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

Nooooooo! Not crazy! They just really know what they want. I understand that completely, that was why I almost fell out of my chair when I saw the 3820tg in the Staples flyer, when I have been watching the acer.ca site for weeks...okay, months, really...and the tg wasn't even on the site. I find acer's site to be a bit clunky and not too up to date. Back in 2003 when I bought my 15" Travelmate, I had to special order it and the store where I ordered it had much better info on each model, plus you could compare specs side-by-side.

I was torn between the 1830t for extra portability and the 3820tg, and the extra graphics - and let's face it, availability - won me over. I asked to see it when I went over to the store, and they didn't even have them out yet, so he opened the box for the one he would use for the display model and...I caved. "I'll take it," were I believe my first words. He was a bit surprised that I didn't even wait for him to start it up. I just wanted to see how slim, and light, and pretty it was, since I already know the specs are good. I've only been looking at it on the internet since March...youtube videos in German, in 720p...

So no, not crazy, no sir!

 

Also I do not know if Staples.ca would even ship to the states. Those of us who are more than 500 miles from the US/CA border would be hard pressed to justify driving to get this sytem.

 

Congratulations, Bronsky, your baby has arrived. I look forward to your ongoing TimelineX adventure and subsequent upgrades.

 

Final Fantasy XIV Official Benchmark

Test Setup:
Display: 1920x1080 HDMI Samsung LCD Monitor
GPU: Stock Settings
CPU: Stock Settings

 

Haha, no, not really crazy, you got yourself a damn fine notebook .

Also, have no worries about your 5470, it's a fine card and will run pretty much any game ( I know you're not a gamer, but you may enjoy some indie or short fun games [ I'm thinking of trackmania here, for example ] ) even though you may have to lower graphic settings.
You'll also be able to accelerate graphic applications like Photoshop without a problem.

 

Hmm. Could you try some OCing and see what it comes too, please? Would be a great real-world comparison.

 

no. to me, stock settings are great real-world comparison.. oc is pushing it already.

people who oc if care to, try benchmark and help this user.

 

You need to see the logo in that pic, the one at the top right corner. I'm sure that the "The Way It's Meant To Be Locked" logo directly affects your score when you don't have a NVidia card installed.

I've got a desktop C2Q here running @ 3.2GHz, 8 GB RAM, Radeon 5770 @ 960 \ 1400 and my score was about 2600.

Hell, I play Age of Conan at max settings (save for MSAA, I keep that at 2x because it's really meaningless going higher on this screen at this resolution ) on this rig @ 1920x1080 without any problems, and these guys are trying to tell me that I might need to lower my settings (from default, which are far from maxed) to be able to play smoothly?

Bollocks, utter bollocks !

 

i don't know about it.

i can play GTA IV at max settings without issues.

 

Hmm lol so nobody was confident when I brought one 5 weeks ago from computeruniverse and did the keyboard swap. Everything is running A OK too no issues.

I guess you needed someone state side to buy one do the mod etc before you are fully confident

I think they have caught on non Germans buying them and bumped the price up maybe?

 

That is the price including VAT. If you register with a Non EU address such as the US, the VAT is excluded.

 

Exactly. Don't worry about the FFXIV performance, those benchmark scores don't really tell much.

I'm sure that the HD5650 will be able to play the game flawlessly.

 

Well, the thing is, I was not sure if there will be any type of taxation, tariff, vat, or etc when it's being ship to the US. Nor do I know if it will come in a good condition. But, after seeing Bronsky's pictures, I feel confident now. Now, of course if you were in the states, I would've ordered it in a heartbeat after you received yours.

Anyway, seeing how my question seems to be buried a few page back. I'm going to ask again. Does anyone know if the US keyboard being listed in Ebay is a third party made product or they're from ACER?

And is it me, or computeruniverse's website is down?

 

yes its down, they're possibly updating the site for the german to english conversion of the tracking page that they had underconstruction

 

I feel like I own a 3820TG now. This forum is a family.

 

Yeah, really. Now Acer needs to finally realize that if they release this in the US sooner than later, they'd be making some serious money. But it looks like it won't be coming to the US.

 

Is it seriously not going to come to the US? Cause if it's not, I'm going to need to tell my cousin in Germany to buy and ship this to me.

 

I'd say you're better off doing that.

 

Done and dusted:



Over clocked at 660 and 1060. Using fraps it never dropped below 30fps. Ranged between 30 and 50. I would say its playable, but horribly optimized!!!!

The same level of graphics (or higher) should equal much better fps. Hell I can run Call of Duty MW2 in high settings in 1920 x 1080 via hdmi out much better than that rubbish. Square soft needs to learn how to make PC games i think..Same level of GFX but requiring so much less GPU power..

Anyway as far as future games as long as the 3820TG can run Diablo 3 with ok settings I'm 100% convinced.

 

Ah Bronksy, I see OEM i7 620m's (Not QS) have now dropped to 299 USD on ebay. If I add a i7 620m, im sure it will be 100% future proof for me for at least 2 years. I only keep on to my notebooks for 2 year before upgrading btw. And sell off my old one to get a few $$$ back.

While I'm at it I will AS5 the GPU and CPU and add double sided tape to my backlit US keyboard mod. There is just a little bit of flex/bounce in the middle,m that is too much for my liking.

I recommend you double sided tape it when you refit the keyboard. But first try it a few times as it is a bit of a squeeze getting the US backlit keyboard to fit in at first.

 

@ Hendrickson

If there's one thing Blizzard excels at is performance optimizations. As you know, they're well known for low-requirements on their games.

I'm pretty sure that a mobile i5 + HD5650 will be able to play it on high settings.

 

I was just wondering if anyone in Canada emailed or called Staples to see if they could custom order a 3820TG with the 5650?

I just emailed them an am waiting a response, but was curious if anyone had done it already.

EDIT: Just received an answer: "Unfortunately, we are unable to special order the item, and we do not
stock it at this time. Please contact Acer at 800-816-2237 to request
the item.

We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause you. Please do not
hesitate to contact us if you require further assistance."

That makes me sad faced

 

Did you see my post that I found a source of OEM I7-620M's in Vineland, NJ, less than 10 miles from my home. I can drive over there and pick one up. His price was around $330 but I can probably get him to price match.

As soon as I get some time, I want to open the case and look at the components to see if I can figure out a plug-in rig for the backlit KB. I think I will be able to do it. Once I get the component and make the harness, I will go in and upgrade the CPU and KB at the same time. I'll take your advice and double sided tape the KB when I reassemble and, hopefully never take it apart again.

For now, my focus will be getting it up and running so I can see how I feel about it. Just glad to be able to fianlly start.

Bronsky

Anyone suggest a simple neopreme sleve, black with no piping or anything. I'm thinking about getting a new aluminum briefcase for when I take the Acer with me. I have a 3.5" now but want a 2.5" now that I have a thinner computer.

 

You can try something like THIS soft pouch. It's cheap and does the job. I bought one exactly like this to carry my studio xps on my bag and it's just what i needed, light yet with some thickness that protects the notebook.

I finally got my hands on my 3820 and it's great!!!!
I only changed the OS language and did't have the chance to fiddle with it for much longer

I will only have the chance to tinker with it probably on sunday

 

Congratulations. Funny, I don't hate people who get 3820TGs anymore. Now I just hate the ones who have I7s or backlit keyboards.

 

I got a zeroshock 3 for my 3820tg, fits perfectly and it's nice quality.
ZeroShock III Laptop Case 12.1-13.3" - Black - GearZap.com

Thanks Hendrickson for the recommendation

 

Ok so you have one nearby for 330 not bad. As others have pointed out this one is great. The Zeroshock III with my 3820TG in it: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...arks-tweaks-mods-upgrades-50.html#post6359996

 

I tried searching for this but could find a solid answer. Is there a AS4820TG with a 9 cell battery coming to the us? Im really looking for the switchable graphics with longest battery life available.

 

Yeah, I like how they jacked up the price right before I ordered one for import.

Edit : - my mistake, the € 899 is the price with the 19% VAT added. Actual price to Canada is € 713,45 plus DHL shipping costs.

 

I asked the manager in the Staples the same question. His response was , "What more could you possibly want? This thing's awesome!" I told him that I wanted the same model with the 5650 video card. He then looked at me blankly for about 10 seconds, which was not surprising considering what store I was at. The manager seemed stoned, his face was quite red, eyes were super glassy, and he seemed like he just drank a few espresso shots. His eventual reply was that they would not be carrying the 5650 model, however look at the source of the information.

 

Here's a coupon code for Computeruniverse that knocks € 4,20 off the total price of your order.

Use this code at checkout : FW8TY5K

Worked for me

 

I have found a bug in the system. Sometimes after using Fn + arrows, the mousepad gets "stuck" and looses all it's functions such as multitouch and scrolling. When using the fn + arrows again, the mousepad will start working properly.

 

Bronsky:
Duuuude! Mad jealousy! My DHL status still hasn't changed from "International shipment was processed at export sorting hub" on the 26th. I hope it just means the tracking doesn't work as well to Canada...

hardcor:
I was in my local Staples a few hours ago. Got a similar reaction from the staff when he saw me examining/fondling the (inferior HD 4570-equipped) 3820TG and I explained I had mine in the mail from Germany and just wanted to see it in person

 

Yes I certainly did thank you.

 

I just ordered my 3820TG today from Computeruniverse, now the waiting begins.

lvivier : I hope your machine arrives soon. It looks like peter999 had ordered one for import to Canada as well. Who will be the first Canadian with this model?

 

As the sun slowly melts below the horizon to the west the and crickets begin their evening recital I gaze off into the south wondering what those flashes of light are in the evening sky.It looks like fireworks,no it can`t be, the fourth of July was last weekend.No wait ,is that New Jersey?,yes it is!It must be Bronsky celebrating.

Happy ninth of July Bronsky !!!!!!!:laugh:

 

Hey Bronsky did you have to pay customs duties for accepting your shipment from Germany?

 

I would guess that you will see yours sometime late next week. I was so busy today, I haven't even opened the box.

Bronsky

 

My package cleared customs. No charge in the US.

 

I've finally placed my order from Computeruniverse!!! All I need now is my i7-620m, a SSD, and a US keyboard.

I just can't stop grinning from ear to ear. Can't imagine what would happen when it actually arrives.

Also, can someone tell me about those oem keyboard being listed on ebay. Are they manufactured by third party or they're from Acer?

Just want to make sure, I don't need a 1.8", a 2.5" SSD would fit right?

 

90% sure the keyboard isn't manufactured by Acer, they outsource everything these days. A 2.5" SSD is the one to get. And really a system like this is just crying out for an SSD

 

Hello,

is there a difference between 3820 and 5820 laptops if speaking about drivers for the same components?
if configuration is the same (I see only difference is DVD drive?)

Also why there is no THREAD for ACER 5820 ?

thanks

 

Did you buy the 5820?
I guess it's because for many that is a completely uninteresting model. For that size, there many alternatives..

 

S U R G E R Y

If You have time - and some more patience - could You please test how the 450M performs running CPU intense games like GTA IV and Starcraft 2?

 

Hi,

Please could someone explain what means a fresh OS install, you are talking about ? Or link me a tutorial for that ?
I'm a new laptop user, juste bought a ACER Aspire Timeline X 4820TG-434G64Mn (french).

I would like to remove all the scrappy software pre-installed in my new notebook.
Is it possible to achieve a clean install, with the backup dvd of Seven ?

Thank you.

 

been gone for few days and havent had a chance to properly test my 3820tg. First bronsky congrats and welcome to the club, hope u happy with it give us your general thoughts about the lappie. Hendrickson and bronsky did you guys do a clean Windows 7 install on it? The ammount of crap acer put on my 3820tg is insaine. I just ran 3dmark06 with o/c 650/950 and i only got around 8500 points which im not too happy about (stock drivers?). thx

 

Thanks for the info. But, what I really want to know is, are those oem keyboard from acer(regardless if they're outsourced) or they're a third party made product that works with acer laptops?

 

The ones I've seen look like original Acer parts. Which isn't surprising, since almost everything's assembled in China...

 

i don't see "many" crap in the 3820TG..

are you sure yours is 3820TG?

8.5K points not happy? You should have done your homework before making your purchase.