TravelMate 8210 (What is the difference between these model/part numbers)

I purchased the Acer TravelMate 8210 online about a month ago (part number LX.TEH06.063)

There laptop had light leakage and a dead pixel, so I decided to get a replacement (which I am still waiting to arrive. The company I bought it from is out of stock and dont have plans to get any more units until December 10th)

I was browsing around the internet and the TravelMate has 3 different part numbers:

LX.TEG06.038
LX.TEH06.063
LX.TEH06.069

I know that the LX.TEG06.038 is about $1000 more expensive because it has a blu-ray drive. But what is the difference between the other two part models?

 

Can anyone decipher Acer's part numbers?

I had the same question.
Checking internet stores on Sunday, this is what little I found.

Acer part number----------- Acer Model number-----------Slightly different Description----------
LX.TEH06.063 --------------Tm8210-6880----------------Intel Core 2duo 2gb 2.0g 160gb Supermulti 15.4in Wl Xpp
LX.TEH06.069---------------Tm8210-6597----------------Intel Core 2 Duo P T7200 2.0g 2gb 160gbcombo Wsxga Xpp

Closely examining all listed hardware/software contents finds both machines identical.

Checking prices reveals that most places have the LX. TEH06.069 as $7-$44 dollars cheaper, while others have the exact same price and one place had the prices reversed.

Obviously something was different enough to make Acer change both part and model numbers.

Briefly examining other Acer laptop part numbers show changes with different language versions of XP, although I don't think this applies here. They are both in English.

Sometimes an OEM manufacturer will make changes to the least significant digit of a number signifying which major distributor (or channel) they initially sold the product.

Othertimes a least significant digit change is due to a firmware update.

And of course, any changes in the software package could ellicit a digit change too.

Lastly, the digit change (from .063 to a .069) could mean a hardware parts vendor change, as in an LCD monitor.

It all depends on the manufacturer's methodology of part numbers.

You bought the .063, whereas I just ordered the .069.
The next day after purchasing I noticed that I ordered the earlier model number but the later part number.

So...If my new laptop doesn't work out, you want to trade?

 

Where did you purchase your laptop?

I remember that one time CDW.com stated that the Tm8210-6880 was discontinued.

LINK

"This product has been discontinued as of Monday, November 13, 2006"

I can't even find the 8210-6880 available for sale anywhere. Maybe it was replaced with the Tm8210-6597?

I wonder which system is newer. The model/part number conflict is confusing. I am not sure whether it would be better to just cancel my order waiting for the 8210-6880 and just place my order elsewhere with the 6597.

Let me know what you think of the system when you get it in.

Also, please let me know if it comes with the ViOP phone, and if the screen has any light leakage.

 

Ok folks, I asked the authorized reseller from which I purchased my machine (a 6597, FYI) and this is what he had to say:

First, originally the 6597 was supposed to be Canadian model that was designated to have the slower 533MHz RAM. However, that plan fell through and they ALL ended up getting the 667MHz RAM. Also, this model ALWAYS includes the VOIP bluetooth phone.

As for the 6880, indeed it has been discontinued. From what I heard, the 6880 did NOT have the Bluetooth VOIP phone, which makes sense if you peruse these forums. For example, people who ordered their machines from CDW got the 6880 and no Bluetooth phone.

And as for the 6038, from what I can tell, it is identical to the previous 2 machines except it has the 2.16GHZ T7400 CPU. Everywhere I see this machine, it ranges from $2500-3000. I picked up my 6597 for only $1848 shipped/insured/signatured. What a hefty price to pay for such a minor bump in speed, especially when you can in the future, you can pick up a 2.16 or 2.33 aftermarket and self-install it for much less when prices come down.

As for screen, I couldn't help you there. I've seen so many reports about it, but mostly in earlier models and the 8204's. HOWEVER, I'm led to believe that the problems was more from the 6880 because I recall seeing a bunch of Canadian purchasers claiming they had no problems with their units and wondering what all the fuss was about in the US.

So perhaps Acer got smart and consolidated it into the best-quality line.

 

[Edit: After writing this, I noticed that Moe8555 posted some info ahead of me. Thanks Moe!]

The first product sold by Acer in this configuration is:
LX.TEH06.063 --------------Tm8210-6880----------------Intel Core 2duo 2gb 2.0g 160gb Supermulti 15.4in Wl Xpp

According to CDW, (as you posted earlier) this product is discontinued as of November 2006.
According to internet sales websites, most have this item on backorder, except a rare few who have some stock left.
According to Acer Reseller phone support (which I called a few minutes ago), this product is discontinued.

Further questions to ACER as to "WHY is it discontinued?" and "WHAT are the differences?", where answered by ACER with a befuddled "I'm really not sure, even looking at the specs here, since they are exactly alike". Finally after a few minutes ACER concluded "I don't have the information here, I would have to transfer you to a different department", which of course sent me directly to some voicemail box (where I did leave my question and a callback number).

ACER did tell me that the reason the product and part numbers are different is because one product (LX.TEH06.063) was discontinued, regardless that they seem similar in content.

With that in mind:

This is the most current ACER build: (as of the date of this post)
LX.TEH06.069---------------Tm8210-6597----------------Intel Core 2 Duo P T7200 2.0g 2gb 160gbcombo Wsxga Xpp

I have ordered thru Provantage.com, which as of this date, has plenty in stock. Understand though, Provantage is heavy on sales but very light on technical support and product information. They actually source their products instead of stocking them, I believe.
Regardless, Provantage has a great price and they are shipping today!!

The best source of product information I've found is at:
http://www.superwarehouse.com/Acer_TravelMate_8210-6597_Notebook/LX.TEH06.069/ps/1492790

Reading the above specs, you will notice the inclusion of a Bluetooth VOIP phone!
(I looked at other websites which included the phone in this part number.)

Of course, my guess about the product change:
Inclusion of the Bluetooth VOIP phone.

I've read a review about someone having the LX.TEH06.063 product. They were thrilled with it but complained of some light leak issue.
The light leak issue is of no consequence to me, because in order to see it I understand you need the laptop in a darkened room showing a black screen. My current HP laptop has that problem easily.

I hope to have my new laptop either tomorrow or the next day, again I hope.

Hope this information helps someone.

 

Provantage.com seems like to be a great place to buy. They have a good price and a high rating at resellerratings.com

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/PROVANTAGE_Corporation

When you get your laptop in, let me know what you think and also let me know if it comes with the VOIP phone. Oh and also let me know if there is any light leakage. Thanks.

 

Acer returned my call and told me the inclusion of the Bluetooth phone is the difference in the Acer .063 and the .069 part number.

Acer also said part numbers for the exact item can and do change when the manufacturing source changes
.
I told him what Moe8555 had said and he said "you seem to know more about this than I do".

Acer's advice to me was: Continue to purchase the Tm8210-6880 if you can find it. It is exactly the same as the TM8210-6597. (We know different though.)
He said the bluetooth phone is a flimsy piece of plastic and because of this, he personally doesn't use it.

My laptop will arrive today (Tuesday) via FedEx after being shipped yesterday from Provantage warehouse. Hope FedEx doesn't toss it to my concrete doorstep like they do with many other packages.

Also, if you do get any laptop during this cold season, allow the laptop to acclimatize for a couple hours before powering up, that includes inserting power cord! A outdoor-cold electrical component when swiftly heated up by electricity can compromised the component, either causing immediate failure or future flaky operation. Again, just let it sit for a few hours.

 

ZT3000: Thanks for corroborating what I heard --- it's good to hear it straight from Acer's mouth! I would also 100% disagree with the rep's advice to pick up the 6880 if you find it. Go with the 6597, get your bluetooth phone and a newer build, and be happy

And he's absolutely right about the cold weather and starting up a laptop. Condensation and other nasty things can happen if you start up a very cold machine in a warm house.

 

Beside the lcd is there any other problems like 8204?

 

Pic #1 is the contents of a freshly opened software box.

Pic #2 is of the almost flat plastic bluetooth phone.

What...??
You thought a red or yellow "BAT" phone was included? "To the Bat Cave, Robin!"
I did. <smirk>
It looks like a bluetooth transceiver, which would communicate with a Bluetooth headset (not included of course).
Similar in appearance to a PCMCIA network card, except cheaper.

Lucky you, I didn't include a pic of my grinning face while opening the box.

 

For those interested, here is the link to the Acer TM8210 series user manual.
It's the single official user manual for both the Core Duo and Core 2 Duo versions.

https://www.synapsenow.com/synapse/data/7117/documents/TM8210_8200_UG_EN.pdf

 

Oh mannnnnnnnnnn you're so lucky!!!

I've had the WORST luck of all time in acquiring my 8210

In my quest to order this laptop, I found two sources: zipzoomfly and an indepdent acer authorized reseller who was selling them on eBay with 100% feedback. I first contacted the eBay guy as his price was $50 less, but found out it would take 1-5 business days to ship and 12-14 business days to reach my door AFTER that. No thanks!

So, I ordered it from ZipZoomFly on November 17 as they were the only ones "in stock." 11 days and 3 "guarantees" that it would ship out "tomorrow" later, I finally found out they lied to me and never had it to begin with --- or any estimate of when it will even ship! The bastards!!! Needless to say, I will never support this company again.

That brings me to November 28. Still, nearly every store on the web was sold out of this freakin' machine, so I bit the bullet and ordered from the eBay guy. At least I saved $50...sheesh

So as I continued to research the machine, 2 days after that, EVERY MOTHER-F'ING store on the web that had been out of stock miraculously had stock and was ready to ship immediately, some with free 2 or 3 day shipping!!!

So now here I am, the laptop JUST shipped out today, 5 business days after I ordered it on November 28. And now it won't reach me for another 12-14 business days. On top of that, it's taking so long that I won't even be at the address it's getting shipped to, so they have to tell the courier to transfer it to my other address, which will add 1-2 MORE business days on top. I'm going to California from 12/23 to 1/3, so the end of the line is January 3. I won't have this laptop I tried ordering November 17 until JANUARY 3.

If there are ANY problems with this thing, I will be flipping out.

 

That IS bad luck.
Happens to me sometimes.

12-14 business days shipping?
Where does the reseller live, the North Pole?

12 business days from today is Dec 21, or 22nd at latest.
Remember that carriers still transport during weekends.

Oh wait, you aren't in Australia, are you?
In that case you are screwed.

j/k

 

Haha no way...

I'm in upstate New York and the laptop is coming from Canada. It's being shipped "Expedited Parcel Post." So much for the "expedited" part... I shipped an iSight from here to a guy in Germany via USPS Airmail Parcel Post and it only took 8 days!

And yeah, I don't understand the whole "business day" clause. USPS delivers on Saturdays, and I know the post office is who drops off packages from Canada Post. So, I don't see why it won't be delivered on a Saturday (or at least be transported closer to me).

Yeah it's bad luck alright. I'm pretty livid about the whole ordeal. Hell, that's OVER one month between paying and receiving the merchandise --- a month of interest on my credit card without the item! In any event, I plan on paying it off in full so I hope to avoid that.

 

Expedited Parcel Post?
You mean Canadian Expedited Parcel Post??
Ohh no...!! That's the Canadian carrier-duck method, similar to America's carrier-pigeon except they use ducks.
And it's open season on Canadian ducks right now....

I can see it now...
Some hapless hunter looking up for a target, sees that lame duck carrying a cardboard box (with your label)
...aim...squeeze... BLAM!....duck falls to water and laptop lands safely in hunters lap.
Hunter exclaims "Gee, ain't that some luck"

 

Yup..Canadian Expedited Parcel Post.
Apparently, the supplier has a contract with Canada Post to use that method. That's like having a contract to guarantee your dissatisfaction or your money back...

I will admit, you got a chuckle outta me with that joke

 

According to ZipZoomFly.com, the 6880 has a WXGA screen and the 6957 has a WSXGA screen. Whats the diffrence between WXGA and WSXGA?

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=265309
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=265315

 

nmsystms: First off, don't waste your time with ZipZoomFly. Did you read my terrible experience with them regarding this EXACT laptop?

And also, their information is incorrect. Both models have the WSXGA + screen. It's a matter of resolution: WSXGA+ has 1680x1050, WXGA (I'm pretty sure) is only 1280x800. It's a huge differences in terms of screen real estate.

But again I reiterate, do not waste your time with ZipZoom for this laptop. Not only did they lie to me, they were slow and their information was incorrect. Their price is higher. Also, the 6880 is discontinued and does not include the VOIP bluetooth phone. Look for the 6597 from other resellers, like the one ZT3000 used above. Just because 6880 is higher than 6597 does not mean it's a better machine or deal.

 

Thanks moe8555, i did read about your experience with ZipZoomyFly. Sorry to hear that had to happen. I think I am going to order the 6597 from Provantage in about a week.

 

Hi Guys,

I just got an upgrade from work... they had purchased me an 8204 5 or 6 months ago... Now they gave my laptop away

But they purchased me a new 8210! I picked it up on this past friday but i've had no chance to play with it yet.

Once I do, i'll dig up my tread from this forum and re-run all the same benchmarks to compare the 2 of them!

jeff