The Official Arrandale Timeline Thread

NBR member weinter found the model number, so I took it and did some research and came up with this:

Review of the 3820 with video

The Travelmate Timeline 8372's are the business versions.

• Acer 1830/3820/4820/5820
• Choice of Intel Core i3/i5/i7
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Intel HD Graphics or Switchable between Intel HD Graphics and ATI 5470 or 5650
• 11.6"/13.3"/14.1"/15.6" 1366x768 Display
• Up to 640GB HDD
• Up to 8GB DDR3-1066 Ram
• Up to 12 hours of battery life (with 9-cell)
• 1830T: 3.1lbs 3820T/TG: 3.9lbs, 4820T/TG: 4.85lbs, 5820T/TG: 5.3lbs with 6-cell.

 

looks nice, how are acer's products compared to asus

 

4lbs is the weight of the M11x, wich has a much better GPU... so I don't see the point in this product...

 

yes, but the m11x is butt ugly

 

The point is the CPU, which is much better than that in the m11x. You also get a larger screen at around the same weight.

Sure, as a pure gaming laptop the m11x would be better, due to the graphics card, but as a more general-purpose device this Acer makes sense.

 

Well for one this is a 13.3" computer, and some people prefer a larger screen. This gpu supports Directx 11 while the M11x does not. Also, the processor in this is much more powerful compared to the M11x's, and it gets better battery life. This is not an all around gaming laptop like the M11x.

 

Yeah but the M11x is the ugliest POS ever created...so you are wrong

 

The previous 13.3 was 3.6 pounds with 8 hrs battery life...!!!!

This is 4.0 pounds with 6 hr battery life....!!!

This is not "the evolution of the Timeline"

it's "the "DE-Volution of the Timeline....!!!"

 

I think there are many version of this product.
They will have varying specs based on model number.
The one I listed is from a Educational Laptop Purchase Brochure.

 

The one you posted used a 35W Core i7, so I hope Acer is not moving the Timeline's from ulv to normal processors.

 

I know huh? What the hell is Acer thinking... making a product that doesn't specifically cater to only YOUR needs.

 

There is T, TZ, TZG and TG so I think they will cater to everybody.
The main reason is because I think the new Core iX consumes less power with switchable and there is no update to CULV so they will probably sacrifice a few hours for the update.

 

I would choose it over the UL30JT with an I5-540M/HD 5470 combination. Wonder if the other models will have different GPU options. An HD 5650 would sure be nice.

Bronsky

BTW, how long does Acer usually take from anouncement to release? Asus has taken forever on the UL30JT.

 

Well, it seems the Lenovo Y460 is for sale on the Lenovo site now; i5-520M, HD 5650 and switchable graphics. I'd pick that over the Acer.

If the ASUS N82Jv doesn't hurry up and come out, I might go for the Lenovo.

 

There are model with 5650HD I can confirm it on a Education Institute Laptop Brochure refresh.
Acer does Model refresh on the quiet.
It should cost aroun 1K+ USD

 

The video says that the 3820 will be offered with more powerful CPUs and graphics cards as well, so perhaps an HD 5650 is in the cards. Battery life was only 1 hour when using the HD 5470 discrete graphics though.

 

Seriously someone need to stop Acer.
They keep price cutting models with high end specifications other OEMs have problem keeping up while maintaining profit margin.

 

This (and netbooks) is why Acer's market share has been surging. They're what, second place now in total computer sales?

Still, I'm getting this "too good to be true" feeling. While the specs and price look awesome on paper, I have to wonder if there isn't some catch to it, like cheap materials or poor build quality or something.

 

This laptop looks very tempting, although when I look at my current Acer, I fear that this new model might have the same poor heat management.
Then again, what will last longer? 2 acers or 1 sony vaio S (will cost the same if you configure the S with the nvidia gpu).

 

That new 3820TG and 4820TG comes with 5650HD Graphics it is almost a gaming desktop replacement with switchable graphics.
If I convert the cost to USD it should cost around 1K if you remove the education discount it should be around 1.2K

 

Well, with the 5650, we now have a third laptop to compete with the Lenovo Y460 and the ASUS N82Jv.

I prefer Nvidia Optimus for the switchable graphics, but what I really want to know is how long the battery life will be on all three of these. That, along with the warranty (which swings things heavily towards the ASUS), is what's going to decide this for me.

 

An I5-540M with HD 5650 switchable graphics in a 13" metal clad notebook for $1,000.00 is a no brainer. When can we expect to see them on sale? I was about to pull the trigger on the Sony Z but an alternative at half the price with better specs that you can bring into a boardroom or conference room? My only question is "how long will we have to wait for them to be available'? If they're already being promoted on educational sites, are they nearing production?

The 2 computers this 3820 was being compare to - the N82 and Lenovo are both 14" machines. If the Acer specs are right, it should outperform the new Sony Z 13" for $1,400-$1,800 (USD) less. It would be the most powerful 13" production machine out there.

This and a 1410 would be all the computing power I need to run my small business.

Bronsky

 

what notebook are you talking about when you say core i5 + 5650?

The only drawback is the weight, witch is very far from sony Z.

 

Someone said in this thread that the german video says that higher spec GPUs will be available, probably in one of the 4 different models. The HD 5650was mentioned.

You're right that the Sony would be 5-6 ounces lighter than this machine but has an all-plastic case. The brushed metal looks better, probably protects better and, I'm sure adds weight. The PL30JT, the business version of the UL30JT will be only 2 ounces lighter than the 3820 but with an anemic 310M GPU.

It looks like the Sony battery will be better as well, if the people posting in this thread are right.

For me, it will come down to the screen, build quality and price. If you go strictly by weight, you're paying $300(USD) per ounce for the weight difference between the 3820 and the Sony Z.

Bronsky

 

i'm not convinced by any of the options I've seen... except for the Vaio Z... I believe it would fit my needs perfectly... I want a very light notebook with the bigger screen possible (13+ is great) and gamming compatible, wich to me anything lower than a 330GT is not up to... so, since the only option is the Vaio Z wich is too expensive, i'm considering the ViDock option, so I can buy a very light notebook without dedicated card and then use the ViDock to play... I'm not planning in playing in the notebook itself anyway, I have it very clear to me that i'm going to play with it docked (even in the condition if has a good dedicated vga), cause I find 13+ screen to small to play... I would really like suggestions!

 

If you are part of the "brand" people you are in the wrong sub forum.

 

Actually, the new Z has some brushed aluminum, and carbon fiber plastic. Not to mention last I heard the new Z has a 8 bit screen, which is better on color and accuracy. So, that is one advantage it most likely has over this Acer. Plus, the Sony offer full computing at Macbook Air weight class.

 

A Thousand dollar computer will always have a problem competing with a $2,800.00* one. The biggest advantage it has, however, is its $1,000 price. I love the Sony, but it has two issue that keep me on the sidelines right now: the SSD drive's potential performance issues and the lack of a full HD screen on the USA CTO page. There are a couple of other machines that are also interesting as a Vaio Z alternative. This machine, since it is Rumored to come with an HD 5650 GPU and an I5-540M CPU and a 13" display, is one. The 14" N82JQ, which is rumored to have a quadcore I7 CPU and an HD 5730 GPU, is another.

Bronsky

*my configuration price I7-620M/6GB DDR3/SSD/Carbon

 

Well the base Z is 1700 or so, but valid point. Do we know what the res for this Acer line is?

 

Bronsky do you have any suggestions in the same weight as the sony z and with core iX?

 

There is nothing in the Z's weight range that i know of with similar equipment. I had hoped that the Asus UL30JT would be released with a card better than the 310M but that isn't going to happen. I was hoping for a Dell Studio 13 refresh but that is still 6 months away. The Sony seems to be in a class by itself and in a price range by itself too. That's why I was so interested to see this Acer anouncement. I'm hoping for an affordable alternative before I wind up just biting the bullet and buying the Z.

You may want to keep that P310 of yours for a bit longer. Speaking of which ... where is LG and why haven't they come up with anything? The P310was way ahead of its time.

Bronksy

 

I will guarantee this baby with ATi kill the m11x.... wait Yes it will.

 

Not with a 5470 it won't.

 

Not just by GPU. Overall performance....

 

I don't have a P310, I have a dell X300, 1kg but no VGA... LG P310 is still now-a-days an incredible machine, that just confirms how well it was designed... Probably it's replacement would be a dream machine, but I never heard of such a thing.

 

Saw you posting in the P310 forum and assumed you had one.

 

Footprint is also a big consideration. Weight is only one function of portability.

 

A bit off-topic as many posts here, but some of you folks will love to
pour over this Alienware m11x review. Lots of processors compared.

Fast, but can't stand to look at the machine.. so ugly!

 

There is 1 version that comes with 5650HD

 

Acer 3820T/TG page up on US site. Shows ATI 5470 or 5650 switchable graphics, up to 4GB DDR3-1066, range of full power Core i3's up to Core i7's. Don't like no options for Intel 6 series wifi. Amazing if this still gets up to 8 hours of batter life. My 3810t with ssd can get over 9 hours. And still comes with a boatload of junkware.

 

Now that the specs are official, I'm very interested indeed. As for the battery life, since Acer claims the battery is 6000 mAh, while it may not be 8 hours it should be good.

I'm still a little more interested in the ASUS N82Jv because of ASUS' better warranty and the switchable graphics being Nvidia Optimus, but Acer might well have Lenovo's Y460 beat with the 3820 and 4820.

Also, the weight of 1.8kg is awesome. If the build quality is any good, this is basically a VAIO Z killer.

 

can this be ordered anywhere yet, amazon?

 

Too bad they didn't use an 8 cell 5600mAh battery. Still looks decent though.

 

Do either the 3820 or the 4820 have optical drives? It doesn't list any on the product pages.

 

These looks super slim. Cooling would be an concern. Hopefully they have a adequate cooling system in place.

 

The 3820 does not, the 4820 might since the 4810 does.

 

Someone correct me if i'm wrong but doesn't this blow the M11x out of the water, performance wise?

SU7300 + GeForce 335M vs i3/i5/i7 + ATI 5650...

http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5650.23697.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-335M.24060.0.html

 

Yes the Acer's will perform much better.

 

Then is it just me or do people not seem as hyped up for this as everyone was for the M11x?

13.3"... 1" thick... 4lbs... awesome cpu... awesome graphics...

Everyone made a big deal of the 335M in the M11x... this thing will have the 5650...

Why aren't more people drooling over this?

 

probably because no one is aware of this model