Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Owners Lounge

Whats wrong with the touchpad? I love it=]

 

I'm not a huge fan of the touchpad either. One of the few flaws, IMO. The two biggest problems are (1) they used a single-button design that feels like a see-saw, so to hit the left-click, you have to either press way over to the left, or you have to push down really hard somewhere left of middle and hear an annoying 'clack.' Since the touchpad is already left of center, I'm irritated that I have to get my hands so far over every single time I want to click something (or have to push really hard). And, (2) the two-finger scrolling is pretty bad. You have to separate your fingers by like half an inch to get it to pick up and even then the sensitivity is extremely poor. Hopefully the new synaptics drivers fix this one for me.

 

Ok so I never paid any attention to the sticker on the bottom. LoL
I would have opened mine anyhow to make sure the info on the sticker matched up to the sticker on the card itself.

I just looked at my power adapter last night for the first time. Seems as though the powerbrick supplies 19v power. I thought that it was like 13.X volt. Seems that would be a little to much for a 12v fan. Isn't there a rheostat like device that could be used to adjust the voltage? You know like the fan controllers they use in a desktop? We would have to run it at 2/3 voltage to get the 12v for the fan. Then under extreme gaming, we could ramp up the voltage to full 19v. Can anyone say FAN OVERCLOCKING!!! Oh yeah!
That sucker would suck the thermal paste right from between the heatsink and processor.

Oh, and you probably do not want to connect your backlit keyboard to that. IT WOULD BE BRIGHTER THAN YOUR SCREEN!

 

i actually like the placement of the mousepad. when only using one hand to finger type embetween scrolling, its in an ideal position for me to click with my thumb while my fingers are on the keypad..
and Ive always used the right side of the touchpad to scroll... never actually used the two finger scrolling until reading your comment lol.=]

 

1) If you tried using other laptop see-saw single-button designs, you would appreciate how gentle it is to press on the 4820TG. It was much tougher on my Sony NW and Acer Aspire 5740G laptops. However, I do agree that every laptop should have a 2 button design and have the placement of the touchpad in dead center (not to the left).

2) There are multiple ways to scroll on the 4820TG. You can use the 2 finger gesture (the toughest one to use), 1 finger gesture, side scrolling (scrolling with the arrows on the side), chiral scrolling (ipod, circular scrolling), etc. The 1 finger gesture and side scrolling are the easiest for me to use.

 

Word. What the heck is the point of the single-button anyway? Just so it looks like a Mac button?

How do you scroll with 1 finger? Even better, where do I find a list of all the types of multi-gesture?

 

Quick question - am I supposed to use the ATI or the AMD video drivers from Acer's support site?


http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...melinex-3820tg-4820tg-5820tg.html#post6563729
This guy says to use the AMD drivers, but the original post in this topic says to use ATI. What exactly is the difference? I'm a bit confused because I'm not even aware of any AMD components in the laptop.

 

All the functions are located in the Synaptics software. I think there are tutorials on how to use each one too. Just mess around with it.

 

The touchpad is actually great. Never had any problems with it. You just have to look around at the Synaptics software.

 

Use the AMD drivers (8.713.3.3000) if you are on a clean install of Windows 7. It's the ATI drivers bundled with the Intel drivers for switchable graphics. I don't know why Acer posted the ATI and Intel drivers separately. I'll edit the first post.

 

Acer post the Intel driver separetly, because the 4820T models have no AMD graficcard and those need also a driver.

 

I guess Acer decided to use the same driver section for both the TG and T models since everything else is the same except for the graphics.

 

How are the onboard speakers for the 4820TG? Just as bad as the 3820TG?

 

The speakers should be the same on the 3820TG and 4820TG. It sounds clear, but it doesn't have any bass to it.

 

Blah, guess I'll hold out for the 2nd gen of 3820/4820 in hopes of Sandy Bridge, HD 6xxx, and better onboard speakers

 

AMD = ATi

This should help make things less confusing in the future:
AMD says goodbye to the ATI brand - BusinessWeek

 

I think you will be waiting at least 6 months before a SandyBridge/HD 6xxx unit will be available in the US. And, the speakers will still suck. If you want decent sound, I would go Envy or Dell XPS.

Bronsky

 

XPS 14 has crap for a video card, and the Envy is a bit heavier than this

 

Whut, that long?! And in the US. How much longer here in the Philippines then. My gosh. Sandy Bridge ain't compatible with HM55 by any chance, is it? -_-"

 

I really don't think it will be 6 months to be honest, not from what I'm hearing

 

6 Months is like minimum. The 4820tg came out in around May. I don't think Acer would release their new line any time earlier than May of next year.

 

Hang around these forums a little longer and you'll realize all of the estimates for the next generation Timeline's aren't way off base..

Bronsky and ePsychotiC are right on... no way we'll see the next Timeline's ready for consumer consumption in just 6 months. The release patterns for the first generation Timeline and the current second generation TimelineX tell us all we need to know.

Acer may announce the next Timeline's in 6 months. No way it'll be ready for consumer purchase. The 3820/4820/5820s were announced soooo many months before they were actually released. The wait was really frustrating.

I'm guessing 9 months if you want to buy the v3 Timeline in North America.

 

I have no problem importing one from a friend overseas and swapping out the keyboard, we'll see though. In no way am I committed to Acer so if some other company pulls the trigger before they do, I would be willing to go that route.

 

Just pulled the trigger and bought one from J&R's online store for $760 shipped. Should arrive the beginning of next week.

Really unfortunate about the lack of BT and eSATA/USB3, but oh well. I've been playing the waiting game for about a year and finally got tired of it.

 

You can add BT by yourself.

 

Okay, I've been pouring over this forum and researching this laptop for a few months, and I'm now asking you guys for your opinion.

Ideally, the AS3820TG would be my top choice for a laptop, but since they don't sell it here in the U.S., I'm looking at the AS4820TG instead. However, my dad's in Taiwan right now, where he could easily pick up an AS3820TG. My price range is under $800, and I have my heart set on either the AS3820TG or AS4820TG. The AS3820TG with the Core i3-350M sells for a little over $700 in Taiwan. Like the AS4820TG, it also has the 5650 GPU.

So, my question is, do you think it's worth taking advantage of having the opportunity to get the AS3820TG with the Core i3, or wait until Christmas to get the AS4820TG with the Core i5. I would be doing some gaming, probably some MW2, TF2, nothing like Crysis or anything. I would do some video converting, but no intensive video editing. Is it worth snatching up the AS3820TG with the Core i3 for $50 less than the AS4820TG with the Core i5 (that's also close to impossible to find in stock)? My main concern is with the CPU, and whether the Core i5 is worth justifying the extra $50 and two month wait. Also, the AS4820TG would have Bluetooth; the lack of a DVD drive isn't a concern for me.

I'd appreciate any insight!

 

Take the 3820TG, if you really need the CPU power you can later change to the i5.

The 4820TG have the thermal probelm in a few use case.

 

Hey, can anyone recommend a cheap SSD drive.
I just bought a OCz Vertex 30gb for $67 w/tax.
Is that a good deal. I really want a 64gb, but they cost over $130.

My other question, will 30gb be enough for Win7 + BadCompany2? I will put the stock HDD in the CD bay. How large is the Win7 OS when installed fresh+drivers?

 

I know, but them not innately including it is kinda disappointing... Oh well, should only cost like $20 for a module.

Edit: Before I go searching for it, anyone know where I can get one on the cheap? Also, is the backlit replacement keyboard for the 3810/3820 series the same size as the 4820? Probably the only mod I would like done (well, adding an eSATA port would be nice, but also impossible, lol).

I think ya typo'd and meant to say 3820TG right there...

Personally, I wanted the 3820TG as well. I just couldn't go through the hassle of waiting the extended period of time for shipping, replacing the keyboard, replacing the CPU, and to top it all off paying more for it than the 4820TG.

 

Hi all,
I really like the acer 4820TG and I'm considering buying it. One thing will make me buy it at once: a higher res screen (I'm not terribly disappointed with 1366x768 but a higher res is the missing thing that will make it my dream laptop). Do you think it is possible to swap the 1366x768 screen with a higher res screen ? Has anyone tried this before? If it is possible, where can I get that high res screen? Thank you very much!

 

The BT module you are looking for is the Broadcom BCM92046 and can be found on ebay. This one won't be easy to put in as it involves taking the laptop apart, as it needs to be placed on the right of the card reader.

I also found a place in the UK that stocks a WLAN N+BT pcie mini card that is much easier to replace as it just swaps with the existing WLAN card in the bottom of the laptop ( http://www.oxfordtec.com/us/p277/Sp...ink-RT3090BC4-SoC-Solution/product_info.html). I am having one shipped over to Australia and will comment once it is in.

 

It sucks that the Acer 3820TG's Atheros BT module T77H056 is not available on ebay.

The Atheros gives you the capability for BT 3.0 if used with the Atheros WiFi card, which many are switching to.

 

Only with the right BT modul

 

Nice card.

 

Hey guys,
Just received the acer yesterday (1 day shipping WOOT) and its working great.

One question though,
I read somewhere that the sound could be made better with certain settings but I can't find the post. Can someone direct me to it?

TIA

 

Posting this from my new 4820TG!

For those interested in buying one of these, stop thinking and buy it already. Build quality is great, yeah the screen is a little flimsy, but it's no worse than any other laptop I've used (except a macbook). There is a little flex in the keyboard when you push down really hard, but who would do that anyway?

The laptop is quick and the screen is bright, viewing angle is a lot better then what I was lead to believe, maybe I'm just not picky.

It looks amazing as well, once you get those stickers off, the brushed aluminum is great. Currently copying over games from my old laptop, I'll give a report on those later for people interested in the gaming part of this laptop.

 

only problem is finding one in stock somewhere. Such popular value, you'd think this would be easier to find.

 

I'd like to get this info as well.

 

I have tried to find the post where somebody was talking about a SSD that was on sale. I believe that it was somewhere between page 100-189, but I can not seem to find it. I tried a search but I dont know what I am looking for, so that didnt work well. Would someone kindly tell me which page it was on?

What would be better is if someone would talk about what SSD are on sale right now, and what prices 30-64gb drives are going for .
I bought a OCz Vertex 30gb for $67 w/tax. There is a $30 mail-in rebate. So total at MicroCenter was $97. Is this SSD a decent deal?

And would it be ok to have a 30gb as the main drive and the stock 320gb in the ODD? How much space does a fresh install of Win7 take up?
Edit: I want to install the Win7 OS on the 30gb SSD. Is that enough space and how much room would be left?

Thanks

 

Referring to my unanswered question

Have anyone ever tried this?

Anyway my next question: do you think there will be a better deal on this machine this coming thanksgiving holiday sales? I guess there probably won't be coz $800 for such a good machine is already quite a good deal. What do you think?

Thanks a lot!

 

Buy this laptop.

For $800 you won't be disappointed.

 

Hello guys, I consider buying this laptop seriously... today or tomorrow

First I considered between 3820tg and 4820tg and I still see the optical drive as an important fact so I stay with 4820tg decision but on the other hand I don't know any other differences between two. Yeah... the cooling system too but it seems 2 coolers dont make too much difference... 14 inch screen is better and plus dvd-writer OK ! so

People bought these pieces like crazy here and I don't have many choices left. Here it is only left with i3 330m processor hd 5650 320gb hdd and 3gb ram. It costs 800 dollars and the other one with i5 460m processor costs 200 dollars more...cant understand why at all. Anyway... I would buy the i3 330m one. Maybe the 330m processor one is the first releaseso it may have poor built ? 460m seems to be the latest cons. I don't know please helpme with this.

I plan to play games with it too of course and I heard CPU is not very important for gaming so what do you say ? 800 dollars is ok for that or I wait for price drops for better 4820tg s ?

Edit: I also just found i5 430m of this model it costs 830 dollars.... But i5 430 cpu is older too... so this must be one of first release

 

Get the I5, even if it is the 430M, over the I3. If you read further back in this thread, you will see that some owners have had throttling issues with the I3. That is why we suspect that they do not import the I3 model in the US anymore.

Bronsky

 

Microsoft's website says at least 20GB for the 64-bit version. You can save even more space by disabling the hibernation feature, reducing pagefile, disabling system restore, and other stuff. Be careful with which features you turn off.

30GB is enough for some games, browsers, iTunes, etc., but don't count on having large software suites installed (Adobe CS5). Personally 30GB isn't even worth it, but depending on how you use your computer, it might be fine for you.

 

I personally have an i3-370 (lack of choice, i would go with an i5 if given the option) but personally I have never had any throttling issues of any kind.

 

Thank you aznguy123 for the info. So it sounds like a 30gb is not a good option.
Does anyone know of a decent 64gb that is on sale?
I would like one that is under $100, but I don't think that is going to happen.

 

get a momentus XT, thats what im doing. on sale now at NCIX.

 

Thanks for the info AriStar. I really would like a SSD though. Just personal preference. Are there any 64gb SSDs on sale?

 

A testament to the build quality of these 4820TGs... I accidentally sat on mine for a couple of seconds before I realized. The laptop survived like a champ.

 

No. The 4820TG is already somewhat hard to come by. Low supply + high demand = no sale.

But you never know what might happen

I was wondering if it's possible to replace the 14" screen with another one. Like this one: NEW SONY VAIO VPC-EA36FX/G 14" WXGA+ BV LED SCREEN - eBay (item 400166350155 end time Nov-20-10 22:43:34 PST)

Both screens use 40 pin data connectors. Can anyone comment on whether this would be compatible, i.e. screen thickness, etc.