Acer Aspire AS8951G - anyone own this ?

Newegg.com - Acer Aspire AS8951G-9600 Notebook Intel Core i7 2630QM(2.00GHz) 18.4" 8GB Memory DDR3 1066 750GB HDD 5400rpm BD Combo NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M


my friend want to buy this laptop and need some opinions or reviews

 

I'm looking to pull the trigger on this model also. One new owner in this thread already had two keys break off.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/586832-acer-ethos-as8951g-as5951g-owners-lounge.html

 

I've had it for a week, I really like it. I posted a review of it on newegg:

Pros: - Excellent build quality
- Dual graphics - switchable low-power integrated graphics and high speed discrete graphics with 2GB dedicated RAM
- Very long battery life for such a big machine
- Quiet and cool
- 4 memory slots and up to 16GB memory
- Illuminated keyboard (switchable)
- Cool large detachable touchpad doubles as a media controller
Windows Ultimate (NewEgg ad says Windows Home Premium), pre-SP1 so you'll spend some time updating it
- Not much bloatware
Oh, and it looks like there's a second full height mini PCI Express socket right next to the wireless adapter socket, maybe someone can play with that and tell us if it works.

Cons: - Fingerprint reader is useless so far, almost impossible to train and then never works
- 5400 RPM drive
- Trackpad buttons are somewhat stiff and no trackwheel emulation, no sensitivity adjustment so accidental touches while typing make your cursor jump to a different spot. Generally a little awkward feeling and a bit unresponsive.
- Somewhat of a fingerprint magnet
- Atheros AR9287 Wireless adapter does not do 5GHz N band, only 2.4 but apparently you can replace it with a half height Mini PCI Express (PCIe) two-antenna card such as the Intel 622AN.HMWWB from NewEgg

Other Thoughts: I'm coming from an HP Pavilion DV8, the Acer blows that machine away. The build quality is very good, the style to my taste is excellent - like a high end component stereo system. It feels very solid and well made, it's much faster, quieter and cooler at about the same size and weight, better set up and seems more stable.

Most of the reviews don't mention that the graphics are switchable. If you find a program isn't using the faster graphics you can enable it by going to the NVidia control panel and click Manage 3D Settings.

If you want to add a second drive you'll need to order a HDD cable - I found a few sources including itec4less and notebook solutions - part # is 50.RCN07.002, check Google Shopping. The hard drive has two brackets that screw onto each end of the drive, I looked everywhere and couldn't find them. I think (hope) putting some foam tape strategically around the edges should work. If anyone finds a source for the brackets, let us know

[Unfortunately I received the cable and it's not the right one ]

 

I had trouble finding the 2nd drive cable for the 8950. Acer told me my motherboard wasn't compatiable with a second drive. I didn't give up and found the part. The thing about it is the part was an actual Acer part number. Why the big secret or they don't want you to modify the configuration that you purchase. Why does Acer sell the same model laptops in Australia and USA but only the models sold in Australia have 2 HD's? Well at least the 18.4" screen models.