Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Owners Lounge

Open up the box and start using it!

The Broadcom Wi-Fi card is a normal low end card, that works good enough for most. As with most low end Wi-Fi cards, it might not get along well with some routers. This is especially true with some "n" routers. Changing settings in the router usually corrects connection issues. This is more of an issue with the router than the Wi-Fi card. Google search your router model to see how others connect with the same router, and best router settings to use for optimum connection reliability.

Worse case scenario is you are one of the rare few that have terrible Wi-Fi results with the routers you normally connect to.

Easily solved by getting the much better low end Wi-Fi card included in many Acer's, the Atheros AR5B93, for around $15 (new) shipped at ebay.

 

It will not void the warranty, and the 460m and 450m are really similar to each other. Real world use, you will not notice a difference.

 

+1 For some reason, the BC wifi in the 3820TG has no range. The Atheros is much better from what I hear.

 

Hi all,

Having some issues trying to dismantle the laptop. Can anyone tell me how to remove the top from the bottom once all the necessary screws are out? I see two buckles that appear to be holding them together just behind the battery but I'm not sure how to loosen them or if I need to pull the thing together at some kind of angle.

Someone help please

 

Thanks sporx

desperate to get my hands on this

 

After taking the screws out you should see a small prying area on the panel directly under your usb ports cd drive side. gently pry it up with a screw driver or something. it has a few pegs on the opposite wide side and battery side if memory serves correctly but as long as you aren't purposely reckless, you aren't going to break anything.=]

 

So is it pretty much agreed on that the atheros wireless card isnt worth upgrading to anything? due to limitations on the intel 6200 chip and the 6300 one needing 3 antennas?
Is there any way to add a 3rd antenna?
are there any other wireless cards that would work with this laptop and offer better performance?

EDIT:
Just noticed I have the Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller, and then the Broadcom 802.11n network Adapter..

Is the broadcom wireless chip worth upgrading to the atheros; will it give any noticeable performance increase in both speed or stregnth (distance from router)
If I am going to upgrade to the Atheros, would I be better off spending a few extra bucks to get the 6200 or 6300 chip?

 

The Atheros even seems to outperform the Intel 6200.

Bronsky

 

RobsTV made an excellent point about routers being a factor also with WiFi
connections. I totally agree.

Have you tested your 4820TG/Broadcom WiFi connected to an entirely different
router/model/brand to check for similar wireless connection problems?

 

Excellent point. I totally agree that the router is a significant factor
relating to a WiFi connection's range, performance, and reliability.

Are there extensive, objective tests conducted, with various routers,
that conclusively prove and verify claims that the Atheros WiFi hardware is
"much better" than Broadcom WiFi hardware, that are both installed in the
latest Acer notebooks? I'd surely like to read these results.

It's because that's a hassle and an extra expense for recent Acer notebook
buyers to spend an additional $15+ and install an Atheros WiFi card that other
recent Acer notebook buyers already have pre-installed in their new Acer notebooks.

If you consider the Atheros and Broadcom hardware low end,
which chipset/hardware do you consider high end?

 

Another thing that might help router connections is to force only wireless 802.11g instead of 802.11n.

For "Internet use", 802.11g is faster than many Internet providers can go, and using 802.11n will not make Internet related things any faster (in most cases).

It's free to try.

 

I did not search for comparative tests.
Posts in these forums by owners of both suggest Atheros is better.
Here, the 3820TG with Atheros does have much better signal than my 4820TG with Broadcom, so my results were in line with other posters. A few posters did switch out the Atheros for Intel, then ended up switching back, as the Atheros provided better results.

The suggestion to spend $15 on a new Atheros card was in regard to the poster concerned about if he should even open up his shipping box if wireless might not be very good. Worst case suggestion was he could always later spend $15 on an Atheros card instead of sending back the laptop.

EDIT: While the 4820tg w/broadcom in use here does have lower signal/range than my 3820tg w/atheros, the broadcom still works great with decent signal/range, and no need to change it out. (used with crappy 802.11n Belkin F5D8233-4v3(01) )

 

What is the part number/ link to the atheros card that would work with this laptop?
Sounds like a cheap upgrade from my broadcom card thats definitely worth $15.

Does anyone know if you can add a third attenna so that you can use the 6300?

 

Oh, sorry.....I meant recent buyers that
purchased the latest Acer notebook models, that have
the Broadcom WiFi card pre-installed. That might have to spend
an additional $15+ for the Atheros WiFi card.

It's a hassle and extra expense Acer might be forcing their customers.
While other people that purchased the same Acer notebook model,
which has the Atheros WiFi card pre-installed, doesn't have to spend anything extra.

I apologize for the other paragraph in my previous post, it's not as clear
to what I wanted to say. Hehe!

It's because I'm one of the new 4820TG owners with
the Broadcom WiFi card pre-installed.

I asked because if there are definitive proof, published on web sites,
that the Atheros WiFi card performs better than the Broadcom WiFi card,
that evidence I can show to Acer Warranty.
Then maybe Acer can send me a replacement Atheros WiFi card.

So far the Broadcom WiFi card in my 4820TG has great signal/range,
performance, and reliability. But I'll definitely keep monitoring it
for any problems. I won't change it for now.

Thank you for your info and advice.

 

Okay so I finally made a video overview and review. It is prettyyyy long so bear with me haha. Its two parts. Feel free to skim over it. I test the laptop with Prime95 and 3DMark Vantage and so on. Links are below

Part 1

YouTube - Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Review Part 1

Part 2

YouTube - Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Review Part 2

They are in HD. I was thinking whether to put some background music or not

 

Sorry.....double post.

Please delete this. Thanks!

 

All right, please update if you experience any other wireless connection problems with the Broadcom WiFi card. I'm surely interested since I have
the same card.

Thank you for the hardware info about your Broadcom WiFi card.

Hehe! Good luck on your fan mod on the 4820TG.
I'll be looking forward to see some pics on the final results.

 

I have a Broadcom N wireless card in my 4820TG and I haven't been dropped at the office, on college campus or at home playing online games. It could be a router configuration/distance/interference issue that people are facing.

 

The Broadcomm wireless card in my old 3820TG had a terrible range. It was not the router, etc., it was the card. I would compare it to my 1410T which has a different model broadcomm card and the 1410T would pick up a signal 40% further than the 3820TG. I could not get a router signal in my backyard by the pool with the 3820TG but had a great signal on the 1410T. The card just sucked.

Bronsky

 

Hey Everyone,

In the past I always thought of Acer as being a great bang for the buck but I’d never buy an Acer due to quality fears. I believe that over the past 3 years they have turned this corner and started to produce great laptops (yes I know that had a few gems a few years ago too.) I was looking at one in the store the other day and had a quick question. Do all of the timeline series have the floating chicklet style keyboard? If so how well does it hold up during long-term use? The floor model was missing key (but it was a lower end model) this is why I ask. I’m almost ready to pull the trigger on this as I’m in the market for a 14inch hybrid graphics laptop and this seems to fit the bill. Put my fears to rest.

 

We're all here to help each other. Thanks are not nessasary.

BTW, my 4820TG with Broadcom used for comparison is also from the newest batch at Newegg. It works fine. Just not very good when compared to the Atheros and previous wireless cards.

No one has to spend $15 to change wifi card. For some that have poor performance they might want to change it, just like many will change out a $200 CPU, or a $50 keyboard, or a $300 disk drive. The Wifi falls into that same type of group. A cheap upgrade in performance for some users. With 4820TG huge bang for the buck, spending $15 is nothing, and still makes it the best bargain out there.

 

Atheros AR5B93 is what Acer uses and can be found on ebay.

 

Could it have been just a defective Broadcom WiFi card,
or some other defect with the internal hardware?

Did you verify the problem with another 3820TG that has
the same Broadcom card?

Or a test with another notebook that has exactly the same Broadcom card model installed?

 

Guys if you want to you can look at the video review for help. Yes its long but hopefully it helps on your decision whether to buy it or not. Also, if you have any questions feel free to ask me

 

Thanks! I think I'll be purchasing this tonight, after I recieve it I will post my comparison results..=]

..unless someone can answer my question about whether its possible to add a third antenna and use the intel 6300 chip?

 

There is a lengthy discussion in the 3820TG owner's thread and in the 1830T thread. Those of us who had the same model card seemed to have the same problem ... so ... yea, I verified it.

Bronsky

 

I've had my 4820TG from the latest batch at newegg for a couple days, and while I love it pretty well (build quality fears are totally ridiculous. I've never seen a sturdier laptop under $1000; zero keyboard flex, etc.), I am having a couple of initial problems. Maybe you guys can help out:

1. I'd like to do a clean install because of bloatware, but don't want to mess up graphics card switching, etc. I saw Bronksy you may have posted a write-up for this somewhere. Linky?

2. Is anyone else's sound pretty low? When I listen to music on headphones, I go only about 2 bars away from "max" for a comfortable listening level (and no, I don't listen to my music very loud at all). On my mac powerbook, a comfortable listening level is 1-2 bars away from MUTE! I'm worried that on quiet movies in a loud place I won't be able to hear at all. Anyone else notice this?

3. I had a wireless problem as well, but I'm not sure if it's the same as others'. Basically, I connected to a couple networks in coffee shops, etc., but at home it won't connect to my network. It finds it, reports full signal, but never prompts me for a WEP password, just says it can't connect. Tried to manually configure, no luck. Thoughts? Is it my security software? Router? Or WiFi card?

 

Regarding 3. I just remembered that last night before I tried to connect to the internet, I set my default power settings to "minimum performance" thinking that would optimize my battery life. Maybe that caused the connection issue? It didn't seem to turn off the WiFi card, though, because it still was seeing my network...

 

On the topic of wifi cards, I purchased the model without a bluetooth module and have ordered the BCM92046 from an ebay store. My question is would I be better off with a combo wifi/BT card to replace the current Athertos card on the unit or should I wait for the Broadcom BT module and put that in?

The combo card I am looking at is the WPER-101GN(BT) ( Wireless-GN Wi-Fi + Bluetooth Half Mini Card - WPER-101GN(BT), Ralink RT3090BC4)

My only concern is whether this might break the launch manager when pushing Fn + F3.

 

Since Wifi is on at startup, your card adnd BT may be on automatically. You may never need to use Fn-F3 again.

 

Aylafan, if you want you can post the links to the video review on the first page. Up to you.

 

I have a network question which may not be specific to my 4820TG but I could really use some help.

I have two sources for internet - a wireless source and a hardwired source (through a router). The hardwired internet is much slower but I need to keep the 4820TG connected since it connects to my local network. Is there a way to make the PC use the hardline for local network only and the wireless connection for internet?

Thanks!

 

Just got this sucker in the mail a few hours ago and I'm loving it. : ) I already deleted some of the stuff that came on the computer, but can anyone think of any bloatware that I should get rid of (e.g. Norton)?

 

Thanks for that. Would you by any chance know any other wifi/bt mini cards that are available?

 

The TimeLineX models from Taiwan are using Atheros for both wireless and BT v3.0 (still separate parts though).

I did not look at BT part number on module, so I could be wrong, but device manager shows BT as Bluetooth USB Adapter, Manufacturer id 69, USB\VID_0CF3&PID_3002, which a quick search looks to be Atheros part.

As described in other posts, (see 3820tg thread), the Atheros WiFi and BT must work together if BT v3.0 is desired, which is why both must be same manufacturer (I guess).

Don't know if it matters.

 

I'm looking for a 2in1 wlan+BT mini card as my unit did not come with BT, although I have got a standalone BT module being shipped to me in case I can't find a 2in1 module.

 

FOR ANYONE THAT IS WONDERING:

ODD --->> TO ---->>> HDD

You need a 9.5mm HDD Bay Caddy (SATA).
You need to take off the underside panel and there is ONE screw holding in the DVD drive. Take it out and use a credit card or screwdriver to push it out with the steel tab.
Then, put in the new one and ENJOY.

 

Guys. I don't think that the bluetooth is on the wifi card.
Have a look at pics 22 and 24 on this page.
[??]????? ACER 4820TG-524G ?????!! - Mobile01 ????

On picture 22, it looks like the bluetooth card is to the right of the multi-card reader.
I am not possitive that it is the bluetooth module, but the card model is MCLBCM92046. I will check the model# to see what it is when I get more time.

To help identify what wifi cards are in these laptops, could everyone plaese take your bottom cover plate off and get the #s off your card. This will help others determine what card(s) have issues, and if they need to change them out.


Update: I figured out what the ADT cable is for. I could not find any more pictures or info that was helpful in identifing the cord, so I unplugged it live while the laptop was running. Yes I was praying that I would not screw up my 4820tg.
Anyhow, that ADT cable is connected to the DC-in jack. So whatever voltage that the power adapter supplies, could be tapped into here.

I have come to realize that notebook coolers are just using 12v fans and run on 5v power. Well at least all the ones I have tried. So theoreticaly speaking, you could hook up a normal 12v PC fan at the ADT connection. You can buy a large fan for fairly cheap at Frys or other places. Not only would you save money by making your own cooler, but a large fan running at full voltage would move MUCH more air.
Just food for thought.

 

My wireless card in the 4820TG has been pretty reliable as far as connectivity goes, but I do see the connection speed varying a bit. Even without moving the laptop around, I see it connected at max 802.11n speed, then it would drop 45-90 mbps for no reason and then come back up. It never disconnected however.

I have Netgear 802.11n wireless router in my bedroom which is in the 2nd floor, and I'm using 4820TG in the first floor connected to a 46" TV. Had no issue playing Blu-ray quality movie over the network.

Does anyone here know how to default to ATI HDMI output instead of speaker output when you boot it up? I have found that switching between GPU's will reset it and let me use HDMI audio output but it always goes back to speaker.

Anyway, my bottom end 4820TG w/ i3 350M has been a joy for last 3 months and if I could do it all over again, I would still buy 4820TG (short of 3820TG, of course ). It has been with me on the trip to Japan, lasted over 4 hours watching movies or 7 hours reading documents and doing productivity work. I can play Dirt 2, BC2 and SC2 (that is a lot of 2's) on medium settings easily at native resolution. What more could you ask for on a laptop that cost < $1k?

The weakest link of this laptop by far is not the CPU, but the HDD. That 5400 rpm HDD HAS TO GO. I'd suggest a Momentus XT at the least or if you have enough dough, go for 120+ GB Sandforce based SSD.

 

THe picture is correct and that is the BT card. I ordered one recently, just waiting for it to arrive. Getting it in is another story as I have been unsuccessful at seperating the top and bottom parts, there appears to be 2 buckles that keep the top and bottom together and i'm slowing working on getting those buckles off.

The easier solution would be to just replace my wlan card with a wlan+bt combo but those are hard to come by or take ages to ship because I live in Australia

 

Teknoman, have you tried to slide a credit/gift card in between the case to the buckles? It they are the same style like what holds the bottom cover plate in place, then sliding a card from an open space up to the buckle shout make it pop loose. Give it a try, just be easy and patient with it.

My other question is, for those of you that did not have a pre-installed bluetooth, does your mother board have the connector on the other side to connect the card? Teknoman, once you get your laptop open, see if that plug exist.
Sense my 4820tg did not come equipped with a 3G card, it looks like Acer did not add the x-tra miniPCIe port to the mobo. Maybe they cut a little cost by doing so? If I am correct on my theory, the x-tra PCIe should have been next to the RAM module, and directly under the ADT connector. Hope this is not the case for the bluetooth also.


By the way, does anyone know how to disable the internal wifi N signal on this laptop? I went to the Device Manager and opened the Properties for the wifi card. I thought it would be under the Advanced tab, but no dice. Is there a way to disable N? My HP laptop would let me set B+G+N or B+G or just B.

 

Just opened the bottom plate of my 4820TG.
I wanted to get some practice before swapping out the HDD
and to verify the WiFi card.

Using just my fingers, it was difficult to open it at first since only a
small part would lift up. I thought I was
going to crack it. I just wiggled it a little until
a part of it snapped out, then I wiggled it slowly some
more until every section of the bottom plate snapped out.
Whew! Hehe!

The card is exactly the same as yours.....Broadcom BCM943225HM.
The bottom sticker on mine though starts with the MAC address
then the bar code.

BTW, the memory modules are Samsung.

Oh yes, on the bottom of my 4820TG, there's a large
Acer sticker with the model, Mfg Date, etc. To the left of it,
there's a smaller sticker that shows "This device contains WLAN
module Broadcom BCM943225HM". Do you have that on yours?
All this time, I didn't pay attention to it, until now when I
opened the bottom plate. Hehe!

 

You unplugged the ADT cable live while the laptop was on? Sheesh! Thanks for doing the testing. Hehe!

I'm looking forward to whatever mod you're planning to do.
That's awesome!

Does that mean there's a possibilty to power a backlit keyboard through
there without voiding Acer's warranty?

 

Hello,

Yes it's possible, but not the easiest to configure. If you are technically inclined there is the "netsh" tool - basically you state which ip ranges go over which gateway.

 

This model must be so popular that there is shortages around the world.

I've got an outstanding order from 24/9 that is still awaiting stock!

I originally wanted the Asus U33JC but due to stock issues with that model, and the great info contained within this thread changed my mind to this model.. but there is now stock issues with this one too!

 

PCHome in Taiwian has plenty of these in-stock. I think the German distributers also have these in stock as well. It's the smaller EU markets and North America that seem to have been ignored by Acer. The demand for the 13" and 14" TimelineX models has outpaced supply from the beginning.

Bronsky

 

Hello, guys!

I've been lurking through this thread for quite a while now. I'm trying to save up for one of these babies--here in our country what we have is the 4820TG-5462G64Mnks. Lol a mouthful but it means that it's an i5-460M model with 2GB DDR3 and 640GB HDD. It also has the 5650, like most of the refreshed T-X's.

Anyway, reason why I posted here is that I really don't have any idea whether or not this will be refreshed anytime soon again, what with the expected new line of processors etc. to be released by early next year. So, would it be wise to hold out on it for another three or so months? I'm actually itching to jump onto the unit, especially since it will be a big jump from my unit, processor and graphics alike.

 

The problem with Acer is that, even if they have a new design for the consumer show in January it might be months before it is released in any market and could take upwards of a year to get to some. The US still has no 3820TG's for sale. Canada has no I5/HD5650 combinations. Canada has no 4830TGs. The UK has no HD5650 models of either. With Acer, if you need a notebook, you're better off considering what is available and get it while you can. Many markets are constantly sold out of the TimelilneX series. I had the same thoughts you did but opted to get a 3820TG now. I can always sell it in the future and upgrade if the new units are really that superior.

The other thing is that the 6000 series GPUs are not likely to be out in the mid-range cards until well into Q1.

Bronsky

 

I sure hope at least that there will be Acers that have the 6000 series in them. LOL.

Sadly, there aren't any 3820TG's here. Looks like I have to jump ship onto the 4820TG.

BTW--are there like certain regions where the screens are strictly AUO's or Samsung?

 

Synaptics?
They released a new driver recently get them at the HP software section.
Funny how those guys maintain a section for the rest of us...