Acer LX.SAB0X.073 Christmas Deals!
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Acer LX.SAB0X.073 Christmas Deals!.
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I preserve checking out the Netbooks that arrive into the hardware lab where I work, looking for something to replace a cheap one I bought for my kids to play with, but they all unbiased seem too puny. As a result I've been poking around the high-end of the Netbook spectrum / crude raze of the Ultra-portable spectrum for something more usable. The Acer Aspire 1410 series does a large job of bridging the gap between cramped outrageous cost "Netbooks" and more expensive "Ultra-portables" (which is what Acer classes this as) . It manages to overcome many of the short comings of Netbooks without getting anywhere reach the $1000+ effect range of most ultra-portables. It has a few drawbacks, notably material quality: like a lot of Acer products the plastic molding is beautiful and the tolerances are tight. However the quality of the plastic is more in line with what you would query with a Netbook (which is to say it is lower density plastic and more likely to scratch or demolish) . To me it's reasonable that the overall component quality is lower than what I would collect if I spent $1000 (point to not as nice, do not as refined, buttons not as responsive, etc...) . Unexcited, overall this is a well effect together computer with respectable earn quality considering the ticket. While I didn't destroy up buying one myself if might be the accurate fit for you: if you are on a budget and you need a exiguous laptop that can do more than browse web pages this would be a very estimable choice.
Let's go over the specs:
CPU: The Core 2 ULV SU3500 is a expansive CPU choice and far more great than the Atom CPU found in most Netbooks. This is a single core (as opposed to the two core "Core2 Duo") Ultra Crude Voltage cpu running at 1.4GHz. Depending on the actual application this CPU is about 3-6x more great than the typical Atom Processor. It also has 3 MB of cache (cache is a invent of on-chip high hurry memory) vs the Atom's 512 KB. With 6x the cache of the Atom this CPU is going to utilize a lot more time running instructions and a lot less time waiting on the memory sub-system. It also helps that the Core 2 ULV SU3500 memory bus is about 25% faster than what you will pick up on an Atom. The Core2 is technically more power hungry than the Atom but when running applications the disagreement isn't valuable (5 watts for the Core2 vs 1.5 watts for Atom) . The main disagreement happens when in standby or sleep mode where the Atom will expend remarkable less power than the Core2 (because the kind of transistors on the Atom "leak" less power than those feeble on the Core2 when in those modes) . So if you need long battery life while carrying your computer around in standby with brief periods of activity you might capture the Atom based Netbooks (say for sales calls on the road) . I contemplate most users will probably rob the Core2 - I know that I do. Update: there may be a dual core version of this coming out soon. It's on the list to approach where I work but that doesn't mean it will be sold in the US.
MEMORY: 2GB of DDR2 RAM is plenty and the 667Mhz memory run is qualified enough (faster notebooks go up to 1066Mhz) . This system runs Vista which is more memory hungry than the Windows XP or Linux found on most Netbooks so 2GB, while enough, doesn't go as far as you might deem. Mild, as long as your aren't planning on doing any really serious gaming 2GB will handle the typical office application with no troubles.
HDD: The 250GB HDD has plenty of storage given that most users don't employ more than 50GB. Serious gamers and video encoders will need a lot more situation than this.
DISPLAY: The 11.6" 1366x768 hide looks great and is a lot more useable than the 8-10" screens found on most Netbooks. The resolution is noteworthy better than what you will accept on most Netbooks and it is reasonably colorful (200 nits vs 300+ nits on higher slay laptop) . I passed on this model because the viewing angle is puny (the manufacturer list the viewing angles as 60vert/90horiz compared to 120v/140h on a high kill explain) and my sons like to sit with me and stare YouTube videos. The shrimp viewing angles might be a selling point for somebody traveling who would recall not to part what's on their cover with others. So while Acer clearly saved some money here it's calm a righteous display: unless you need a really high quality LCD I consider most people will be gorgeous cheerful with this camouflage (again it's far better than what you'll regain in most Netbooks) . For those few who care it's made by AU Optronics and I judge it's model B116XW01.
GRAPHICS: The Intel Mobile GMA X4500HD graphics won't sign any gamers but if you're running business applications it will do fair pleasing. Update: they loaded Autocad on this thing at work and it wasn't handsome. It might have been a driver declare but the render times were abominable. It's not really a surprise but don't choose this to urge your CAD software. Of course for most users this won't be an reveal.
AUDIO: notebooks are not known for mammoth speaker sound and this notebook doesn't smash from that trend. Again it's better than most Netbooks but not by a lot. Update: With headphones on I found the sound to be radiant.
DRIVES: Like most Netbooks and Ultra-portables this has no CD or DVD drive. I recommend buying an external CD Drive. The software industry may originate to switch over to USB drives soon (Windows 7 will be sold on USB drives) so this may not be a enormous deal for worthy longer. Today it's a harm to not have a CDROM.
BATTERY: The 6 cell battery is perfect for this notebook (thanks to the improper power components) . This notebook is probably too cramped for an 8 cell to fit cleanly but the 4 cell found in most Netbooks objective isn't adequate, even for an Atom CPU. This 6 cell battery will provide about 3-5 hours of accurate utilize though with aggressive power saving modes you can collect over six hours. Update: we have two of these in our hardware lab and it was impartial pointed it out to me that one (which came pre-release) had a higher capacity battery than the release version (5600mAH vs. 4400mAH) . I've adjusted my battery life numbers down to judge the release version. Interestingly the non-US version of this laptop has the higher capacity battery. I can only steal Acer was trying to bring the imprint down to compete in the tight US netbook market.
WEIGHT: Coming in a 3.1 lbs this is minute bit heavier than the typical Netbook but not by mighty (Netbooks will range from 2-3lbs) . Most regular notebooks are 6-8 lbs.
WIRELESS: The usual Intel 5100 A/G/N supports the most approved standards ("A" and "G") along with the fresh "N" standard. You should have no exertion connecting to wireless networks. This is heavenly standard though a few laptops will relieve 3G out of the box.
In short: while this notebook isn't perfect it is well built and unlike most Netbooks, actually has a decent CPU. It's petite and light but enormous enough that you can actually exhaust it. If you've got 1K-2K to exercise you can net a better Ultra-Portable notebook (I'm partial to Sony's and Apple's offerings in that segment) but in this label range there isn't noteworthy competition.
Oh I should tag that while this model is sunless blue, Acer makes this in two other colors you can buy:
Acer Aspire AS1410-8913 11.6-Inch Ruby Red
Acer Aspire AS1410-8804 11.6-Inch Black
Also if you're outside the US this might be sold as the "Acer Timeline 1810T" locally and may have slightly different specs (such as a better battery) .
This laptop is impartial by far the best laptop for the overall features.
Pros:
1. Very thin and light. Honest a bit bigger than today's netbooks
2. Considerable faster than Atom based netbooks
3. Vivid and mammoth camouflage with suitable HD aspect ratio. Very useful resolution.
4. 4g upgradeable memory cap.
5. Colossal webcam and marvelous microphone
6. Astonishing battery life even with Core2solo CPU. Last longer than my other netbook with the same capacity battery.
7. HDMI out! wow
8. Wireless N and Bluetooth
(Edited:8/31/2009) No Bluetooth! My poor assumption from the bluetooth switch and LED indicator on the laptop. Sorry...
9. Multi finger/gesture touch pad like iPhone
10. Very usable keyboard
11. Serene fan and harddrive
12. It does not pick up hot like my other netbook
13. Ample speakers!
14. Centrino architecture seems to be faster in network response compare to Atom based netbooks
15. Inexpensive for the quality laptop with all the features
16. (Added on 8/29/2009) Great 250G HDD
17. (Added on 8/29/2009) Free upgrade to Windows 7 from Acer. Nice! (However, it was dinky tricky to register using Chrome. I had to utilize IE. They may have fixed the swear though...)
18. (Added on 8/29/2009) The lid opens up wider (deeper? ) than my netbook. This is kind of indispensable to me while using it on my lap.
Cons (I do not really care about these cons, but here they are)
1. Vista. I like XP myself
2. Intellectual LCD conceal is too reflective. This may be unprejudiced me.
3. HD movies from Vimeo and Youtube are bit lazy (not because of network bandwidth. It is more like not enough CPU power for Flash based HD movies.
(Added on 8/29/2009) Even though the movies are cached all the intention, the CPU hits 100% with Flash based HD movies. SD movies are unbiased sparkling. I can kind of gape HD Flash movies better with this laptop than my Atom netbook though.
4. All the pre-installed applications that I removed.
5. My wish for the laptop beget to be somewhat like macbook or HP Mini series.
6. I notion the CPU had hyper-threading like Atom. Task manager shows only one thread. I know it is "solo", but Atom shows two threads.
(Added on 8/29/2009) The CPU does not have HT (Hyperthreading) . I had some cross info there. Even without the HT, this minute laptop performs worthy faster than my Atom netbook.
Although I listed cons, they are very least items that I wish for. Of course, It does not beget like Intel i7 CPU based desktops. However, for the size and usability, this is a champ of all laptops and desktop PCs I have ever owned. I will employ the i7 desktop for Video and photo editing. That may be only 5% of all my computer usage. The rest, 95% of tasks can be done with this slight laptop for me. I cannot talk about the durability yet, but it seems to be well built. Anyway, this is a vast laptop with very reasonable ticket designate!
(Added on 8/29/2009) Some usual stuff that I did to get the laptop even better.
1. Usual Vista tune ups like turning off Aero and other graphic intensive features.
2. Removed many pre-installed apps mainly Office trial and Anti-virus software.
3. Turned off unused launch up programs
(Added on 8/30/2009) Some tests
1. HDMI out to HD TV
1080p resolution worked perfect including sound with not considerable config. 1080 resolution gets everything too limited to read for my setup. I switched to 720p. My TV does not adjust automatically, so I had to adjust the size using Intel TV wizard software (This app cannot be archaic with Dual monitor config. Switching to Digital TV only mode enables it.) . I adjusted using the app to 720p. The app works, but the cloak refreshes every time the adjustment button was clicked, I had to press the adjustment button very slowly and patiently. When I clicked too posthaste, the app froze with 100% CPU for a long time like 10 min. I had to restart. Other than that all worked perfect!
2. Web cam and digital microphone using Skype
I wanted a diminutive laptop with webcam, so I can do it true next to my baby and expose her to my parents in Japan via Skype. My other netbook kind of worked, but in outrageous light set, the video was so gloomy that they could survey only my white eyes. Mic was also giving them echo. When I tried with this laptop, it was literary day and night. This laptop webcam is optimized for uncouth light. They could study my baby clearly. The mic was positive and no echo. The only minor sing is that the image is bit white tinted with default setting. My wife idea I was smoking... haha. I had to tweak a bit in config. Nonetheless, the webcam and mic worked tremendous for Skype. FYI: It does not effect like high resolution after market webcams, but the built-in webcam satisfies my needs very well.
This notebook is one of those instances when you say to yourself, "Wow, it is as righteous as I expected, and more."
I have refrained from buying a netbook because the uncouth resolution and terrible performance prevents me from multi-tab web browsing, not to mention continuous scrolling with Office documents. When I first saw this notebook, I was very exasperated because it has something the older generation netbooks have lacked:
- Decent resolution (1366x768)
- Decent performance
- Even better battery life (6 hours)
Except, it actually exceeded my expectation.
LCD Screen: Very spellbinding, and very lustrous. I am amazed that Acer can squeeze 1366x768 into an 11.6 dart cover, and aloof hold it so inspiring and sure. It is very comfortable to notion, and I do not feel any different from viewing my mature 14 promenade LCD.
Performance: In terms of word processing, web surfing and installing software, it has been as tranquil as my ragged dual-core laptop. This notebook has upgraded the CPU and chipset from the previous generation netbook, which contributes to the performance I am seeing.
Keyboard/touchpad: It's chunky size keyboard, and it's comfortable to type on. I am tranquil trying to win archaic to some of the key placement, and the lack of home/end buttons. But it's definitely no worse than my other laptop's keyboard. Acer has also learned the lesson from Aspire 751h, so the touchpad is centered to the touch-typing keyboard, and has two buttons. However, the touchpad edge is difficult to distinguish.
Battery: From what I read, one Acer hour is usually shorter than one Asus hour. This notebook has proven me bad. I urge it on high performance mode, and it calm gives me about 6 hours of battery life. Running company VPN and remote desktop seems to cleave it to about 5 hours.
Size: While slightly bigger than the prev-gen netbooks, I don't feel it's bulkier. At 3 lb, it's very light, but can peaceful stand to lose some weight.
Temperature: It doesn't heat up worthy, you can exercise it on your lap the whole day.
Other Pros: 250 GB HDD, 2 GB RAM, 1 Gb LAN, 802.11n, webcam, microphone, no-latch lid
Cons:
- Lack of separate Home/End buttons. Unfortunately I mediate most netbooks have to produce this sacrifice.
- Battery charging is tedious (I estimate about 4 hours) . On the flip side, the charger is miniature and light.
- Peaceful requires a fan to dissipate heat, albeit composed.
- Others: lacks bluetooth
As I said, the moment I started using it, all I could say was "Wow". I could not contain Acer could near out with something that outshines Asus (and the rest of the computer industry) . For all the laptops I have owned (5), none of them have impressed me as grand as this one does.
Update 2009-09-07:
I went on a business ride just after getting this laptop. It's proven to be very mobile. I charge the laptop at night, and seize it to work with me in the morning, without the charger. The keyboard feels very natural, and overall work is unruffled sailing.
At night I exhaust this laptop to play demo games and inspect a few videos (I had the foresight to rip a few ISOs) . Most DVDs play expansive, but there was one that does not play smoothly, so I guess it depends on the DVD encoding.
Overall care for this laptop's portability. The battery life ensures that the laptop is always ready when I need to utilize it.
