looking for opinions on Aspire 1810 Timeline

[squid27wfd3]

I know its more of a budget laptop then a netbook but i like the 11.6 screen for work its nice and compact. Looking for peoples opinions and reviews

Thanks
Dan

[netbooking]

Welcome back squid27wfd3. Still working for the fire department? I hadn't heard about the computer you want but I do know the screen size is becoming more popular.

[squid27wfd3]

I haven't been in a while checked in every now and then been real busy with work both the fd and the other job trying to work as many hours as i can
Not much building going on being in the construction field when i'm not fighting fires

I like the screen size its just small enough to fit almost any place and big enough to not strain your eyes

Heres the link to the acer site

Products

[ThisIsNot]

I have not used one of these but I can comment on the tech specs of this ultra portable notebook. Either the Core 2 Duo or Pentium (which is essentially a Core 2 Solo) processor that Acer puts in these (not really sure which one you will get) will be more capable than any Atom found in netbooks these days. Those Intel CULV and ULV processors really know how to push performance boundaries while consuming minuscule amounts of power.

The Intel GMA 4500MHD is also a huge improvement over the Intel GMA 500, GMA 950, and GMA 3000 series used with newer netbooks. Why? It supports hardware acceleration for full 1080p video playback. So the Aspire 1810 Timeline offers an HDMI port and a GPU that can actually drive HD videos. Lastly, the inclusion of Windows 7 Home Premium is rather nice.

The only thing I don't know about the model you want to purchase is if it is running a single-core or dual-core processor (there are four different configurations) and price.

Just to give you an idea; Toshiba has an 11.6" ultra portable that is running a dual-core 1.5GHz AMD Neo processor, 64-bit version of Windows 7 Premium, 2GB of RAM, 320GB hard drive, 1336X768 screen, 6 hours of battery life (though there is a 12 cell battery for 12 hours of operation), and ATI HD3200 graphics (which is all around better than the Intel GMA 4500MHD) along with HDMI output for $499. That has better specs, except for the battery life, than any of the Acer 1810 Timeline configurations but I don't know the prices and configurations you are looking at

[squid27wfd3]

I'm looking at the AS1810T setup as the following Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium ; 64-bit version; Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor SU7300 (3MB L2 cache, 1.30 GHz, 800MHz FSB); 4GB (2/2) DDR2 667 SDRAM; 320GB hard drive; multi-in-one card reader; Acer® CineCrystal 11.6" (1366 x 768) TFT display; Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD; 802.11b/g/Draft-N WLAN, Bluetooth®, gigabit LAN, webcam;

[ericinboston]

$650-$700 for a netbook?! Wow.

What are you going to do with this machine? You might as well look at some inexpensive notebooks...I was looking at some Dells the other day for a friend and found some nice ones for $699-$799...much larger screen (15.6), better CPU, larger hard drive, cd/dvd drive (if you need it). Of course it weighs more...but you'll need to give us a list of daily use cases in order for us to give you a better recommendation.

Although Acer has some nice netbooks, the namebrand Acer is not as worthy as ones like HP, Dell, Lenovo...so I am not thrilled as a consumer that Acer tries to price a netbook this high.

-Eric

[ThisIsNot]

And how much is that notebook configuration? I wouldn't get it if the price was over $500 simply because the Toshiba is a better model. That and you can purchase other ultra portable notebooks (with at least the same specs) for about $550-$600.

[squid27wfd3]

its 579 on tiger direct a local place has it for 549
I am not a fan of Dell or HP's compact computers i looked at the Toshiba but its only a 2 gig by the time you add another 2 gigs from them its 569

I already have 2 dell larger laptops 1 17" and the other is a 15"

I like the 11" screen for work its nice and compact for me to sit there during down time and do what ever i want and not to have to lug around a bigger one

My day to day is mostly games,movies,and work related activities on it
Price doesn't matter all that much if its 500-600 aslong as its got good memory and clear video

[ThisIsNot]

Where were you getting a price of $69 for two 2GB sticks of RAM? Additionally, the Intel GMA 4500MHD won't be good for "gaming." I am not sure what type of gaming you are talking about but it won't run any modern game. Then again, you won't find a single PC for $500-$600 that can run a modern game.

The configuration isn't bad but the Toshiba is a much better performer for a lower price. Even by the time RAM is factored in ($40), the Toshiba is still lower in price. Get what you want but you are overpaying for the Acer. I would suggest that you purchase the Acer if you could find it for $499. I guess $549 isn't all that unreasonable for the configuration but the Acer is using an old chipset from Intel and they have already replaced the GMA 4500MHd. Again, it would have been a goo deal at $499 but that extra $50 puts it in a new category.

I know you said that you don't like Dell or HP but PC brands don't matter all that much these days. There are a handful of factories in China that all of these computer manufacturers use. Even then, they rely on other companies to make the parts such as the processor, motherboard, chipset, etc. All of these parts are then assembled in China. There was much discussion a few years back whenever Apple came out with a 24" display that was $1000 (maybe it was $800 or $900, this was back in their pre-Intel days). Then HP paid Apple's panel manufacturer and used the exact same assembly plan in China and they had a 27" monitor for $600. HP also had a 24" panel that was the same thing as what Apple was offering for $450. So, even though Apple is supposed to be a brand that produces high quality products, they were simply charging more for the same thing that consumers could get from a different company.

See what I am saying? A dual-core 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo equipped notebook with 4GB of RAM and an ATI 4000 level graphics card will perform the same whether the brand on the outside says HP, Dell, Apple, Toshiba, Acer, etc. Every brand has their horror stories and the complainers from the major players (HP, Dell, and Apple) are really loud. After all, most forum posts made in the official forums for those companies are filled with people who have an issue. You aren't going to see people registering, making a comment about how well their product is performing, and then leave. You will however see someone register, make one post that is negative, and they will never respond. You will also see a bunch of people post something stupid things that aren't really issues.

So go with the Acer if you want but just know that you are overpaying and that other companies make notebooks with specs that are either on par or even better for the same price or less.

[squid27wfd3]

This is the closest Toshiba i could find with what i was looking for
Satellite T115D-S1125
PST1LU-002002

Processor AMD Athlon™ Neo X2 Dual-Core Processor L325Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)Memory 2GB DDR2 800MHz memoryHard Drive 320GB HDD (5400rpm) $499.99
Toshiba 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800MHz Notebook Memory Module PA3669U-1M2G $69.99
Toshiba Primary 6-Cell Li-Ion Battery Pack PA3780U-1BRS $129.99
$699.97
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$25.86 Sales Tax $43.55 Recycle Fee
CART TOTAL $743.52