Acer Aspire 3003 review? (3003WLCI)

I am selling it locally. Expecting around $500 - $550. I am looking to upgrade to something lighter and more mobile. The acer had too little battery life and too big for what I intended to use it for.

 

gotcha,let me know if you are having problems having bidders.

 

Hi

Karamanos this is a bluetooth module for aspire 2020 which they send me by mistake.I am expecting a right one for my model.So, when figure out how to enable built in bt module I'll send post here with pictures.

 

I'm getting a little mixed up on the battery issues. I know I dont want the 2000mah, but under the same part number (LCBTP03003) I keep finding the 4000 and 4400mah. The 4400mah doesnt list the 3000 series as being compatible, but I think some of you said you had that version and it worked fine. Is the extra 400 worth it or should i just be safe and ored a 4000? Thanks !

 

I got the 4400 and as I recall, on eBay, the price was about the same or less than some where selling the 4000 for. Whether you go with the 4000 or 4400, it will be an incredibly big difference to the 2000. I'm getting better than 2.5 hours.

 

Anyone know how to disable the touchpad on one of these. I'm using an external mouse and the touchpad is driving me a little crazy some days .

Thanks!

 

There should be a keyboard shortcut. I think it was Fn + F7.

 

This thread is amazing. I've had this model laptop since January and all in all I'm very happy with it.

I'm now at the point where I'd like to upgrade my memory. The problem I have is that most of the documentation I've seen says that max RAM is 2GB. However, the manual states that RAM is upgradeable to 1GB.

Which one is it? And how do I find out? I've had a difficult time finding out anything about the Lugano M motherboard online. In fact, a search for this info is what led me to this thread.

 

Just did a quick google for Lugano M motherboard and came up with the following link. It is for a different Acer system but it shows memory of 2000MB.

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache...Lugano+M+motherboard&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=7

I agree the system guide is a bit confusing.

 

Your awesome! I never knew how to do that!

 

Thanks Roosterman. However is there a way to check the RAM upgradeability using System in the Control Panel or some other method?

 

The RAM is upgradable upto 2GB. You can use a utility like Everest or Sandra, it should let you know the max upgradable RAM. I have used 1.25GB memory when I had the 30003 and it worked flawlessly. So I am pretty sure 2GB would work.

 

thanks miner. I'm glad I ran into this problem as it's enabled me to find such a knowledgeable group.

 

I have found that the Acer Aspire 3003 laptop is a great choice. I got a fair share of RAM (512) and a nice size hard drive. The CrystalBrite Screen is wonderful. I got the laptop for about $860 with Windows XP Professional. No Windows XP Home edition for me. A watered down operating system just wouldn't do it for me. It also plays a DVD very well. I actually carried a DVD in the store and tested it. I wouldn't have bought it if it would have started jerking or stutter-stepping. The wide screen takes a little to get used to but it is very nice. You are somewhat bound to the default screen resolution. On the other hand, I am a web developer and grad student and the screen doesn't cause me any problems.

The aspect I don't like is the low battery life. The battery doesn't last long at all. It lives about an hour or less. Until I read these reviews, I was contemplating asking the store in which I purchased it.

I also dislike the extra $ sign placed over the right arrow key. That dollar sign keeps getting in my way. Does anyone know how I could disable it or reallocate it to some other key?

-I better end this review because my battery is going dead...
Overall this is a great laptop for the price...

 

An update:

I bought a 1 gig stick of ram and am now running 1.256 ram on my laptop. I have yet to experience my laptop slowing down no matter how many applications I have running.

One more point I wanted to run by the group. My screen buzzes fairly audibly every so often. I usually just have to adjust the screen's tilt for it to go away. I was curious whether anyone else has had noisy screen issues? Can anything by done to resolve this issue once and for all?

 

Hmm...might be a bad capacitor. Buzzing sounds are fairly common with faulty capacitors. You couls try contacting Acer for warranty repair(if the laptop is under warranty). I would'nt bother about it unless the sound starts to bother you. Never heard of any noise issue with the 3000 series screen, so it might be any isolated issue with your laptop.

 

I purchased my Acer 3003 a couple months ago. Mine also has the dual burner and 512mb memory,80gb hdd, and wireless as well. Very good price very bad battery life. I was excited to recieve it and after charging it for a few hours with no use i get even less time than the posted 1-1.5 hours. If im lucky i get half hour. Awful battery life. Everything else seems to be awsome though. Things run smoothly. I have owned a dell and work for gateway.. so far seems to be the most reliable with the least problems. lowest battery life but i can deal with low batterylife if i dont have to send it in for service.
something to think about.
I did find that if you change your power options around a little it saves on battery power.

 

do you know if the dvd rom in this laptop is region free? how do i check that?

 

I would say no it is not region free. Click your start button and do a right click on My Computer. Select properties which brings up System Properties. Select Hardware then device manager. Look for DVD/CD drives, right click on your drive and select properties. You'll see DVD Region as a tab. Mine is set for region 1.

 

So far I have loved this laptop for its good performance in most things, and cheap price. But the battery life has long been a big concern - 1hour is totally rubbish, and just what Acer thought when supplying a notebook with this (even as a budget model) is boggling.

That said, I managed to get hold of the LCBTP03003:

http://www.laptopshop.co.uk/acer-aspire_3000-laptop_battery-51072-2-b9.htm

Here, it was called the MYBAT9007. Basically, its a 4400mAh battery, which replaces the joke of a 2000mAh one that comes with this laptop.

I have not tried it yet, but I can only imagine around 2.5 hours of battery life with a 4400mAh battery.

Something else I should mention... i upgraded both the HDD and memory myself, and what a difference. The faster seagate 100 GB HDD is a really advantage, but the 1GB of RAM really made it fly. Its good for up to 2 GB as well, which might be a good idea given the usage of VMware I have had recently.

Well worth getting as a laptop, I think. It just needs the 4400mAh battery as an upgrade.

 

Maybe someone here could give some advice on my problem.

When I set up this laptop for dual monitor with a 17" lcd I can set the 17" to 1280x1024. But if I leave the laptop screen at 1280x800 (native) I'm forced to pan with the mouse on the laptop, if you know what I mean by that.

However if I have the Monitor set to 1280x1024, and the laptop @ 1024x768 I don't have to pan or anything. So my question is can I get the laptop to use it's native resolution without having to mouse pan, while using an external (set to: extended desktop) monitor?

 

Has anybody successfully put a bluetooth card in such that the "bluetooth" button actually works? I think I read in this thread that someone was going to try...any update? Also, I am planning to use my new as3004wlci as more of a DTR so I was wondering if one could put a USB bluetooth adapter on it and fix it so the button that "should" turn BT on could toggle power on the peripheral BT? Thanks

 

>> The link you gave for the battery doesnt specifically say it works for the aspire 3000 series (although maybe it does). <<

The 3000 series and the 5000 series batteries are interchangeable. However, the 5000 series comes with an 8-cell, 4400 mah battery whichlasts significantly longer per charge than does the one from the 3000 series (2200 mah).

Here is the best price I could find on an 8 cell battery ($91.46):
http://www.global-batteries.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_11/products_id/1788

Good luck!

-RW-

 

I just ordered a 3004LCi with a 15.4" screen. I know the 3004 WLCi has 'CrystalBrite' but is CrystalBrite anything more than just a shiny cover on the LCD display?

Also, is the only difference with 'non-W' (vs the WLCi version) the lack of CrystalBrite? I will still be getting a 16:10 aspect ratio screen right?

BTW, I ordered this laptop quickly because my laptop broke a few days ago and I needed something inexpensive and quickly (I'm a student).

 

No, the W stands for widescreen, so without it you will get the standard aspect screen.

WLCi - widescreen Crystalbrite
LCi - normal aspect matte screen

 

Argh, this is frusterating. I just bought one of the 8-Cell 4400mAh batteries off of Ebay, but I can't seem to get it to work. It just won't charge. The battery status just says 0%, and there's a red X over the battery icon.

Anyone have any suggestions? I really really don't want to have to send this battery back to Hong Kong.

 

LOL I think they shipped me your return. Bought it out of HK, shipped from China and returned to USA. Darn should have asked for a refund. Does the initials B.E. sound familiar.

 

Ok I tried to read most of these posts but theres way too many pages.

My Laptop (ACER Aspire 3003) gets wayy too hot, like my legs turn red from it and I can feel it through the touchpad... I don't know how to fix it and it's new.

My battery life suckkkkkssss it only lasts like an hour..

soo I dont want to send it in because I need my laptop, but I really want to fix it...
can anyone step me through it ?

 

Well, you could get a cooling pad with fans would be your best option, although it is a bit cumbersome to carry around. The heat issue with this laptop is mainly due to Acers use of a passive cooling on the chipset/graphics card which is located right at the center of the laptop. The latent heat from this spreads on to the touchpad and the bottom of the laptop.

 

Regarding Battery Life: I purchased an 8 cell battery from ebay, and it works great! I get 2.5 hours life easy, and still have that 4 cell as back up if I'm going on a trip.

New Question: I love this computer, but something really strange just happened, and I don't know why or how to fix it. The resolution has changed to 800 X 600 with 32 bit true color, and I want to change it to a higher resolution like it used to have, but when I do, the desktop becomes larger, so that I have to move around with the mouse in order to see all of the desktop. It's very irritating, and I would love to get it fixed if anyone has any info on this. Please help!

 

Perhaps you set it to too high a resolution. Make sure its set to 1280 x 800.

 

I have an 3003LC with an Sempron processor. I bought it some time back and shockingly, it came without an built-in wireless mini pci wifi card.. and what was worse.. No antenna cable either. I am currently using a pcmia card for internet access. I have ordered antenna's so im looking forward (or not) to take my laptop apart and wire it up.
I ordered an Intel 2200BG mini pci. Recieved it today but a note that came with it says it only works with intel Centrino processors.. can i use this anyway on an AMD?
I still have an Atheros mini pci for backup but can't do nothing until i recive the antenna. I want to know what kind of Mini-Pci you guys have in your laptop.. name and model.. just if i get stuck getting these working.
Don't understand why my laptop came without measly $30 dollars worth of wi-fi equipment ripped out of it.

 

no takers on my question? everyone sold their 3000?

 

The Intel should work fine. Infact many OEM resellers do sell AMD laptops with Intel radio's. If I can remember correctly my 3003wlci came stock with Atheros 5005(I think, dont remember the exact model number).

 

allright.. still waiting for antenna..
Thanks for reply.

 

I think Miner has that one down cold. Yep you are right many of us have moved on to other laptops although i had mine for around 10 months and didn't give me one problem other than the first week with the cdrw drive which was replaced by acer with no problems. I have moved onto a Compaq presario V5206om with many fine specs that compare with the acer but am loving this one too. I hope you enjoy you acer as many of us did before parting ways. Good Luck.

 

Phew. I had a an hour on the surgeon-table taking this laptop apart. Replacing the CD-Rom and installing the antenna to the monitor. Was very educational to take this thing to pieces.
The Atheros card didn't work at all. But the Intel Wi-Fi card did. Now im up and running on the net as i write this. New slot-in DVD-RW as well.
Next up are the battery. What a crappy life it has.
This Laptop has beem great so far. Just alittle to much heat around the Enter-button and the mouse pad but no problems with it.

 

Hello; All

I will be upgrading ram, and hard drive, this weekend, and figured while I am at it, might as well ditch the cd-rom for a cd/dvd/burner.

I was wondering how easily or difficult it might be to access the cd-rom drive. If anyone has any tips or advice I would greatly appreciate it.

BTW, I have built and repaired many desktops, but this is my first laptop project.

P.s. what dvd burner should I get?

 

Those who have this laptop should rip off the neting that is covering the airgrids where the Ram Chips are. Under the fan is also an grid. This has a plastic patch covering 80% of the of as well as the netting grid. But i would leave those alone. You should get the airflow in from where the ram chips are as much as possible really, this to cool down that metal lump next to the Mini-Pci slot.
WHAT IS THAT METAL THING BY THE WAY? SHOULD BE A FAN THERE INSTEAD OF THAT STEEL PIECE!
That thing is the reason why the mousepad and right parts of the keyboard generate heat.

 

Just realized something:

I want to replace the 40 gig HD with a new 80 gig. I have a retail version of XP home from another computer. Can I use it on the new 80 gig, with the product key on the bottom of my laptop.

I hope I can, I really don't want to use the restore disks with all the bloatware.

Thanks for any replies.

 

I think an OEM key works wih an OEM version only. The retail versions have a slightly different product key.

 

i didnt go through this thread but i'll like to ask, is the battery life running on CnQ enable?

 

Yeah, the battery Acer ships the system with is very low capacity - 4 cell,2000mAh, ~20WHr. So even with CnQ/Powernow the battery life is only ~1hr.

 

Ok, looks like I am going to have to buy a retail version of XP for a fresh install on a new hard drive.

However, I seem to remember stumbling upon something about burning a copy from your hard drive. I believe it was copying the i386 folders. That was back in the Win 98 days.

If someone knows if this still works for XP, could u plz post a link.

 

Wow; threw out the 256 mb ram, threw in 2 x 512 mb ocz sticks, 2.5,4,4,8.....Runs like a champ now. I cant believe I waited almost a year to do this.

Next up, replace the cd rw/dvd rom with a cd rw/dvd rw, and bigger hard drive.

Oh yeah, whats the latest and greatest for new battery?

 

The 5000 series battery is still a must buy for 3000 series owners who need better battery life. If you are thinkting about it do hurry though since the 5000/3000 series have been replaced and the availability of new batteries might dry up pretty soon.

 

Ok I will check into the 5000 series, as soon as I find one I will post a description and or link for further advice or comments.

Oh, yeah, the cd/dvd-rom doesn't seem to write anymore, only read. Oh well, was looking to upgrade to dvd burner anyway.

 

Okay I followed a link from a previous post

http://www.global-batteries.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_11/products_id/1788

Seems like a pretty good deal, but how do you know for sure it is a 8 cell battery?

 

I don't know what it is, but lately the fan seems to always be on, and is rather loud. Anyone have this problem? Any suggestions..........

 

Says:
Capacity: 4400mAh

The piss poor ones are 2000 or 2200mAh. the 4400 one are the biggest you can get. They should make them even more better when you think of the size of the battery. The battery-unit on my old HP was smaller but lasted 3 hours. and that was 4-5 years old. Technology should caught up to this stuff.

The fan on my Laptop is also constantly running after being on for an hour. But not more noisy, that i dont know.
But unscrew the cover underneath where the fan is and rip out the plastic patch and the net from the grid. This will create more airflow to cool **** down. Doing this will kill of some airflow from the other grids.

The 3000 series are already a discontinued series.Acer don't make these anymore.