Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
You can create a custom profile in epower settings. The program is not supposto reset the custom settings, but it does at times, almost randomly. The main problem I had was that it kept shutting my wireless card down when I was on battery power as soon as it would dim the display. It drove me nuts. I just disabled the dam program and have been mich happier since.
Bronsky
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Are you sure it will fit (have you tested)? It would suck to order the case and then find out that it doesn't fit.
I actually don't really know how much it weights with the 9-cell battery, tried to google it but didn't find any good answer, and unfortunately I don't have any weighing machine at home so I can't check it out myself All I can find is that the timelineX 3820TG weights 3.97 pounds and I guess that's with the 6-cell battery (or without battery).
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Part 1: Packaging
With regards to how the 8320TG was packaged, I felt like I had bought one of those Russian figurines which has another, smaller figurine in it, and then another, etc....
The outermost package was from PCHome itself. As you can see in the pic below, it was the worse for wear to be sure. However, there were no tears, dents, or gouges to speak of (major or minor). The best adjective to describe the box's condition is "wrinkled".
But it did it's job admirably, as I found the remaining boxes within in perfect condition. The next box I encountered was a sturdy brown box from Acer. I imagine that this is the box that Acer ships its laptops to retailers in (speculation on my part). In any event, it was undamaged, as you can see below.
Upon opening that box, I came across another box brown from Acer. I thought that this must surely bethe last box, as it was just larger than the laptop contained within it. Again, the box was in perfect condition.
Even after opening that Acer box, I was denied seeing my laptop firsthand. For within that box, was a smartly packaged Acer laptop box with a plastic carrying handle. Despite my disappointment, I could not help but smile, for at least this box was not brown. This box too was undamaged and unblemished.
Finally, after opening that box, I still could not see my laptop. I found that it was wrapped in a velvet, soft white cloth-like envelope. There were no tears or cuts in the envelope.
After carefully opening the cloth envelope, I was finally about to set my eyes upon my new prized possession.
More to come.... -
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What HD are you putting in there? Are you keeping the 5400rpm unit?
@Hendrickson - I found a new I5-540M for 170 and I'm ordering it as soon as I hear about my mobo. I'm ordering the speaker, the switches and a set of screws as well. I should have it all ordered before the end of the week. Still debating the paste - probably MX3.
Bronsky
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ePower works in conjunction with the Windows power features (battery in tray) but overrides the Windows settings. The program resets the setting adjustments everytime the system is booted. The only way to prevent it from resetting is to create a new power profile. Even then, the new profile would occasionally have its settings changed. ePower routinely shut down my wireless card in conjunction with dimming the display. I shut it off and haven't had a problem since.
Bronsky
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I never gave the language barrier a thought. German was hard enough, not having a common alphabet really adds a whole other layer of difficulty. It would really be nice to have the original drive intact if you had to send the unit back. If at all possible, I would swap drives and do a clean install. Even if you only swap in a 7200rpm drive for now or that hybrid (people seem pleased with it). Anyway, the 5400rpm drive is deadly slow. I don't know how anyone uses the original drive (sorry nick ).
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Bronsky,
I love it to be hit with a posting and keep smilling.
Lets have a look at the SSD prices in the Q1 2011. But the new 3 BIT TLC chips from Intel and Micron are not for SSDs at the moment. Just for handys, sd cards, usb sticks and ... -
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Part 2: Laptop First Impressions
So there are 3 points that I am evaluating about the 3820TG vs. the R705. The first is form factor and weight. After removing the 3820TG from its white cloth envelope, I marveled at its form factor. It really is small, thin, and light. Incidentally, with its battery weighing a little over 0.5 lbs, the 3820TG without its battery weighs just a touch more than the Toshiba R705 with its battery. When I attached its battery, the 3820TG weighed a touch more, but not enough where I would notice the difference between the 2 laptops after carrying either around for a day. This is a plus for the 3820TG, has I was concerned that it's incremental weight difference over the R705 would be a dealbreaker and send me into the R705's waiting arms. Moreover, when I compared how the 2 laptops feel while I carried them separately in my briefcase, I have to admit that the difference was slight. Again, I simulated the R705's weight by removing the battery from the 3820TG.
I was also amazed at the small power adapter of this laptop. After using bricks in the past, I was happy to see that the 3820TG's adapter was small, and more importantly, light in weight. I placed the power adapter on top of the laptop to give a sense of size and reference.
Upon opening the laptop, I was presented with my 2nd evaluation point: the keyboard and trackpad. Yes, the keyboard has both English and Chinese characters on it (as to be expected since it is being sold by a Taiwanese retailer). Personally, I think the dual-characters gives the keyboard a unique, cool look like something you'd see in "Stargate" the movie. As great as it looks, how does the keyboard feel?
I'm happy to report that the keyboard feels great. The keys are full sized, so there's no adjustment period required. The keystroke depth is perfect. Not so deep that it retards your typing speed, but not so shallow that you feel you have to press down hard just to get the keys to register. As for keyboard flex, I truthfully don't feel any. Whether I press the keys with normal force or great force, the keyboard feels solid. My last laptop, the MSI GX640, had some keyboard flex. My 3820TG doesn't.
The only disadvantage I see to the 3820TG's keyboard is its floating key design. If not careful, I could see how dust and debris could eventually work their way in between the keys to rest below them.
The trackpad is small enough to avoid having one's fingers inadvertently drift across it, but large enough to allow one to use it efficiently. Instead of 2 separate trackpad buttons, the 3820TG uses a "unibar". One has to press on either end of the bar to simulate the left/right button clicks. For me, I like this unibar design. It looks stylish, but more important, it functions great for me. And yes, you can press both sides of the bar down simultaneously.
While I have yet to evaluate the R705's keyboard and trackpad, my research has shown that the key's are 85% the size of full-sized keys and rectangular shaped, given compression of the keyboard along the y-axis. This compression also leads to a cramped-hand feeling while typing. Finally, the keyboard is supposed to have a spongy feel. I plan on checking all this out firsthand tomorrow, so I can't give an official comparative verdict yet. But assuming these factors hold true about the R705, then it's another plus in favor of the 3820TG.
To compensate for the keyboard's propensity to accumulate dust and debris below it (thanks to its floating key design), I purchased the Yadi transparent keyboard protector for $10 from PCHome. This keyboard protector was designed to fit the 3820TG specifically. And it does, as evidenced by the perfect fit of the protector. There is no sliding or slipping at all. It also comes with adhesive strips to anchor the protector to the keyboard, but you truthfully don't need them unless you're planning to type upside down (the protector will fall off then). If you look carefully, you can see my Lian Li desktop PC case in the background (wonderful tower case).
It's thin enough so that keys' markings show through easily, but thick enough to handle repeated use without breaking or tearing. Can you tell which pic has the Yadi protector on the keyboard and which doesn't?
Typing with the Yadi protector on feels even better than without it. The protector has a very slight, grippy feel to it. Rather than sliding of smooth plastic keys, your fingers will have slight traction to them as they strike keys covered by the Yadi protector. In addition, there's also a slight cushioning feel as well (but not spongy). It really does feel great to type on the already great 3820TG keyboard with the Yadi protector on. The screen does not touch the Yadi protector when the lid is fully closed.
I highly recommend getting the Yadi protector for its stylish looks, practical protection, and ergonomical attributes. Best of all, it's priced at only $10 (so it's no great loss if you don't feel as I do about this great product).
Next, turning on the laptop for the first time.
More to come...... -
Congrats on the new laptop
. And Thanks for the detail follow up!!!
IMHO I think Acer with their new island keys design also meant to help a bit with heat dissipation ?
Since there is quite some room for air to go around the crevices. Given the laptop is quite thin and its packing quite a bit of fire power.
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Part 3: The Screen
I left the battery detached from the 3820TG because I wanted to see if the laptop could run without it. Not all laptops can, for some use their batteries as power "converters". As leaving in the battery for long periods of time, while the laptop is attached to its power adapter, can be bad for the longevity of the battery, I wanted to see what would happen. I'm happy to report that the 3820TG powered up successfully without its battery.
The quality of a laptop's screen is not that important to me. As a result, it's not my 3rd evaluation point. I'm realistic about the quality of panels used in laptops. It's the tradeoff that must be made between affordability and quality.
At the same time, it doesn't mean that I want to have a screen that's pixellated and blurry. Given the reports of poor screens for quite a few 3820TG owners, I must admit I found myself holding my breath in anticipation as my 3820TG powered on and came to life for the first time with me as its owner. Would it disappoint me with a pixellated screen? The moment of truth was nigh approaching.
And then I saw this....
... and I started to breath again. It looks like I had the luck of the Great Bronsky on my side. Both pics were taken about 3 to 4 inches away, with no pixellation to be seen. At normal reading distance, there definitely was no pixellation to be seen. When I pressed my nose up against the screen, I could then see pixels. However, I can also see pixels when I press my nose against my 26" ASUS VW266H LCD monitor as well.
My 3820TG has the AUO 322C panel.
Now, I cannot go as far as to say this is the best laptop screen that I've personally seen. How could it be with its 1366x768 HD screen? No, that honor goes to the HP Envy 15 2nd Gen laptop and its 1920x1080 Full HD screen. That was an absolutely gorgeous screen. I loved viewing landscapes, golf courses, and works of art on that screen.
But, the 3820TG's screen is definitely above average and easy on the eyes. If I were to rate the HP Envy 15's screen a "10", then the 3820TG's screen would rate a "7". I'd have given it an 8 if it had a higher resolution.
Bottom line: the 3820TG has a above-average screen without any pixellation (at least for my 3820TG).
More to come.... The Decision. -
Good stuff, try and find a seller that has the i5 540m QS's that you can make offers on. Thats how i got mine for 170USD. My i5 540m should be here this week ready for the swap. I have two tubes of the IC diamond 7 that just arrived ready for the CPU and GPU.
I have also pre-fitted my backlit keyboard ready for the swap but I might not have a switch in time
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What does a "panel A+" mean? Great brightness (400cd/m2)? It may sound very promising
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Or, you could check my response above
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Acer TimelineX 3820TG Owners Lounge. Info, benchmarks, tweaks, mods and upgrades
Discussion in 'Acer' started by Hendrickson, Jun 1, 2010.
