The Official Arrandale Timeline Thread

Hey Bronsky,

So I read around the reviews for the laptops I am considering (3820TG or probably 4820TG if the 3 is not available, the UL30JT, and the Envy 14)

I asked earlier in one of these threads about battery life, and I remember you giving me very promising numbers for a few of them, especially the Envy. But the more information is released the more it looks like the Envy has 5 max on integrated, and 3.5 on discrete. IF thats true then it is out. And the UL looks life its never going to arrive...

SO that leaves this 4820TG. From reviews it looks like around 6 on integrated, which is passable, but i would really like more. The thing is, I don't really need too much horsepower out of the CPU or GPU (but I do want both), so I was wondering if battery life would improve substantially if I chose to buy an i3 or i5 version with a weaker GPU (if available)?

Thanks,

Ghost117

 

Yea. Having read the warranties, I'm not sure I agree with them either. I guess we'll see when enough of these units come from Germany and warranty work is needed in the US.

As you probably have read, I ordered my 3820TG. I am still writing to the company and suggesting that they may want to speed up shipments of the 3820TG to the US because of the demand. At least they are listing the 4820TG as an option here in the US.

We appreciate you looking over our shoulder and your comments are always welcome.

Bronsky

@Ghost117. I don't think you can choose a less powerful GPU in the US yet. We are only offered 2 models of the 4820TG, an I3-350 version and the I5-450M version. The envy battery figures double if you use the slice. I would wait and see the reviews from the buyers that order one on the 27th and I would wait to see a few reviews from buyers of the 4820TG to see if heat is an issue.

@Absolut3z33ro. I hope you saw Insider's comments.

EDIT: Here is part of my post on the backlit keyboard thread. I am looking for ideas on where to look before I get my manual.

"here is my thought on powering the backlit keyboard. If there is an unused plug that has power to it, all we would have to do is get the female/male of that plug from that socket and solder it to the keyboard power ribbon with a jumper wire. If we could figure this out, it would eliminate the need to soldier near any of the motherboard's components. All of the modifications would be to the keyboard itself. It could be easily installed/removed by pluging it in. As an added bonus, if the socket selected has a function that can be turned on and off within the software, it could be a switchable socket, turning the backilghting on and off."

Ideas?

One last item. I need a new plug end of the Acer power brick for the German unit. I would like to avoid buying the entire unit if I can. Anybody have a link to just the power side of the chord?

 

I have reservations about the 4820TG and it's heat. I don't know if this video has been posted before:

width='480' height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mBmxIqc_Zio&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mBmxIqc_Zio&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width='480' height="385"></embed></object>

I REALLY want the 3820TG and its dual heatsinks. I just can't settle for average cooling after seeing how well the 3820TG handles temperatures.

 

So then which is it? Will a 1 year local USA warranty be valid?

Can you get us something official? Could you possibly email or fax it to me so I can send those documents to my credit card company?

I can't get a 3rd party warranty (SquareTrade) because they won't cover the purchase.

I can't get my credit cards (American Express and Visa) to add any extended warranties.

And apparently when I email / talk to Acer support they decline local coverage.

We all appreciate your help and presence on this forum but "I would disagree with these statements." doesn't help anything or anyone... I can't say "well AcerInsider said so..."

 

Whoaa, 94 C max temp is scaring. I've reached max temps of 84 / 87 C playing GTA IV with ambient temps around 25-28 C.

I use a cooler nowadays, it keeps max temps at 78 / 80 C. GPUnever got hot not even without the cooler, it was 65 C on tops.

 

Order Status:

23.06.10 15:34 International shipment was processed at export sorting hub.



Bronsky

 

Congratulations Bronsky!

Guess who also ordered his on computeruniverse?!

I emailed them and was able to get the one with UMTS... have finished the order 5 seconds ago. Sweeeeeeeet!!!!

 

Congratulations! How much more did you pay for the UMTs model? If you're planning to replace the keyboard, it would be interesting to see how the UMTs module is installed (I smell mod comming). I am getting the Verizon Palm that acts as a wireless hub so I decided I did not want to wait. Did you do it all on-line? Are you shipping it DHL, cause it comes on the back of a donkey. Just ask Hendrickson.

Bronsky

 

Drats I don't know how to change a keyboard ( and power type?) so guess I can't order one I even bought a ssd for it already in anticipation although reading online how to replace the harddrive seems sort of complicated too...

 

He actually followed my advice and ordered by e-mail, after inquiring the availability of 3820TG's with UMTS =).
If he's a cheap like me he probably got it shipped by DHL, as it's cheaper .

@mad.maximo congrats on your purchase. If you can't get a portuguese keyboard, I suggest ordering a US one and using it with US International settings. Unless you don't mind a german keyboard, of course

 

You do not have to change the keyboard. You can buy stickers that go on the existing keys for $5 USD. All you would have to do in that case is install an english (or your native language) version of Windows 7 and authenticate it via telephone with MS. The biggest issue for neophytes, IMO, would be the possible lack of a warranty. There is some question about the applicabilty of the international warranty.

Bronsky

 

@Bronsky
Well, the price for the UMTS model was 906€. I A bit more expensive than the one i could get from cyberport, but the the price was almost the same with shipping included, so i decided to buy from computeruniverse.

@bolt.pt
Yes, I am cheap like you i got it shiped with DHL. I am waiting for this since march, so a few more days is alright with me.

@both
As for the keyboard, i was thinking about replacing the keyboard for the backlit one but i am too used to the portuguese layout and i use quite a few computers during the day, not just mine, so i would end up confusing myself a lot. I just ordered key stickers on ebay and will try that.
I would love a backlit one though. I loved the one i had on my old Dell Studio XPS 13...

EDIT: I forgot to say I payed 775€ (about $955) as i could order it without VAT

 

I would buy it from CU, but there is too much stuff to be done.

It has german keyboard - buy stickers, install English version of Windows 7 (more money spent)
It has EU plug - buy USA plug (more money spent)
and probably a few more things...

Btw, what is UTMS and what is the difference if you get bluetooth instead. I've never used any of them.


I guess I'm still stupidly hoping someday the 3820TG with ati 5650 will be available in the U.S.

 

Stickers are cheap and you can install the english version of W7 and use the german license, i think.
The plug is also cheap, and you can probably find it in any electronic store.

UMTS is the same thing as 3G, you can connect to your phone carrier network to access internet. You need a SIM card to use it (just as a phone would). So you can't really compare it to bluetooth witch is just for connecting peripherals like a mouse or a keyboard.

 

I don't think that's stupid. The 3820TG is, by far, the star of the TimelineX series. Even acer won't ignore that. I would start to ask the retailers like J&R for the model you want. If they get enough requests, they will ask the manufacturer for those models. If I had to guess though, I would not expect them until late summer/fall.

The German purchase has its risks. It is not for everyone. Wait and Hope is a decent strategy.

Bronsky

 

Has it been difficult getting used to the smaller left "Shift" key?

 

how to buy from german to deliver in brazil without having to pay the VAT taxes?

 

I think you can't. It is only for business costumers and within European Union. Sorry for the bad news...

 

Here in Europe, Acer sells cable and power brick separately: http://store.acer-euro.com/home/power-(kabel-&-adapter).html?s=10&l=de&p=2&i=55
Unfortunately no US version.

Not sure if that fits: http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com/Acer,AcerNote,350,Laptop,Power-Cords.aspx (one of 10 bazillion Google hits).
Or ask here: http://www.laptoprepairparts.com/html/searchbrandresults.asp?mfg=acer#ac

Michael

 

how did Brownsky manage to buy without vat?

 

Didn't AcerInsider disagree on our pessimistic and fearful view on a warranty for a german bought laptop in the US?

His disagreement means there will be some warranty protection, No?

 

Just write an e-mail to the acer support and ask them. It is simplest and best way.

 

Anyone know where I can get the 6-cell battery for the 3820TG (shipped to Europe)? I can only get the 3820tg in my country with the 9-cell which I cannot stand.

 

From acer international traveller warranty site:
Qualified Claimant: A "bona fide traveler"

Someone who is temporarily (for a consecutive time period of up to three months) outside the territorial scope of the local warranty covering the respective product, without the intention of establishing even a temporary residence.
Someone who possesses the original product sales invoice.
Acer's ITW Service Centers reserve the right to require proof to verify the traveler status of a claimant."

I believe the warranty only works if u are travelling... Is this the warranty u are thinking might cover a purchase made abroad?

 

Would seem to cover an american college student who bought the unit from Germany and is living on a campus duing the school year away from home, for three month periods - don't ya think?

Warranties are subject to a lot of different interpretations. Some far beyond the words of the warranty itself. The US typically implies a warranty of fitness for all consumer goods sold to its citizens. The German retailer is, afterall, accepting a US credit card and shipping to the US. IMO, my state would consider the sale covered by its consumer laws and would probably enforce the implied warranty against Acer. It's not a simple issue. Because it is not crystal clear, the only way to approach the transaction is to assume that there is no warranty. That way, if a warranty is important to you, there is no question that you should avoid the German retailers.

To be honest, I don't know how the warranty issues are going to fall. For me it was worth the risk.

Bronsky

 

lol... don't get me wrong... im not trying to find ways to void the warranty... i would be the first person to buy a 3820TG if i knew ANY warranty applied.

here's the response i got from acer support via email

that obviously doesn't help, so i tried again..

Since emailing was useless, I called them to ask about the ITW.

They said it it does not apply specifically because of this clause:

"without the intention of establishing even a temporary residence."

Since we are permanent residents, we aren't travelers. Thus the ITW doesn't apply.

this is why we hate u, die!! haha

 

How about if I rent a shore home for the summer and take the laptop, it is covered? I'm a traveler under Acer's definition.

 

who knows, with acer's outsourced support. 'rent a shore home' could be interpreted by them as a temporary residence.

whatever. im over the 3820TG.

I'll get the 4820TG, get an extra year of free warranty via AMEX, and purchase another 3 year extended warranty through SquareTrade.

 

If there is anything wrong with my unit when I get it, I would probably just UPS it back to the retailer rather than get into a pissing match with Acer (even if it does break at my beach house ). Since I'm putting a new CPU in mine, the warranty won't mean much after a few weeks anyway.

I have to ask, did you see that throtling video? What's your thoughts on that?

Bronsky

 

i plan on doing a bunch of upgrades myself too

im pretty sure nothing i do will require me to break any warranty stickers, so if i ever do run into a problem, i'll bring everything back to stock

mods i plan to do:

backlit keyboard w/o soldering
ssd for main harddrive
remove odd and input hdd caddy
upgrade wireless card to intel 6200 or 6300

 

I like the dual drive mod. It is a real advantage of the 4820TG. You can go wtih a lower cost SSD (80GB?). I also think there must be a way to plug the backlighting in. Is there a backlit keyboard for the 14". You have any ideas yet where to draw power from?

 

yep, exactly. i can go with the cheaper ssd now since i will have dual hard drives. that was another advantage i had to convince myself of when i realized i cant get my hands on a USA made 3820tg. i will prob go with an 80gb ssd. way way way more than enough since i'll have a 500gb hdd sitting in the optical bay.

the backlit keyboard for the 14" model is the exact same size as the 13" model.

im trying to get some ideas out of this thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/465841-ul30-backlit-keyboard-mod.html

apparently he didnt solder at all. used tape for everything.

ideally i want to draw the power from somewhere that has an off switch. i dont think usb's will work because disabling the usb ports in device manager doesn't cut off their power supply.

im stumped at this point... might have to settle for having the keyboard on all the time... i don't want to connect them to the speakers like hendrickson

 

my jaw just dropped...

touch sensitive backlit keyboard
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...-asus-n71jq-owners-lounge-36.html#post6337002

video..
Yfrog Video : yfrog.com/45n71jqbacklitkeyboardz

 

Bah!

When is this thing ever coming to the US? ENVY is due out this weekend, and BCB might not last, so i gotta know!

 

With a manual, it would probably not be hard to find a switchable source of power. I still like the plug idea but I'll have to see what is on the mobo. I like the wire glue idea too. Never used it before. I don't like the heat near the mobo, even with a sink. I'll have to read up on it.

Bronsky

 

Cuz the laptop is shipped outside of the EU

 

To all those concerned about the international warranty... how would Acer know if you were traveling in the US or a permanent resident? A: They wouldn't. Sure it wouldn't be as easy as if you purchased it in the US to get service, but it is done every day.

 

This is definitely encouraging and 1 year of warranty is certainly better than nothing .

Have you heard of any more models making it to the USA? Or is what we see on the US Acer site, what we will get for the foreseeable future? In other words, no 3820TG model in the USA?

 

So far I haven't seen any indications that the US will get a 3820TG model.

 

the german site will automatically remove any VAT if you are delivering outside of EU?

 

I know at least one that's commin to the US.

@fscussel - as soon as I put in the shipping address, it adjusted the price to exclude the 14% VAT. I have no idea what US customs is going to do, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Bronsky

 

did you buy as company or as personal?

 

I'm not sure. I think I filled out the form as a personal purchase. You can go on the site and get the configuration right up to the payment window, it will tell you the price after you put in the destination.

Bronsky

 

i´m really thinking in going computeruniverse =)

what´s the email address to direct contact with them?

also, what about the I5-450M, is it of a new generation?

 

Here's their contact page:

Contact information - computeruniverse.net

The i5-450M is a sort of new generation. It's a 430M clocked up a bit, with DMI almost doubled from 2.5 GT/s to 4.8 GT/s

 

Crap I just lost about 1 weeks worth of time because I choose the credit card option when making the purchase, except i used a debt card. My order eventually got cancelled because of "payment discrepancies" according to an email i received. I interpert that as debt card =/= credit card.

I eventually wired transfered using my checking account and paid a $30 wiring fee and added about 4-5 business days for processing

 

Ouch :\

Here in Portugal we have this mbnet service that makes it possible to generate temporary credit cards from a bank account without an actual credit card. Every time I need to pay with a credit card I use it, it's very handy.

Hope you'll get yours soon enough

 

Man ... that really sucks. Something like that would have sent me over the edge. You're a better man than I. Did you have to talk to someone to deal with that or did you do it all on-line? ...

What takes so long for processing? The American Express transaction was very smooth once I got the fraud alert lifted . Is it, at least, on its way now?

I have had no word since the 23rd when the 3820TG was put into the hands of the domestic US shipper. Mine should be delivered some time next week. Funny, I originally said that I needed a replacement computer by the end of June. It's going to be close.

Sure hope you don't have to wait much longer.

Bronsky

 

the problem is that it´s no where near the i5 540m. The overclocking is worse. seems to be just up to 2.66ghz if I remember correctly. what do you say bronsky? I know you are replacing with the i7 620M but what do you say about the i5 450m?

 

I'm fairly sure I'm putting the I7-620M in. I think about using the I5-540M from time to time, but I think the extra power of the I7 is worth it, even at the price of the battery life you loose and the increased risk of thermal throttling. I am going to put good thermal paste on the CPU sink when i install it.

I've been working on a mobile workstation for the past couple of weeks with an I7QM and NVIDIA commercial GPU. I have really gotten spoiled by the power.

Bronsky