Yo Bronsky!!! (3820TG)

I've never bought a laptop/notebook/netbook ever but I've been waiting for the 1215N, 1015PN, and LAMBORGHINI to have a child. 12", atom N processor, Nvidia Ion with Optimus, USB3, Bluetooth and amazing battery life.

I won't make any sacrifices on the thing if it was a netbook, BUT, out of boredom I was poking around TigerDirect and found the Acer TimelineX 3820TG with dedicated graphics AND an amazing battery life. I know the battery won't actually last 12hrs but if I can get 10 without gaming I'm a happy man.

Here's a rundown of whats offered for $779.99CDN:
Screen Size: 13.3"
Maximum Resolution: 1366 x 768
Memory Type: DDR3
Memory Size: 4GB
Capacity: 500 GB
Processor Class: Core i3
Condition: New
Operating Systems: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
GPU/VPU: ATI Radeon HD 5650
Battery Type: 9-Cell Lithium-ion
Battery Life: Up to 12 hours

I've been looking around on the net for the past few hours trying to find out if the things a typo or too good to be true. Your name kept coming up so I had to get a hold of ya to ask your opinion.

After looking around, the TG with the 5650 isn't suppose to be available in Canada. I found the 5470 version at staples.ca and have checked other vendors like ncix and newegg, all of which only list the 3820 with integrated graphics or the 5470 version. Also the battery, most of what I saw only had the 6-cell 8hr battery. It seems this TigerDirect 3820TG takes the best of all options (minus the i5) and puts them all together for the same price others are selling the normal 3820Ts for.

What are your thoughts?

 

I think you can buy an i3/5650 3820TG in Canada for $699 before taxes.

Just use NCIX pricematch with the MemoryExpress price.



http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX30562(ME).aspx


And just pricematch it with NCIX, if you want the superior customer service.

 

All I found on NXIC was this 3820TG.
Smaller battery, no description of what graphics card, and is also priced at $772.75


Thanks though

EDIT: Oh, price match. sorry, missed the link you posted before I posted

EDIT 2: also, thank you VERY much. I've only checked the major retailers. Also, do you know where to find the cheapest i5 version similar to bronskys??? I can always buy a larger battery and SSD drive after.

 

There's only one type of 3820TG in Canada, Part NumberLX.PV102.288. Anyone selling a 3820TG with that part number has the i3/5650 config, doesn't matter how it's listed on the website. (so the NCIX one is also that)

And no you'd have to import from Taiwan if you want an i5 3820TG I think. Not too sure though. I'm 100% sure there's no 3820TG in Canada with that processor.

 

Bronsky, the 3820tg superstar.

 

Thanks for all this amazing info. This long search might soon be over.

An i5 version would be nice but my expectations were for an intel atom so an i3 should do the trick. This seems like an amazing little machine.

Is it hard to track down the 9-cell battery here in N.America (specifically Canada)?

(Also, i'd love the i5 version if anyones willing to sell. *COUGH*bronsky*COUGH*)

 

This is probably a pretty dumb/noob question but can you buy replacement graphics cards for laptops? There is a i5 3820TG at staples and with coupons could be pretty cheap but only has a 5470 which if at all possible could be replaced with a 5650?


Maybe? anyways, thanks for all the replies so far folks. will make this a new home if I get to buy this laptop.

 

That's impossible I'm afraid. The GPU is soldered onto the mobo.

Also, the battery for the 3820TG should be standardized across all Canadian retailers. The only way to get a better battery would be to buy from int'l sellers (ebay/amazon/taiwan manufacturer/etc). I think the included battery with the 3820TG you can buy is already good enough, better than how long most laptops can run on battery.

Besides, a battery that lasts even longer will be bulkier, which doesn't look to nice probably.

 

Thanks. I'm gonna try and get the cash to buy this little monster. I'm pretty interested in it.

 

On NCIX, it's listed as 3820T but it's actually a 3820TG.

 

Wow ... jumping in a bit late for a thread with my name on it. But you have gotten some good information. AFAIK, the two 3820TG models for sale in canada are the I3-370M/HD5650 and the I5-460M/HD5470. The I3-370M is the far better unit IMO.

Mine has an I5 because I put one in. These are great little units. If the extra battery life is that important, you can probably buy a 9Cell in Germany and have it sent via DHL post (2-3 weeks). MK Electronics is quite good in Germany.

Bronsky

 

I too want a 9 cell battery. Through all the searching I did on these forums no one has found a way of getting them.

 

Yeah Bronsky, jerg and everyone have been really helpful.

I have family in Germany. Would probably be pretty easy to get one of them to pick up a 9-cell battery and send it over. Also, is your I5 the I5-460M? I've never owned a laptop before but I wouldn't be afraid to rip one apart and try and swap the CPU. I didn't see anything on youtube about how to swap it but I'm sure theres instructions somewhere. I did come across this odd 3820TG unboxing though... I think it was by a guy but the hands unboxing had pink nailpolish ;-P And where could I buy a mobile I5 processor? Germany as well?!

 

I have an I5-540M. I bought mine on ebay.

If you're not familiar will the inside of a notebook, you can always have a local computer shop do it for you. It shouldn't be all that expensive. It shouldn't take more than A couple of hours for someone who knows what they're doing.

I would probably not even consider swapping the CPU unless you need the extra power. I use my Acer as a mini-workstation so I needed the extra power. For most uses, the I3 will be just fine. It handled Medal of Honor quite well. For non-gaming applications, I was able to over clock the I3 CPU to 3.O ghz.

Bronsky

 

Not a frequent user of ebay so never thought to look, and just did. $259.99 CDN for the cheapest. Thats an upgrade that could wait lol. <s>What about a mobile I7 from ncix</s> (Again, I'm a noob when it comes to mobile computing. I've worked with desktops and networking my whole life, <s>is an I7 too much for this little thing?</s>)? I'm just browsing the 3820TG lounge now so maybe the answers to my questions are there but I figured I'd still ask anyway cause the lounge is 501 pages with my settings. I also read the 3820TG can handle 8GB Ram, great for running virtual machines. This little hog could be an amazing work laptop thats able to play the odd game when bored. Thanks for all the help so far. Once answered and I've got the thing and performed some upgrades I can take the role of helping people asking the questions I'm asking now.

EDIT: correction, 816 pages... wow. popular machine <s>I7 question</s>

 

There is an guide on how to replace the cpu, its a pdf file here( link). Even though I wouldnt suggest replacing the cpu if you have never owned and cared for a laptop before and disassembled one you have a very helpfull community here that can guide you threw it if need be. If you get stuck as some point just take your time and figure it out before you break something.

The i7-620m/640m cpu's will work just fine in the 3820tg. The quad core ones of course do not.

 

great pdf, thanks jeff!

might be getting some cash soon (unrelated to xmas). if I do i'll be waiting for online boxing day sales to get RAM (I hear this thing can handle 8 right?) and a decent SSD. A CPU and backlit keyboard will have to wait.

I'll need to run VMWare with a few OS's and to game a little.