Acer TimelineX 3820TG Owners Lounge. Info, benchmarks, tweaks, mods and upgrades

[run.dll]

i5 treshold is higher for temperature but I use i3 and it seems I may need an extra cooler for the summer if I am going to play games. Since i3 can take up to 90 C... Bronsky mentioned about this and warned me but where I bought the computer strangely there was a huge price difference between i5-460m and i3-370m

I won't play every game. I just plan to play heavily diablo 3 in the future. I guess this machine will handle it without problem.

For now I only play:

Starcraft 2
Dragon Age
Civilization 5
Half Life 2 series

So far I only tested Dragon Age with this machine.

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About temperatures I checked intel's site

for i3 370m it says : 90°C for rPGA, 105°C for BGA (What are rPGA and BGA ? )

for i5 460m it says : 105°C

[Bronsky]

About temperatures I checked intel's site
for i3 370m it says : 90°C for rPGA, 105°C for BGA (What are rPGA and BGA ? ) for i5 460m it says : 105°C

The PGA is the socket in the 3820TG. It is a wire-pin socket, with a clasp on it that holds the CPU inplace. CPUs in the PGA socket are easily replaceable. The BGA socket is a ball-ground socket where the CPU is soldered directly into a mount on the motherboard. Most UM arrandales are mounted in this fashion. That is why they can not be easily replaced. That is also why the max temp increases on the I3, its ability to dissapate heat is enhanced.

Bronsky

[Bronsky]

Going to get a 4820T - hopefuly - tomorrow, so if anyone still hesitates I can post pictures comparing sizes and display.

I am particularly interested in how you like the larger display with the same resolution as the 13.3". What prompted you to get another unit? Did you get rid of the Latitude?

Bronsky

[bestis]

I'm having it and I really cannot understand what is the problem.

Back again as I got my machine back from the service. Really haven't read what has happened here. So so many pages of new text here.

My problem was apparently the CPU itself! Hadn't see that coming,
as it did memtest and some cpu load tests without any problem.

But as Acer is offering those new bluetooth drivers. Has someone managed to install them and how?

[cykotoxik]

Going to get a 4820T - hopefuly - tomorrow, so if anyone still hesitates I can post pictures comparing sizes and display.

That would be awesome!

Having photos of the 3820TG and the 4820TG
alongside each other will be very helpful.

I've always wondered the size difference between these models.

Is there any chance you have an M11x to compare sizes
with the 3820TG & 4820TG? Hehe!

I've been using a 4820TG for a couple of weeks.
The 14" screen feels just right. The 1366x768 resolution is fine at this
screen size. The screen is great for general usage (applications, web browsing, videos, etc.)
and definitely for gaming. No squinting and no major eyestrain.

I'll be waiting eagerly for your 3820TG/4820TG comparison photos.

[kiskapu]

I am particularly interested in how you like the larger display with the same resolution as the 13.3". What prompted you to get another unit? Did you get rid of the Latitude?

Bronsky

Latitude is still up and runing, my girlfriend uses it for/at work. I used a Vostro, Inspiron before, all in all, the Latitude line is reliablée, and well built IMO, bit pricey, but worth it.

A friend/colleague of mine will work in Ireland for a year, and needed a notebook. When I bought my unit my first intetion was to delay this purchase as long as I can, get the most powerful unit that's available, and give my current unit to my friend - even though he wanted something with an integrated ODD....haha .
Since the fastest stock CPU that's available in the region (460M) is not "that" faster compared to my 430M IMO, integrated ODD my friend gets...be it.

The main preference was to get at least 4-5 hours battery life and an ODD, decided to pull the trigger on a i3 350M IGP unit.

Anyways, are there any particular setup (sample picture/wallpaper) You'd like to see camparitive pictures taken of?
If so, let me know.
Going to use the 4820T till Friday.

That would be awesome!

Having photos of the 3820TG and the 4820TG
alongside each other will be very helpful.

I've always wondered the size difference between these models.

Is there any chance you have an M11x to compare sizes
with the 3820TG & 4820TG? Hehe!

I'll be waiting eagerly for your 3820TG/4820TG photos.

Again, same thing here. Any particular setups You'd like to see pictures taken of, let me know.

Sorry, I can't get a M11x in two days. Even if I ordered one today, they probably couldn't deliver it in time.

The truth is I was thinking of getting one with 640UM, but than again - no offense - it looks so bulky, and don't know how it would fit to "office/bussines" standards.Yet againb, it's an alienware, quite rare in my country...

[Hendrickson]

Going to get a 4820T - hopefuly - tomorrow, so if anyone still hesitates I can post pictures comparing sizes and display.

Odd you have or had a 3820TG right? Why would you want the extra .7" and 1 cooling fan less?

[kaisuri]

I just bought the newest version of the acer 4820tg.

However, i'm having an issue with the "h" key, as in it is squeaking whenever i press it.

This is highly dissapointing as that I just got this laptop

Is there anyway for me to fix this myself. (As in, is there a special method to take off the key?)
And if i really have to send it to get repaired, how much would it cost?

[Bronsky]

Latitude is still up and runing, my girlfriend uses it for/at work.

-(cut)

The main preference was to get at least 4-5 hours battery life and an ODD, decided to pull the trigger on a i3 350M IGP unit.

The older latitudes are far better built than the current breed. The precisions are the really well built Dells ATM.

I have been impressed with the I3-370M so far. But to be honest, I haven't done much with it.

@hendrickson ... you're a purest.

Oh and kiskapu, I always use the Rock Island in the middle of the Water as my display background on all of my computers so I can compare them. That would give me some point of reference.

Bronsky

[Bronsky]

I just bought the newest version of the acer 4820tg.

However, i'm having an issue with the "h" key, as in it is squeaking whenever i press it.

This is highly dissapointing as that I just got this laptop

Is there anyway for me to fix this myself. (As in, is there a special method to take off the key?)
And if i really have to send it to get repaired, how much would it cost?

Don't take off the key ... it will never go back on right. They always tilt to one side. If you can get some spray teflon, twist the cotton at the tip of a Q-Tip long so it can fit under the key. Spray a smidgen of teflon on the tip of the cotton and get it onto the spindle without getting it on the keys. That should solve the problem after a few uses. Don't use WD40 or silicone. If you can't do it without getting crap on the keys, the KB probably has to come out and you can get access under the keys that way. Worst come to worst, you can order an new KB for > $50. Acer probably has them in stock by now.

Your other option is to send it to the Acer repair depot in Temple Texas. They'll fix it good. You could also probably send it back to the store where you bought it. You will probably need an RMA from the retailer and, in some cases you'll have to pay the shipping.

Bronsky