Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Owners Lounge

You're welcome.

That's great!

I'm happy to know that method
worked for you.

 

That's quite interesting that you decided on the 4820TG after
the M11x, Envy 14, Y460, and the Asus N82JV.

The 4820TG truly is an excellent laptop.

I like nearly everything about the 4820TG, but the lack of a
backlit keyboard is bothering me.

I'm even contemplating buying an HP DV6T because it has a
backlit keyboard. But the form factor, size, and weight
of the 4820TG easily beats the DV6T.

That's why I have an extremely difficult time deciding
on returning the 4820TG, even with my preference for a backlit keyboard.

 

After weeks of headache....I have finally decided to buy the Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG.....jus waitin for it to arrive....

 

One of my USB ports goes wrong. USB key is randomly plugged in and out when i´am pushing the place left from the touchpad. Today goes to the service. I´am very curious with the acer servis. I will inform you. YouTube - acer 4820tg USB issue

 

I'm looking into getting these 8GB RAM modules:

G.SKILL-Products

Will they work with the 4820TG? Thanks a lot, guys. You've all been a great help.

 

Another option is purchasing a 3rd party extended warranty with accident protection. I think something like SquareTrade offers this type of protection for around $100 with one of their coupon or discount offers they frequently have.

 

The Only Complaint I have is that I can see grains on the screen while Watching Videos..Grains are pretty prominent.. Otherwise its Next to Perfect.

 

I don't see grains when I watch movies on my 4820TG. That would drive me crazy. What is the model of your screen? You can check it in "Device Manager" under monitors.

Have you compared your screen with other 4820TGs or did you buy it online?

 

I'm looking at the Timeline 4820 with the 5650 GPU. I only play one MMO - World of Warcraft, will the 4820 be able to handle this (and do so with the new expansion coming out in Dec)?

 

Asus has pretty good warranties, but I can't find a laptop at a price point better than the 4820TG. SquareTrade looks like a nice alternative, but does anyone know how good they are? How long does it take to get things back? Do they try to jump through loopholes so they don't have to repair your products?

I find backlit keyboards on Windows machines are generally a premium, rather then a standard. Lack of a backlit keyboard used to be a deal killer, but since very few laptops actually come with a backlit keyboard I have to stick with what I can get.

 

I have not had this problem either.

IMO once you leant to touch type this becomes irrelevant. Some people even practice touch typing by removing all the letters from their keyboards so they can't cheat.

 

And for only around $20 or less (ebay) you can get a new backlit keyboard for the the 4820/3820's.

 

Yes it's gonna handle it with no problems. As for the expansion- I don't know- hard to judge without the expansion being actually available but HD5650 is a good mid-range card and an overclockable one so it should be fine anyway.

 

Yes, that's definitely a great option for the 4820/3820's.
I'm definitely considering that.

But my primary concern for that is voiding the warranty.

I'm eagerly awaiting for an expert hardware modder to post
a technique to install/power a backlit keyboard that doesn't
void the warranty.

 

link please.

 

Hopefully, the shipping doesn't cost more than the backlit keyboard itself. That would defeat the whole purpose of a cheap upgrade.

 

Search ebay for 3810T and you will find backlit keyboards such as this item # 170563693674 priced at $12.98 plus $4.99 shipping. Shipped from a US seller. 3 available. This was the seller I purchased from and it worked great.

9J.N2C82.01D NEW OEM Acer Aspire 3810T Laptop Keyboard - eBay (item 170563693674 end time Dec-08-10 06:17:46 PST)

Make sure the keyboard found has 2 flat ribbon cables, like the one shown in this auction. Some sellers state backlit when they are not. It must have 2 cables, one of which is for powering the lights.


If I recall, the 4820TG has a plug for a drive under the bottom cover. That could be used with a 1-in 2-out extension plug, and would keep the warranty intact. Looks much easier than the 3820TG installation, which was still very easy.

The difficult part is filing down the few spots on the edge of the new keyboard that the hold down clips slide over. This is on the keyboard, so again, no affect on warranty. Backlit keyboard is thicker, which is why the thing need to be filed thinner in a few spots.

 

I'm ready to pull the trigger, but I'd like an i5 model. I don't really care if it's the 3820 or the 4820tg but I'm not comfortable replacing the CPU myself and I'd like it to last at least a year or two without being too outdated, so that i5 is a must. Since the 3820 is no where to be found w/ the i5 in the western hemisphere, has anyone been able to find a 4820tg i5 model recently?

 

I'm confused. There is only one 4820TG model sold in the U.S. right now and it's a Core i5 model. However, it's currently out of stock at many retailers.

 

I think he's referring to the fact that they seem to be out of stock almost everywhere. I have one on order from Amazon, but honestly, I'll be surprised if it shows up in December. As of right now, there's no place to actually buy one and get it RIGHT NOW.

 

Exactly. So the only TG model available then is the i3 3280 then huh? I really don't trust myself replacing the cpu, I've only ever torn apart and rebuilt desktops not laptops.

 

opsss, wrong thread

 

I've been researching laptops for about a month now and after a TON of consideration, I was just about ready to pull the trigger tonight on a 4820TG from Amazon for $799.99 - I saw it available for order, clicked around the web for a few minutes, and then went back and suddenly it was no longer available.

Looks like it's sold out everywhere at this point; literally impossible to purchase atm.

Any idea if this is going to come back in stock, anywhere, anytime soon?

 

Yea I noticed they yanked it off of Amazon. I have serious doubts whether the other people and me will get the 4820TG or just get a nice email saying "Sorry, that item is gone for good, you can't have it."

 

At this point, I'm torn between three options - purchase the 4820tg from a shop in Taiwan for approx. $930, wait for the 4820tg to show up somewhere in North America again, or purchase one of the Canadian 3820tg models for approx $750.

I'm not sure which of these I want to go with. It may sound trivial, but I believe the Taiwan 4820tg's have a silver lid instead of black. I just like that look less. Plus the price is a bit higher than I was planning on paying, even if it's still a fair price for what I'd be getting. Waiting for 4820's to come back in stock might not happen, and the 3820tg is, in a lot of ways, a fundamentally different concept to me (no ODD, quite a bit smaller, i3 vs i5, etc).

ACK!!!

 

Well I sure hope it comes. My 4820tg-7805 is on order too. I've called Amazon twice about this, once when it said 3-5 weeks and again only 20 minutes ago when I noticed it said sign up to be notified when it is available. Both times Amazon 100% assured me it would come mid December, as promised.

I guess we'll see! I sure hope it does though because I'm in dire need of the thing.

 

Can you wait? With the demand that these laptops are getting I am sure something is going to pop up soon in this price range to satisfy us consumers. Also have you considered the Envy 14?
Walmart.com: HP Silver 14.5" ENVY 14-1110NR Laptop PC with Intel Core i5-460M Processor, Windows 7 Home Premium: Computers

I called them also. They said it should arrive around December 10th but they have to get them in stock first. Common sense I guess...

 

That's very interesting! That's an excellent idea.

I will surely try this. I'll purchase the backlit keyboard from the
link you provided and use a tapered jeweler's file that Bronsky recommended.

Do you have an eBay link or link to some photos regarding the
plug you mentioned?

I don't seem to recall any posts about someone doing the technique
you mentioned on the 4820TG. Oh well, I don't mind, I'll try it.

Thank you for your help.

EDIT:

I checked the link to the backlit keyboard.

There's a slight difference on the function keys.
Only on these keys: F2, F3, F7, F8, F9

 

I have considered the ENVY, and while I'm sure it's a nice machine, it's not for me. I was hoping to stay 5lbs or lower, so it's a bit too heavy for me at 5.25lbs. I also wanted to stay at 14" (I'd consider possibly down to 13.3") so at 14.5" it's just a bit too large as well. At 3.5 hours, the advertised battery life is just too short compared to what the 320/4820 models can get. Finally, it's my understanding that the 5650 is underclocked in this laptop. All those considerations for $200 more, and I just can't justify it.

I do like that it comes stock with a 640gb 7200rpm HDD, but I can add one of those myself for under $100. The build quality is also nice, at least in terms of the chassis/case but that's not a dealbreaker/maker for me.

Of course, I walk past a Staples on the way home from work which is selling this unit, so I'm tempted, for the sheer ease of acquisition, but I just can't do it.

 

Sorry for the double post, but can anyone tell me about this RAM? I don't know what exactly all those extra numbers mean.

 

Those are some good points.
I am in the process of buying a used Envy 15" (which helps with some of those points you raised), if this deal goes through I will cancel my amazon order most likely.

 

Guy guy i screw up. I just broke my 'w' key and now the key piece just dangling there like a retard. Is there any way I can replace the keyboard without sending in the unit?

 

Just order a new keyboard. On the first page of this thread is a link to Hendrickson's backlit Keyboard mod. That will show you how to get the keyboard out. What country are you in?

 

Is there an online tutorial or forum post that describes how to replace the factory HDD with another one, as well as what software solution is best for cloning the HDD's contents?

 

Look at the first page. If not, there is one on the first page of the 3820TG but I think it might look different to you.

 

I found the i5-4820tg in stock!

Fry's Electronics |

My local Fry's has it available for pickup (97212). I'm not sure if you can get shipments from specific stores but maybe there's availability at other ones too now.

 

That gives me hope that maybe Amazon WILL be able to fulfill my order. I think I'm going to take my chances and not order from Fry's, as tempting as it is.

 

Hey, that's great news!

Congrats on the new 4820TG owners.

You won't be disappointed, you'll be impressed
in its size, weight, and performance.

For those that don't want the internal
ODD, just install another HDD/SSD.

In this size, weight, performance, and
price range, no other laptop can compare
with this dual HDD/SSD setup.

 

I've read the Envy forums with owners
reporting CPU heat issues, CPU/Fan noises, underclocked GPU, keyboard flex,
track pad issues, etc.

Since it is used, is it still under warranty?

Just to be safe, definitely make sure you'll still have warranty coverage
just in case you encounter any defects/problems.

 

yep, it's a great deal and probably the most power you can get out of $750 short of building a desktop

5650 OCs like a beast too, 750/1100 no problem with max temps in low 80s

 

Dude, what game do you play when you overclock your gpu like that ? Thats pretty high for an overclock

 

Hey thanks for the concern.
This is the Envy 15" 2nd gen.
It has an i5-520 which should not be a problem with heat issues like the i7's from 1st gen.
It's got a 5830, I haven't read anything about it being underclocked and I haven't heard anything about flex with any of the envy keyboards.

It still does have a warranty until around April 2011. I was also considering purchasing some more coverage from HP after I got it. I gotta say though I am starting to not like how much I am going to end up paying for this laptop when everything is said and done.

The things it has over the 4820TG on amazon that make me want it though:
Better screen, better resolution.
This used one actually comes with the 500 GB Seagate Momentus XT.

I've heard a lot of stuff about the 4820TG coming with bad screens... I rather not have to deal with taking that risk and having to deal with sending it back or replacing the screen myself.

Envy 15 should last me the 3 years I want.

 

I agree. You made a lot of great points.

I had assumed it was just a basic, used,
Envy 15 on eBay or something. Hehe!

I only checked now, I didn't know it's
the Envy 15 that Quadron is selling.
That one is awesome!

That Envy 15 has a lot of nice upgrades on it.
With all those nice extras, that's definitely
a great deal for that price.

It's in great condition and you're buying it from
a trustworthy person, Quadron.

If you have the budget, you should
definitely consider that Envy 15.

 

Thanks man. I plan on buying it so far

 

The lenovo y460 is a fine deal. Considered that? Use the 20% off code, get a i5 560m and the 5650 for $799.

 

it'll go to 1200 but i feel better at 1100

mostly cod4

 

ericyp is right!

There's a 20% off code to get the i5-560m version to $799?
That's a great deal!

There's savings also with another code.
This one is for the i5-460m.

I read about the code that was posted on Slickdeals,
since 11/14 that makes a Y460 (i5-460m / ATI 5650)
or Y560 (i5-460m / ATI 5730) down to $749!

I forgot all about it, busy & tired from work,
until ericyp mentioned about the Lenovo Y460.
Thank you ericyp for reminding me.

The code is USPLENOVO1111

Not sure if I'm allowed to post the link,
but here it is

Lenovo - Early Bird Savings - IdeaPad Y Series

Bah, I forgot to mention that to you, drizzt5!

It didn't go into my thoughts you
might consider a Lenovo Y460 as another option.

The code still works. Not sure how long it will last.

The reviews I read mentioned how hot the Y460 gets while gaming
and shorter battery life.

The 4820TG doesn't get as bad, in temperatures while gaming,
as what those reviews say about the Y460. One review says
"scorching hot". LOL

But at this price point ($799 to $749) & availability, it's a good option.

 

Wow !! really ?? Isn't that harmful ? I will usually overclock it to 666/1000. I dunno whether it is safe to overclock anymore. My friend keeps reminding me that my laptop is going to die if I keep doing that

Do you recommend any ways for a safe overclock ? I usually just overclock however I feel like 700/900 or 666/1066.

 

Holy crap... those ARE some good deals...
Dam now you just made it a whole lot harder for me to convince myself to buy this HP envy 15. I could save a good $300+ ....
arg....
edit:
I think you have actually convinced me out of getting the HP envy 15 (sorry )...
(god I am so wishy washy)

Now wich one seems better
15" 5730
Lenovo - Enhance your IdeaPad Y560 Laptop - 06465AU - Black
14" 5650
Lenovo - Enhance your IdeaPad Y460 Laptop - 06334GU - Black

More powerful gpu, but bigger screen....

And do you know of any reviews on the 14"?

 

If you're looking at an Envy 14, have you considered a refurbished 14 with the 1600 x 900 display? They go for around $800 and up in the small business outlet. Only drawback I can see is the 90 day HP warranty. Lenovo outlet gives a 1 year warranty and the Dell outlet has up to 3 year warranties.

Bronsky