Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Owners Lounge

just ordered the acer 4820tg it will be here tomorrow! so excited.

 

Hey up all .... I'm a newbie round here and I've tried looking through to see if there have been similar problems to my own but it's far far far too long to go through so i thought i'd jump right in and ask!

I've tried connecting my 4820t to my telly using the HDMI connection. It refuses to work - I went into the Intel settings thing and it only gives me the option of the built in display and doesn't find an external display.

I read somewhere about 'switchable graphics' and saw a screenshot indicating how to do this, but when i right click on my desktop and try to toggle the graphics it doesn't give me this option. There is no ATI catalyst or AMD installed on this, as far as i can see. Therefore I assume I may need to install some drivers to make this happen ...?

If so, which ones and in what order? I've downloaded the 'VGA_ATI_8.692.1.0_W7x86W7x64_A' (198mb) and 'VGA_Intel_8.15.10.2104_W7x64_A' (39mb). Are these the right ones?

Or, if i've headed in the wrong direction on this one then can anyone give me a bit of advice?

I only ask as I saw somewhere in the forums about someone installing the ATI update and something then going wrong with their PC and having to do all sorts to it to get it sorted again. Not sure I have the patience for that ...!


Cheers in advance ....

 

Your 4820T only has Intel graphics. The 4820TG has switchable graphics (Intel + ATI).

You will have to use the Intel software to control the output settings.

In Windows 7, press the "Windows Symbol + P" keys on your keyboard and then choose Extend or Projector only (make sure your HDMI cable is hooked up before you do this).

 

Aaaaaaaaah .... I see! Thanks aylafan. Saves me messing about trying to install drivers that won't do anything! Especially when it's a matter of pressing a couple of keys ....

Not that I can get it working though .... I managed to lose my screen display for a while before working out how to get it back but still it's not going onto my telly! Curses ....

 

Yep sounds like something cool to me.

So in a round about way you are saying it doesn't have this feature?

 

Default it is no.
But I believe there is no reason to load/install THEIR software and make it work because that "feature" is a software implementation not hardware so nothing should be stopping you.

Anyway I wouldn't touch that "feature" with a 10 foot pole. IMO security > coolness factor. At least fingerprints are harder to get...

 

OK fair enough.

Was also hoping to get these questions answered as well before the questions disappear into the background:

If anyone knows?

Are there latest drivers for the 5650 available that are compatible with 3D Mark11?

The drivers shipped with the laptop work for 3DMark11 and are from 08 2010 however the Graphics Driver is not approved on 3DMark 11. Was wondering if there are better/newer drivers out there for the Ati graphics card.

Also I was wondering if it ships with an OEM Restore CD (which for some reason I missed when I unpacked the box)?

How do you do a full restore if you need to?

 

Usually True Acer Users format and install their own Clean Copy of Windows.
Does that answer your question?
PS:
Their OEM Image is filled with so much junkware and so poorly optimized I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.
Getting it off my harddisk is the first thing I do.

 

Really? I always associated acer with business users and office staff who can't be bothered reinstalling as they are so busy or don't know how or simply don't have the permission too (SOE/Enterprise environment)...

We used to use a lot of Acer and Dell in my past life as a systems engineer at a Uni here in Perth, but we installed our own SOE from day one and would put the OEM CD's in a cupboard for the inevitable resale of the units in 3 years time.

I can do a reinstall of any windows flavour from my technet account but in all honesty when I had that much time to waste I was in my mid 20's with no kids. Now I want to buy it, turn it on and it works.

So is there a disk that comes with the Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG for rebuild purposes? I know it's unlikely to be required but it's a valid question.

Or is it one of these installs that you can rebuild directly off the image/partition stored on disk already?

What do you mean by poorly optimised?

If I do do a reinstall of Windows for say Win 7 Pro 64bit is there a site on Acer for downloading all the drivers I need as per ASUS or Dell? I didn't even got a driver CD with this laptop.

 

1)No need for a technet account or extra keys the Computer has Windows SLIC Code embedded in the BIOS you just need to do OEM activation. It is a Vista, Windows 7 OEM activation scheme.

2)IMO the optimized performance from a clean install is beneficial in the long run. (People usually complain about why Macbooks run faster on Windows because they are comparing a clean install Macbook vs a lousy OEM Imaged Windows Machine)

3)Yes they have the recovery software eRecovery I think and you need 2 DVD to burn the image or you can leave the factory image (the first hidden partition called PQService) and activate the partition with gpart(or any other partition flag modifying software) if you want to restore to factory default.

 

OK all good info thankyou. Is this sort of info available on the Acer website or such? This is my first Acer product in about 8 years and I'm shocked at how little is actually in the box other than the laptop.

 

All the info I provided are discoveries based on hacking and exploration on how it actually works no official documentation, end users will find the info intimidating but powerusers will find it invaluable.

Just google on the info some users maintain Acer techblogs like me for helping people who actually bothers to google.

 

Can someone tell me if Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops run smooth on the AS4820TG-6847? Any FPS stats? Thanks!!

 

Here you go. Check out the results.

ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 - Notebookcheck.net Tech

AMD Radeon HD 6550M - Notebookcheck.net Tech

 

I just ordered one of these:

New Acer Aspire 3810 3810T 4810 4810T Keyboard Backlit (eBay item 270688745754 end time 07-Mar-11 13:33:14 AEDST) : Computers Networking

Backlit keyboard. I'll have a go at installing it on the 4820TG. Seems to be quite simple.

 

That's awesome. Thanks. How do you switch it on and off?

 

Thanks, Aylafan. So you actually get those fps? That's pretty good!

 

I have installed Black Ops will have a play tonight and see what it seems to run at with FRAPS if you like. Mine is only the 5650 version.

 

Thank you! Looking forward to!

 

To the op. How is the Momentus XT for gaming?
Have you had any issues with it? Slow downs or weirdness?
Is it loud?

Also i noticed you have SSD and Momentus XT, does that mean one is external?
These laptops aren't dual bay are they?

 

I'd advice you to wait before getting a Momentus. Just saw on the news that they're failing after a couple of years because of faulty power delivery or something.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/20/momentus-xt-hybrid-drive-causing-headaches-seagate-working-to-f/

 

i just got my acer 4820tg today!!! i ran prime 95 and vantage gpu went to 75C while cpu was 79C and 82C, freakin nice. I think i got lucky cause i got the LG screen. with the zalman nc1500 i see the temps were in the low 70C atm. All i gotta say is this laptop is nice and I do not regret going with it!!!!

 

Run a game, Vantage does not produce high temps even compared to a game like BC2.

 

yea im doing backup discs for system image, drivers, and doing a clean install with my seagate hdd. prob doing it all tomorrow. got class soon

 

I don't want to burst your bubble or anything, but the complaints about a less-than-optimal contrast ratio was actually from the LG screen. I have that same exact screen, and personally I haven't had any problems with it, but others have noticed it apparently. Just saying, in case you end up noticing it, there are manuals online that help you disassemble the screen and replace it with a better one. I don't think I'm allowed to post it here though as per forum rules.

Edit: haha that's pretty funny, typing in " forum rules " automatically hyperlinks it. Or not? .

 

Yes it does that automatically.

Back to service manual thing- it's not allowed unless the service manual is hosted on Acer website and is freely available.
Some of them are- including the one for 4820TG- it has been added to the first post in this thread (on top of it).
Still please do not link to any service manuals hosted elsewhere.

 

I have the LG screen and don't see anything particularly awful about it. Yes, it's average by most standards, but I knew that when buying this laptop.

I can see pixels if I put my nose up to the screen, but that's true of pretty much any screen. I find the brightness to be adequate even at mid-level. Viewing angles are not bad - better horizontally then vertically but satisfactory in each case.

 

inm8#2 whats this LCD Screen you have in your signature? Are you going to try it? Have you done any research on it? Let me know.

 

I have not tried it, but check out the Dell XPS subforum where many XPS 14 users have successfully upgraded.

 

When the 4820TG first came out, more people were satisfied with the Samsung & LG screens than the AUO screens, but this is not the case anymore. Screen quality has been very inconsistent with every manufacturer. Thanks, I'll edit my review.

 

I've wondered about this as well. Would love to find out.

Nope, you get to make your own. Takes 3+1 (3 for OS and 1 for drivers) blank DVDs

 

i actually have no problems with the screen. but just question, im just ordered a corsair ssd 64gb and was wondering if putting an hdd in the dvd drive will fit? anyone find a optical bay drive for it?

 

How will i know the brand of my laptop screen?

Thank you

 

download everest trial and click monitor etc... it will show ya.

 

Just picked my 4820TG and I am very impressed. Thanks for the guidance on this forum. I think the build quality is solid and (now) confident that I made the right choice in this purchase. The keyboard is fantastic too (bonus). Don't notice the flexing that some people are describing. This this is a pretty bad a** machine. Can't wait to run some games on it to see what it can really do. Thanks again.

 

I'm not sure, but since laptop DVD drives are slimmer than regular drives, I doubt you'd be able to fit an HDD in there.

 

You have to find a HDD tray that fits in the ODD space. They're sold all over ebay.

 

Today I asked an acer shop guy about the TimelineX 4820TG and he said it is now ships with i5 460M processor,500 GB 7200 rpm HDD and a Nvdia Geforce 540T something GPU. I don't know about the GPU. Any one help me about which GPU is better, the old HD 5650 or the new Geforce 540T card?

 

The GT 540 is significantly faster and I believe they support automatic switch between integrated and discrete graphics, so it'll change to the discrete when you launch a 3D program.

 

Thanks for the reply man. How much battery life we will get with this card on the 4820TG?

 

When idle/doing work? The same. For gaming? Probably less, but that doesn't matter, the HD 5650 only has about 1½ of gaming with a 9 cell battery and even less with the smaller 6 cell. Gaming on battery power is pretty much not possible.

 

Thx again man.

I have one more question. How much battery life we will get on this laptop while playing an 1080p movie with WiFi, bluetooth and everything internet related things off?

 

Hmm... Well, I'd estimate 2 hours assuming you have the 6 cell. Haven't tried it and I have the 9-cell, so not much help to get from me :/
The page 1 review says: "However, watching a HD 720p movie under similar conditions (with Wi-Fi disabled) drains the battery life to around 2 hours and 45 minutes." That's on a 6-cell, so I'd say 2 hours is likely for 1080p.

 

is this for real?

My 4820TG is on the way with 6550 but if the 540 is that much better, I'm better off returning it and wait for it.

 

Is this laptop suitable for a person who travel a lot or how is portability aspect of this laptop?

 

Well, I haven't been able to find any 4820TG's with GT 540M's, so I'd say he's confusing something. There are some Aspire's with them though, so it might be worth checking out.
Honestly the HD 6550 is slightly faster than the HD 5650 which makes the GT 540M only slightly faster than your card. I wouldn't worry much about it.

"The dimensions of the laptop are 13.46”(W) x 9.64”(D) x 0.94”–1.13”(H) and the laptop weighs only 4.65 pounds (lbs). This is portable enough to carry around a college campus or to a local Starbucks without feeling fatigued."
Most of us use them for school and it might be a little big if you're gonna bring it on planes or go hiking with it. I cycle about 7 km to school every day and it's not a problem to bring it. One has to be careful though, pressure on the display can lead to bright spots (I'm now at 3 bright spots).

 

Hey guys,
I will confirm you about this tommorow. At first I'm also confused when they said 4820tg has an nvdia GPU , so I asked them to check again to confirm about the card. They are pretty sure that it has a GT 540M card. Any way tomorrow I tell you guys for sure which card it has as it is now 12:10 AM here.

 

Well I guess I found my new upgrade, hello 1600x900.

 

What country are you in? Where are you buying it from?

 

I think he is confusing the 4820TG timeline with the Aspire 4741G. The 4741G has the Nvidia GT 540M GPU.

Bronsky

@PWCMED - as long as the replacement display has the same connector as the Acer, you're in business. It would be great to see a notebook with this kind of performance get a worthy display.