Saturday, July 31st, 2010

another Open Access Blog

Great Price Apple MC371LL/A for Too low to display

Apple MacBook Pro MC371LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop Review



For summary skip to the bottom. Video to come soon...


I already wrote a review and posted a video on the 13", so I'll spare you the pre-story. The 15" MacBook Pro (Summer 2010 version) is a step up for me. I want to go on record by saying that I did NOT opt for the high res screen, and I'll tell you why in a moment. I'm still an MCSA and an MCTS, and Microsoft is still primary in my world, but I access these resources via Apple.

First, I want to clarify why I chose to buy the 15" when I had a 13" that was sufficient. Because I run VMs a lot (I have reviews of Parallels and VMWare), the real estate of the screen was very important. The 13" handled everything I threw at it like a champ, but I needed more screen area. I also needed a stronger multitask processor to keep up with the demands I put upon it. The 2010 version of the MacBooks achieve gains in three key areas: The processor, which on the 15" and 17" models is the Core i5 and i7 models; the video cards, which again, on the 15" and 17" models are improved with newer technology; and the power management.

The previous processor was the Core 2 Duo - an older technology but not a slouch by any means. It was and is a very powerful processor, all things considered, and the 13" was able to deal with everything I threw at it, including multiple VMs at the same time and video encoding processes. Where the Core 2 Duo struggles is with multi-tasking speed; while it can handle multiple processes, it allocates resources towards the most intensive of what's running at the detriment of everything else. In other words, if you encode a video at a medium resolution, you would find that the machine was nearly unusable otherwise; not frozen or dirt slow, but slow enough to be annoying. The fan would come on and the heat would multiply, and you often would fear for the poor MacBook's life. Not so with the i5. It also does get hot - hotter, in fact, than the Core 2 Duo - but even though it's dealing with intensive processes, it never breaks stride with other applications that might be running. You could encode video, then jump over to your email and work as if nothing were going on. The laptop's fan would be going nearly full blast and the heat would be expunged at an exponential rate, but the laptop would not slow down. I consider that impressive, especially given the fact that battery life did not suffer from older years. The i7 is even more powerful than the i5; but the primary reason I could not consider that version has to do with the heat. It's so extreme it's got people online worried about cooking eggs. I know they're not exaggerating; the i5 can get quite hot, so if the i7 is as strong as I know it is, I can only imagine how hot it must get.

The video cards have been improved in the new MacBooks. They are newer versions of the NVidia cards that were released, and some of the MacBooks have the higher end Intel integrated chips. If you don't understand some of the video card technology, there are dedicated video cards and then there are integrated cards. The dedicated cards mean simply that they have their own memory and don't share the RAM of the computer. Integrated, as evident by the name, uses shared RAM to function, either in whole or in part. The integrated chips are lower cost, obviously, at the trade of a performance hit - the RAM it's sharing is inaccessible to the OS and applications, and because the RAM is always a chunk of other RAM, there is an effective tug-of-war going on when using the integrated card. It's really popular in lower end laptops because of the price point - if you paid less than 0 for your laptop chances are it's got an integrated card. All of the lower priced 13" Apples (MacBook, 99 MacBook Pro, MacBook Air) have integrated chips. The Air might have gotten bumped to NVidia, not sure. In any case, Apple has mixed some models with integrated and dedicated chips, so that less intense processes use the integrated and higher processes switch automatically to dedicated, which is more powerful. Most casual users will think this a pointless feature; but it's good to have for battery life.

Speaking of which, the new MacBooks feature a newer version of the MagSafe power adapter. Due to fraying and melting issues with the previous models, Apple has seen fit to redesign this adapter to address the issue. It now holds a lot more solidly than before, and is partially cylindrical instead of rectangular (you can see images above, of course). The cylinder part is where the fraying most commonly occurred, so it makes sense why they did this change. The actual cable itself also feels more solid; kudos to Apple for improving this. It's also retroactively compatible, so if you buy a new adapter you'll probably get the newer version, and it should work fine for your model (assuming it's a MagSafe version and not the plug-in style from old times). The new 13" MacBook Pro claims a battery life of up to 10 hours due in part to the newer video card; the 15" that I'm reviewing here has already shown improved battery life over the older 13", even at maximum screen brightness. The usual activities will of course kill the battery: VMs, video encoding, audio recording, anything where there is a constant stream of data going one way or the other, basically.

One area of disappointment coming from the 13": The speakers. Because the 15" sports actual speaker grills instead of the embedded speaker of the 13", I somewhat expected at least slightly better audio quality. To my surprise and dismay, I did not receive it. I do a lot of audio records of songs and I use Sennheiser HD-280 Professional Headphones...but the problem is, a song can sound perfect in the headphones, but then I listen to it on the MacBook's speakers and the same song sounds absolutely terrible. I know it can't be the song that's bad, because the headphones are spot on with the way it should sound; but the MacBook's speakers just separate sound streams too much. It's hard to describe, but it's like the treble is cranked and I can't adjust with an equalizer or something. Movies are fine, but again, no appreciable improvement over the 13", where I would watch DVDs frequently with great effect.



So...do I recommend it? Well...it depends. I don't recommend it if you're just a casual user, even if you like the larger screen. Go for the 13" and if you absolutely have to have screens of a larger size get an external. I just can't justify the 0 premium for a larger MacBook unless you are actually going to use it for gaming, audio/video, or VMs. Then it makes sense. As far as the high resolution 1680 screen, recommended only if you're gaming, really. I would like to emphasize DO NOT get the antiglare from Apple. It's nice looking, it really is. It will shock you; it will tempt you; it will compel you to fork over the extra . Don't do it; the quality of that screen is not as good as the glossy, because the antiglare is not the full glass. Get one of the Green Onions Supply Anti-Glare AG2 Screen Protector for 15-Inch Aluminum Unibody Apple MacBook Pro and do it yourself. You'll thank me later.



Apple MacBook Pro MC371LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop Feature


  • 2.4GHz Intel Core i5
  • 320 GB Hard Drive, 8x DVD/CD SuperDrive, 4GB DDR3 RAM
  • 15.4 inch LED-backlit display, 1440-by-900 resolution
  • Intel HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with automatic graphics switching and 256 MB dedicated graphics memory
  • Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System



Apple MacBook Pro MC371LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop Overview


The new MacBook Pro 15-inch models set all-new benchmarks for Mac notebooks. The 15-inch MacBook Pro feature Intel Core i5 processors, which boost performance up to 50 percent(1) and reach Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.33GHz. Next-generation NVIDIA graphics bring high performance to everything from 3D games to photos and videos. And the built-in battery lasts up to 10 hours (8 to 9 hours on the 15-inch models).(2) (1) Up to 50 percent faster compared with previous-generation MacBook Pro. (2) Testing conducted by Apple in March 2010 using preproduction 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo–based 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2.66GHz Intel Core i7–based 15-inch MacBook Pro, and 2.53GHz Intel Core i5–based 17-inch MacBook Pro. Battery life depends on configuration and use. See www.apple.com/batteries for more information. The wireless productivity test measures battery life by wirelessly browsing various websites and editing text in a word processing document with display brightness set to 50%.


Apple MacBook Pro MC371LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop Specifications


Updated with Intel's Core i5 processor and next-generation NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro is faster than ever and will keep you working longer away from power cords with an enhanced battery life of up to 9 hours of battery life. As with previous models, the new MacBook Pro features a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminum, creating a thin and light mobile computing workhorse (less than 1 inch thin and just 5.6 pounds) that's also highly durable. And it includes a 15.4-inch, LED-backlit glass display (instead of an LCD panel) as well as a glass trackpad that doesn't include a button (for larger tracking area) that features Apple's Multi-Touch technology.



The 15-inch unibody MacBook Pro (see larger image).


Now faster than ever with a Core i5 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics, and automatic graphics switching (see larger image).
The MacBook Pro also offers excellent graphics flexibility with two video processors--the discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M processor (with 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory) for heavier workloads and an integrated Intel HD Graphics processor for better battery life on the go. And the new automatic graphics switching feature determines which graphics processor an application needs and switches instantly between the processors.

It comes pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system--an operating system custom-designed for the advanced technology inside--and it also comes with the iLife '09 suite of applications, including iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, and iTunes.

Specification Highlights

  • 15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass (1440 x 900-pixel resolution).
  • 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor for smart performance with a Turbo Boost maximizing speed when you need it the most for demanding applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro (3 MB shared L3 cache).
  • Dual graphics processors with automatic switching between NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M (with 512 MB of GDDR3 video memory) for demanding applications and integrated Intel HD Graphics (with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory) for power savings.
  • 320 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
  • 4 GB installed RAM (1066 MHz DDR3; supports up to 8 GB)
  • 8x slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer DVD support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
  • Built-in iSight camera for video chatting
  • Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on 802.11n specification; 802.11a/b/g compatible)
  • Gigabit Ethernet wired networking (10/100/1000)
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) for connecting with peripherals such as keyboards, mice and cell phones
  • Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port
  • SD card slot
  • Mini DisplayPort video output with optional adapters for DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI output
  • Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control with support for inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
  • Full-size backlit keyboard
  • Stereo speakers with subwoofers
  • Dimensions: 14.35 x 9.82 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH)
  • Weight: 5.6 pounds
  • Up to 8-9 hours of battery life
  • Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard
  • Meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements
What's in the Box
MacBook Pro, display cleaning cloth, 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, software DVDs, printed and electronic documentation


The ports on the left side of the 15-inch MacBook Pro.

Key Features



Enjoy a processor Turbo Boost and automatic switching to the fast NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor when using processor-intensive applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro.
 
 

New Intel Core i5 Processor

The new Intel Core i5 processor boosts performance up to 50 percent over the previous generation. Based on Intel's latest 32-nanometer process technology, the Core i5 also offers Intel's Turbo Boost feature. If you're using processor-intensive applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro that would benefit from an extra performance kick, Turbo Boost dynamically increases the speed of one or both cores.

Built-in Hyper-Threading allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core, so Mac OS X recognizes four virtual cores instead of just two. When you're running multiple applications at once, the Core i5 processor spreads tasks more evenly across a greater number of cores--so you can get more done, faster.

And unlike systems that connect memory to the processor through a separate controller, the new MacBook Pro uses an integrated memory controller to connect memory directly to the processor. With faster access to memory, each core gets right to work on your data, rather than waiting for it to arrive.

Next-Generation Graphics

The latest MacBook Pro features the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete graphics processor--the fastest graphics ever in a Mac notebook. With 48 processing cores and 256 MB of dedicated video memory, this graphics processor delivers even more horsepower than the previous generation. And you don't have to sacrifice efficiency for speed: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M is up to 30 percent more energy efficient than its predecessor. For even greater power savings, the MacBook Pro also includes integrated Intel HD Graphics.

Also new is the MacBook Pro's breakthrough automatic graphics switching technology, enabling you to switch graphics processors on the fly to give you performance when you need it (when you're playing the latest 3D game, for example) and better battery efficiency when you don't (such as when you're reading email). Whether you're using applications like Aperture, Motion, or Final Cut Pro or just surfing the web, your MacBook Pro always knows which processor to use. You don't have to log out, shut down, or change your preferences.



The beginning of every MacBook Pro--a precisely machined, single block of aluminum.

Unibody Design

Traditionally, notebooks are made from multiple parts. With the MacBook Pro all of those parts with just one part--the breakthrough unibody enclosure. Every MacBook Pro starts its life as a single block of aluminum, which is precisely machined into the basic unibody design. Another pass and the unibody takes shape. Another, and the integrated keyboard emerges. When you pick up a new MacBook Pro, you immediately notice the entire enclosure is thinner and lighter. And it feels strong and durable--perfect for life inside (and outside) your briefcase or backpack.

LED-Backlit Display

LCD displays typically use cold cathode fluorescent lamps, or CCFLs, to create light and project a picture onto a screen, and this creates two problems--the lamps require more space and they take more time to warm up to full brightness. The MacBook Pro uses LED backlight technology to create the same amount of brightness in less space. And unlike fluorescent lamps, an LED backlight reaches maximum brightness instantly. Finally, a new, smaller iSight camera is concealed behind the display for quick access to video chats and snapping pics for uploading to social networks.



The entire trackpad is the button, so you can click anywhere.
Additionally, conventional CCFL displays use mercury to create a backlight and arsenic to prevent irregularities in the glass. The LED-backlit display on the MacBook Pro, on the other hand, is both mercury- and arsenic-free. LED backlight technology also conserves energy: This display requires up to 30 percent less power than a CCFL display.

Buttonless Multi-Touch Trackpad

With no button on the durable glass trackpad, there's more room to track and click--left, right, center, and everywhere in between. Without a separate button, the spacious trackpad gives your hands plenty of room to move on the large, silky glass surface. It also incorporates Multi-Touch gestures--including swipe, pinch, rotate, and four-finger swipe--and even more natural inertial scrolling--an intuitive way to scroll through large photo libraries, lengthy documents and long web sites. If you're coming from a right-click world, you can right-click with two fingers or configure a right-click area on the trackpad.

Long-Lasting Battery

The new energy-efficient architecture in every MacBook Pro, along with automatic graphics switching, gives you dramatically longer battery life. On a single charge, the battery in the new 15-inch MacBook Pro lasts up to 8 to 9 hours. And you'll get up to 1000 full charge and discharge cycles--that's nearly three times the lifespan of typical notebook batteries. Advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging allow the battery to maintain charging capabilities longer and determine the optimal way to charge the battery's cells. Because the battery lasts up to five years, MacBook Pro uses just one battery in the same time a typical notebook uses three. That makes for less waste. And that, in turn, makes for one environmentally friendly battery.

Environmental Considerations

Apple has worked hard to eliminate many of the toxins that are a common part of computer manufacturing. Apple engineers removed the majority of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from circuit boards, internal cables, connectors, insulators, adhesives, and more in the MacBook Pro.

Because Apple makes both the hardware and the software for the MacBook, they're designed to work together to produce a smarter product that uses less electricity. For instance, to reduce energy consumption, the hard drive spins down automatically when inactive. MacBook Air also decides which processor--CPU or GPU--is best suited to efficiently perform a task. The LED-backlit display in the MacBook Pro is another feature that plays an important part in conserving energy, consuming 30 percent less power than conventional LCD displays. And the display is designed to dim when you enter a darkened room.

The MacBook Pro meets the stringent low power requirements set by the EPA, giving it ENERGY STAR qualification. ENERGY STAR 5.0 sets significantly higher efficiency limits for power supplies and aggressive limits for the computer's typical annual power consumption.

Also, every MacBook Pro model has earned the highest rating of EPEAT Gold. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, evaluates the environmental impact of a product based on how recyclable it is, how much energy it uses, and how it's designed and manufactured.

Pre-Loaded with Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife '09

Every Mac comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the world's most advanced operating system, and iLife, Apple's innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard builds on a decade of OS X innovation and success with hundreds of refinements, new core technologies and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife features iPhoto, to easily organize and manage photos; iMovie with powerful easy-to-use new features such as Precision Editor, video stabilization and advanced drag and drop; and GarageBand which introduces a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar.

Installed software

  • Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
  • iLife '09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, iDVD)


Available at Amazon Check Price Now!


Related Products



Customer Reviews


MacBook Pro 15 - Comprehensive Review - Artemaria - New York City
Have been using computers for nearly two decades and have owned both PCs and Macs. Use a PC laptop for work, which is great for that. But this is my first Mac laptop and I have to say, while I was grumbling at the price, you get what you pay for. Here are my thoughts.

PROS -

Trackpad --- this may be the best thing about this computer. While I read the review on CNET and they said the trackpad is great, you really have to experience it to understand. It is a transformational way of communicating with the computer. After having the computer for about a week, I am already much faster on this trackpad than I ever was on a mouse. You have to experience this to understand. The size and the functionality built into the trackpad are nothing short of astonishing.

Included software --- the included software on iLife is really useful. It has a rather full featured movie editing software for free, as well as iPhoto, iTunes, etc.

Not included bloatware --- it is nice not to have to delete all that crap from the desktop and windows system.

Fast --- very fast, especially in OSX. We got this with zero options, just the base 15" model. It is very quick with anything you throw at it.

Build quality --- you can grab this laptop from any corner and carry it. There is no flex in the casing. You can really feel the difference that building these things out of a solid block of aluminum makes.

Looks --- this is really a beautiful machine. You'll be as happy looking at is when it is off as when it is on.

Lighted keyboard --- bright enough to see, but not too bright to be distracting. Excellent view of all the keys in any lighting.

Display --- we have the base display and it is crystal clear. My brother-in-law got the resolution upgrade, and while you can tell a difference, if you don't have both the computers next to each other, you won't know what you are missing. If you do intensive graphics work, I would recommend the display resolution upgrade, otherwise, it is just bragging rights, for which I don't need to pay extra.

Battery life --- basically it goes all day with light use on one charge. There are not too many 15" laptops, if any, that can do this.

Spyware and Viruses --- yes there are none now, and that is good. Hopeuflly, there will be none for a long time.

Discounts and Rebates --- while most people would not associate discounts and rebates with Apple, this is a pretty good time to buy a new Mac. We got 0 towards an iPod Touch (making it free) and 0 towards a wireless printer (making it free). Thus, in the end, we got a wireless printer and an iPod Touch for the cost of the tax on these products alone. Also, if you are a teacher or work for the government, Apple will knock another 0 off the price. These are some nice discounts when you buy this laptop.


NEUTRAL -

OSX --- about two years ago, this would have been a tremendous positive as Vista was an unmitigated disaster. However, with Windows 7 being pretty good (and shamelessly ripping off many of OSX's features), this is less of an advantage than it sued to be. It is really a matter of taste. We happen to like OSX, especially Snow Leopard, but others may like Windows. This computer can run both.

Only two USB ports --- this is at least USB port less than the competition in this price range. However, because the track pad is so good, I don't need to fill up a USB port with a mouse like all my friends do. Also, since a wireless printer is about 0 (which Apple gives you towards the price of a new printer), that frees up another USB port. Thus, I only need a USB port for the iPod or the camera. Neither of which is connected to the laptop at all times,

Only 4GB RAM --- while it is plenty for now, I can see this not being enough in a few years.

No user replaceable RAM --- RAM is the cheapest way to make your computer go faster. Hopefully the computer will still go fast after the warranty expires so that I can take this apart and add more RAM. But it is annoying that there is no easy way to replace the RAM.

No user replaceable battery --- I don't know how long the battery will last, but if a problem develops, it would be nice to be able to change the battery.

CONS -

No Blu-Ray --- this was the biggest drawback for me, as I would have liked to have a Blu-Ray player in the house. However, since I don't own any Blu-Rays, it is not that big of a drawback. Also, since you can download most movies these days, this missing player is not a deal breaker.

No HDMI output --- this is another potential problem. I don't have an HDTV, so this is not a big deal, but if I get one, it is annoying to have to buy a special adapter PLUS an HDMI cable to play video from my laptop's mini-display port on my TV.

CONCLUSION -

All in all, I've liked this machine alot more than I thought I would. It feels good in the hand and great when using. The display is terrific and the machine is quite responsive. While it is tempting to look at a computer based exclusively on specifications, if you only do that, you may lose sight of what you need in a computer and how you use it. All the specifications in thw world achieve nothing if they are for features that you don't use. This computer hits a nice combination of features that people will actually use without including features and complications that they won't. For what we need, it just works.

While we looked at many laptops, we are happy we ended up with this one.

Hopefully this review helped you in your computer shopping. Best of luck.







The best of the best. - Joseph Sudano - Dix Hills, NY United States
I had been a Dell laptop fan since 1998 when I purchased my first Inspiron 7000 for over $ 4,800.00 with options. I have had 5 laptops since then. Two more Dell's that cost over $ 2,200.00 each, one being an XPS. I also had two Toshiba's. All my laptops were considered high performance models. Until I bought the Apple 15.4" MacBook Pro w/ the new i5 processor I have never been satisfied with the performance of any of my laptops. To start with the MacBook Pro is stunning to look at. The all aluminum case is flawless and lets you know this is a high quality piece of engineering. Everything about the MacBook Pro is what you would expect from a top of the line laptop. The performance is just fabulous. It is very fast, easy to use, and very intuitive. If you are looking for a laptop that will exceed your expectations, this is the one to get if you can afford it.






A reluctant gaming machine - S. Kydd -
My goal was to buy a Mac that was capable of playing any current generation game (as of 2010). I owned an Acer TravelMate 4011 prior, that was only good for surfing, microsoft office stuff and watching low resolution movies. It was ok at first but eventually its limitations got to me. I decided to go with a mac because I have always been a mac fan. I only bought the Acer for college and to try out Windows and boy was that a nightmare. My boot ups took me 5 minutes... Five. Whole. Minutes... and no I am not exaggerating. Performance wise, it felt like there was sludge inside my computer. I would often have to re-install windows at least twice a year.

It took me 3 years (I'm patient) before I was willing to buy a Macbook Pro (early 2010) as I was unsatisfied with the prior model's specs and prices. I chose the base model i5 because I did not believe that the minuscule increase in performance was worth the price.

As a mac, it's damn near perfect. Everything runs silky smooth with rarely any slow downs. I do occasionally experience an unresponsive track pad that leaves me tapping in vain though. I don't know if it's the track pad's fault or this Adobe Flash problem I keep hearing about (it usually happens when I'm surfing) or if it's just the computer "thinking", but it gets very annoying. The battery usually last about 7 hours or so but this varies depending on what you are doing. Watching movies with the brightness turned all the way up can get you about 4 to 5 hours. Reading with the brightness turned down halfway can get you roughly 9 hours, a huge improvement from my old computer's 1.5 hours. I also love that the computer is smart enough to stop charging the batteries when they are full, so you can leave it plugged in for as long as you want (though they still recommend you give the batteries some exercise and also that you calibrate it once a month).

Using this as a PC (via Bootcamp) reveals a flaw unfortunately. I installed Windows 7 to allow me to play PC games which this computer does quite well. I've only played Dragon age and Modern Warfare 1 so far with all settings except AA set to max and they both run very smoothly. However, the laptop gets really, really hot underneath and in the upper left corner next to the power cord. The computer is very thin which is cool, but I think this may give it poor ventilation. Because of the heat, the fans activate very loudly (I use headphone though so it doesn't bother me). Also, the track pad is not quite as nice in Windows as it is in Mac OS so I would suggest getting a mouse.

Now to be fair, I cannot blame this computer for these problems. The Macbook Pro has never claimed itself to be a gaming laptop and it isn't. Neither has it ever claimed to be a PC, it's not. The fact that it can still do both, however, should be looked on as a free bonus to an already outstanding laptop.

EDIT: I've read somewhere that the Macbook Pro uses its aluminum unibody as a heat conductor to keep the chips cool, which would explain why it feels so hot. This is good for the computer but bad for your lap. An excellent way of keeping both you and your lap top cool is to not play games on it while it's on your lap. Instead, place it on a flat surface. Better yet, place 2 objects under the laptop so that there is space for air to move freely underneath. You don't really need to buy an expensive laptop cooler (I use 2 books). I would love to get the xpad but bucks for a flat, fancy looking piece of plastic is a bit much to me.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 23, 2010 20:51:52
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acer AOD250-1515 10.1-Inch White Netbook – Up to 9 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Starter)

Acer AOD250-1515 10.1-Inch White Netbook – Up to 9 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Starter) Review

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

This netbook is great. I am not a computer expert, but I did manage to upgrade to 2 gigs of RAM. The three things that impress me the most are (1) its small size (much smaller than a notebook computer yet almost as versatile) which makes the Acer easy to carry around, yet the keyboard is fairly close to standard size; (2) its speed ; and (3) its WiFi capabilities are great without having to use any external devices to amplify the signals from any WiFi source I have tried.

While the unit seems to be a great value for its price point, it still has a low price point. I am concerned that my hamfisted typing skills may one day break a key or two on the keyboard. Similarly the “right click” and “left click” functions on its built-in control panel seem less sturdy than on a typical notebook computer or external mouse. I also think that opening and closing the “jaws” of the ACER netbook might cause the “joint” to wear out over time. Hopefully, the unit will become technically obsolete before any of these occurs. I suggest that other owners be gentle to the Acer. This is a fairly delicate piece of equipment.

I am very glad I purchased this netbook and will use it while traveling and teaching.

Acer AOD250-1515 10.1-Inch White Netbook – Up to 9 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Starter) Feature

  • 1.66GHz Intel N280 Atom Processor
  • 1024MB DDR2 SDRAM Single Channel Memory
  • 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM), Acer InviLink 802.11b/g/Draft-N Wi-Fi CERTIFIED
  • Windows 7 Starter Operating System, 6-cell Li-ion Battery (5800 mAh)
  • 10.1″ WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite LED Display, Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950

Acer AOD250-1515 10.1-Inch White Netbook – Up to 9 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Starter) Overview

Acer AOD250-1515 comes with these high level Specs. Intel Atom Processor N280, Windows 7 Starter, 10.1-Inch WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite LED Display, Mobile Intel 945GSE Express Chipset, Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, 1024MB DDR2 SDRAM Single Channel Memory, 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM), Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader, Acer InviLink 802.11b/g/Draft-N Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data rate), Integrated Acer Crystal Eye Webcam, Two Built-in Stereo Speakers, 3 – USB 2.0 Ports, 6-cell Li-ion Battery (5800 mAh), 2.79 lbs. | 1.27 kg (system unit only)

Acer AOD250-1515 10.1-Inch White Netbook – Up to 9 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Starter) Specifications

Browse the Web, check email, share photos, keep up with social networks, listen to music and enjoy a variety of entertainment with the Aspire One AOD250, which features a small compact design that you can take anywhere. Acer makes it easy to stay productive while on the go with the 10.1-inch CrystalBrite LED-backlit screen as well as its excellent near full-size keyboard. A great choice for students as well as business travelers who like to travel light, this Aspire One AOD250 model (AOD250-1515) in white has a 6-cell battery that provides up to 9 hours of battery life on the go and weighs 2.79 pounds.

The sleekly designed Aspire One AOD250 weighs just 2.79 pounds (with 6-cell battery).

A great choice for light-packing business travelers and students, this 10.1-inch Aspire One AOD250 comes with Windows 7 Starter, a 250 GB hard drive, and a 6-cell battery for up to 9 hours of battery life (see larger image).

Pinch, flick and swirl your fingers on the Multi-Gesture Touchpad for an intuitive navigation to view web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

It comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Starter operating system, which combines the latest in reliability and responsiveness with the familiarity and compatibility of Windows. It includes new Windows 7 features like Jump Lists to help you to better find and manage files, and connecting to printers and peripherals is easier than ever. (Learn more about Windows 7 Starter below.)

You’ll be able to easily video chat wherever you roam thanks to the Crystal Eye webcam integrated into the LCD’s bezel, delivering smooth video streaming and high quality images even in low-light situations. And the built-in digital microphone delivers superior voice quality keeping background noise level low and minimizing echoes. Pinch, flick and swirl your fingers on the multi-gesture touchpad for an intuitive navigation to view web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.

It’s powered by the 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N280 processor, which is designed especially for mobile devices using an innovative design structure and hafnium-infused circuitry to reduce electrical current leakage in transistors to conserve energy. Packed with roomy 250 GB hard drive–great for storing a mobile digital audio and video library–this Aspire One also features 1 GB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), Draft-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, multi-format memory card reader, multiple USB ports, and built-in email, web browsing, and digital media applications.

Key Features

  • 10.1-inch LED-backlit CrystalBrite screen (1024 x 600 resolution) (Learn more)
  • Windows 7 Starter makes small notebook PCs easier to use because it puts less between you and what you want to do–less waiting, less clicking, less hassle connecting to networks. And Starter combines the latest in reliability and responsiveness with the familiarity and compatibility of Windows. (Learn more)
  • Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. A small notebook PC running Windows 7 Home Premium is even easier to use. The new taskbar and advanced navigation features make launching programs, opening files, managing windows, and getting around your PC faster and easier. Personalize your PC to be just the way you want it with helpful gadgets and desktop themes–even turn your desktop into a slideshow of your favorite photos. And you get the best entertainment experience on a PC. With Windows Media Center, you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV.
  • 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N280 processor combines performance and efficiency to explore the Internet and stay connected while mobile (Learn more)
  • Up to 9 hours of battery life with included 6-cell battery
  • Multi-gesture Touchpad for circular-motion scrolling, pinch-action zoom, and page flip (Learn more)
  • 250 GB hard drive (5400 RPM)
  • 1 GB DDR2 RAM (533 MHz; 2 GB maximum capacity)
  • Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 video processor
  • Crystal Eye webcam supports Acer PrimaLite technology, which consists of a premium sensor, firmware and lenses to provide superior video performance under low-light conditions. A built-in digital microphone helps keep background noise levels low and minimizes echoes.
  • 84-key keyboard, 89 percent of standard-size with 12 function keys, WLAN switch
  • Draft-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n) for greater speed and range
  • Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity enables you to communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones.
  • Fast Ethernet (10/100)
  • VGA video output
  • Stereo speakers and optimized Dolby Headphone technology for 5.1-channel audio
  • Pre-loaded software includes Microsoft Works for word processing and spreadsheet work. Enjoy a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
  • Dimensions: 10.17 x 8.04 x 1 inches (WxDxH)
  • Weight: 2.79 pounds
  • Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler’s Warranty

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Enjoy easy wireless networking with the integrated Draft-N wireless LAN (compatible with 802.11b/g/n wireless networks). Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It’s also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and wi-fi hotspots). It also provides Fast (10/100) Ethernet networking.

  • 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals–from digital cameras to MP3 players
  • Analog video output: 1 VGA
  • Multi-in-1 memory card reader compatible with MultiMediaCard, Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO or xD-Picture Card
  • 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack

What’s in the Box
This package contains the Acer Aspire One AOD250-1515 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions

It also comes with the following software: McAfee Internet Security Suite 2009 (trial version with 60 days of live update); Microsoft Works with Office Home and Student 2007 Trial; Google Desktop; Norton Online Backup; WildTangent

Learn More


10.1-Inch CrystalBrite Screen

The 10.1-inch screen has a WSVGA resolution (1024 x 600) and support for up a 262K color depth. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses shared video memory with the main memory. Acer’s CrystalBrite display technology guarantees the best possible visual experience by preventing the diffusion of surrounding light and internal ray. Compared to normal TFT LCDs, Acer CrystalBrite technology is able to read color coordinates more accurately, thus minimizing distortion and creating high-fidelity colors in all environments.

Windows 7 Starter makes small notebook PCs easier to use because it puts less between you and what you want to do—less waiting, less clicking, less hassle connecting to networks. Windows 7 Starter combines the latest in reliability and responsiveness with the familiarity and compatibility of Windows.

Simpler and easier to use Built with the latest technology Makes home networking easy
  • Features like Jump Lists, Pin, Snap, and Windows Search all make using a small notebook PC simple and easy.
  • Connecting to printers and devices is easier than ever.
  • Windows 7 Starter supports the latest hardware and software.
  • Joining home networks with other PCs running Windows 7 is easy and simple.
  • Connecting to wireless networks is easy and fast.
  • Internet Explorer 8 improves the safety of web browsing.
Which version of Windows 7 is Best for You?

Intel Atom Processor: Your PC’s Perfect Internet Companion

Take the Internet to more places with the long battery life and flexibility of a compact, lightweight netbook powered by the incredibly small, amazingly smart Intel Atom processor. It features a design structure that packs in 47 million transistors into a single chip sized at just 22mm (0.87 inches), and it uses just 2.5 watts of power–less than 1/10 of the 35 watts used by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor–for excellent battery management. This 1.66 GHz Atom N280 processor also includes a power-optimized front side bus of 533 MHz for faster data transfer on demanding mobile applications and a 512 KB L2 cache (which temporarily stores data).

Sleek, Eye-Catching Design Matched with Highly Functional Additions

The Acer Aspire One AOD250 has been designed to be even more streamlined than its predecessors–whittling down the depth to just one inch thin and shaving the weight down to just under 2.8 pounds. The sleek aerodynamic design includes elegant touches such as the color-rich chassis along with the metallic hinge with a colored accent.

It also uses a clever Multi-Gesture Touchpad that 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. The Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more. Finally, it features a soft-touch palm rest to increase typing comfort.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 21, 2010 18:20:11

Tags:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acer Aspire AS7740-6656 17.3-Inch HD Display Laptop (Blue)

Acer Aspire AS7740-6656 17.3-Inch HD Display Laptop (Blue)

Acer Aspire AS7740-6656 17.3-Inch HD Display Laptop (Blue)
Product By Acer




Available From 0 Sellers



 

Customer Reviews

 "Probably defective" 2010-07-05
By Lance A. Hobday (Little Rock, AR USA)
I bought this laptop for my son, and he loved the look of it, and the size of monitor when he first got it. But it continually crashed on him and just never worked right. It would be fine for an hour and then blue screen, or it would run for 10 minutes and then blue screen. So I'm not sure what was wrong with it. I hate to put a bad name on "Acer" laptops because I've heard they are good. I believe this one just had a defect in it somewhere.

After trying several things with it for a couple of weeks I was finally forced to return it.

 "Happy overall" 2010-07-03
By Computer guy
Overall I am very happy with this laptop. Good things: very fast; display very nice; 4Gbytes of memory lets me keep lots of programs open at once; quick to go in and out of hibernate; works pretty well for streaming video (even full screen); Windows 7 is behaving well; with all my software plus Windows, I still have 410 Gbytes free on the hard drive; wireless works well. Not-so-good things (probably these are typical of many laptops): battery supposedly lasts longer if not installed while using on AC power, but it's a bit awkward to install and remove it as needed; touchpad seems confusing (but some features can be turned off to simplify it); keyboard is flat, so it's not quite as comfortable as a desktop keyboard (although a desktop keyboard can be attached via USB if desired). So, the positives far outweigh the negatives, and I'm very happy with it.

 "great computer" 2010-06-28
By Ronald J. Gibson
This is the second Acer laptop computer I have purchased withen the last six months or so. The first one I bought has been bullet proof for six months now and so far this one seems to be built with the same quality. The set up was easy enough and I feel the price was reasonable. So far so good. The only thing Acer might improve on are the speakers. They are adequate but not superior as is the rest of the this computer. I would highly recommend this computer.


All Reviews
 

More Product

                            
 

Technical Details

  • 2.26GHz Intel Core i5-430M Processor with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.53GHz
  • 4GB DDR3 1066MHz Memory
  • 500GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive; 8X DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
  • 17.3" HD+ Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit Display; Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD
  • Windows 7 Home Premium; Up to 3 Hours and 30 Minutes of Battery Life

 

Product Description

Acer Aspire AS7740-6656 Notebook comes with these specs: Intel Core i5-430M Processor 2.26GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.53GHz, Windows 7 Home Premium, 17.3- InchHD+ Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit Display, Mobile Intel HM55 Express Chipset, 4096MB DDR3 1066MHz Memory, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD, 500GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, 8X DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive, Built-in Webcam, Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader, Dolby Home Theater Audio Enhancement, Acer InviLink Nplify 802.11b/g/Draft-N Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, 4 - USB 2.0 Ports, HDMI Port, Multi-gesture Touchpad, 6-cell Li-ion Battery (4400 mAh), up to 3-hours 30 minutes of battery life, 7.05 lbs. | 3.2 kg (system unit only), AC Power Adapter, AC Power Cord, Wireless Setup Card, Registration/ Limited Warranty Card, McAfee Internet Security Suite (60-day trial)


 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acer Aspire AO533-23096 10.1-Inch Netbook Review

A great choice for students as well as business travelers who like to travel light, Acer makes it easy to stay productive while on the go with the larger keyboard (93 percent standard size).The new Acer Aspire AO533-23096 10.1-Inch Netbook wide multi-gesture touchpad with anti-slip microbead texture provides precise control and mouseless, fingertip convenience, as well as support for multi-gesture controls such as pinch, flick, and swirl for an intuitive navigation to view web pages.

Offering a sleek new design and enhanced performance, the Aspire One AO533 netbook (model AO533-23096) delivers long battery life and ample mobile computing features at an outstanding value. Browse the Web, check e-mail, share photos, keep up with social networks, listen to music and enjoy a wide variety of entertainment on the 10.1-inch LED-backlit display. You’ll also enjoy excellent mobile computing power thanks to the next generation Intel Atom N475 processor as well as up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge from the included 6-cell battery.

Key Features

  • 10.1-inch LED-backlit screen (1024 x 600 resolution, 200-nit brightness) presents crisp, clear imagery for a great web browsing experience for on-line chats, email, surfing the Web.
  • 1.83 GHz Intel Atom N475 processor (512 KB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB) combines performance and energy efficiency to explore the Internet and stay connected while mobile.

  • 250 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
  • 1 GB of installed DDR3 RAM
  • Up to 8 hours of battery life with included 6-cell battery
  • Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 video processor (Microsoft DirectX 9.0 support)
  • 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 640 x 480 resolution online video calls.
  • 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)
  • 84-key Acer FineTip keyboard, 93 percent of standard-size keyboard, international language support
  • 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).
  • Next-generation Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity provides faster throughput while minimizing on power requirements. It’s compatible with new Bluetooth 3.0-enabled devices as well as backward compatible with older Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as printers and cell phones.
  • Fast Ethernet (10/100)
  • Three USB 2.0 ports
  • Multi-in-1 memory card reader compatible with MultiMediaCard, Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, and xD-Picture Card (optional adapter supports optional Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, miniSD, and microSD)
  • VGA video output (analog, RGB)
  • Built-in stereo speakers plus headphone and microphone jacks; Microsoft DirectSound compatibility.
  • Microsoft Windows 7 Starter operating system (Learn more)
  • Kensington lock slot
  • Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches (WxDxH)
  • Weight: 2.8 pounds
  • Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler’s Warranty
  • Energy Star qualified

Buy It or See Complete Features and Specs Acer AO533-23096 Laptop

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

On the surface Acer’s 10.1-inch Aspire One 521 and 11.6-inch Aspire One 721 crop up to be fairly run-of-the-mill netbooks — or ultraportables for those that have been morally against to calling the laptop with a 11.6-inch arrangement the netbook. They’re rather than small machines, magnitude only about an inch thick, and ring up during underneath $430. But there’s the lot more than meets a eye with this Aspire One duo – instead of Intel Atom or ULV processors, both are powered by the brand-new AMD 1.7GHz Athlon II Neo K125 processor as well as promise 1080p playback interjection to ATI Radeon HD 4225 graphics. We’ve positively been pumped about these dual systems given their French debut, but fear of AMD’s customarily poor battery life as well as boiling temperatures have been holding us back from all-out excitement. Do we have zero to fear but fright itself? We’ve spent a final couple of days with these dual systems, as well as will reveal all in the full examination after a break. Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

Look and feel

Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

The Aspire One 521 as well as 721 clearly share the same pattern birthright, though they’re patently really different, as shown in a picture on top of. For a single, a 11.6-inch 721 is obviously longer than a 10.1-inch 521, yet both are still awfully portable as well as usually magnitude 1.1-inches at their thickest indicate. The 721 weighs in at 3.1 pounds, while a not as big 521 is a somewhat lighter 2.8 pounds. However, a clearest differentiator between the two is their lids. The 521’s glossy mocha cover has the Tetris-like settlement that is ornate with the vast china Aspire One logo. We’ve picked on this pattern decision the bit in previous posts, but we’re happy to echo the dislike. A bit of branding here or there has never worried us most, though do we need someone across a coffee shop seeing a large trademark upon our laptop? Nope, and it only seems run-down. We much prefer a small Acer logo on the 721’s matte mesh lid, which will be available in red, navy and black.

In conditions of the setup peculiarity, the two systems have been done wholly done of plastic, and we noticed a bottom shade was coming loose on both machines. We find this to be a box with many budget Acers — they aren’t a many permanent systems, but for a cost they’re decently done. The 521 as well as 721 have a same allocation of ports – an HDMI, VGA, as well as a single USB port live upon the left corner, while an one more two USB jacks, Ethernet as well as headphone and microphone sockets have been positioned on the right. Both additionally have 3-in-1 label readers. The bottom of a appurtenance provides easy entrance to both a IMPEL as well as tough drive compartments, so you shouldn’t have the problem swapping them out if that’s your thing.

Keyboard, touchpad and screen

Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

The 521 as well as 721 have the same chiclet keyboards which Acer’s been using on its new netbooks as well as laptops, albeit a 521’s is narrower. While the rounded keys have been well-spaced as well as have a slight gap between them, overall you only find them to be as well prosaic. We got used to typing upon a really level panel, though a plastic keys still don’t unequivocally mold to your fingers. Both systems have rather than tiny touchpads that have been flush with a metal-like palmrest. They’re fine for navigating, though a multitouch gestures are really off — two finger scrolling barely worked in Firefox as well as IE. We similar to a dedicated right as well as left rodent buttons, yet a ones on a 721 have been incredibly unbending.

The 521 has a typical 10.1-inch, 1024×600 fortitude netbook arrangement, but given its ability to hoop 720p calm we wish it had a aloft 1366×768 resolution like the 11.6-inch 721. Obviously, a 721’s 11.6 inch shade is roomier; you elite regulating it over a 521 to write this examination as you could keep mixed windows open upon the shade. Both LCDs had decent horizontal perspective angles, though a vertical angles were pretty trashy. The tiny machines have two speakers underneath the front edge – they aren’t starting to fill a vast room, but they’ll do when it comes to watching the movie or listening to a little tunes whilst working.

Performance, graphics as well as battery life

Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

We know, this is part of the examination you’ve been watchful for – the part where you answer if AMD has done improvements in battery holdup, graphics, and feverishness, as well as if they can start to really contest with Intel in a small laptop space. Well, the answer isn’t that cut as well as dry, though we’re happy with what we’ve seen. On the opening side of things, a 1.7GHz Athlon II Neo processor scored right in in between Intel Atom and Intel ULV CPUs upon benchmarks, which in our perspective is the perfect place to be. We’ll let the benchmarks below speak for themselves, though in bland opening we found the systems to be comparatively snappy – especially after we uninstalled a McAfee Internet Suite. Both the 521 as well as 721 kept up with our bland chores, which enclosed concurrently essay in Microsoft Word 2007, surfing the web in Firefox, chatting in Digsby, as well as checking the Twitter feeds in Tweetdeck. When we threw in the 720p video into a brew, you noticed it took a few more seconds to open a file, though it played back flawlessly.

 PCMarkVantage 3DMark06
 Battery Life 

Acer Aspire One 721
(AMD Athlon II NeoK125)
 1814 1235 3:30 

Lenovo ThinkPad X100e (AMD Athlon Neo) 1511 1060 3:27 

ASUS UL50Vf (Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300) 3724 827 / 3438 6:10 

Alienware M11x (Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300) 2689 654 / 5593 4:30 

 PCMark05 3DMark06 Battery Life 

Acer Aspire One 521
(AMD Athlon II Neo K125) 2286 1481 4:02 

Dell Mini 10 (Intel Atom N450) 1264 132 5:58 

ASUS Eee PC 1005PE (Intel Atom N450) 1431 157 8:10 

Toshiba Mini NB305 (Intel Atom N450) 1272 156 6:30 

And graphics is just where a single core AMD Athlon II Neo / ATI Radeon HD 4225 combo beats any Atom-based netbook, as well as even rivals NVIDIA Ion based systems. (Note: you haven’t reviewed the $484 Eee PC 1201PN that is the usually Ion 2 complement on a market). The 521 as well as 721 didn’t shrug during playing local 720p and 1080p files – they even played them uniformly when outputted to the 40-inch HDTV via HDMI. They additionally handled 720p YouTube videos similar to champs; though starting up to a 1080p environment caused stuttering. On a gaming front, the machines aren’t starting to slice by any initial chairman shooters, though they managed an admirable 28fps in World of Warcraft. That’s unequivocally not too shabby, as well as NVIDIA’s Ion systems are no longer a only netbooks on a marketplace that can claim higher graphics opening. And there’s no doubt that ATI’s Radeon HD 4225 graphics is a better preference than Broadcom’s Crystal HD decoder — a ATI graphics didn’t force us to choose a specific browser or program for personification behind high-def video as Broadcom’s chip did upon the Dell Mini 10.

So, that battery holdup… AMD has definitely done strides in which locus, yet we’d still like to see some-more when it comes to continuation. When you reviewed a Lenovo ThinkPad X100e with the 1.6Ghz AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 as well as really large 63Wh battery, the system didn’t run for longer than four hours on the video outline battery exam, that loops a same standard def video at 65 percent shade lightness. Both the 521 as well as 721 with only 48Wh batteries got over three hours upon which same test – a 521 ran for four hours as well as two minutes as well as a 721 for 3.5. In everyday use you saw each get about a half an hour to 45 mins more runtime. Sure, we wish these dual got on top of 5 hours for gentle NY to LA craft rides as well as but the disbelief Intel Atom netbooks with the same batteries would last longer on the charge, but with a combined opening you get from the 521 as well as 721 it’s a sacrifice you assume a little will be peaceful to have. (Note: we’ve asked Acer about extended battery options, and we will update this review when we get an answer behind We also saw improvement in terms of heat – both systems did get somewhat warm upon a left side nearby a air blower, but when we kept them upon our lap it wasn’t bothersome as well as didn’t bake by our jeans similar to a X100e.

A quick note upon configurations — whilst both have the same processor and graphics, there are a little slight spec differences. The $349.99 chronicle of the 521 comes with Windows 7 Starter, the 250GB tough drive as well as 1GB of IMPEL. The $429.99 721, upon a other hand, has 2GB of IMPEL as well as runs Windows 7 Home Premium.

Acer continues to load these puppies up with quite the bit of software. There’s both Norton Antivirus as well as McAfee preloaded along with a Netflix as well as eBay shortcuts on a desktop. Removing most of this junk noticeably sped up opening.

Wrap-up

Acer Aspire One 521 as well as 721 examination

We had a camber AMD was sitting on some great stuff given the series of laptop makers that have been picking up their brand-new chips, though, as they say, seeing is believing. These dual laptops aren’t perfect as well as their battery life is disappointing, though for their cost you have been tender. At $349 a Aspire One 521 is a single of the many absolute 10-inch netbooks on a marketplace right away, and though it may not final as long on the charge as Atom-powered one, it’s miles ahead in conditions of handling Flash as well as HD video. No, we’re not the greatest fans of the outrageous trademark upon the lid, but the cost as well as performance have been sure to win over someone looking for the 10-incher.

Though, if you had to select we’d go with the 721 — for $80 more than the 521 you get some-more than only the secondary machine with its wider screen as well as keyboard. Of course, if you consistently direct some-more than 4 hours of battery holdup you’ll wish to go with an Intel ULV laptop, but many of them price north of $700. And good, that’s exactly what AMD’s starting for — Acer now has dual incredibly affordable and moveable laptops that container more opening than most netbooks and bill ultraportables upon a marketplace.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

acer Aspire Timeline X 3820T 13.3" LED LCD Notebook Windows 7 Home Premium


Review on The Acer Aspire Timeline X 3820T, 13.3" LED LCD Notebook, 4GB, 640GB, Intel Core i5 processor 430M, Dedicated Graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium


Product Description :

Manufacturer's Description :

8-Hour, All-Day Performance with the Acer Aspire TimelineX 3820T

Combining Intel Core i3 processing performance with extended battery life, the breathtaking thin and lightweight Acer Aspire TimelineX laptop (model AS3820T-5246) gives you the freedom to roam all day long with an 8-hour battery life and stay productive with its 13.3-inch LED-backlit display.

A perfect balance to mobility and portability at just under 4 pounds, the TimelineX features a premium durable design with a black brushed aluminum cover and a brushed metal palm rest that not only looks sharp but protects from fingerprints as well. Burn through the hottest new digital media, content creation and advanced 3D gaming with the breakthrough performance of the Intel Core i3 processor--with 4-way multitasking processor power to work on four tasks simultaneously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

>> Click to see more Aspire Timeline X 3820T





Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

6 Foot Shielded Computer or tv HIGH GRADE ac power cord , UL/CSA, 18AWG, 6? , this powers items that take this style of cord. hubs switch switchs pc power supply printer laser New 3 Prong 6Ft Ac Power Cord Cable Plug for Samsung Toshiba LG Sharp Sony Scep


Best Price >> Click Now !!

  • Use this quality power cord to power a PC or printer or other device that uses this type of plug
  • product shipping is per item


Product Description
Shielded helps minimize em field

6 Foot Shielded Computer or tv HIGH GRADE ac power cord , UL/CSA, 18AWG, 6′ , this powers items that take this style of cord. hubs switch switchs pc power supply printer laser New 3 Prong 6Ft Ac Power Cord Cable Plug for Samsung Toshiba LG Sharp Sony Sceptre RCA Panasonic Philips Mitsubishi Magnavox TV LCD Plasma DLP, Acer Asus HP Samsung ViewSonic Dell Compaq Hanns-G LG Planar Monitor , Screen , PS3 , XBOX 360 hospital grade black color

Similar Products

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

3 foot BLACK Computer or TV High Grade Male Female MF Extension AC Power Cord Cable – this powers items that take this style of cord. hubs switch switchs pc power supply printer laser – 3 Prong Ac Power Cord Cable Plug for Samsung Toshiba LG Sharp Sony Sc


Best Price >> Click Now !!

  • 3 feet in length
  • black in color
  • Male Female Extension


Product Description
3 foot BLACK Computer or TV High Grade Male Female MF Extension AC Power Cord Cable – this powers items that take this style of cord. hubs switch switchs pc power supply printer laser – 3 Prong Ac Power Cord Cable Plug for Samsung Toshiba LG Sharp Sony Sceptre RCA Panasonic Philips Mitsubishi Magnavox TV LCD Plasma DLP, Acer Asus HP Samsung ViewSonic Dell Compaq Hanns-G LG Planar Monitor , Screen , PS3 , XBOX 360 hospital grade

3 foot BLACK Computer or TV High Grade Male Female MF Extension AC Power Cord Cable – this powers items that take this style of cord. hubs switch switchs pc power supply printer laser – 3 Prong Ac Power Cord Cable Plug for Samsung Toshiba LG Sharp Sony Sceptre RCA Panasonic Philips Mitsubishi Magnavox TV LCD Plasma DLP, Acer Asus HP Samsung ViewSonic Dell Compaq Hanns-G LG Planar Monitor , Screen , PS3 , XBOX 360 hospital grade

Similar Products

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acer Aspire One AOA150-1672 8.9-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, 6 Cell Battery) Pink (Electronics)

Acer Aspire One AOA150-1672 8.9-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, 6 Cell Battery) Pink
Acer Aspire One AOA150-1672 8.9-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, XP Home, 6 Cell Battery) Pink (Electronics)
By Acer

3 used and new from $330.00
Customer Rating: 4.2

Customer tags: acer aspire one(22), netbook(18), six cell(14), mini laptop(12), netbook computer(11), pink(9), aspire one(7), acer(7), notebook(5), acer netbook(3), subnotebook(2), 1672

Product Images


Review & Description

Acer's Aspire one is more than a mobile communications platform. Although it does that extremely well. It has built in 802.11b/g and Fast Ethernet connectivity. The built in webcam lets you attend video conferences or have video chats. A 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor powers the Windows XP Home operating system. The 160 GB hard drive provides plenty of space for both your work and entertainment files. The Intel GMA 950 processor drives the 8.9-inch screen. The 1024x600 resolution provides an incredibly detailed image. An LED backlight helps to increase battery life. The Aspire One, for when you need a real computer but don't have a lot of space. Read more


Find out More for the best price at Amazon

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acer Aspire AS5732Z-4598 NoteBook PC – Intel Pentium T4400 2.20GHz / 15.6" HD LCD / 4GB DDR2 / 250GB HD / DVD Super Multi Drive / Intel GMA 4500M / Webcam / Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) – ACE04598

Acer Aspire AS5732Z-4598 NoteBook PC - Intel Pentium T4400 2.20GHz / 15.6
Acer Aspire AS5732Z-4598 NoteBook PC - Intel Pentium T4400 2.20GHz / 15.6" HD LCD / 4GB DDR2 / 250GB HD / DVD Super Multi Drive / Intel GMA 4500M / Webcam / Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) - ACE04598
By Acer

10 used and new from $449.99

First tagged by Niecy Parks
Customer tags: acer aspire, 5732z

Product Images


Review & Description

The 15.6" Aspire 5732Z sports a classy design along with everything you need to fit your mobile lifestyle, delivering solid performance for emailing, surfing the web, enjoying photos/videos and more! Showcasing a vivid 15.6" HD widescreen CineCrystalTM LCD display, 4GB Memory, Intel® Pentium® performance and Windows® 7 Home Premium you will have plenty of power to complete your daily tasks with ease and enjoy entertainment on the go. Read more


Find out More for the best price at Amazon

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Next Page »

Bad Behavior has blocked 113 access attempts in the last 7 days.