Should I buy this?

I was wondering if it is worth it to purchase this laptop. It is an as5610-4610. Best Buy has it $499. All of it's specs are satisfactory to me, I just wonder about the build quality of this machine. What do you guys think? Is this a good buy that I can rely on for a few years?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8307922&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat112200050016&id=1173578013196

15.4" WXGA high-brightness TFT-LCD widescreen display with CrystalBrite technology and 1280 x 800 resolution


160GB hard drive


Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with up to 224MB of shared video memory; Intel® High Definition Audio; S-video out


4 media keys, including play/pause, stop, next and previous


5-in-1 media reader supports Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card


4 high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast digital video, audio and data transfer


10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector; Acer SignalUp wireless technology; V.92 high-speed modem


Weighs 6.4 lbs. and measures just 1.4" thin for portable power; lithium-ion battery


Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition operating system preinstalled; software package included with NTI CD-Maker, Adobe Acrobat Reader and more

 

Firstly, when I clicked this link the price from BestBuy.com was $699.99, and not even including taxes. Next, the specs are not satisfactory to me, so I would not purchase this laptop. Additionally, I'm not particularly fond of Acer, but I really have no concrete justification for this (only brand reputation and limited personal experience).

My suggestion for you is to fill out the FAQ and start a new thread with your answers, then evaluate some alternative suggestions.

 

The laptop is $499 in stores. Like I said, the specs are satisfactory to me, I am just concerned about the quality of this laptop and what customer service is like.

 

$499?

Buy it. I just bought a 5580 for a bit more than that and I have no complaints whatsoever.

For that price, after the 1 year warranty is up you could throw it away if you had to.

 

That is what I was thinking. Plus I am decent enough with computers that I should be able to work around a lot of problems that could arise from this computer.

 

Oh, and one other question I had, is it easy to put XP on this machine? It looked like the XP drivers were all available on the website.

 

all the drivers for XP are here
http://ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/

 

For $499, not bad for a general use laptop, don't expect too much if you intend to use it for gaming.

 

don't expect great quality either after all it is a an acer

 

My advice is not to buy this model or any Acer product. I have the 5610, bought from Best Buy, and it is nothing but problems. I have had to send it back to Acer Repair, more times then any brand new laptop should have to be. Spend a few more bucks and get another brand.

HP is good. My hubby has one of their laptops and has had no problems. I wish that is what I had bought, instead of this Acer junk! Acer tech service leaves alot to be desired as well.

Best Buy has a Gateway and a HP model on sale. I would try them, before I would ever buy another Acer.