Acer Aspire 1681

Thinking of getting one, few questions...

1) With an 8-Cell, how is the battery life? (with wifi on/off)

2) How bad is the screen flex?

3) How is the overall build quality?

4) Are the any issues I should be aware of?


Thanks.

-shiftis

 

Hmm i think it was 3.5 hours without WiFi, and about 2.5 with WiFi, i think thats what 1-souljah had said...

besides that, I onlt know that the quality isnt bad, it's nothing eye catching..

 

1) With an 8-Cell, how is the battery life? (with wifi on/off)
I've got the 8-cell, it's about 3-4 hours even with wifi on. I never turn it off, and it lasts about 3-4 hrs for me, 2-3 hours if I'm gaming.

2) How bad is the screen flex?
Screen flex? if u mean the screen bending, not much.

3) How is the overall build quality?
Really good in terms of overall build quality. It feels really solid overall.

4) Are the any issues I should be aware of?
Acer went with an extremely poor choice when it comes to choosing a supplier for the OEM DVD+/-RW, the QSI SDW-042. It works extremely poorly, but not all 1681WLMi come with the QSI. Some have the Liteon which is supposed to be quite good.

 

What would the life be like if I turned the processor down to say, 200MHz or 300MHz?

-shiftis

 

i wonder how do u acheive low speeds of 200mhz to 300 mhz . The processors lowest clock is 600mhz at .98v

 

I currently own the Aspire 1681..

1) I get around 2.5 hours with wi-fi on.. and havent tried without wifi..

2) actually i think the screen flex is really bad.. when using it on a sturdy table.. typing shakes the screen a bit and it wobbles back and forth.. while closed.. the screen tends easily bend inwards.. making you unables to grip the notebook.. i usually hold it from the bottom anyways..

3) the overall build quality is pretty good.. other than the screen.. seems nicely build and sturdy..

4) I haven really had any problems with my 1681.. only very minor ones that can be solved such as the buzzing sound.. plugging a usb device will stop this or you can select one of the power options for one of the usb hub roots..

 

Well, I honestly get no screen flex in the regard that the screen shakes when typing, mine's perfectly still. So, I guess the QC isn't that perfect.

BTW, I'm getting 3-4hrs with Wifi by scaling down the processor to 'low' on acer's ePM.

 

Also, do the Intel Extreme 2 graphics on the 1681 go up to 32 max or 64?

And, can the screen fold back at a 180 degree angle from the keyboard?

-shiftis

 

The Intel Extreme Graphics 2 goes up to 64mb..

The screen is able to go 180 degrees.. but i see no point in that.. unless ur planning to hang it on your walls =]

 

Well, I just bought it.
It's charging right now.
How long does the initial charge take? (It's been going for about 2 hours now...)

-shiftis

 

Congrats!

Just leave it charging and do something instead of staring at its beauty..

But thats what most of us would do anyways

 

Installing stuff and getting it ready for use.
So far, I'm quite pleased.

-shiftis

 

Welcome to the club mate...congrats on purchase

Now here is must have s/w ..Mobile meter
http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley-Oakland/8259/release/0310/mm0310.zip

Run the program Right click take options and see the Battery information

and check your battery wear level ...since its new..it should not go more than 5 %

 

Yes, it says it's 5%.

Man, that sucks.

-shiftis

 

Hi. Does this model have the fan grills on the side or on the bottom?