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    Is the 3830TG a viable m11x alternative/replacement?

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by LMN8R, Jul 29, 2011.

  1. LMN8R

    LMN8R Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm surprised that I can't find a thread already devoted to this topic here, or many/any reviews on the internet that make this comparison.

    For me, the m11x satisfied the perfect middle-ground between price, performance, and portability. I love my m11x R2, but at a year old, with a crappy dim screen, and an under-powered CPU and aging GPU, I wouldn't mind somewhat of an upgrade.

    The R3 does better than the R2 for the m11x, getting back to the battery life of the R1, and significantly improving the GPU, but the screen is supposedly worse than the R2, and the screen is still just a bit too small.


    Enter the 3830TG - it seems like the only other machine out there that combines the portable form factor, with relatively light weight, awesome battery life, and it can play games at 720p extremely well.

    Is there something else I'm missing that makes the 3830TG not a viable alternative? What do people here recommend?
     
    LMN8R, Jul 29, 2011
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  2. yromenapri

    yromenapri Notebook Consultant

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    The Acer throttles. You won't get m11x performance.
     
    yromenapri, Jul 29, 2011
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  3. LMN8R

    LMN8R Notebook Enthusiast

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    And there's no way to disable it?
     
    LMN8R, Jul 29, 2011
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  4. Sxooter

    Sxooter Notebook Virtuoso

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    You can use throttlestop to reduce the effect. Most folks who stick the machine at a multiplier of 18 or 19 (1.8 or 1.9GHz) get decent gaming performance and < 90C CPU temps. It also appears that there are a few other mods that help, i.e. removing the screen from the bottom of the machine and reapplying thermal paste.
     
    Sxooter, Jul 29, 2011
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  5. LMN8R

    LMN8R Notebook Enthusiast

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    Why does it throttle so severely? Crappy design? Or is it just because of heat?

    Sad that no one has still stepped up to the plate yet to release something that can compete with the m11x.
     
    LMN8R, Jul 29, 2011
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  6. Bronsky

    Bronsky Wait and Hope.

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    Some one has - Acer. The 3820TG competes quite well with the M11x. It had a unique 2 fan cooling design and both its CPU and GPU overclock like mad. For some reason, Acer decided to mess with its design and wound up with the model it is selling now. Go figure. Oh, and before you ask, there are no 3820TG's to be found in North America AFAIK, unless you can find one used on Fleabay.

    Bronsky :cool:
     
    Bronsky, Jul 29, 2011
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