Acer 3820TG North America Purchase Options

pretty sure I sent them an email like 2 days ago, no reply. Looks like their customer service is non existent. So you might get lucky and they ship it out right away, but if you need to contact them, pretty sure it'll be impossible.

they get OK reviews here PriceGrabber User Rating for Agile Electronics - PriceGrabber.ca

 

Out of stock in Canada? At least for those that ship to USA?

 

I was thinking about emailing agile as well...i guess i'll skip that idea...

 

I don't know if his has been said yet, but Costco seems to be carrying Acer TimelineX series (1830, 3820, 4820, etc). I have seen it about a week ago in the store locally (east coast Canada). Didn't pay attention to the specs, but I think 3820tg was i3 ati5470 for $700. Don't quote me on this one though.

 

Yup. East coast here and saw it the other night. They also have a 600 3820 with an older pentium processor (non I series) with integrated graphics and a 9 cell battery.

Staples still has the best 5470 deal cause you get the i5 all for 700.

 

Guys please note that the 5470 is not as good a graphics card as the 5650.

5650

5740

In my posts I was discussing the models with the 5650. Checking the links at the start of this post and doing searches on those sites, it appears to me that the stores that are verified to ship to the US are still out of stock. Feel free to prove me wrong I promise I will not be offended.

I just want to make sure everyone knows that there is a difference and purchases the model thats right for them.

 

Yeah if you want to game, i5+5470 compared to i3+5650 is like a 12-year-old kid standing beside chuck norris.

 

So is Canada getting a 3820tg refresh? with the 5650

 

I was under the impression that Canada already had the 5650 version of the 3820tg in stock in several different stores; this Costco model is just a gimped version.

My hope is that North America (I live in the US) gets an Acer 3820tg and 4820tg refresh with the new Sandy Bridge processors and the ati 6550 that's already been implemented in Germany and other countries. Even if everything else stayed the same (mediocre screen, flexing keyboard), I would jump on that in a heartbeat.

 

The TimelineX series is being discontinued by Acer. Hopefully, some 4820TG's will be restocked with the HD 6550 GPU. The new 13" will be the 3740G with an SB CPU and a NVIDIA GT 540M GPU. No idea if it will be distributed in the US.

Bronsky

 

We assume all those trying to buy the 3820 would be aware of the different versions. I know the thread is for 3820T G's but it can't hurt to throw out any finds for the laptop because it is becoming a little rare. Besides, some might want the i5-5470.

 

I've heard you and some others mentioning that the TimelineX series is being discontinued, but is there factual proof that this is the case? All I've been able to find is speculation that Acer might discontinue the TimelineX series in favor of ultraportables to compete with the Macbook Air.

But if this were the case, one of the big draws of the Air is battery life, and the ones you've mentioned, including the 3740g, would not seem to have a battery life to compete with the Air. So Acer's new venture would essentially be at least a partial failure. Would it make any sense at all to speculate that Acer might have another couple of models up its sleeves?

Additionally, even if Acer is creating ultraportables to compete with the Air, does this rule out a 14" thin and light laptop with 6550~ equivalent graphics and good battery life? Because if they can fit those specs into an ultraportable, that would be ridiculously awesome. I don't know if this might actually be in their lineup, seeing as the dual core Sandy Bridges haven't been released yet.

So if Acer does discontinue the TimelineX line...I don't know what Acer is doing. I don't think I'm the only one that'll be displeased. I have been looking at the E420s from Lenovo, which I'm practically drooling over, but there are a couple of questions which make me want to just jump for the Open-Box'ed 4820tg that's available right now at the store near where I live. First, there is no accurate prediction of battery life, their press release says something like 5.5 hours...but how accurate is that? Second, I have to wait until April! APRIL! That's like an eternity away. Third, it's more expensive, as the press release says a 749 base price, but that's not including the optional ATI 6630.

Last question, and this is for any GPU junkie in the house, will the upgrade from an ATI 5650 to a 6550 or a 6630 provide a noticeable jump in FPS for gaming? It seems to me as if they're only getting a slight increase in clock speed, but I'm not sure on how well that translates into game performance.

 

I think you found the one post where bronsky doesn't mention it's only his prediction Acer is discontinuing the TimelineX.

Also. I've read here that the 6550 is volted a little higher and therefore has a higher temp. Not good IMHO. My 5650 with the i3 auto detects crysis settings as high... thats good enough for any game i'll be throwing at it... and I have an SSD and more Ram on the way and will upgrade to an i5 in the future. i'm sure my 3820tg with the 5650 will handle what I need for the next little while.

 

Not really; the only considerable difference is in synthetic benchmarks. In actualy games they are either both producing high enough framerates to be irrelevant (e.g. 85 vs 90 fps) or just 0.5~1 fps (if any) different in really demanding games (metro2033 etc).
The 6550 is already hotter than the 5650 because it's basically just volted higher with a higher stock; it can overclock more (almost on par with 5730) but really, past a reasonable overclock, it just comes down to diminishing returns.

 

Oh, so what you're saying that anything most likely released in the new year won't be that much of an upgrade to warrant waiting? I keep hearing people say "might as well wait for the SB refresh in February", but it's so difficult to resist buying it now and actually wait seeing as some people are saying it won't be enough of an upgrade. There's only 1 4820tg left in my area, and I've looked literally almost everywhere.

e.g.: 4820tg: i5-460 + 5650 vs. random: SB i5 + 6550

I am so close to buying that Open Box 4820tg, help me make the decision! I'm afraid if someone ends up buying this one before I do, the 4820tg's will be gone forever! ever! ever! ever! *echo*

In the end, would any future applications or gaming be unplayable/unusable on a current 4820tg but be playable/usable on a newer SB+6550 edition laptop? Personally, I don't know enough about processing power+graphics cards to make the call.

 

buy now. the sandy bridge just have better integrated graphics as far as I can tell. they still have around the same core speeds and power draw as the current processors. and like jerg says the GPU isn't really all that much of an upgrade and may actually hurt battery life and laptop longevity with the higher volts.

 

Oh jeez, I hope the place I'm going to try to go to tomorrow is open on MLK Day...

and thanks for all the help!

 

Just to be clear, these are still available through PCHome, correct?

 

I ordered from PCHOME on the night of the 5th and received my order on the 11th. They are still showing the model that I ordered as well as the others that were listed when I ordered. So I would say yes.

 

Hey guys, if I buy a 3820tg from PChome will I be able to make the OS English/clean install by simply inserting a Windows 7 disc in? Since it comes in Chinese.

 

I recall someone said the initial Win7 installation from PCHome purchase is a choice between Chinese and English, but I'm not 100% sure..

 

Just found this on Cendirect:

LX.PTB02.235 Acer Aspire AS3820TG-5464G50nks 13.3`` LED Notebook - Core i5 i5-460M 2.53 GHz 1366 x 768 WXGA Display - 4 GB RAM - 500 GB HDD - Bluetooth - Webcam - Windows 7 Home Premium - 8 Hour Battery - HDMI - Cendirect Canada

Manufacturer Part Number LX.PTB02.235
Product Model AS3820TG-5464G50nks

Doesn't say if it has the Radeon HD 5650 so I emailed them. Googled it with no luck.

Anyone know???

 

Thanks, order one, I shall.

After I hear the answer to the blueblazer22x

 

Don't bother, someone posted in this thread sometime ago here, they inquired and it was with ATI 5470, not 5650. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

Well I just got this email response from Cendirect:

------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello xxxxxxxxxxxx,

Thank you for your interest in our products and services. To respond to your inquiry;

The graphics card that comes with the Acer Aspire AS3820TG-5464G50nks is the ATI Mobility RadeonT HD 5650.

Shipping and insurance to most northeastern USA destinations is between $60.00 and $80.00. If the amount exceeds our default rate of $60.00, our traffic department would email you with the exact amount and ask your approval before accepting your order for processing.

Please let us know if there is anything else that we may assist you with.

Regards,
Tony Gorjan
[email protected]
----------------QUESTION----------------
I would like to know what video card this model has (Acer Aspire AS3820TG-5464G50nks). I`m specifically looking for one with the Mobility Radeon HD 5650 video card. Also could I get a shipping estimate to zipcode xxxxx in PA, USA? Thank you!

-------------------------------------------------------------


So now I'm confused...

 

Now that's just odd, are they a reputable dealer?

 

Maybe the model's been upgraded since the last inquery, that jerg speaks of? If this is the case..I may have to jump on this crazeh deal.

Edit: It appears the model that jerg is was talking about was "AS3820TG- 7945" which is different from the listed "AS3820TG- 5464G50nks"

 

Cendirect is one of the largest distributers in Canada. Order one and tell us if that is correct. That would be great to have a source of an I5/HD5650 in North America.

Bronsky

 

Just pulled the trigger on the Cendirect deal. Came to $831 to ship to pennsylvania. I'll post here when I get the computer.

 

We're in the same boat, I just ordered. I, too, will let you all know what's the deal when this baby arrives

 

That sounds really crazy cool. I like the ring of this alot. I wonder what it will look like though.

 

lol I received the same email from cendirect.

I'm pulling the trigger baby! I hope I can return it to them if it turns out it has the 5470 or intel integrated.

Code:

Thank you for your interest in our products and services. To respond to your inquiry;

The graphics card that comes with the Acer Aspire AS3820TG-5464G50nks is the ATI Mobility RadeonT HD 5650

Please let us know if there is anything else that we may assist you with.

Regards,
Tony Gorjan
[email protected]
----------------QUESTION----------------
Hello, I would like to know what graphics card this laptop has: Acer Aspire AS3820TG-5464G50nks

Your website does not list which graphics card it has.  Thank you.

 

Wow props to you guys for taking the plunge. I would be too scared that I somehow wouldn't be able to return the laptop if it were in fact integrated or the 5470 graphics card.

 

You've waited long enough. It looks like you can finally get what you wanted ... the I5/HD5650 combination. With all of these emails going out confirming the HD5650, I would guess that the information is correct. Nice find guys.

With the unavailabilty of the 4820TG in the US and the lack of I3 models left in Canada, these units will not last long. As soon as somebody confirms the model and GPU, I'll update the first page.

Bronsky

 

Quick update on my order from Cendirect:

Just got an email from Tony that basically warns me that the unit comes with a Canadian keyboard and it offers a one-time choice for windows installation of english or french. Also the email offered faster shipping for $15.

I had to reply that I agree for them to process my order. In my reply I just restated that my only concern was the Radeon HD 5650, so hopefully all is good!

 

You didn't take the faster shipping?

 

My cheapness usually outweighs my impatience

 

I didn't know they made Canadian keyboards. Are they extremely different? Like with French lettering?...and doesn't French use the English alphabet anyways?

 

They are bi-lingual keyboards. They have the "\" key where the US KB has half of the shift key. They have a longer return key and a short shift key. The result is that everytime you use your little finger on your left had to try to hit shift, you get a \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\. I just replaced it with a US KB. You can get them on ebay. If you're not comfortable replacing it, a shop can do it in 10 minutes and should not charge you an arm and a leg. Be sure to keep the old KB in case you need to send your unit in for warranty work.

Bronsky

 

I'm good , I just bought the last 4820TG that I could find near me in SoCal. I was just curious about Canadian keyboards.

 

The only part I don't understand about replacing the keyboard, and that is not explicitly mentioned in the tutorial: http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/491169-acer-timelinex-3820tg-backlit-keyboard-mod.html is how to install/put in the flex cable properly. Also, do you need to ground yourself when replacing the keyboard?

 

Replacing the cable is easy. Push the open display as flat as it will go and then hold the KB upside down at the edge of the KB tray. That will orient the cable properly. When you take out the old cable, there will be two small clips, one on either side. They have to be out a bit to allow the new cable to go in. Make sure the cable is properly placed and click the clips back into place. Then flip the KB over and snap it in place.

And, yes, I wear static protection anytime I am handling any components.

Bronsky

 

I paid the extra $15 for faster shipping, it only shaves off a couple days

...apparently mine's going to ship out tomorrow, although, no estimated arrival date/tracking yet.

If this really does work out, it's a pretty darn good deal in comparison to PCHome. Only negative is the keyboard.

 

Excellent, thanks Bronsky. One last question, where do I attach the antistatic wrist band's alligator clip to? Anything metal, even like a knife or a screw? or somewhere on the laptop itself?

 

A chassis screw is the best.

@Deltido - a couple of days can feel like a century when you're waiting for your new computer. Can't wait to see if your unit is an HD 5650.

 

Weird...if it's the identical part number then the specs should be identical; if they did an upgrade, the part number would usually change.
Yeah I'm interested in seeing if it had an 5650 upgrade, too. Never knew such a highly-specced 3820TG has been present in Canada all along.

 

i'll believe it when I see it. Nice to see the 4820TG's coming back with the hd 6550 and the 480m.

 

Yeah, it's already out of stock it seems though (on Amazon). Besides, Amazon.com doesn't sell these to Canadians - we never got any 4820TGs, ever - similar situation with the 3820TG over in the States too I suppose.

Really interested in seeing some more thermal and performance benchmarks of TimelineX's with this refresh. Theoretically they'd get a noticeable thermal increase along with the performance boost, but maybe some redesign has been done?

(P.S. you forgot the "Bronsky " in not one, but two posts lol)

 

I'll wait for confirmation first from our good forum citizens that pulled the trigger on this mysterious 3820tg.

Ahaha, he forgot the Bronsky indeed!!

 

I was stating that the part number has changed. The one you mentioned from an earlier post was ending with " -7945" the one we've ordered ends with " -5464G50nks". I believe they've upgraded it since the last inquiry back in September.