Acer 5562NWXLMi My Review

System Spec
Aspire 5562NWXLMi
-Linux
-Centrino Duo 1.66GHz
-1GB DDR2 533MHz dual channel memory
-DVD Writer
-Bluetooth
-Lan, Modem, Wireless a/b/g
-Webcam 1.3Megapixels
-80GB HDD
-x1400 ATI 128MB
-A lot more, check acer website for complete list...

PRICE :Malaysia RM 4488 ~ USD 1210 (USD 1 = RM 3.71)

My Review
Processor
-Fast responsive processor. Even when running at maximum battery mode, the system is responsive.
-2M Super_Pi test = 1 min 27sec.
-3d mark - no test
-pc mark - no test yet


Pros
-Great overall build, nice looking magnesium alloy "brushed metal" look
-Clear, crisp LCD display
-Full featured notebook, everything you can think of
-Small, compact
-Runs Windows Vista beta with no problems, all drivers work, except for orbicam

Cons
-Poor DVD-Writer performance, writes slow, has problems/refuses to read certain dvd/cds
-Poor battery life, advertised as having up to 3 hours, but barely manages 2hours
-Keyboard flexes when pressed hard
-No DVI output compared to 5670 series
-Very HOT, heat vent on the right hand side is a bad design! Sometimes, the trackpad
heats up when plugged in to power

Overall laptop:


Keyboard


Magnesium alloy cover - with a brushed metal look


Items on left side, pcmcia, expresscard, dvdrw


Items center, card reader, bluetooth button, wifi button, audio in,out, status lights


Right Side, 3 usb, heat vent


Running vista beta

 

Hi there,

That's the first review I've seen of the 5562. I have two quick questions:

1.) Would you say that the negatives points that you raise are worth it when you consider it portability (2.4kg against 2.8kg+ for the 15.4" machines)?

2.) How loud is it?

And one final question that may not be so quick:

Which discs did the DVD drive not like? Where they burned ones or pressed ones? Could this be a problem specific to your drive or something in general with the slot-in type?

Thanks!

 

Hi Charles.

Yes, considering the negative points, i still prefer the 14.1" 5562 compared to 5672. Its lighter, and has the same screen resolution! And it is cheaper! So, definitely a better choice. Also, the body is made of magnesium alloy (LCD Cover), and i dont think 5672 is made of same material.

How loud is it? Well, for general use, its really quiet, although once in a while, the fan speeds up.. and you can hear quite noticeably...

As for the DVD drive, i have no problem with burned discs. Only some pressed ones. I think this problem is a general problem across acer laptop, correct me if i'm wrong.. My friend has a similar 5562, and experiencing the same problem. I knew that of this problem before buying this laptop, because another friend bought a 5502 (1.73GHz X700 series, older version) and has dvd reading problem..

And yeah, i just cant write dvds faster than 2x, although the dvd disc supports 4x!!

Overall, considering the minor problems, i think its a great buy!

 

hey uus,

I couldn't ignore the fact that you said you've tested linux on it which is exactly
what i've been looking for since I'm extremely interested in getting the 5562WXMi model
but didn't know if Linux would run on it with all hardware supported.

Could you please elaborate on your experience with linux on it?
was all the i/o supported? usb, wireless, ethernet, card reader, ati card, svideo out, etc..?
and which distribution did you try on it + kernel?
also can you estimate the battery life of linux on it? is it lasting longer than on windows?

thanks!
lir.

 

Hi lir,

i dont think i mentioned running Linux on it.. Well all i mentioned is that the standard OS that came with the system was Linux. No GUI, just the console based. So i couldnt test the drivers etc. I formatted it and installed XP SP2, and Vista beta, which all worked well.

Btw, i did try running Ubuntu Live cd, but it just hanged... Now i use ubuntu in VmWare..

Sorry

 

Oh I see, I just saw in your first post in the specs that you mentioned 'Linux' so i thought
you had it configured yourself and runing...

Which Ubuntu livecd version did you try that it hanged?

 

Hi again!

Just one last question, what is the screen resolution exactly. I have seen various reports saying that it is 1280x800 and 1280x768! It doesn't make much of a difference, but it would clear that issue up!

Also, any 3D test scores would be lovely! ;-)

Thanks for all the info you have provided so far!

Charles

 

Hi lir, i cant remember, i think it is Ubuntu 5.10. I'll have to check again..

Charles, 3dMark 05 Score - 1713

 

I checked, it is Ubuntu 5.10. As for the screen, it is 1280 x 800. Well the extra 32 pixels does make a difference! You can put an extra row of icons on your desktop!!

 

Thanks again for the info! It seems you have a better deal for your 5562NWXLMi than the UK version (5562WXMI). From what I have read the UK gets a 1280x768 screen and no bluetooth! I can understand why bluetooth may not be there, but I don't understand the change in screen resolution, the older model (5502WXMI) was also 1280x800. I assumed that the change was due to finding screen space for the Orbitcam, but maybe this is not the case.

Charles

 

Why there's no bluetooth in the UK version? Btw, my version has the orbicam, and still 1280x800, clearly not the reason..

 

I assume there is no bluetooth to either keep the price down or to allow for the next model to have it and therefore an upgrade. There is something that they mention called the VoIP phone option as well as the press release that mentions a bluetooth module.

Do you know the LX. number of your 5562? The UK one is:

LX.ABA05.074

 

Sorry, i dont know the LX number.. How can i check?

 

It seems to be the manufactures code for the machine, perhaps you can see it somewhere on the bottom?

Also, I hear that the Omega drivers can significantly improve 3D performance (up to 2000+). Of you are interested can you try it and post the results?

Charles

 

I have Acer Aspire 5562WXMi, I quiet satisfy with this model, the only thing that bothered me is battery life, only 1hr,15mnt and disk space.
I run this with Fedora Core 5, hardware drivers works, but Intel Pro Wireless 3945ABG in progress.

Stephen