I recently discovered acer aspire the need for a new laptop. With a modest budget and needs, I know I can easily find products that will do what I want and still be in my price range.
As a network technician and web designer, I need a machine with enough storage space to store all of my software projects for my clients and still be able to handle the backup while the occasional machine customer's operating system. Candidates who qualify must also have a decent amount of RAM and a processor fast enough to keep up with the demands of multitasking and using Studio MX '04 every day.
At first, I checked the auction sites, retail outlets and wholesale warehouses renovated. I found some good bargains for less than $ 500, but no one can handle the load process of Studio MX 2004 to make it. Average engine, 256 MB of PC133 RAM, 20 GB hard drive and 1.0 GHz Pentium processor. Not bad for student machines, but for daily service in the field of work, not enough space or the energy to keep up with my needs.
I soon realized that the new laptop is required to meet my needs. Realizing that most laptops are worth the price over $ 1000, not expecting much when I started shopping around. However, to my surprise, local retailers have a special performance on Acer Aspire 3004WLCi $ 600 after rebate of $ 150. It was above my budget, but the specs are much better than I thought I would find the range of prices.
Quick Specifications:
AMD Mobile Sempron 3100 + (1.8GHz) w / 256 K L2 cache
Sodima 512MB DDR333 RAM (expandable to 2 GB)
60GB 4200rpm Hard Drive
Monitor 15.4 Widescreen WXGA
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
3 USB 2.0 (one front / side 2)
Front audio / microphone jack
Built-in Microphone / Speaker
Audio controller integrated
Integrated Video Controller (up to 128 MB shared)
Integrated 56 Kbps Data / Fax Modem
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet NIC 802.3
Integrated 802.11b / g Wi-Fi
Maximum screen resolution: 1280 x 800
Maximum external monitor resolution: 2048 x 1536
A Type II PCMCIA Slot
AC adapter / 4 cell lithium ion
1.5 "Hx14.3" Wx11 "D / £ 6.2. W / battery
Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2
Well, before going into the pros and cons of this system, first of all let me say this ... As a network technician, I feel a little strange for Acer products. I've seen them before, but I already drink. In an industry dominated by Dell and HP, Acer is more like a "no brand" for me. With this in mind, do not expect most of my money. Fortunately, I was not disappointed, but that's not completely wrong.
Also, it should be mentioned that prior to using this machine, XP Home to XP Professional SP2 wrecked and I went through the system and make minor changes to some of the performance of operating system software, all of which can be made using the original Windows XP Pro utility.
Pro :
Acer Aspire 3004 WLCi is strong enough for $ 600. Although the original $ 750, the system is hard to beat the performance of department. Sempron 3100 + processor is quite fast and competent. Drive is running Dreamweaver MX 2004, Fireworks MX 2004, Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft OneNote 2003, Firefox 1.5, Internet Explorer 6.0, Opera 8.5, the size of the browser, CPick, Java JRE, NOD32 Anti-Virus, Hotmail Popper, and services of different systems and utilities running in the background under the same time and not complain or not acceptable sustained peak CPU utilization. This is due in part to the generous 512MB of DDR333 RAM and fast, but nevertheless shocked by the user processors from AMD for a long time.
The 60GB hard drive provides enough storage for the average user. It is located at the bottom of my needs, but large enough to hold all the software installed, more than 12GB of software services required for service calls, all projects of my clients, and still have enough space to easily hold 20 GB of system backup client.
The system also has a very good driver Broadcom WiFi. In my house with 3 floors, with excellent isolation, the system can be used anywhere in my house with signal strength "Very Good" to "excellent."
The system is designed ergonomically. I have a great big hand, and the latest laptops entirely too small for me to use realistic for an extended period of time. Usually within 20-30 minutes, wrists and hands started to hurt as it tries to maintain a reasonable position for the type of document I was working. Not so in pursuit 3000. This laptop has a relatively large chassis with a keyboard that is almost perfect for someone with large hands. In fact, I find that I can write so fast (around 35wpm) laptop on my desktop system has an ergonomic split keyboard (40wpm).
Cons:
If you are looking for a multimedia system, or if you make a graphic intensive game, keep searching, the system is not for you. Even with WXGA wide screen, this machine is perfect for watching movies on DVD. Integrated video controller can receive and monitor requires a lot of "play" to find the "right" viewing position. In addition, the brightness of the unit are horrible. I think that most rooms lit'm spending more time tiring the eyes to see beyond my own shadow. In addition, the angle of view is wonderful. If you try to view the screen from more than 15 degrees in all directions, or find a washing or negative variations from the original. I was never a big fan of LCD. I always thought that high-quality CRT always looks better, but the screen is reminiscent of an LCD screen three years of the new product.
Combined audio and video drivers sick place like a well-defined. I always prefer the driver of expansion in embedded controllers, but the price range, I knew I'd be glued to the modest quality of an integrated controller. No surprise here. As usual, the quality and performance under typical with this driver, but for my needs, do the job. However, if you plan to listen to any audio playback on a computer is better than a pack of build quality headphones. The tiny speakers on this machine is a terrible sound. Again, a big surprise.
Now, about the battery life. I do not know who is responsible for the interpretation of aspects of this machine, but need to check the neck up. Battery performance of this machine is really not acceptable. Unless you customize the system significantly, it is impossible to remove more than one hour of real time using the battery system. Stating that a manufacturer will run 1.5 hours on battery. I do not get more than an hour outside of the unit. In this day and age, it is not acceptable. Fortunately, there are very few occasions when I use the system that I'm not near a power outlet.
My only complaint is the lack of another major upgrade of the system. You get two slots for memory cards Sodima (256MBx2 whole stick from the factory), three USB 2.0 ports and a PCMCIA Type II slot machines, and that's all. There is no possibility of internal expansion, firewire, no serial or parallel connections, and can be interchanged easily integrated unit. Given the price range of this system, I'm really not surprised, but apparently I failed. Fortunately, there are many USB adapters are available that allow me to do.
Summary:
If you just need a simple system for activities related to work or school on Acer Aspire 3004WLCi is a solid player that can handle the average use easily. I would definitely recommend this unit for students or professionals who need to travel cheap, easy to use laptops, but do not use your laptop battery too often, or do not intend to play many games or movies. For the price conscious consumer out there, this system is definitely worth the money. In my opinion, you get more than you pay for, but not much.
Summary:
If you just need a basic system for work or school related tasks the Acer Aspire 3004WLCi is a solid performer that can handle average use with ease. I would definitely recommend this unit to college students or traveling professionals who need an inexpensive, user-friendly laptop, but who do not plan on using their laptop on batteries very often, or who do not intend on playing many games or movies. For the price conscious consumers out there, this system is definitely worth the money.
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