Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Owners Lounge

[aram150]

I just took the plunge and bought the Acer 4820TG from Mico Center in Houston, TX. I called earlier before I went and asked if they had one out on display. They didnt, but they also had no problem putting one out. I played with the display model, and I could see the build issues people had, but I did not see them as "major flaws." The screen is so thin, which makes sense why there is some flex, but it should hold up fine. Also, I saw minimal flex in my keyboard (more on the display model, but not a huge amount, not noticeable when I type). I have been really busy, so I have not had much time to play with the laptop, but so far no issues. The screen seems fine for its resolution. It is a great machine, good purchase.

Thanks for the recommendation Bronsky!

[Bronsky]

I just took the plunge and bought the Acer 4820TG from Mico Center in Houston, TX. I called earlier before I went and asked if they had one out on display. They didnt, but they also had no problem putting one out. I played with the display model, and I could see the build issues people had, but I did not see them as "major flaws." The screen is so thin, which makes sense why there is some flex, but it should hold up fine. Also, I saw minimal flex in my keyboard (more on the display model, but not a huge amount, not noticeable when I type). I have been really busy, so I have not had much time to play with the laptop, but so far no issues. The screen seems fine for its resolution. It is a great machine, good purchase.

Thanks for the recommendation Bronsky!

Glad I could help. Did you get the I5-450M model?

Bronsky

[p0int]

There aren't many reporting heat problems with the 4820tg because there aren't many testing for them. Everyone who has tried to get their cpu to throttle has been able to As far as I know. While playing l4d2 my cpu is clocked down to 900Mhz almost 50% of the time once it's gotten hot, and my GPU clocks down to 100mhz occasionally.

I'd at least wait a bit to see how things shake out as more people get their hands on them. If it wasn't for microcenter's 7 day return policy mine would have gone back and I'd have an envy or import 3820 on the way.

Wait so were you only running L4d2 to get your 4820tg to throttle? or benchmarks in the background as well? Is it the i3 version?

This worries me because l4d2 is the exact game i want to play on the i3-350m 4820tg :/

[lastdon]

Actually, that's a good idea. The build quality comment gets me. My 3820TG could not be built better.

Bronsky

After i had the 3820tg the only issue i had really was the screen, but it was fairly sturdy laptop built well.

i am sure the 4820tg is built exactly the same way

[ngaw]

Wait so were you only running L4d2 to get your 4820tg to throttle? or benchmarks in the background as well? Is it the i3 version?

This worries me because l4d2 is the exact game i want to play on the i3-350m 4820tg :/

Just l4d2 alone - no other heat sources. Yup on the i3 version. I see it throttle in borderlands as well (though less often) and gta iv - When I have the time I'm going to test a few more games as well. It's definitely not exclusive to l4d2 though - it's just the one I made the best fancy charts of.

[hihowareu]

so what happens when it throttles? gameplay wise

[maverickar15]

so what happens when it throttles? gameplay wise

It probably depends a lot on the ambient temperature but I was unable to throttle it after 2 hours of back to back gaming with DiRT 2 and BC2 with 75-77F room. GPU was at 79 C and CPU at 81 C.

[ngaw]

so what happens when it throttles? gameplay wise

FPS drop, chunky at times. A bit more lag in multi-player when a lot is going on on the screen.

It probably depends a lot on the ambient temperature but I was unable to throttle it after 2 hours of back to back gaming with DiRT 2 and BC2 with 75-77F room. Both GPU was around 79 C and CPU at 81 C.

Aren't you using a laptop cooler? I'm in air conditioning, and while it's not the coolest room in the house it's not higher than 26c.

[maverickar15]

FPS drop, chunky at times. A bit more lag in multi-player when a lot is going on on the screen.



Aren't you using a laptop cooler? I'm in air conditioning, and while it's not the coolest room in the house it's not higher than 26c.

Yeah unfortunately laptop cooler doesn't seem to be doing much because 4820TG doesn't have CPU/GPU vents under the laptop. I took it to work with me (@ 69 F ambient) it was actually cooler running Prime95 there even without a laptop cooler.

[p0int]

FPS drop, chunky at times. A bit more lag in multi-player when a lot is going on on the screen.



Aren't you using a laptop cooler? I'm in air conditioning, and while it's not the coolest room in the house it's not higher than 26c.

ngaw u think the cpu would still throttle with a laptop cooler

I was deadset on getting the i3-350M 4820tg due to my budget and lack of 3820tg options but this heat issue is putting doubts in my mind again

also i thought there were vent underneath the 4820tg for the cpu/gpu in a picture a few pages before.

-edit-

This one: http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/7939/dsc00734a.jpg (arent the vents on the right side of the pic the cpu/gpu?)