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

Well I guess they have to do something to get them so cheap ;-) I'm sure we'll find an answer to this specific riddle sooner or later.

Mac

 

I wonder how high the I7-620M will OC?

Bronsky

 

Thats because it's shareware. If you donate you can clock. It detects speeds just fine. Not same issue as Hendrickson.

Mac

 

The value ist much to high!!

And you need the "serial" number to unlock SetFSB

 

I think we know the reason. Give us a few hours to look at a few details.

 

Yea, but it was only a joke

 

Hello! Can i put MAC to the 12,6GB partition? What is the best way to do it and will everything work? I'd like to install the mac from an SD card

 

When you first start SetFSB and tick "ultra", you get a much wider/higher scale. Restarting and not ticking it gives you the "normal" scale. That, and registering the software is what this fella needs to do to get it to work. Again, this is not Hendricksons issue.

Mac

 

So its looks like my model:

Part number LX.PV102.161
Aspire 3820TG-434G64n

Isn't overclockable at this stage what a bummer

 

I have the same model as Hendrickson and unfortunately the same error and diagnostic screen

 

That was the model I originally ordered and it was out of stock. I ordered the I5-450M as an alternative. Maybe I got lucky. I won't know till it gets here - if it ever does. At least my SSD arrived, so I can look at it on my desk.

Bronsky

 

What brand on the SSD =)

 

Think I did well to wait, sorry for your problem hendricks

hoping soon to join the club

 

seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on a computer universe order.

Has anyone experienced a "dud" 3820tg yet?

 

@havsbaden Crucial 128GB.

@Zeem the first 2 ordered are still on their way, so no body knows. As far as I can tell, about 4 or 5 have shipped. Mine still seems to be traveling internationally (expect it at the arrival hub today or tomorrow) and the other one was ordered a couple of days before mine and it appears to be in Canada already, near its destination.

Bronsky

 

Thx Bronsky, I have a question that you might have already answered: What's your plan if you have a problem with it?

Is squaretrade a possibility for warranty?

The Envy looks beautiful, but finally seeing those idle temps says it all. 3820tg is far superior.

 

Can anyone post Super PI benchmarks from stock to overclocked CPU?

Damn I'm pissed if I can't overlock mine, boosting the CPU to near 3Ghz would have been a nice boost that would have meant i5 520m power for free

 

When the Acer first comes, I'll start it up to let W7 load. I'll make backup disks and then yank the HD, in original condition. I'm dropping in the Crucial 128GB SSD and loading a clean version of Win 7 HP and then setting it up with all the driver updates, etc., and run some tests. If that works out, and everything looks like it's running okay, I'll proceed. If not, I'll call Acer USA to see what can be done. If need be, I'll return it to Germany.

If it works fine, I'll swap out the keyboard, power the backlighting and swap out the CPU. At that point, if something goes wrong, I'll give it to our company tech who will do the repairs. Since I have access to our company's outside repair contractor, I am not all that concerned about loosing the warranty. I would probably have him do the work even if we had a warranty because he can do it faster. All my working files are contained on an 8GB (soon to be 16GB) SD Card. If I have a problem, I will just switch the SD to the 1410T and use that until the 3820TG is repaired.

Buying a warranty doesn't make any sense for me.

Is there a review of the Envy 14? Somebody get theirs already?

Bronsky

 

I would like to buy 6 of the Bluetooth 3.0 cables that connect the module to the motherboard. I sent an email to Acer USA and will wait to see if they have them to sell me. In the mean time, does anybody know where I can buy these? Somebody must make them?

Bronsky

 

yep, people in Germany are starting to get theirs. Check out the owners lounge. Screen looks great, Build Quality wonderful, but check out these idles:

ENVY 14 IDLE TEMPS



Buying a warranty in your case seems to make little sense, but how about in a case like mine who has no access to a repair tech?

 

An update on my package from computeruniverse. I think i can expect it on Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll be doing a small review/benchmarks myself and post it on forum/youtube.

01.07.10 18:17 Order Data for this shipment was submitted electronically to DHL by sender.
01.07.10 15:52 Shipment in transportation to destination country.
01.07.10 15:52 Shipment in transportation to destination country.
01.07.10 15:52 International shipment was processed at export sorting hub.
02.07.10 12:13 Shipment in transportation to destination country.
02.07.10 12:13 Shipment in transportation to destination country.

 

Why do you think it will arrive by Tuesday? That is exactly the print-out that shows on my tracking link. Mine was shipped the 23rd and still not here. The one shipped on the 21st shows receipt at the destination hub. I'm waiting to see that designation on my tracking report.

Bronsky

 

Yea, if you're not going to mod the unit, by all means get a warranty. You in the states? Will they cover it here?

I would need to see a burn test before I would really draw any conclusions on the Envy. These CPU's run hot, even in the 3820TG. Expented the display to be great ... glad to hear about the build quality. Esp after the Envy 17 fiasco.

Bronsky

 

I sent squaretrade an email. will post the response.

 

You could also suspend it from your ceiling with fishing line as a sort of fantasy model.

... at least until your 3820TG finally gets to you. Mule trains from upper Mongolia can take awhile (Germany has to import them from somewhere!)

 

By the way, if the 3820TG panel is similar to this 4810TG one, I warn you that it is VERY BRIGHT. When I first unpacked the notebook at the cafe, turned it on and the panel´s brightness looked very fine, the image was clear even though I was by the window during the day.
That was until I brought it home. When I first connected it to the power, the brightness jump startled me. Figures it was only at 3/8 of max brightness setting, and it's the usual setting I use actually.

I don't really get all the negative reviews about the panel, for a laptop it looks more than fine, great horizontal angles, lower vertical angle is decent, upper vertical angle is weak. It doesn't bother me at all though, as 95% of the time I´m looking directly at it.
I´ll calibrate the display later today with a Huey Pro, it might get even better.

note: My last laptop, a LG S1 had a stunning panel, even for a TN. Awesome colors and angles, even vertical ones. I reckon this panel doesn't have such image quality, even thought it's way brighter.

Also, the keyboard has been good so far. I need to get used to this kind of keyboard size ( my desktop keyboard is a merc stealth gaming series ), but aside from that I don't really have any problems. It barely has any flex, except in the area above the optical drive bay, but even then I don't notice it while typing.
Most "problems" I´ve encountered are fault of the German layout, so it doesn´t worry me =)

 

I just assume its on a plane heading for NY and it would take two days to go to USPS distribution and then to my local post office

 

Hello all!

Ive been lurking here for a while and having now played with my own 3820TG-5454G32iks for a couple of days i want to add some thoughts.

Design-wise its pretty enough when open (though someone really should fire that guy who suggested the ridiculously glossy bezel) but looks outright hot when its closed and clear of fingerprints. Be warned - you wont be able to remove them just by rubbing the brushed metal on your pants!

It is comfortable to use, though the touchpad is much too small and has awkward ergonomics in general. The keyboard is a matter of taste, but i got used to it in the space of a day. It is pretty heavy however - uncomfortable in one hand.

My machine has the sort of build quality i would expect from Acer: there is some flex to the keyboard and display, the brushed lit depresses a few concerning millimeters and the touchpad material has one or two rough spots. I also noticed some small LCD pressure distortions along the bottom left of the panel and am dissapointed by the quality of the folding spring - its flimsy if you hold the notebook by the battery end.

The LCD panel is OK - for $900 i didnt expect any wonders, but WOULD have liked a higher resolution option at a premium as with my X200s. Not quite bright enough.

I havent had time to install Everest and check general stability yet, but the machine seems to be working very cool in Intel mode under a fresh install of Win 7 with all the trimmings. Atheros wifi card did have trouble with my router working in 20/40 mode.

-------------------------------

At the moment, all components in the machine are stock, but i plan on making some light modifications:

1. Stuff the keyboard and if possible the LCD panel to decrease flex (would appreciate any warnings or advice here!!!)

2. Reapply thermal paste everywhere possible (will use Arctic Silver Matrix i have on hand, but suggestions are welcome)

3. Upgrade to 120 GB SSD (what interface does the 3820GT use, by the way?)

I will post the repasting on youtube in the next few days if anyone wants to see a partial deconstruction before they try themselves. However, i would like some pointers if anyones already done this...

Also, could someone please tell me the default settings device profile:



Thats been bugging me since i used a profile found here earlier that was a little dark...

Thanks, ft

 

why so long to ship even from singapore to US it takes 6 working days

 

Wow looks like bad news for my model no CPU overclocking...Damn anyone want to buy a pre modded US backlit keyboard 3820TG

I wanna do 3.0+ Ghz oc

 

1. I used Scotch double sided Poster tape on my 1410T. It holds the KB on the metal shelf under it. Makes it stable even for touch typing.

2. Would love to see the disassembly. I'm swapping an I7-620M in mine when it gets here. I have a service manual if you need any information.

3. Sata.

Bronsky

 

I need to find a seller of the BT cable part no. 50.4hl01.011 any ideas. Acer USA has gone lame on me.

 

Mine is: (sRGB IEC61966-2.1)

 

@Bronsky
Yes, thank you id love to have a look at the manual before i open it - great summer reading! Also i did read your post re the scotch tape - a very good idea. Would be interesting to use some sort of hard panel for the back of the LCD.

Ill definitely make a video or slideshow of the repaste, maybe for monday evening.

@havsbaden
Thanks, that was bugging me like crazy as i understand nothing about the color settings!

 

The manual for the 3820Tg lists 5 different panels by 3 different manufacturers. I think everest will tell you which one you have. I would like to know, since yours is so bright.

@FTGG99 - I can't get it compressed under 15MB and freaking Comcast wont let me attach it. Been trying to get Hendrickson some info. I'll try again later, maybe cut out the charts in the back and make a second volume.

 

could you not link to it? and sent pm?

 

why not upload it to rapidshare and share the manual? comcast should will not be a problem as they don't limit the upload quota ... maybe speed but that is all

 

I actually have it in a PDF. I couldn't figure out how to attach it to a PM. Can you?

@lastdon - Acer would be very unhappy if I published their copywritten material. Once I get it compressed I'll get it out.

Bronsky

 

you think? hp offers them online for users . some companies i guess dont mind and some do

 

Just made a few oc tests for all guys that are more or less patiently awaiting their device

No word on stability yet, but setting 166 MHz makes my system freeze after a short period.

3GHz seems to be unreachable... at least without turbo boost

 

Which grafikcard do you use?

 

Which grafikcard do you use?

With Amd I can get the CPU faster as with the intel.

 

ATI in dual screen mode... did you get 166 MHz without crashes for more than 5 minutes? If I go beyond 166 MHz the system crashes instantly.

Made the same tests with just 2 Threads to force turbo boost

 

@Bronsky
I cant work it out either - but in the next 60 mins you can mail it to this temp email address:

[email protected]

 

With the Intel in Dual Screen I can get a FSB from 165MHz stablee with 5 prime95 thread.
With the AMD I can get 170MHz stable.

 

That's odd.

@ftgg99 - Vol 1 is on its way. Vol 2 should be right behind. Glad I had Adobe 9 on my Acer. I only have reader on the home computer.

Bronsky

@hendrickson - yours is on the way too.

 

Envy 14.

I've been reading up on the Envy in the owners thread. The first models are arriving in Germany. What a beautlful machine.

It has a dual fan cooling suystem. The dual fan system is really interesting. HP coupled both sinks onto the CPU. The one sink looks like it pulls heat from the GPU and the CPU together and the other pulls heat off the CPU only. This concentrates cooling ability on the CPU with 2 sinks. This system should have no problem keeping the CPU in a decent temp. range, and well below its 104C max temp.

The Idle temps were measured in a 30C room (sound familiar ). Looks like HP has really put some thought in to this model.

The build quality appears to be great as well. I think this model will prove to manufacturers that a there is a market for a premium, portable laptop. HP is going to sell the crap out of this model. The only shame is that they might not be too tempted to offer the typical deep discounts that they have been offering on the 15 for so long.

The display looks really good. In all, it looks like HP has outdone itself.

Still glad I ordered the Acer, but it is really nice to see HP with such a great little machine. Acer has some competition here.

Bronsky

 

I hate the glass panel on the Envy 14. You are not able to change the display to a "not glare" version. This and the higher price was a no go for me.

I think the 3820TG is not bad.

 

Mine's this model: LG LP140WH2-TLA1

Everest didn't tell me squat about the panel but Windows Display Settings did, surprisingly.

 

Interesting! I wonder if the LG panel is brighter than the others?