Acer Timeline Ultra m5?

[vacaloca]

I own the M5-581TG-9825, and I'm wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to install a 2.5" SSD/HDD into this model?

Here is the M5-581T/TG service manual. Save it, won't be up in that link too much longer. It wouldn't surprise me that Acer might have omitted a ribbon cable necessary to connect an additional drive. The service manual should give you enough pictures/specs to determine if it's there or not. Enjoy!

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Here is the M5-581T/TG service manual. Save it, won't be up in that link too much longer. It wouldn't surprise me that Acer might have omitted a ribbon cable necessary to connect an additional drive. The service manual should give you enough pictures/specs to determine if it's there or not. Enjoy!

Thank you very much vacaloca! This manual is perfect for current, and future references

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From the manual it seems the hdd connector is located under the mobo, which is why I couldn't find it the first time I opened up the Acer. Good news is that the connector on the mobo seems close enough, so hopefully I don't need to disassemble the whole thing. Though I truly doubt that Acer has hidden the cable under the board for my convenience, seems I'll probably need to purchase a 50.RZCN2.003 cable; I don't even know where to start looking, any suggestions?

Found one here, but they list also list "The minimum order value is 112.88 USD + VAT (139.97 USD)" . Could possibly check out another battery just for future purposes, never mind they're $227.14 usd.

[smerdk]

Has someone found an anti-glare filter / screen protector compatible with the M5-481TG?

[Motohead]

Hello everybody. I just received my new M5, and like it a lot so far. I have a few questions though.

I definitely want to add some RAM, it seems like it is pegging the stock 4 just running a few Chrome tabs. I noticed that someone mentioned running low voltage ram to save heat and power. This sounds great, but is it compatible with the M5? Crucial's websites says this:

"Will the dual voltage 1.35V/1.5V parts work with my original memory?

If your original installed memory is 1.5V and you are adding a dual-voltage 1.35V/1.5V module to an open DIMM slot, the dual-voltage module will operate at 1.5V, not 1.35V. In order to run at 1.35V, all installed memory modules must be dual-voltage 1.35V/1.5V and the system must support DDR3L (1.35V low voltage) to enable the module to run at 1.35V."

I don't mind paying extra if I can take advantage of the low voltage benefits, but don't want to pay for them if the M5 will only run it at 1.5V.

Also, has anyone noticed the power brick (which is surprisingly small) running really hot while it is charging the laptop? I can hold it, but not too comfortably.

I may also be interested in an anti-glare filter that smerdk asked about if anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks for all of the info so far, I read the entire thread before deciding to purchase this laptop, and think it was a good choice so far.

-Drew

[smerdk]

Hello everybody. I just received my new M5, and like it a lot so far. I have a few questions though.

I definitely want to add some RAM, it seems like it is pegging the stock 4 just running a few Chrome tabs. I noticed that someone mentioned running low voltage ram to save heat and power. This sounds great, but is it compatible with the M5? Crucial's websites says this:

"Will the dual voltage 1.35V/1.5V parts work with my original memory?

If your original installed memory is 1.5V and you are adding a dual-voltage 1.35V/1.5V module to an open DIMM slot, the dual-voltage module will operate at 1.5V, not 1.35V. In order to run at 1.35V, all installed memory modules must be dual-voltage 1.35V/1.5V and the system must support DDR3L (1.35V low voltage) to enable the module to run at 1.35V."

I don't mind paying extra if I can take advantage of the low voltage benefits, but don't want to pay for them if the M5 will only run it at 1.5V.

Also, has anyone noticed the power brick (which is surprisingly small) running really hot while it is charging the laptop? I can hold it, but not too comfortably.

I may also be interested in an anti-glare filter that smerdk asked about if anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks for all of the info so far, I read the entire thread before deciding to purchase this laptop, and think it was a good choice so far.

-Drew

I ran CPU-Z and it showed RAM voltage at 1.28V. Don't know if it means it's running at 1.28V, or that it's rated as 1.28V. Checked BIOS, and there is no indication of ram voltage. Everest Ultimate free gave me no information, either. Neither did hwmonitor. MemTest did not give me any voltage indicator, either.

[Hurricane350]

Hi everyone! I just bought this laptop after reading the reviews and after reading this whole thread I was comfortable upgrading the memory and SSD myself, however...

When I power down the computer, the next time I try to power it on, it will not power on... the keyboard backlight flashes, I hear the optical drive half spin and then nothing... I have to reset the battery underneath the computer with the reset button. (at least I think thats what it is) Then it will power on.

Now I did replace both the memory and ssd (restored from recovery disks) but at one point I only installed the memory (8gb Corsair Vengence CAS10 1600) because my current ssd (OCZ Vertext 3 120gb) because it doesn't fit and it exhibited this condition then too. I then installed my shiny new Samsung series 8 blazing fast 7mm ssd (Thanks vacaloca) and while my M5 is exactly the way I want it, it still is doing this every time I power down. Not cool! I haven't tested sleep or hibernate but I did verify the hibernate partition is 18.64gb Healthy. I never touched the msata drive.

Please help! I don't want to send back...

[Hurricane350]

Ok, just did it after a deep sleep too... This stinks

[vacaloca]

Now I did replace both the memory and ssd (restored from recovery disks) but at one point I only installed the memory...

Seems like the memory might be at fault? Try doing a memtest or change back to the original and see if the problem persists. It also could be that the battery cable might not be fully inserted if you had disconnected it. If so try re-seating it, and looking at any other you could have disconnected and re-seat if they look to be off center/make sure no bent pins.

On mine, I noticed odd behavior if not every screw in the back was screwed in I would get the computer to boot only when it was on AC power, but not on battery even though it had plenty of charge... perhaps you're attempting a similar feat and yours is responding differently? I think some screws might act as physical grounds, given the behavior I noticed. Try some of the suggestions and see if any of them fixes the problem.

[smerdk]

Now I did replace both the memory and ssd (restored from recovery disks)

Well, what you describe never happened to me. However, I never restored, I did a clean install and then I installed - manually - the drivers and software I liked. I did had Windows 7 install media at hand. If you don't, check out this post Blowing away bloatware: a guide to reinstalling Windows on a new PC | Ars Technica where you can find LEGAL links to Windows 7 install media. Just use the Windows 7 license that came with the M5.

I also removed the mSATA, and set the computer to NO paging file.