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

Congratulations on your 3820TG. Did you get the I5-450M CPU? I loaded a clean copy of Windows HP from the ISO that I got from the windows site. Here's how I did mine. http://forum.notebookreview.com/6465732-post1613.html

Bronsky

 

Thanks Bronsky! My guess is that the language barrier & keyboard/hdd mod doesn't apply to me, yet

But why do I need to another computer with windows 7? I only have a old desktop with windows xp lol.

Another question, can I use my ext hdd instead of a DVD/thumbdrive in step 5 & 7?

Just realized another thing, you needed the windows iso thingie because yours is a German windows and the link you provided is a English version? But mine is already in English (singapore's main language) hence I don't need this windows iso? Unless the acer recovery manager doesn't create a clean windows backup, without the bloatware.

 

cire, how much you bought it?

 

Yea, you can use an external DVD for those steps.

 

I'm replying to an older post, but I can do you one worse regarding a laptop's trackpad buttons.

The HP Envy 15 and 14 trackpad's buttons are actually embedded within the trackpad itself. Even worse, the "skin" over the buttons is active!

This means you have to press down directly on the buttons to avoid problems. Failure to do so will result in the cursor moving while you're trying to click the button! Imagine the frustration of trying to click an onscreen button but your cursor keeps moving away from it at the moment you press the click button!

 

Cire,
Congratulations on your new 3820TG! As Bronsky asked, did you get the i5-450M for the CPU or something else?

Be very glad the you did NOT get the Y460. It's an impressive laptop on paper. However, it gets very hot when stressed. Like its predecessor, the Y450, it does not have an effective heat dissipation system.

The 3820TG, on the other hand, does have one, thanks to its 2 exhaust fans (1 for the CPU and GPU). It keeps the 3820TG cool when stressed, which is great should you want to overclock the GPU (and CPU).

 

Doesn't it being mentioned?

 

If you read it carefully, he mentioned those were the 3820TG specs that he saw at the FIRST store that he went to.

He then went to a SECOND store where he bought the 3820TG (it was in stock there).

While you may be correct, I can't assume that the second store had the same specs as the first store.

 

Looks like some higher capacity SSD's from intel next year or maybe late this year. Leaked Intel roadmap details Sandy Bridge CPUs, expands SSD lineup? -- Engadget I could live with the 300GB if it was priced right.

Bronsky

 

um bronsky did u mean external HDD? haha...

Thanks bankergolf, and yes both stores had the same specs: i5-450m & 5650, probably its lost in my many words & excitement

@lee: I got it S$1398, Acer is running a promotion this August in Singapore, the previous promo was priced at S$1598. Good thing I waited

I'm guessing Acer is clearing stock to make way for the refresh model with i5-520m which I already see some stores carrying it but since there isn't any much performance difference and the refresh model will be priced higher anyway.

By the way, do I need to charge the battery for a certain amount of hours? what do your recommend to make sure it lasts? I recall reading somewhere in the forums that don't put it on full drain/recharge cycles but start recharging when batt is at 50% or more.

 

How is your experience with the keyboard so far?

Anyone having problems with the fragile keyboard?
Specificially the tiny cursor keys looks fragile.

 

Nope, 332 pages nobody has mentioned issues with fragile keys or the keyboard. They are fine. I have no issues with the keyboard apart from dust and muck can get under the keys. But its nothing a blow of compressed air or a vacuum could fix in a second.

 

fragile? far from it.

 

Ah, the mini PCIe SSD would be amazing with the 3820TG! 80 GB for OS, AND a separate 1 TB HDD for data, in such a small form factor. (Yes, it's a crazy idea as it would mean ordering one with 3G modem and taking it out, but it is a possibility).

Update: my bad, mini SSD might not mean one would fit in a mini PCIe splot... :-(

 

i never wait and got it at 1348 on June(i5-52oM). dots.

 

I misread your post. The only thing you probably can't put on the HD is the recovery disk that you have to make. You might be able to use a virtual DVD to do that on the HD.

Bronsky

@SSJ - I use my keyboard 4-6 hours a day on average in a professional setting and have had not the slightest problem.

 

Couple of questions.

1. I did full recovery CDs before I installed my Momentus XT disk. I used Virtual CD to make the discs. They were saved on the harddrive instead of the physical CDS. I then moved the backup to a computer which had burner in it. When the burns were finished I looked at the DVDs and they were all empty. Is this how it should be? Do the only work as "boot up" disks and normally wouldnt show the data in Windows?

2. How come some not being able to install the new Intel Graphics Drivers and some can? I cannot and Ive tried several approaches.

 

1. you will be able to read the contents.
2. what have you tried?

 

Ah dont worry.... I bought the same unit for the exact same reason, and I love it. The only thing I hate is that its a finger print magnet, but oh well.

 

Thanks Bronsky. I'll have to look into those places for the inevitable set of screws I will need if any of them disappear. The 3820TG is the first product that I've almost fully disassembled where I haven't lost any screws. Hooray!

On a general note my wireless antennas I purchased on eBay arrived from China so I'll be able to disassemble the laptop hopefully for the last time for a while and install one for my Intel ultimate-n 6300. I'm hoping to install the 3rd one in the display underneath the panel. I'll update with more pictures when I have had time to finish it.

 

hello marinex, are you also from singapore's hardwarezone forums? I'm known as 'slack' from there haha.

Good for you to get it at that price! I didn't need a laptop back then so now getting it at this price plus I can pay for it through interest free installments. I'm happy, plus the free external dvd drive and speakers will come in handy.

I decided not to take the risk to get it at the next IT show in early september because I'll be flying off shortly after that hence I won't be able to fix any potential problems or get a replacement due to any dead pixels from the screen. Always good to give it a test run first too.

@bronsky: thanks for clarifying, I have to get DVDs off my buddy then, he has tonnes (almost heh) but in the meantime, how can I create DVD images of backup on my external HDD? any software to recommend?

 

Not crazy as the I've see the 3G modem, its big enough to fit one of those little SSD's in there. Its not a half card like the wifi is but a standard mini PCIe slot. Just the issue would be trying to get it too boot right?

I though about your idea when before if I ever stopped using the 3G unit I could swap it for an mini PCIe SSD.

You reminded me of a mod I thought of about 6 weeks ago before I found the non 3G units don't have a spare mini PCIe slot.

I almost brought one of these SATA USB SSD 3G HSDPA Wifi to mini PCI-e DIY Adapter - eBay (item 270621498397 end time Aug-15-10 19:27:42 PDT)

The idea is these cards allow for another SATA and USB connection on the one board very cool idea. But its for the real modders out there that aren't afraid of a little soldering.

I was thinking of adding a USB 3G modem or my logitech unify mini usb receiver and then a eSata port from the Sata connection below usb on the left side. Its possible but I would have to cut a gap in the plastic

@Bronksy if you are getting a new motherboard maybe get one with the mini PCIe solt for future modding?

Those that are really serious about getting a eSata port can do it with some basic soldering knowledge. The PCB marks the cables, what is what and its a matter of finding a eSATA port and mounting it. Same as the USB. you could leave that internal with a mini bluetooth 3 receiver or other smallish USB device that would be perminat. Like a wireless mini mouse receiver. You can the idea....

Hmm or a mini PCIe card to USB3 might just get you USB3 too..

 

did a search on battery in this thread:
How to prolong lithium-based batteries
great article, so I was right when I was told to remove battery while the laptop is in mains, unless you are charging it. But just pray no one pulls your cord!

 

The Sata port will not work on the Acer model just the USB Port will work.
The Sata port is/was a modification of the mini-pcie spec by Asus on their eee netbook series.

 

first post from my 3820TG , from my living room couch while watching the Arsenal vs Liverpool match. a little dim...hmm...now a backlit keyboard sounds useful

 

In a low lit room when everyone is watching TV, I can bang out all of my email. BTW, anybody know a place to buy Iphone parts? I want to buy the left side switch they have, it will fit the kensington port perfectly and will be a nice slide switch for the KB.

Bronsky

 

It was hard enough to locate a MOBO with a HD5650. But, I'll see if they have any 3G models. It would be great to have a USB 3.0 port. The small ssd's look interesting but I would rather have a 300GB intel X-25 and a USB 3.0 with a 2TB 7200 rpm external backup.

Bronsky

 

You guys can play SC2 on the 5470?

 

Haha. Hi slack. I too took up the interest free installment. Since is 0%, why not? Haha

I used norton ghost to image e entire partition into my hdd. Well, that's me though

i personally feel that its easier to store them in my backup file server compared to a DVD.

 

Do any of you know if the power adapters for this computer are interchangeable with the 3810T? I'm looking for a second adapter, and the cheapest one I saw was this one:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320564647390&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

For anyone with the original adapter with them, do their specs match up?

 

I have state the power adapter type and model in this thread before, perhaps you could refer from there instead

 

You need 90W.

 

@Bronsky do you mean the vibrator switch?
This is the switch
That is a really smart idea O__O I have one lying around if you want better pictures of the switch i'll do it nxt week
@SC2
According to YouGamers 5470 is a little better than the minimum requirements; I will buy SC2 after my exam on tuesday =]

 

Just ordered the Acer Aspire 3820TG from computeruniverse Hopefully it'll get here quickly since its within the EU!

 

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this concern, but here goes...

i just bought acer timeline 3820tg-3022, with the intel core i5-430 processor, 13.3inch, 4gb of ddr3 memory, 500gb of hdd, ATI mobility radeon, from staples canada...everything is great BUT whenever i plug in the AC adapter, the screen blacks out for a good 3seconds n then comes back on....this happens when i plug the AC power into or take it out of the laptop.

i have an old ancient acer travel mate, and it never did this...i doubt this is normal, but any thoughts? should i return it? i love the laptop...it has the speed, mobility and everything i want...but the blackouts make me kinda nervous...a day old laptop should be doesnt this, right?

 

This is normal. It's working the way it's suppose to work. It's switching graphics between the ATI Mobility Radeon and the integrated Intel GMA HD to conserve battery life.

 

I hope they let us set a default gpu w/o auto changing when we plug/unplug cuz it gets annoying when I hibernate =S

ie. if you hibernate while plugged, then take ur laptop away then turn it on, your laptop turns on with a black screen until you press enter except there was one time when my laptop didn't respond to anything =S

 

You can always choose "discrete" instead of "switchable" in BIOS to enable only the ATI Mobility Radeon, but I don't know how to do that the other way around with the Intel GMA HD.

 

@Broknsy, so you would have to solder out the switch I take it? Also I found a mini half pcie card to 2 x USB3 ports. Looks good, USB3.0 Half Mini Card--USB3.0 Host & Peripheral

Edit: Found a mini PCIe to USB3 x 2 card http://www.globalamericaninc.com/p1...d_USB_3.0_SuperSpeed_Module/product_info.html
Its using the fast NEC controller too (NEC µPD720200 USB 3.0 Host Controller) Manual: http://www.globalamericaninc.com/manuals/1507880.pdf

Imagine with enough skill you could mod the IO unit and replace the two USB2.0 ports on the left with 2 x USB3 ports. Power might be an issue I see as USB2 is 0.5A and USB3 is 0.9A. So maybe if you used one of those double cables it could still work. Still something to think about in the future...If we decided to get USB3 via a mod like this.

 

As Aylafan correctly pointed out, it's the normal autoswitching process of the 3820TG as it goes from integrated GPU to dedicated GPU and back again.

The integrated GPU kicks in when the laptop is no longer connected to its power adapter, since it assumes you would prefer to maximize battery life at the expense of gaming with the dedicated GPU.

Likewise, the dedicated GPU kicks in when the laptop is connected to its power adapter, since it assumes that you are ok with satisfying the greater power demands of the more powerful dedicated GPU while its attached to its power adapter.

Unlike Nvidia's Optimus system, ATI does not do this autoswitching seamlessly behind the scenes yet, hence the screen blackouts. Bronsky has reported that ATI hopes to have its version of Optimus sometime next year.

 

Rather than soldering, I hope Bronsky has success with that glue he mentioned earlier. Otherwise, I'm screwed!

 

ooo nice! I'd be very tempted to do this after the warrentys gone

 

If I can't find a motherboard with the Extra PCIE, I would be tempted to put wireless on a dongle.

 

Hello, I have a 3820TG without BT and 3G. After opening it I saw that there is no PCI-slot and the seat of the sim. Then I bought on ebay a slot to be welded and a sim slot push to be welded. It will be enough to do this and then install the module 3g Huawei EM770 to use the data connection? BT mountains which form the original? you tell me where to be positioned and connected?
bye

 

This card looks soo good! I think the card reader slot would be a perfect place for two mini USB connectors. Card reading is really a thing which I would be happy to do externally. Does USB 3.0 support the mini connector?

 

Those that don't want to do a bit of soldering could just buy an external enclosure that has gigabit ethernet. For example I have been looking at: Newegg.com - IOCell Networks 351UNE 3.5" USB/eSATA/Ethernet Enclosure For USB or Network Storage

A bit expensive for an enclosure sure, but gigabit ethernet should get near 80 megabytes/sec which is a nice boost over USB 2.0.

Would be nice if we could hook into the other SATA port (H55 should have two I believe) and just solder a combo sata/usb2 port on the board in place of one of the USB 2.0 ports.

 

Not sure if that has been posted, but 3820tg is on sale at Staples.ca for $699:
STAPLES | BUREAU EN GROS

# 2.26GHz Intel Core i5-430M processor
# 4GB memory
# 500GB hard drive
# 13.3” LED back-lit display
# Windows 7 Home Premium
# ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 graphics card with 512MB dedicated memory
# Connectivity: Bluetooth and Acer Nplify b/g/n Wireless LAN
# Integrated Media card reader
# HDMI port and webcam
# Up to 8 hours battery life
# Colour: Black Brushed Aluminum
# 1-year limited warranty

 

There are gigabit external devices (called NAS) which could do over 80 mb/sec, but they cost at least 10x the price of the one you linked. And for anything HDD like experience, you should look for something called iSCSI.

Read Real Help For Your Small Network - SmallNetBuilder it's a very good site, and have a look at their performance vs price chart here:
NAS Performance Comparison Charts - 1000 Mbps File Copy Write Performance - SmallNetBuilder

 

Yeah, I agree but one advantage of DVDs is you can store it safely. If the Ext hdd goes dead, so is your image

Perhaps I should do both then, DVD & Ext hdd! Haha..but then I don't have norton ghost. Are there similar free programs out there? I might be asking for too much? Haha..

Edit: http://mytechquest.com/windows/3-free-alternatives-to-norton-ghost-and-acronis-true-image/

Have anyone used any program listed on the above website? Any Feedback as well? I basically want to create a system image of my hdd as bronsky stated in his guide.

 

Cire,
Could you please provide a link to the the store in Singapore where you purchased the 3820TG with i5 520m?

Bronsky,
Are there significant differences between the i5 450m, the 520m and 540m?