Acer 8204

I am looking to purchase a laptop. I need it for building websites and coding mostly. I will play games and watch movies on it but its definatly a secondary thing.

I have researched a lot of laptops and since I have $2500 to spend on a laptop I would like it to be a good one that will replace my desktop so I will not have to upgrade it.

I was really interested in the acer 8204. Can anyone think of some reasons not to get this one or suggest one that may be better for my needs.

Mike

 

^ I've heard the fan blows hot air on your right mouse hand, and that it has a little more flex than you'd like in a $2,500 rig.

There's also been some mention of light leak on the monitors.

I haven't used is personally, but most major mags have it's benchmarks at the top of the charts for notebooks.

 

Thanks.

Anyone else have an opinion?

Mike

 

I love mine, the "hot air" on your right hand I really don't see as an issue unless you always use it at full processor and always have your mouse hand RIGHT next to the vent (I use a trackball and have never placed it next to the vent, but I never placed it next to where the vent is on my old PC either).

The main question would be whether Core Duo or 64Bit is right for you, also I hear good thins about the cheaper version (what is it, 5204? something like that) as a cheaper alternative.

 

I like my 8204 as well, and agree about the exhaust issue. It's not that bad, really. Very snappy performance.

Check the other 8204 threads, though, as there are more than a few people unhappy for various reasons.

- Ed

 

I'm planning on getting the 8204 too

Heard there might be screen problems and strange buzzing noises on some machines >< but hopefully I can get a good one

2.5k is a great price for a laptop with these specs~

 

Ive researched a lot on the net about laptops within the $2500 price range. The 8204 beats all of the competitors BY A LOT. The only laptops that beat the travelmate at around the same price tag ($300 more for little performance gain) belong to Sager. But they are bulky. I ordered an 8204 from CDW Canada three days ago and its now on its way.

 

The buzzing noise has decreased in the 02/06 build dates and is non-existant in the 03/06 dates. Apparently the 03/06 has a better screen.
I have to say it is a beast.

 

Yes, the 3312 BIOS update pretty much eliminates what little buzzing there was on mine.

- Ed

 

Love my 8204. I had one of the early ones, got mine Feb. 2nd. Have not experienced the buzzing or the light leak issue. Fabulous speed. Have had it doing huge numbers of things at once, still lots of processor headroom and memory to spare. Can't imaginf upgrading this thin to 4GB memory. THe hot air issue. IT can get a little warm but so what. In the cold winter it can sometimes be nige to have a little extra heat. There was a complaint about low levels out of the audio out but applied the latest Relatek drivers and that problem seems to be solved.

Overall great machine, I would recommend it. This is a machine that has more capability than i need right now but something i know i will grow into. Thats why i bought it.