Acer TimelineX 3830/4830/5830 T/G

While I feel the mod(s) here are the best I've come across around the net I do defend the Sony word popping up in this thread. "Technically" mentioning the Sony is off-topic but it's not unhealthy if it's referred to "in comparison" with the new TimelineX TG's. My idea of off-topic is bringing your grudge against traffic in here but mentioning a competitor in comparison should be ok'd. I haven't really seen anything negative towards either and haven't seen anything offensive. Just my 2 cents

 

I don't know why Acer would walk-away from such a great design.

Bronsky

 

Me neither, I was hoping that the 3830 would be the same/similar to the 3820 and that I could have a decent, cool running laptop. I am tired of my overheating Vostro 1500.

 

I agree. I'd gladly sacrifice a CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive for the dual fan setup. I'm actually surprised more manufactures in the ultra lite design category haven't done the same thing to come up with beefier machines. I see what other machines do then I look at the size of my 3820TG and it still amazes me.

 

What's sad is the 3830TG didn't gain a cd/dvd/blu-ray drive..just lost a fan.

 

What did they do with the extra space? 2nd hard drive slot for SSD maybe?

 

Someone in an office at Acer headquarters is quoting low sales figures in North America as a reason to abandon the current dual fan 3820TG design. Nevermind the fact they didn't make it available in the US for retail...

 

Acer briefly took over the number 2 slot from Dell last year and its sales have been dropping like a stone since then. Acer nearly ignored the US market, releasing only the 4820TG here, released their products heavily into the European Market and the Chinese Market, both of which have softened. It has completely ignored the business consumer, the area where HP and Dell gained back all the ground they initially lost, and then some. In all, some questionable marketing decisions. Now, they refresh their flagship 3820TG and, IMO, made it less desirable, while Sony and Lenovo are breathing down its neck. For the past year, they had the 13" ultralight market almost exclusively to itself and couldn't capitalize on it. Now, the competition looks marginally better and Acer's choice of displays look like a real liability. The only advantage I can see is price. Well placed sales will easily neutralize that.

In all, I still love my Acer 3820TG. With its I5-540M upgrade, CPU and GPU over clocking, light weight and great looks, is still a great computer. I don't see me trading it in for a refreshed model. When I am ready, I will probably look for something as elegantly designed. Whether or not that is an Acer is entirely up to them.

Bronsky

 

I feel that the 3820tg, once fitted with something around i5 or i7 520~640 will hold its own against the newest laptops easily. Transfer rate though is something that cannot be helped, as the lack of USB 3.0 or Sata III isn't something that we can really compensate for. (I am on the i7 620m ver)

 

@ Bronsky

According to Gartner stats Acer was second in terms of global PC sales (in Q3 and Q4 2010). Acer ales went down by 30% in Q4 in the US yet world sales went up by 14% in the same period. The reason is US sales amount to less than 5% of what Acer sales globally which is why they don't really care.
Also as you can see from above numbers it's not Europe and Asia that went soft- it's the US.

 

Does the US Sales # include Gateway and e-Machine?

 

Good question- I have no idea. I'd have to go through Gartner's methodology which I'm not prepared to do

 

Can someone point me towards an approximate North American / Canadian MSRP or anticipated price for the 3830 model? Perhaps it was mentioned in the thread somewhere and I missed it...

I'm on the verge of just pulling the trigger on a 3820tg because I don't see enough reason to wait for the 3830, or Sony SA for that matter ($$$). However I may reconsider if the 3830 comes in at or near the 3820 price point. Some of the upcoming offerings look nice and all, but there just isn't anything I see on the way (or now) that competes with the 3820tg *at that price point*.

Thanks!

 

3830 looked to be in line with Vaio SB at the spring deal price but somewhat more attractively spec'd... although it remains to be seen if that will happen.

I was ready to pull the trigger on 3820tg then figured I wait on the 3830 (bit disappointed TBH) then was sold and all but ordered the SB with $200 discount then the world shook and now who knows which way is up.

without reference reviews, I'm inclined to say the SB beats the 3820.. for my mind.

 

I'm trying to decide between the 3 now too. The 3820TG is back down in price again so it's still tempting. SB seems to be ahead simply because Sony usually has better panels and an optical drive at lower weight is a plus. Only down side is, typical Sony fashion means underclocking the GPU so the fans can handle it. And Sonys typically runs hot, at least my last 2 did.

I'm waiting for a review on the 3830TG, if the results show that it can run at a decent temperature at a decent sound level, then I'll go with the Acer, otherwise, Sony it is.

 

Where?

Here is the cheapest I could find:
DirectCanada

EDIT: the dual fans on the 38 20tg are amazing at clearing heat. i worry about temps in the newer models.

 

I was talking about all the Canada vendors that ships to the US, the price I saw today were all cheaper than they were a month ago. But I'm still holding out a bit until I see a review of the SB and 3830TG

 

Hi,

I hesitate about these models:

1. ACER TimelineX 3830TG-2414G64n i5-2410M (2.3GHz) GT 540M
2. ACER TimelineX 3820TG-484G64n i5-480M (2.67GHz) HD6550

Dual fans in 3820TG impresses me very much. I think it's the best way to cold system. But 3830TG has new CPU. Is single fan enough for 3830TG ?

Which laptop do I should choose now? Plz give me some advices.
Thanks.

 

I was looking at the 1/14/11 edition of digitimes. The rank Acer as 3d and 4th behind apple if you count tablet sales.

 

You just need to wait little longer, there is no proper review or hands-on available yet. Just check this thread for some weeks and you will find all answers you are looking for.

 

On 1:29-1:33, USB port seems reversible...
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Did Sony ever solve their infamous battery drain problem while the laptop is asleep? Google Sony Vaio CW.

I agree.

From my past experiences with the HP Envy 15, a laptop with a great GPU is almost pointless when its cooling functions are so poor that you can't even hold it or put it in your lap until it cools down (by turning it off).

I'll stick with my ultra-cool temps 3820TG thanks.

 

I thought the CW is due to BIOS read wrongly ?

 

It's quite common to discuss any product through comparisons of a similar product. Especially when said product is still in its nascent stages.

There was a time that people would discuss Tiger Woods by comparing him to Jack Nicklaus.

I haven't kept up with it. If that was the culprit, then Sony laptop buyers better hope they don't get one with the same BIOS version.

Agreed on all points.

You know you've got a great laptop (3820TG) when you have absolutely no plans to buy another one anytime soon.

 

Some more specs on the 3830TG models in KR/CN:

Google Translate

Release this week in shanghai?

http://translate.google.com/transla...uY29tLmNuLzQyLzIxOF80MTMzNzAuaHRtbA%3D%3D&b=5

 

Looks like it'll be in on Sat.. I haven't seen anything in Taiwan yet though, you'd think they'd release it first in their home market.

 

The 3820TG was released in China and Singapore long before it was available in Taiwan. The first place it showed up that I recall was at a computer fair at a technical school in Singapore. The only stock I7-620M 3820TG I have ever seen was on sale there and, later at Firdouse in Singapore.

@Lee__What2004 - nice video. That flex in the area of the ODD looks pretty flimsey.

Bronsky

 

argh, i'm still waiting for the reviews... seeing if i should wait for the Vaio SB or 3830TG, if it's going to take a while in Taiwan, maybe i'll have someone bring me a 3830TG from China.

 

...if it is really a "TG" the pictures look like the dual-fan-cooling solution is gone?

To be honest, lacking an ODD/Expresscard-slot for a superior cooling system

(In fact the first and only working cooling solution in this kind of "power to weight ratio" device...)

was ok for me.

But: if it won't have a second fan (and missing ODD/expresscard) there will be nothing special about this notebook model any longer, and i promise, it WILL OVERHEAT sooner or later (higher temps/fan noise/throttling>>just take a look at the SB-Mac-Books: LMAO)

 

In fact, the dual cooling system was the most important thing for me... I've been eye-ing the refresh for a while.... but truthfully i'm quite disappointed.

My M1330 throttles horribly, i wouldn't want a repeat of that.

Since the only thing I really want is moderate gaming,
does anyone think that the dual fan 3820TG would actually outperform the 3830TG when both are overclocked (since the 3820TG would be able to go higher, because of the cooling) ?

 

Exactly!

Just look at the 4/5820TG, both run way hotter than the 3820TG.

If you compare the GT540 to the 5650/6550 its not that faster...regarding mine runs stable/artifactsfree and cool at 700/1000MHZ I doubt there will be much difference for me.

(Question is, How Good will it be OC-able with the shared cooling/at all?)

In fact i'm quite happy about the new one:

I have absolutely no reason thinking about "upgrading" to it.

*EDIT*

Found something

GT540M vs. HD5650/HD6550

Seems the 3820TG still is the better concept.

 

You are forgetting three components that make the 3830 better:

1. Sandy Bridge
2. USB 3.0

and most importantly

3. Looks. mmmmmmm Ethos.

 

Couldn't disagree with you more there. I like the look of my 3820TG more than refresh model. I particularly do not like the barrel hinge.

Bronsky

 

Hey,

Of course over the disadvantages, there are improvements but nothing "mind-blowing": usb3.0 and optimus is usefull and and a pro. design is a con for my personal taste.

My girlfriend needs a new lapopt till autumn and before I read the specs I thought about talking her into a 3830TG. If there were no alternatives I think I would go for this one but as long as its available I will choose the predecessor (especially if its cheaper)

 

A lot of people get TimelineXs for affordable gaming. Paying for something 20 or 30% more pricey simply for USB3.0, (arguably) better/worse GPU performance and looks, a beefed up CPU (not bottleneck in gaming anyhow), and worse cooling (in terms of 3830TG at least, due to less vents, plus Nvidia GPU having inherently higher TDP), is not a good decision IMO.

 

It seems like all are forgetting that traditional overclocking isn't possible on SB. The 3830 wont overclock at all. I just ordered a 3820TG based on it's excellent cooling and OC'ability. I believe it will outperform 3830 once OC'ed, and possibly stay cooler and quiter under longer heavier loads.

 

could you please elaborate?
why can't u overclock the GPU? or are you just talking about the CPU?

or maybe i don't really understand "traditional" / non-traditional overclocking

i've always used rivatuner.....

 

He's talking about CPU overclocking. Intel has been moving away from FSB, user tweakable clock generators, and base clock set ups. I think Sandy Bridge's clock generator is on the CPU itself or at least tied to a lot of components such as SATA and USB controllers.

Traditional OC involves tweaking the clock generator. If it's located on the CPU, it would likely be locked down by Intel; therefore, "traditional" OC would not be possible. If the clock generator is tied to a bunch of things like SATA, USB, etc, then a high OC is nearly impossible as there is a greater chance of instability in the linked components.

Non-traditional OC refers to changing the CPU multiplier and leaving the clock generator/base clock alone.

I would so jump for a 3820TG if it was for sale in the US.

 

Yes, you are perfectly right. The desktop SB has the "k" model that has unlocked multiples, which will not be the case in the mobile segment of SB. Baseclock for SB is 100MHz, and you won't get much higher than perhaps 105MHz on a laptop before it all goes south, if at all. If you OC I believe even the i5-540M will outperform the i5-2520M. In effect when raising the FSB on the 3820TG you will also OC the memory, wich you will not be able to do in the mobile SB as well.

 

It's a shame Intel locked down OC on Sandy Bridge. The architecture is one of the first ever to have energy consumption scale linearly with clock speed. I think one of the main benefits would be lower power consumption with Sandy Bridge Core i as opposed to Arrandale Core i.

There are only 3 reasons to wait for a x830TG and some may not be applicable to certain people:
1. Lower power consumption of Sandy Bridge Core i
2. USB 3.0
3. nVidia Optimus

For 4820/4830 and 5820/5830 models, the removal of a dual fan cooling system is not as significant as on the 3820/3830. The 4820 and 5820 are also harder to OC compared against the 3820. The 3820TG is really a machine in its own league even compared to 4820 and 5820 TimelineX's.

IMHO, if you are deciding for a 14 or 15 inch laptop, then it is worth waiting for the Sandy Bridge refresh. If you are set for a 13 inch laptop, the 3820TG is still an excellent choice even post 3830TG release.

 

what about the Lenovo Y470 14 inch?
2.2 kg, up to i7 2620, and nvidia gt 555m

http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Ideapad-Yx70-Series-specs.jpg

 

Depends on the price. If these new Sandy Bridge systems are around $800, definitely worth considering. Also, depends on the cooling system, build quality, etc.

Edit: Just saw the battery life rating on that Lenovo spec sheet. A claim of 4 hours usually equates to 2-3 hours...kind of disappointing.

 

I'm going to skip this refresh I think.

1) Love my 3820tg to much
2) Its ugly
3) No more dual cooling

The only thing its got that I want is USB3..Maybe I will wait for the timeline 3850TG ? lol

 

If you've already got a 3820TG, then there's definitely no point in replacing it this soon. 3820TG OCed can perform on par or better than the refreshed model. For those deciding whether to get a 3820TG or wait for a 3830TG, it's a different matter. For those who can't get a 3820TG because they are not sold in the US, it's a different matter.

 

any word on which models will be available in the US?

 

So can we still expect an April release? I can't wait to see some english reviews of the 3830.

 

You can't OC the 3830?
Can an OC 3820 compete with an OC 3830?

Never understood that line of thinking.

 

Please see post 339 on the previous page regarding Sandy Bridge OC and how it is nearly impossible. An OCed 3820TG has the potential to close the gap between Arrandale and Sandy Bridge architectures. Also, the 3820TG's dual fan design allows higher overclocks because it is better at dissipating heat.

 

How big of a deal is it that the battery is internal?

I don't see myself actually swapping out batteries on the go, but I like to replace them myself when their ability to hold a charge starts to diminish noticeably.

[EDIT] Sorry, I now found a previous post that the battery compartment can be opened with a screwdriver.

 

Technically, heat is bad for Li-Ion batteries. I used to take out the battery whenever I leave the computer plugged in for a long period of time. Now, I move around a lot and just leave the battery in. Heat on those built-in batteries can't be a good thing. But Apple did it so it must work well right...?