact machine. Seems the Lenovo claims 3.5 hours battery but Acer 8 hours. What is true battery life for Acer and Lenovo?

 

I think I may have to go with the 5820. Despite being 15.6 inches, it does have an optical drive, i5-460m, and can reach up to 12 hours of battery life. I will definitely need an optical drive, especially for school. I could already predict myself forgetting to bring the external drive with me, each time I go somewhere.

15.6" vs 13.3", is it a big difference?! I'd like smaller, but...

Canada computers and LU selling it (5820) for $859. I'm gonna wait and see if I really need the optical, if not, I'm going for the 3820.

 

The lenovo is 13.4 inches measured out, which the 3820tg is 12.7 so its .7 inches larger then the acer and the width of them is all the same at 9 inches around theres same as the m11x.

 

I absolutely will....

 

The Lenovo is like driving a tractor-trailer on the Pacific Highway. The Acer is like having an Aston-Martin for the same trip.

Bronsky

 

Don't they have the same specs? Differences/advantages I see are:

Acer 3820TG:
- longer battery life useable 6 hours? (lenovo apparently less than 5 on IGP)
- 13.3" screen / smaller form factor
- better cooling

Lenovo Y460:
- 14.0" screen
- DVD or BD-ROM option
- Easily available for US purchase

 

The Lenovo feels really large compared to the 3820TG. It also weighs 4.85 pounds and doesn't even have an aluminum or magnesium frame like the Apple, Sony, or even the Thinkpad with its internal endoskeleton. I have had them side-by-side and there is really no comparison. The 720p resolution looks much better on a 13.3" display. The slight increase in display size makes the 1600 x 900 a more suitable resolution.

I also hate the look of the Lenovo. It is too plastic-ey and the designs detract from a business class look. The Ideapads also have a fairly checkered design and maintenance history.

The Ideapad should be compared to the 4820TG rather than the 3820TG. The 3820TG has it all over the Lenovo, even in its I3-370M specs, including costing $50 less.

Bronsky

 

Dangit. I hate when I see little machines like this. I love it. I may just have to sell my current netbook and get this thing. It'll put me back probably $500 when all is said and done, but I guess it'll be my long term portable notebook. I should have money in a few days for this, question is whether or not to pull the trigger.

Problem I see now is this is bigger than my existing netbook by about 1" both width and depth and about 0.5lbs heavier. I know the performance is significantly better though. Decisions, decisions.

 

So I am ready to order the 3820TG. What sorts of things do I need to be cognisant of? I see many folks have I5s in theirs...is that a mod or are they available that way?

Is there a configuration that all can agree is the best to purchase? Is there a particular dash number that I need to look for? it seems there are a few flavors of this machine...

I plan to do the backlit KB mod, and maybe and SSD.

Thanks everyone.