Showing posts with label acer aspire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acer aspire. Show all posts

7/04/2011

Acer Aspire AS5745-3428 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Review

Acer Aspire AS5745-3428 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
(this review may skip around a lot but I'm trying to cover everything) Before I bought this laptop I was using a Compaq Presario F700. Completely unreliable for anything. I finally started searching for a new laptop around April knowing that my previous laptop would give out any day. I finally came across a laptop (this one) that had everything I wanted for a pretty fabulous price. Fast computer, reliable company, HUGE hard drive. I've had this laptop for a week now and haven't had any problems with it. It's great for a multi-tasking student like myself. I can easily have 10 tabs open in chrome, play and download music, instant message a couple friends, and type away at an essay and it still runs just as fast if I only had one program running. The quality of the screen is like nothing I've ever seen before. My father wanted me to just walk into any store and pick out the cheapest one (like he did for 300 bucks) and whenever I try to use his laptop I have to squint because everything is so fuzzy. On my Compaq, it was miserable to watch DVDs because everyone looked rather pixelated, as if I was watching it on the internet. The sound quality is pretty great too. I keep a fan on in my room 24/7 and it's rather noisy. The speakers on the laptop are perfect for drowning it out. With Windows 7 (compared to Vista and XP), everything is smooth and is rather easy to navigate. The over all looks of the laptop are pretty nice, the only thing I was disappointed in was the glossy lid. That was probably my error for not realizing this but I don't regret my choice in laptops. It's just a slight annoyance to have fingerprints on it. The keyboard took just a little bit to get used to, but I do like having a number pad on a laptop. They keys themselves feel great when typing. I also like the the idea of the multi-functional touch pad, but I have some issues with it accidentally zooming in due to the way I rest my hands on the keyboard. The keyboard shortcuts are also pretty handy. There weren't a whole lot on the Compaq, but on this laptop I can have iTunes running in the background and just above the number pad I can conveniently pause/play, stop, and skip songs without even opening the window. I thought that was really neat. The battery life isn't amazing but it isn't terrible either. the few times I used it while not unplugged it averaged about 3 hours more or less. This is a step up from the measly hour I got with my previous laptop. While using it off the charger it changes the estimated time left for usage (couldn't think of a better way to phrase that) a whole lot which was a little annoying but that'd probably because I open and close programs all the time. Before buying this laptop, I got a couple of opinions from my tech-geeks. They said i5 core processor laptops get hot really fast without a fan and someone also said that the processor gives out more easily without the use of a fan. So far, the laptop hasn't overheated or burned my lap which is a plus. The laptop's fan itself is incredibly quiet and usually I can't even hear it when it is running.
All in all, I would say that you get everything you want in this powerful and money saving laptop. I have a feeling I'll be sticking with this guy well through college.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Acer Aspire AS5745-3428 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)


Acer AS5745: Multimedia Powerhouse Amazingly thin and light though still loaded with features, the Acer Aspire AS5745 (model AS5745-3428) makes it easy to take to the coffee shop, on a plane, to class or just around the house. The durable design sports a stylish black cover with a discrete textile pattern that stays clean from fingerprints.
Enjoy HD media content and experience home theater enjoyment like never before with Dolby sound and a 15.6-inch HD display with true 16:9 aspect ratio for watching widescreen movies as they were meant to be seen. You'll also be able to burn through the hottest new digital media and content creation with the breakthrough performance of the Intel Core i5 processor--with 4-way multitasking processor power to work on four tasks simultaneously.

Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.



Key Features
15.6-inch HD widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit display
2.4 GHz Intel Core i5-450M dual-core processor for smart performance with a speed boost (2.66 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology; 3 MB L3 cache). Intel's Turbo Boost technology maximizes speed for demanding applications, dynamically accelerating performance to match your workload--providing more performance when you need it the most. It also comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics--an advanced video engine that delivers smooth, high-quality HD video playback, providing an ideal graphics solution for everyday computing.
500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz)
Intel HD Graphics with 128 MB of dedicated system memory
8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW drive can also write to CD, DVD-RAM, and dual-layer (DL) DVD±R discs--which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data.
1.3-megapixel HD webcam lets you go face to face in online chats and VOIPs with 1280 x 1024 resolution, and easily take still pictures and videos that you can share with friends.
Stereo speakers with third-generation Dolby Home Theater audio enhancement technologies transforms the experience of movies, music, and games. Includes Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Natural Bass, and Dolby Sound Space enhancer technologies.
Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) for ultra-fast connectivity to home and business networks.
Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites such as Google Earth. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more. (Learn more)
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD)
4 USB ports
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.
Acer Backup Manager Software enables you to set up backup your valuable data or media portfolio with ease, and protect your assets intelligently and quickly.
6-cell lithium-ion battery (4400 mAh)
Weight: 5.72 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

What's in the Box This package contains the Acer Aspire AS5745-3428 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions



Learn MoreThe Acer Multi-Gesture Touchpad

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Click here for more information about Acer Aspire AS5745-3428 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)

6/14/2011

Acer Aspire AS8943G-6190 18.4-Inch Laptop (Aluminum) Review

Acer Aspire AS8943G-6190 18.4-Inch Laptop (Aluminum)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've had this laptop for 3 weeks now. I haven't even had time to really push it to it's potential because it has so much to offer. Don't know about any wireless malfunctioning. Mine works just fine anywhere I go, in an N or G WIFI environment. I use it at home using my DOCSIS 3 cable internet with gigabit wired network or WIFI N class whenever I want to move to an unwired room,and I have not had a problem at all. The HDMI 1080P HD output using the onboard blueray is simply fantastic when hooked up to my LED flatscreen TV. Simply put, this laptop is flawless. Just a beautiful machine, with a gorgeous screen, big sound and a great useable keyboard. You will not be disappointed buying this laptop. I am certainly very satisfied.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Acer Aspire AS8943G-6190 18.4-Inch Laptop (Aluminum)


Acer Aspire AS8943G: Ultimate Multimedia Center
Whether are used for creating multimedia content, watching movies or dominating the latest PC games, the Acer Aspire 8943G notebook PC (model AS8943G-6190) delivers high-end styling and world-class performance. It features a brilliant 18.4-inch CineCrystal edge-to-edge glass LED back-lit display with full high-definition (1080p) resolution. And it combines best-in-class Intel Core i7 processing power and stunning ATI Radeon HD graphics with a Blu-ray Disc drive for viewing movies in crystal-clear HD resolution and a Dolby-optimized surround-sound system for an immersive on-the-go cinema experience. And the Blu-ray Disc drive includes an integrated SuperMulti drive for creating your own DVDs and CDs.

The AS8943G's exterior sports an aluminum cover that not only looks sharp, but also protects the seamless, frameless display. Upon opening the lid, you'll be wowed by sharp design lines as well as a host of balanced contrasts, including glossy and matte finishes and silver and black accents. The new dual-mode touchpad combines Acer's multi-gesture actions with a touch-sensitive media console. And the new chiclet style keyboard (keys with straight edges vs. slanted sides) extends to a dedicated numeric keypad.

You'll be able to burn through the hottest new digital media, content creation and advanced 3D gaming with the breakthrough performance of the Intel Core i7 processor thanks to the combination of Intel Turbo Boost technology and Intel Hyper-Threading technology, which maximizes performance to match your workload.

Quickly retrieve and store all your media files on the large 500 GB hard drive, and with dual hard drive support you can add another drive for backups or up to 1.2 TB of extra storage.

Enjoy the next generation of video playback with the HDMI output, which allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video and audio to your digital TV or capable external monitor. The 1.3-megapixel HD webcam presents vivid images even in low-light situations so you can go face-to-face in online chats and easily take still pictures and videos to share. And to make data transfer painless, it includes an eSATA port to speed up large file transfers while a FireWire port moves videos quickly from your digital camcorder.

This Aspire laptop comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).

Key Features
18.4-inch CineCrystal LED-backlit widescreen display with 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution (native 1080p for Full HD viewing). Its widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio is designed to present websites without lots of left-right scrolling, as well as with a smoother line of sight. Specs include a 220-nit high brightness rating, 8ms response time, and 60 percent color gamut.
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM processor (with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80 GHz) delivers maximum processing power in response to peak demands. Intel's Turbo Boost technology maximizes speed for demanding applications, dynamically accelerating performance to match your workload--providing more performance when you need it the most. It also comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics--an advanced video engine that delivers smooth, high-quality HD video playback, and advanced 3D capabilities, providing an ideal graphics solution for everyday computing.
500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM) with support for a second hard drive
4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; expandable to 16 GB)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 graphics deliver advanced technology to deliver cinema-quality audio and video with 1 GB of DDR3 discrete graphics memory. Using ATI Stream technology, it helps accelerate even the most demanding applications, enabling you to do more than ever with your notebook. It's compatible with the latest DirectX 11 games
Watch Blu-ray Disc movies in crystal clear resolution with the read-only Blu-ray drive; this notebook also includes an integrated 4x DVD±R/RW SuperMulti drive capable of reading/writing of CD-R/RW, DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, and DVD-RAM.
Dual-Mode Touchpad lets you switch functions between a Multi-Gesture Touchpad and a Media Console.Control the show with touch-sensitive buttons that take you straight to your favorite movies or music. In addition, the scrolling volume wheel puts sound management at your fingertips. (Learn more)
Bio-Protection Fingerprint Reader provides an extra level of laptop security safeguarding unauthorized users from accessing your PC at the touch of your fingerprint.
Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capability provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers). This laptop uses Acer InviLink Nplify technology that enables multi-stream input or output for faster and more reliable bandwidth, and it also offers Acer SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency.
Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity enables you to communicate and synchronize wirelessly with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as printers and cell phones.
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
5 built-in speakers and dedicated subwoofer simulate surround sound with trumpeting clear tones and deep bass beats while Dolby Home Theater Audio delivers riveting sound from any pair of PC speakers or headphones.
Headphones/speaker/line-out with SPDIF support for true 5.1-channel surround-sound output
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD)
Four USB 2.0 ports
Next-generation eSATA port offers a transfer speed of 3GB/s, delivering enhanced scalability and doubling the bus bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saves. It allows easy sharing and transfer of entertainment content and digital media on external devices.
FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals.
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD. It also includes a standard VGA video output.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.(Learn more)
Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works SE 9.0 for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
Up to 3 hours of battery life (8-cell battery)
Dimensions: 17.3 x 11.6 x 1.7 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 10.1 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

What's in the Box
This package contains the Acer Aspire AS8943G-6190 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions

It also comes with the following software: McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); NTI Media Maker; Google Toolbar; Acer Recovery Management; Acer GridVista; Microsoft Works; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Trial (60 days); Norton Online Backup

Learn More
The Acer Dual-Mode Touchpad
The dual-mode touchpad offers integrated, capacitive touch media controller icons that allows you to switch between multi-gesture mode to media console mode. At the flick of a finger, you can go straight to your favorite movies or music. Integrated into the touchpad, the backlit media console icons glow underneath the pad, providing a clean simplistic design. In addition, a convenient scrolling volume wheel directly under the touchpad makes it easy to control volume levels.

With built-in multi-gesture capabilities, you can pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings


Buy Now

Click here for more information about Acer Aspire AS8943G-6190 18.4-Inch Laptop (Aluminum)

6/11/2011

Acer Aspire AS7745G-6572 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black) Review

Acer Aspire AS7745G-6572 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
She Who Must be Obeyed bought it for me a couple of weeks ago. It booted up with no problems, there are minimal installation requirements such as choosing a language, choosing a name for the computer, setting a password, etc. and the Windows 7 installation did the rest. Absolutely "painless".
It requires 4 blank DVDs to create your recovery disks. Have them on hand when you boot up and make your recovery and driver disks immediately. No need to take a chance.
It is preloaded with installation options for McAfee antivirus, Norton backup, Microsoft Works and a 60 day trial of Microsoft Office.
I didn't want any of them so I installed Avast antivirus and Revo Uninstaller from a thumb drive, then deleted the software that I didn't want using Revo Uninstaller. No problems.
windows 7 is proof that even Microsoft can get it right. I prefer using Firefox as a web browser and Open Office as my office suite.
All in all, This is my third Acer Aspire laptop (through the years) and I've never had a problem with any Acer product.
As far as features that I was looking for (and got),
I7 processor (64 bit)
Windows 7
1 GB dedicated video card
4 GB DDR3 Ram (2x2GB) with 2 empty slots left so I can upgrade a max or 16GB memory
500 GB hard drive (5400 rpm)
RGB and HDMI video ports
USB 2.0 (3 ports)
SATA port
Bluetooth
17.3" HiDef (720P) wide screen
I plan to use it extensively for photo and video editing and AutoCAD so the processor, video memory, and RAM capacity were important.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Acer Aspire AS7745G-6572 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black)


Acer Aspire 7745G: Immersive Entertainment
Take your media enjoyment to a new level with the Acer Aspire 7745G (AS7745G-6572) PC laptop, which features a 17.3-inch LED-backlit CineCrystal display with a fast response time so that fast action moves seamlessly across the screen and a 16:9 aspect ratio--perfect for viewing content created for the widescreen. And it combines best-in-class Intel Core i7 processing power and stunning ATI Radeon HD graphics with a Dolby-optimized surround-sound system for an immersive on-the-go cinema experience.

You'll be able to burn through the hottest new digital media, content creation and advanced 3D gaming with the breakthrough performance of the Intel Core i7 processor thanks to the combination of Intel Turbo Boost technology and Intel Hyper-Threading technology, which maximizes performance to match your workload.

Enjoy the next generation of video playback with the HDMI output, which allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video and audio to your digital TV or capable external monitor. The 1.3-megapixel HD webcam presents vivid images even in low-light situations so you can go face-to-face in online chats and easily take still pictures and videos to share. A Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of web sites. Other features include ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, and a SuperMulti optical drive that's compatible with double-layer DVD discs.

This Aspire laptop comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).

Key Features
17.3-inch CineCrystal LED-backlit widescreen display with 1600 x 900-pixel resolution (native 720p for high-definition viewing). Its widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio is designed to present websites without lots of left-right scrolling, as well as with a smoother line of sight. Specs include a 220-nit high brightness rating, 8ms response time, and 60 percent color gamut.
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM processor (with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80 GHz) delivers maximum processing power in response to peak demands. Intel's Turbo Boost technology maximizes speed for demanding applications, dynamically accelerating performance to match your workload--providing more performance when you need it the most. It also comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics--an advanced video engine that delivers smooth, high-quality HD video playback, and advanced 3D capabilities, providing an ideal graphics solution for everyday computing.
500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; expandable to 16 GB)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 graphics deliver advanced technology to deliver cinema-quality audio and video with 1 GB of DDR3 discrete graphics memory. Using ATI Stream technology, it helps accelerate even the most demanding applications, enabling you to do more than ever with your notebook. It's compatible with the latest DirectX 11 games
8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW drive can also write to CD, DVD-RAM, and dual-layer (DL) DVD±R discs--which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data.
Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites such as Google Earth. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more. (Learn more)
1.3-megapixel Crystal Eye webcam with a built-in digital microphone that helps keep background noise levels low and minimizes echoes. Acer Video Conference Manager software supports 1280 x 1024 resolution online video calls.
2 integrated stereo speakers and 1 subwoofer supporting low-frequency effects
Dolby Home Theater suite of technologies delivers virtual surround sound from stereo speakers or any pair of headphones.
Headphones/speaker/line-out with SPDIF support for true 5.1-channel surround-sound output
Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capability provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers). This laptop uses Acer InviLink Nplify technology that enables multi-stream input or output for faster and more reliable bandwidth, and it also offers Acer SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency.
Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity enables you to communicate and synchronize wirelessly with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as printers and cell phones.
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD)
Four USB 2.0 ports
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD. It also includes a standard VGA video output.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.(Learn more)
Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works SE 9.0 for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
Up to 2.5 hours of battery life (6-cell, 4400 mAh battery)
Dimensions: 16.1 x 11.3 x 1.6 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 7.2 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

What's in the Box This package contains the Acer Aspire AS7745G-6572 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions
It also comes with the following software: McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); NTI Media Maker; Google Toolbar; Acer Recovery Management; Acer GridVista; Microsoft Works; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Trial (60 days); Norton Online Backup

Learn More
The Acer Multi-Gesture Touchpad
A Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. The Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

The TouchPad can also be disabled with a one-touch button, eliminating accidental cursor movement with palms and wrists when using an external mouse.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings


Buy Now

Click here for more information about Acer Aspire AS7745G-6572 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black)

6/09/2011

Acer Aspire AS7745G-6214 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black) Review

Acer Aspire AS7745G-6214 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My first Acer (owned IBM, Dell, HP). Decided to go big with a desktop replacement laptop and use something else for mobile needs. Amazon delivered it fairly quickly given it was free delivery and it was re-packaged and camouflaged in an Amazon box which made me feel a bit better. Acer does a good job of packaging (box inside box for 3 boxes in total) and everything is well covered to avoid scratches. When it was finally unpacked, my first impression was "my ain't she shiny and pretty" which was followed by "my ain't she heavy and bulky." This isn't a slim, petite machine. It has a BIG footprint as the dimensions imply and after installing the battery (which seems mighty small in comparison), the entire thing is...well...a beast. But so far, this beast is super fast and super quiet (kinda of like a strong, stealthy vampire if I can use a contemporary cliche). Okay, let's go to the evaluation list...
Features' evaluation:
* Attractive package. Piano black outer top-shell and screen frame with faint lines on the outside piece. Yeah, it's plastic unlike some that are using metal these days but you have to try to keep the weight within reason. But the downside is of course fingerprints all over the case. I'm not crazy fussy about such things so I can ignore it.
* Nice keyboard. Though not back-lit, the keys are nicely arranged and have a very good feel to them. As a long-time Windows user, I appreciate that the function keys and arrow keys (wish they were bigger) are the dominant named/colored keys in their rightful places and the little special functions (like turning features on and off) are the subsidiary keys.
* Beautiful, big screen. The 17.3" screen is a very nice size and I really like the 1600x900 resolution which is better than many laptops of a similar size. There's a small issue with the vertical viewing angle which is very narrow. You will find yourself adjusting the screen a bit back and forth each time you start it up to get the right viewing angle depending on how you're sitting.
* Decent sound. I wouldn't rave about the external sound but it's not horrible. It required some tweaking in the settings to get a reasonable, non-muffled quality. Granted, we usually use headphones when playing music or games so the external sound is not the primary way we experience it. When cranked up, there's plenty of external volume (even a sub-woofer that fires out the bottom) to watch video or play basic games but you'll want to use headphones to fully experience richer, more complex sound.
* Ports aplenty. For my own purposes, there's enough ports. HDMI and VGA are available on the left along with the sound related jacks (kind of prefer these on the front edge but still better than on the right). Only one USB 2.0 port on the left and the other 3 are on the right. This is a tiny bit problematic in that if you use an external mouse (like I do) and are right-handed (like me) then you'll ideally want the IR transmitter in the left port. Then if you want digital sound and go with a USB headset, where do you go? Right side where you mouse? Hmm. Well I solved the problem by getting a mouse with a mini IR port plug and put it in a right-side USB jack freeing up the left one for USB headphones. And use the left side analog sound jack for basic listening. And of course, I wish the USB ports were 3.0 compliant but that's really future-proofing beyond what I think is truly necessary (you'll probably need a new laptop for other reasons by the time 3.0 is the dominant standard).
* Blu-Ray is the way. Great having a BD combo drive and everything so far has worked perfectly. Watched a B-R disc (Terminator TV show which looked and sounded terrific) and it came out in a beautiful 720p resolution (which given the size of this screen is just fine). I outputted the video to my 42" 1080p TV and that came out beautiful (in 1080p too!) without any tweaking (ATI is getting better at this). Burned some DVD backup discs and loaded some software. All without a hitch. I'm not crazy about the tray popping out as it's a bit flimsy hanging out there and would have preferred a slot loader like how the Macs do it but it works.
* Battery life? Given it's a 6 cell battery, you can't stray too far from an outlet. If I wanted to take this on the road, I'd look to upgrade to at least a 9 cell. You can barely squeak 60-90 minutes out of this tiny little battery (more if you dial way back on the brightness). Also, the power brick is a decent size but not what I would call mammoth. There is a strange aspect to the power port which makes for plugging and unplugging a bit tricky. It fits kind of like a key in that there's little slots that have to line up as well as connecting to the pin. Why Acer chose this type of connection is beyond me.
* Heat dissipation & Quiet! Probably the two biggest "positive" surprises are how well this machine handles heat and how amazingly quiet it is. There's a nice sized blower vent and fan on the left side actively gets rid of most of the heat and it is extremely (scary) quiet especially given that there's an i7 chip and a decent 1 GB ATI graphics card inside. Some machines can be hard to even talk over or the external sound gets muffled by fan noise which is simply not the case here. I've never once had this machine lock up while running and I play some MMO's like Lord of the Rings Online and Guild Wars.
* Graphics power horse. The 1 GB ATI 5650 is really a sweet-spot card. Big enough to run most games on high settings while dialing back just a bit for only the MOST graphically intensive, new stuff. Yeah, it isn't a 58xx card but it doesn't take a massive cooling fan to cool the thing either. And laptops with the 58xx cards are even bigger and heavier than this machine. I think it's a highly functional (DX 11 compatible) card for a high-end laptop.
* Miscellaneous. The web cam is pretty good and I actually had a reasonable conversation using the built-in microphone over a Steam module connection. The touch pad has a kind of Teflon coating like on a Calphalon pan and is pretty easy to use in comparison to other pads. A single larger rocker button on the touch pad works well. There's some bloatware installed (McAfee trial the most annoying) but it's not hard to uninstall what bothers you. Windows 7 64-bit is snappy on this machine given its 8 GB of RAM. 500 GB of hard disk space is more than enough for my needs and though maybe the 5400rpm HD is slower than some, it also consumes less energy than the speedier 7200rpm drives. But there's plenty of guts-access easily available under the machine if you want to put in a bigger, faster HD. I'd like to go solid-state in the future and I don't see a problem making that upgrade after pricing and disk size reach my buy-point. Haven't used it's Bluetooth ability yet but I don't have any of those devices. It has strong and fast wi-fi signal acquisition.
Finally, I'd rate her 4.5 stars if I had that option as there's a few small quirks preventing me from going all the way to 5 stars. The price was right here (below $1200) and the 12 month financing was a real bonus and what kicked me to the buy point. So overall, I'm extremely pleased with this purchase and expect years of good use from it.

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Acer Aspire 7745G: Immersive Entertainment
Take your media enjoyment to a new level with the Acer Aspire 7745G (AS7745G-6214) PC laptop, which features a 17.3-inch LED-backlit CineCrystal display with a fast response time so that fast action moves seamlessly across the screen and a 16:9 aspect ratio--perfect for viewing content created for the widescreen. And it combines best-in-class Intel Core i7 processing power and stunning ATI Radeon HD graphics with a Blu-ray Disc drive for viewing movies in crystal-clear HD resolution and a Dolby-optimized surround-sound system for an immersive on-the-go cinema experience. And the Blu-ray Disc drive includes an integrated SuperMulti drive for creating your own DVDs and CDs.

You'll be able to burn through the hottest new digital media, content creation and advanced 3D gaming with the breakthrough performance of the Intel Core i7 processor thanks to the combination of Intel Turbo Boost technology and Intel Hyper-Threading technology, which maximizes performance to match your workload.

Enjoy the next generation of video playback with the HDMI output, which allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video and audio to your digital TV or capable external monitor. The 1.3-megapixel HD webcam presents vivid images even in low-light situations so you can go face-to-face in online chats and easily take still pictures and videos to share. A Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of web sites. And the 8 GB of DDR3 memory helps power through tasks.

This Aspire laptop comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version).

Key Features
17.3-inch CineCrystal LED-backlit widescreen display with 1600 x 900-pixel resolution (native 720p for high-definition viewing). Its widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio is designed to present websites without lots of left-right scrolling, as well as with a smoother line of sight. Specs include a 220-nit high brightness rating, 8ms response time, and 60 percent color gamut.
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM processor (with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80 GHz) delivers maximum processing power in response to peak demands. Intel's Turbo Boost technology maximizes speed for demanding applications, dynamically accelerating performance to match your workload--providing more performance when you need it the most. It also comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics--an advanced video engine that delivers smooth, high-quality HD video playback, and advanced 3D capabilities, providing an ideal graphics solution for everyday computing.
500 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
8 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz; expandable to 16 GB)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 graphics deliver advanced technology to deliver cinema-quality audio and video with 1 GB of DDR3 discrete graphics memory. Using ATI Stream technology, it helps accelerate even the most demanding applications, enabling you to do more than ever with your notebook. It's compatible with the latest DirectX 11 games
Watch Blu-ray Disc movies in crystal clear resolution with the read-only Blu-ray drive; this notebook also includes an integrated 4x DVD±R/RW SuperMulti drive capable of reading/writing of CD-R/RW, DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, and DVD-RAM.
Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites such as Google Earth. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more. (Learn more)
1.3-megapixel Crystal Eye webcam with a built-in digital microphone that helps keep background noise levels low and minimizes echoes. Acer Video Conference Manager software supports 1280 x 1024 resolution online video calls.
2 integrated stereo speakers and 1 subwoofer supporting low-frequency effects
Dolby Home Theater suite of technologies delivers virtual surround sound from stereo speakers or any pair of headphones.
Headphones/speaker/line-out with SPDIF support for true 5.1-channel surround-sound output
Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking capability provides up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range using 802.11n-compatible routers as you would with 802.11g networks. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found at Wi-Fi hotspots and in older home routers). This laptop uses Acer InviLink Nplify technology that enables multi-stream input or output for faster and more reliable bandwidth, and it also offers Acer SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency.
Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity enables you to communicate and synchronize wirelessly with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as printers and cell phones.
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD)
Four USB 2.0 ports
HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD. It also includes a standard VGA video output.
Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.(Learn more)
Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works SE 9.0 for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
Up to 2.5 hours of battery life (6-cell, 4400 mAh battery)
Dimensions: 16.1 x 11.3 x 1.6 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 7.2 pounds
Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

What's in the Box This package contains the Acer Aspire AS7745G-6214 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions
It also comes with the following software: McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); NTI Media Maker; Google Toolbar; Acer Recovery Management; Acer GridVista; Microsoft Works; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 Trial (60 days); Norton Online Backup

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The Acer Multi-Gesture Touchpad
A Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. The Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

The TouchPad can also be disabled with a one-touch button, eliminating accidental cursor movement with palms and wrists when using an external mouse.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings


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