Acer TimelineX 3820TG Owners Lounge. Info, benchmarks, tweaks, mods and upgrades

oo also would it be possible to add usb 3.0 to the laptop at some point? Could it be done through an expansion card or something?

 

Under BOOT PROIRITY ORDER in the BIOS the last three options are #5 usb HDD #6 usb CDROM #7 usb FDD. If I had to take a guess would #7 be the option for flashdrive boot?Is this what I may have overlooked?Thanks for the reply.

 

If you look at this thread which is a hd swap guide for the 3820TG. The last picture in the first post shows a selection in the BIOS - "F12 Boot Menu". You are likely to have that choice on the 3810 too I'm guessing. If you set this to enable, boot your laptop and then press F12 during post you'll get a one-time selection menu for choosing what you want to boot, network, USB (need to be plugged in) and so forth, depending on the devices connected to the laptop.

Mac

 

No, it isn't possible.

There isn't an external pci-express slot.

And to use the internal will be very tricky and not as easy as achanging a display.

 

When I select "F12 Boot Menu" there are two options. #1 IDE 0 HITACHI HDD #2 NETWORK BOOT:ATHEROS BOOT AGENT . Nothing to do with usb here.

 

You have to connect the USB device before you power on the laptop.

 

thats it, im selling my lg p310 cant wait to get my hands on 3820tg lol, any1 interested in p310 ? xD

 

If you use Computeruniverse, UPS or FedEx were not options on the web ordering form. In fact, they were blacked out. DHL mail/international shipping was the only option. I can't believe that arrangements can't be made to have this put in UPS' hands so you can track it all the way to your door. It might be worth a call first to see what can be arranged.

Bronsky

 

Thats odd, maybe its US only is via DHL. But for me I had the UPS option for like 7 euros more. I should have gone for it.

 

hmm its availible if you enter your post code in the uk at least so i guess that might've been the problem. Im having second thoughts about this laptop now, Im just thinking, would USB 3.0 be prevalent in 3-4 years? Its difficult to judge but it could be a pain if I cant upgrade. I only really need a laptop by the end of august so i could wait...

 

is this available in the us/canada?

 

Don't know if this has been posted, if so, sorry for the repost.

Browsing through german forums I've read a post about one of the proud owners of the refreshed 450M equipped 3820TG complaining about the CPU running "only" at 2.66 GHz with TurboBoost.

Now, Intel says that's the way it should be:

Intel® Core? i5-450M Processor (3M cache, 2.40 GHz) with SPEC Code(s) SLBTZ

Could someone confrim?

Germans say all the webshops show fasle info on this baby.

 

The 3820T and 4820T versions (no dedicated GPU) are available. There is a version of the 4820TG available in the US, but only with the I3-350M/HD5650 so far.

Bronsky

 

Yea. International shipping outside the EU is DHL only as far as I could determine. Next time I would call first and see if UPS or FedEx could pick it up. FedEx would do that and bill it to my company. Live and learn.

Bronsky

@Kiskapu - as soon as I get mine, I'll run some benchmarks. I think the intel info is correct, the refreshed I5-450 is supposto be slower than the I5-520 as the 520 has a higher top-turbo speed.

 

where can we buy keyboard replacements?

a US layout ?

 

I ordered a backlit 3810T keyboard from Ebay. Acer seems to be catching up with the TimelineX distribution and I would suspect has Acer OEM replacement keyboards available. Who sells original Acer parts, service centers? Any idea Insider?

Bronsky

 

Yeah, Intel's info is correct... of course. Several shops list 3820tg's i5-450m with max 2.93GHz and even other Acer notebooks are listed with this turbo boost speed. Perhaps just the marketing people at Acer believe in that.

Other manufacturers (e.g. Samsung, Lenovo) tell us that their i5-450m models are running at max. 2.66 GHz as well and my cpu does have the same max...

 

I think the i5-430M version is probably going to be a touch over $700 when it hits the US. Got this number by comparing the US and European prices of the 1830T, and then looking at the European price of the 3820TG. Seem like a good guess to you guys?

 

which seller did you buy it from?

 

Well the 3820tg vs. Envy 14 debate is over for me.

Envy 14 amazon.com $1099
Envy 14 amazon.ca $1799

Canada FTL

HP always does this, now the waiting game again.

PS: Newegg.com got the t versions, not on newegg.ca however.

 

New Acer Aspire 3810 3810T 4810 4810T Keyboard Backlit - eBay (item 220617487611 end time Jul-05-10 19:30:43 PDT)

Bronsky

The 3820T is already the 15th best selling laptop on Amazon in 6 days. http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/pc/565108

 

I'm in Canada too and I just ordered a 3820tg from the Germans...I'll be posting about the experience, customs, keyboard replacement etc. when it arrives if that route is a possibility for you.

The keyboard out of the 3810T is the same, I think. I ordered a 3rd-party US layout keyboard on eBay. It was this item. You could also buy stickers/keycaps I guess, but this one has a properly-shaped Return key!

 

Does anyone know / can guess when the 3820TG will come out in the US? I was going to get one for college in the fall, hoping that it'll come out by the end of summer.

 

First post here.

I'm on the verge of ordering the german version too. I never imported anything from abroad though, so your experience will be valuable to me. I read somewhere that there are no duties on laptops regardless where you get them from. But I have no idea what's the brokerage fee for DHL.

My only concern is, would I be able to get the laptop repaired in Canada if need be? I can't go through shipping back and forth to Germany if the lappie breaks.

 

If you can't take the risk that the warranty will not be good in Canada, don't buy from Germany. It's that simple. I would suggest going with the 4820TG instead of the 3820TG. The 4820Tg is out in I3-350M/HD5650 configuration in the US. That would probably be a better option for you.

Welcome to the discussion.

Bronsky

@qqqqqqqq - the short answer is that nobody knows when, or if, they're get here.

 

Thanks a lot Bronsky!

Do you know which US online retailers are currently carrying the 4820tg? and do they ship to Canada?

 

Bronsky where the hell is your notebook?! It's taking way too long, I can't wait to see you operate on the internals of 3820tg. I really hope you upgrade it to i7 so I'll have someone to compare with mine

 

Everytime I hear the UPS, FedEx or Mail carrier, I peak out of my office as they go by to see if they have a package. The US power supply came today. I'm 99.99% sure I going with the I7-620M.

Bronsky

SSD dilemma. I have decided to put the SSD in right away. I am going to keep the OEM HD original, with the German Windows and all, in case I have to return it. I will do the fresh install on the SSD. So, I am ready to order the SSD. Any great deals out there? I am looking at these:

Intel X25M 80GB $199
Intel X25M 160GB $399
OCZ Ver 120GB $309
Corsair 128GB $315

I also saw a WD Silicon Edge 128GB for $249 (never heard of it) The cheap solution for now is to buy the 80GB X25M and swap it out when prices come down in Q4. I am looking at replacing my Acer 1410T with a convert/tablet so I can always use the 80GB there later. But, the 160GB calls out to me.

 

I'm assuming the warranty won't be honoured by Acer in North America. We'll have to wait until somebody needs service to find out for sure, I guess.

Importing: in my experience there is no special duty attached to electronics, just GST+PST or HST on the declared value. Canada Post has a $5 brokerage fee if the package gets handed to them for delivery. If DHL Canada handles the delivery, the fee is $3 or $5 plus 2.5% of the declared value if it comes by air (not sure about pack mule).

That's what I'm counting on paying anyway. Good luck with your decision.

 

I would think the I3-350M version of the 3820TG will be close to $799. Maybe $750 at the least. Prices will go up from there.

 

Are you gonna replace thermal paste as well brosnky? Im wondering how the temps on i7 would be if used a good thermal . AspireAnt what are your i7 temps? does it go beyond 105C and throttle ? thx

 

Yeah, I think I spoke a bit too soon there Some other info I found after I made that guess made it seem rather optimistic.

 

Yea ... I'll probably use MX2. If I got 4-5C difference I would be very happy.

Bronsky

BTW, don't go by Ant's temps ... he likes to play 3 games at the same time.

 

Where is this 4820tg on sale in the us? Link plz

 

@Bron, has your 3820TG arrive yet mang?

 

Can someone that havent done a clean install yet, post a picture of the system (click my computer, then properties)
Need it to send to Acer so they will help me with my PowerSmart button. They needed "proof" that my computer still had the acer OS...
And with the i3 pross, and do not scroll the system page all the way down, I just need the system OS info, not your Product-ID

 

Something like this: http://img267.imageshack.us/f/system.png/

 

It's only been 5 days since it was shipped. Seems longer doesn't it. Anyway, it's not here yet. I expect it later this week or early next. My office is closing Friday and Monday for the 4th Holiday, so if I don't get it by Thursday, it will have to wait.

Bronsky

 

Can't wait to see you do a i7 cpu swap (If you do) I was brave enough to do the keyboard mod. Once I see exactly how hard it is I will possible do it myself.

I still plenty of AS5 here to do both the GPU and CPU.

 

No question about it ... I'm doing the swap. I'm settled on the I7.

Hey did you see my post about the SSD. I'm ordering an SSD for the 3820TG becuase I don't want to do a clean install first on the German HD and then again on the SSD. I want to keep the German HD clean with the German windows in case I have to return it, I can just swap in the HD. That way I'll run it for a few weeks before I do radical surgery. My though is this ... get the 80GB Intel X25m for now ($199) and wait till Q4 to put in a new Intel G3 200GB. I'm looking for a convert/tablet like the X201T to replace my 1410T and the 80GB could wind up in there.

Are there any 120GB SSD's worth a dam in the $225-$250 range? I haven't seen any. I don't want to jump to $300 for something I'm going to replace in a few months. I would be interested in your thoughts.

BTW, the 4820TG is here in the states, but only the I3-350M/HD5650 version so far. I'm glad I ordered the 3820TG. 4 day weekend coming up here in the states. Would love to have the Acer before then but I'm not optomistic.

Bronsky

 

The german law give you only a right to give it back in 14 days.

All the other options are a friendly service.

 

Or just send me a PM with it, and I would be greatful.

 

I would be doing it within that time if I return it. I just want to install an english version of windows so I can run a bunch of tests and assure myself that the computer is "healthy" enough for surgery. After the operation, I doubt that I will be returning it to anybody.

 

Your going to have to splash out around $280 to get a decent 120GB SSD, like a OCZ vetrex. I still have my 620GB German HDD, its a back up for me. Since I've soldered the motherboard no warranty claims for me. Touch wood it will run run for a few years to come

 

Yes there is a large service center/parts warehouse in Texas where you can purchase parts. The new TimelineX parts aren't available just yet though... They should be available soon though...

KB.I140A.229 KEYBOARD ACER AC4T_A10B AC4T INTERNAL 14 STANDARD 86KS BLACK US INTERNATIONAL TEXTURE

KB.I140A.231 KEYBOARD ACER AC4T_A10B AC4T INTERNAL 14 STANDARD 87KS BLACK US W/ CANADIAN FRENCH TEXTURE

 

may u give me a link to the reseller in the US. I cant seem to find the TG for sale. thanks.

 

So far, no throttling observed. My maximum temps are @ 89 - 90C on i7. GPU is @ 84 - 85C. It handles the heat prettey well evan when 3 simultaneous games are open I no longer OC my GPU when playing games, BFBC2,SC Conviction, COD6 to say the least can run on high settings even at default x16 clocks. I think an SSD upgrade and new thermal paste would be rocking this machine much further! Go Bronsky GO!

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6408730-post3710.html

 

Here:
Micro Center - Acer Aspire Timeline AS4820TG-5637 - Carbon Black LX.PSE02.227

Also I found this 3820TG:
New Acer Aspire TimelineX 3820TG-434G64n LX.PTB02.015 - eBay (item 130398814805 end time Jul-07-10 23:37:07 PDT)

It's an i5-430, HD 5470, from UK. Dx

I may bite on that 4280TG if nothing shows up by July.

 

The 4820TG was listed as out of stock yesterday. Guess they're available for ordering on-line now. How long before they show up on Amazon?