The Official Arrandale Timeline Thread

I'm giving up in the 3820, mostly because i'm giving up in playing games in the notebook, or because i'm rethinking the hardware I need to play games. I'm now only wanting to play Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3, they both are blizzard, they both are well programmed, so they will play nicely in a nvidia 310 gpu. Now I want something really light, around 3lbs, just like the notebook i'm typing right now (dell X300), what's your suggestions? I made a topic for that here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/wha...ght-3lbs-regular-cpu-13-3-up.html#post6231434

the new UL30JT would be a great option, except that I don't want a ty 1.3ghz CPU. I want plenty of CPU power.

 

Do you know that the UL30JT in turbo-mode goes 1,8ghz and then up to 2,4ghz as max?

 

no I didn't, but it weights 1,7kg that's more than 3lbs for sure

are there any reviews on it yet?

 

The 2.4GHz is only on one core so that might bottleneck the two BLIZZARD games the poster wants to play.

 

hummm that's why I would preffer i5 520M

 

On two cores it should still get 2.13GHz, though. However, if you want it to weight 3 lbs pretty much only the VAIO Z fits the bill.

 

;( 3820tg, I want you.

 

Hi everyone,


This is my first post on the forum, despite the fact that I've been reading it for a long time now - well, a little more than one month isn't really a long time, but it seemed like so to me, as I'm (or was? I don't know anymore) eagerly waiting for the 3820tg. I just find myself in a really tricky position, as I need absolutely a new laptop before the end of May, to be able to get comfortable with it for an event I'll be going to mid-June (and where both the weight and battery life of my laptop will be important). I'm for the moment with a 17", 9 lbs or so, 30 min battery life laptop (which nonetheless followed me to Tokyo, and the U.S where I'm right now - I'm originally from France), so this is kind of a huge change for me, and I want to do it right. That said, I also need to know that I can be able to play with it whenever I'll want to, so I'm asking a lot, and the 3820tg is obviously the best fit to my needs. Well... notwithstanding the fact that it probably won't be out until a too long time for me.

Apart from Acer's computer, I've been seriously considering the M11x, but I'm really repulsed by its CPU (and only by that, I love its look, and despite the fact that it is a heavy machine for it size (but then again, my actual machine is a lot more heavy), it seems to have a quite correct battery life if used wisely). Now, I'm beginning to be interested to the Envy 15 gen 2, the 14's release being too late in the future for my needs. I've though about the Sony Z, but, albeit the fact that I don't like Sony as a company - that's a purely subjective feeling related to my gaming childhood -, their notebook seems too noisy and too hot, and I don't like the sound of that - if I can say so .

As a side note, I don't really have a budget - well, I'd like to stay under 2000$ if possible, but I could pay more if needed. Also, I can go with any screen size between say the one of the M11x and the one of the Envy 15 - so light 14" and 15" are OK to me. Do any of you have an advice for me, bearing in mind that I need a quick solution - so if I am to order a M11x, the sooner the better because of building and shipping time. Thanks in advance guys !

(I know it is a 3820tg thread, but I figured out some of you might help me thanks to additional knowledge you might have gathered during the wait, looking for other possible alternatives )

 

If someone is still holding off on buying the 3820 because of the ugly 9 cell battery, here's the answer to your problems: 6 cell battery on ebay for ~$80.

 

I would advice against the M11x, based on my experiences with it. (Posted something about it here. The main problem is the weird fan behaviour. There is always the chance that this will be corrected in a BIOS update, but it's been a while, and nothing has happened yet. I won't take the chance, so I'm returning it. They're coming to pick it up tomorrow.

 

If you need a laptop before the end of May, unless something radically happens, you won't be getting a 3820TG here in the US in that timeframe. Although the Envy 14 is not available until June (either the 17th or the 27th depends on who you listen to), the Pavilions are supposto be available by May 19th. If you like the Envy design, I would look too see if the DV5 is available at that time. It will come in an I5-540M/HD5650 combination (the Quad I7 will not have switchable graphics). It will probably not have the 1600 x 900 display but its standard display will still probably be brighter than the Acer's (and the M11x). THe DV5 comes in the same aluminum case as the Envy and can be configured with a 7200 rpm HD. The base price is $640 so you should be able get one properly configured for a little bit more than the M11x. I like the specs on this unit and would seriously consider it if HP releases it in a couple of weeks. Look for coupons or a good Bing cash back deal when the new line is released.

Bronsky

 

Bronsky do you know if HP will release a dm3 or dm4 with 540m and 5650?

 

From what I read, the DM4 and DV3 will get an HD5450. The I5-540M will be an option on the DV3, I would guess on the DM4 as well. It's not a very powerful GPU, close to a 310M in performance I would guess.

Bronsky

 

i know that gpu isn't much powerful...than we must hope for acer again

 

I'm still waiting ... somewhat patiently. Just grumbling from time-to-time.

Bronsky

 

I guess we all are waiting patiently

Not like we can do much more at this time anyway... *rolleyes*

 

Since I am about to change my target (i.e. forget about the gpu inside a laptop and go for portability and quality), do you guys think the integrated core i graphics would be enough for: watching hd video/ the new apparently demanding flash that will use the gpu / occcasional photoshopping (i don't care how long it takes to do a thing)?

Nonetheless, it doesn't really seem that there is any notebook around that complies to the following:

- 13,1" - 14" max
- good screen (and possibly, build quality)
- core i5 520m min
- weight less than 2 kg. (less than 1.8 would be appreciated)
- max 1000 usd or euros (with taxes it always ends up being the same)

any suggestion?

 

I'm gonna wait for the 3820TG. Even when I decide to leave, I can't find a better option. Most of the laptops that fill my expectation weight around 1.5kg, and don't have a dedicated videocard. I can live with 0.3kg more weight to have a stunishing VGA... 3820TG is the way to go... USA PLEASE F***ING ACER.

Ps.: this site says 950 USD for the i5 430 + 5650:

http://gadget.apoez.com/acer-aspire-timelinex-3820tg-432g50n2064-notebook-review/

 

Thanks to the ones that answered me .

@oddsock : I've read about this problem a bit, I didn't though it was that big of a problem, was it? Anyway, I'm more and more forgetting the M11x because of the too long building and shipping time... I guess I'll be tempted again in a few month if there is a refresh of this line

@Bronsky : You seem to be really knowledgeable . I heard you speaking about the DV5 before, but couldn't really find anything about it on the web, do you have specific links to previews, or just news with the probable specs and the release timeframe? If it is not the DV5, I guess I'll go with the ENVY 15 (I'm still not sure about which CPU to choose with this one :/).

 

photoshop works on my intel gma950 chipset. it just takes a long time. are you sure?
for HD video, intel 4500mhd should be fine

 

? Where is the info that HP DV5 will have i5-540M and ATI 5650? Someone post all the info regarding the HP DV5 please. Thanks.

 

It was enough of a problem for me to return the computer. The noise was extremely annoying.

 

I'd like to second this request. And also, links or info pertaining to the DV5 being encased in the same shell as the ENVY is. If its also gonna be metal, I'd be down for getting another HP, rather than being always weary with an MSI or the ACER.

 

I want back and looked at this and can't find any reference to a dedicated GPU on the DV5. I must have misread something about the DV6 (which has the HD5650). Everything else I read says that the DV5 has no dedicated GPU. My heart is broken ... that leaves only the Envy 14 as backup if I don't get a 3820TG in time. My bad.

 

^ shame on you bronsky. i really liked what i saw in the dv5 from the youtube videos.

so it's either the 3820tg, n82, or envy 14 (which i really hope it doesnt come down to since i've been NEEDING a new laptop since CES). i really dont want to break down and end up with a laptop i dont really want.

has anybody heard of any news from sony, dell, toshiba, or any other manufacturer in regards to a potential competitor?

 

What about the Sony EA-series..?
Its 14'' with HD5650, 1366x768/1600x900, not sure about switchable GPU

 

According to the official site Sony E has 15.5" inch, but someone told in other thread, the GPU clocks are underclocked.

 

Here we have two version, EB is 15.5'', EA is 14'', both with HD5650...

 

Can you give me a link to EA series ?

 

Here
VPCEA16FG : E Series : VAIO Notebook & Computer : Sony Malaysia

 

a good deal but what about GPU clocks and heating...

 

Still no reviews on it yet, stocks not yet come.
Singapore is selling it now though.

 

the i5 430m on the acer is a joke. i need the i7 620m baby

 

Thanks!

I too was searching for some kind of product number, though I only found the ones with the HD5145 (blaaah).

As it is a 14 incher, it'd be a good alternative, I've read that it's GPU is downclocked though.

Does it support switchable graphics? It'd be a dealbreaker if it didn't.

So much for the OT - sorry - I've read an owner overclocking the HD5650 in the 3820TG, no heat issues so far, that's good news I suppose.

Edit: I've been looking at the Acer type chiclet keyboard lately (5810), well, they'll give everyone a hard time cleaning them, and it's a bit slippery I think, not stable at all.

 

The Sony crap has NOTHING to do here! Those things suck! I had a 15" one, it sucked hard!

The 14" also won't be able to let you surf the internet for longer than ~2 hours!
(Yes, it has no switchable graphics)

 

WOW, why does Southeast Asia get all the good laptops lol?

 

Yeah, already forgot about Sony, since it does not support switchable graphics I even sorry bringing it up.

BTW does anyone know which destop GPU is the Mobility Radeon HD5650 in par with? (just curious)

Thanks in advance!

 

3820TG with stronger processor coming up (end of may): http://www.prisjakt.nu/produkt.php?j=616755,616754,600355

i5 450M. Haven't heard of that one before, but it seems to have the same clock frequency as the i5 520M. Anyhow, I just ordered the one with 430M/5650/640GB/9-cell. The 430M will probably give me a little bit of extra battery life, compared to the 450M. It's still a powerful processor, and I have my big desktop rig for when I need serious processing power.

 

Interesting. I hadn't realised there was an i5-450M.

The CPUs still aren't quite the same, since the i5-520M has an extra 266MHz of single-core Turbo Boost, and AES-NI.

The Radeon HD 5570 is its closest desktop relative, as it has 400 shaders and DDR3.

 

New model of the 3820TG showed up here in Sweden just:

Radeon HD5650,Core i5-450M,4GB RAM,320GB HDD, 6-cell battery

For around 1150$

Should I make a go for it? =) Think I'm gonna change the HDD to SSD anyways, so size of the current hdd does not really matter. Intels 80gb or 160gb? And how is the 450M compared with the 430M?

 

The i5-450M is presumably just an i5-430M with 133MHz (i.e. ~5%) more clock speed.

 

I think the I5-450 is one of the "refreshed" Core I processors. I recall reading something about it last week. Supposto perform similar to a 520M. I wonder if Intel achieved any of the increased efficiencies they were trying to engineer in the chip.

 

I have not seen an I5-540M in any of the Acers we have seen so far. Has anyone seen an anouncement or advertisement where the I5-540M was specifically mentioned for inclusion in the Timelines? I think it possible that the 3820TG will go from I5-520M to I7-620M and not offer the I5-540M.

If that's the case, the I5-450 is likely to be close to the I5-520 in performance. If so, unless you are considering the I7-620M, the slight difference is probably not worth the wait.

I would also bite the bullet and put the 160 GB Intel x25-M G2 in the 3820TG. It will probably be my first improvement when if these things ever come to the US.

Bronsky

 

Hey guys, I just found out that Acer has posted the TimelineX commercial on the US websites!!! But still, the product page has no information about it yet. Better than nothing!

 

Yea ... I noticed that this morning. It even id's I7 processors on the performance page.

Bronsky

 

Retailers in my country told me about somekind of a refresh available around June, maybe that'd be it, plus some warranty promotion, the first modells would have 3 years platinum warranty without any additional charge.

Thanks a lot!

 

It is weird I see TimelineX all in Stores so common yet some countries haven't got it...

 

A refresh? We haven't seen a single TimelineX in the US yet.

I recall reading an article where an Acer rep. admitted that the initial release of the Timelines have been spotty. They were shooting for mid June to have the brand in full release. That is probably what your rep was referring to. They mentioned Germany specifically, but it appears that the model is starting to see release in more and more markets daily.

It makes sense that they would be rolling out the models with some kind of promotion. What is a platinum warranty? The new Timeline add just went on the US site today and lists the I7-620M as a configuration. So, I guess we'll see the I7-620M here in the states. Soon I hope. An extended warranty at no extra cost would be nice.

Bronsky

 

Yup, the Core i5-450M is part of the Arrandale refresh. HP leaked them first. Hopefully these new refreshed Core i's will have the power optimizations that Anandtach talked about that the first gen Core i's don't have when they reviewed the Asus K42 in January.

 

You should definitely go for the 160GB version, it has almost 50% faster write speeds (70MB/s vs. 100MB/s).