• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

15.4" Acer Dual Core Laptop with 2GB RAM, Dual Layer DVDRW, & X1400 GPU!

Page 9 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Originally posted by: Ichinisan
My new lappy is dead. Anyone else?
Define "dead"

I've got a video (I'm his brother) but I can't get it off my phone from here. Suffice it to say, the laptop certainly isn't "dead" as I am typing on it right now.

Last night when I was trying to watch The Naked Gun 2 1/2, I had to reposition the laptop for optimal viewing. When i opened it up, it was off! I turned it back on and resumed the movie. It didn't attempt Scandisk. Then, I realized that I still didn't have an optimal viewing position so I picked up the laptop by the rear left and front right corners (Hands placed there) and it immediately flicked off and would not come back on. Every now and then the power light would flash when I attempted to boot. I unplugged it, but still nothing. Eventually I gave it a slight twist and then it fired right up. There's definitely something shorting out inside.

Also, all along most videos were corrupted when AVIVO accelleration is enabled. DVD/MPEG2 is fine but WMV and MPEG and all that aren't. The video is all a bunch of macroblocking green and red crap. You either have to disable hardware accelleration in WMP (which sacrifices full-screen) or find the option to disable hardware accelleration in the Catalyst AVIVO settings (Only under "Alll Settings" or whatever it's called). This is unfortunate because I am a Portable Media Center owner that really looked forward to AVIVO.
 
Originally posted by: sillious
I seems to a bit late for the CompUSA deal. ZipZoomFly currently looks like the winner http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=265257

Is there any other place I can find a better deal that you guys know of?

Also, will the US model work in Asia (110V vs. 220V)? Another TravelMate model support this option. I can't seems to find this little info anywhere.

Thanks.
I've heard horror stories about ZZF's return policy and that they charge a restocking fee on EVERYTHING. Keep that in mind
 
You're right. 2 years ago I had to RMA a ASUS mobo. They wanted to charge me for re-stocking, but after argument, they had to first test wether it was actually defective or not upon recieving the mobo on their hand. Then they credited me. Ofcoure I paid S&H.

I haven't purchased anything from them after that, always newegg or buy.com. but it's $80 more in newegg. Buy.com is also cheaper than newegg, but I wasn't happy with buy.com on my last purchase, so I'd avoide them.

Edit .. I remember, I asked for refund and they wanted re-stocking fee, then I exchanged for the same mobo. I guess if you exchange/repair, no re-stocking fee (I'll have to read their return policy again if I chose to purchase from them again)
 
I've never had trouble with Buy.com, and they do offer no restocking fee, but I have heard that returns can take a while. I'd rather buy from Buy.com than ZZF, and $80 is $80 (re: NewEgg) 😉
 
Stay away from ZZF. They sent me a motherboard that someone else had returned and refused to take it back. I won't ever do business with them again. The Acer is a good deal for the money. I got the original deal from CUSA on the Acer but returned it. I didn't like the heat on the hand rest and the battery life was really bad. There were other reasons but these two things were the worst. I got a Sony SZ160 I am mostly happy with but it cost a lot more.
 
<warning - I am not a electronic engineer, or very smart, so this may be a stupid 2 questions> 🙂

I just bought an extra AC adapter (power brick) for this laptop, and the power adapter brick which just arrived was not identical as the one that came with my laptop. The label on the back lists the same number of Input amps and volts, and the same number of Output amps and volts. Is it safe to use?

Also, the adapter that came with my notebook was made by LiteOn and the new one I received was made by Delta Electronics. What company made the power adapter which came with your laptop?

(Yes, I plan on calling up Acer tomorrow morning to confirm, but I wanted to see what other people received when they bought their laptops)
 
When I ordered an auto/airline adapter for my Compaq laptop, it was manufactured by Delta. I think they are an OEM-trusted manufacturer.
 
Quick update:

I exchanged my brother's laptop but it had since stopped the powering-off problem (Though it was something physically wrong so that is no consolation). To protect it, I stuck a piece of tape where the camera would normally mark the housing (Yay for experience!).

Anyway, I noticed that this power brick, though identical (Lite-On), only gets a little warm. My previous one would get ridiculously hot. So hot in fact that I wouldn't let it touch carpet and I would set it vertically on a desk for maximum surface to air contact. It was very uncomfortable to hold and now I realize that something was clearly wrong. If your power brick is getting hot, return it!
 
is there an options for the touchpad to be disabled when the lid is shut, my buttons always click when i shut the lid
 
for anyone looking for an equally nice deal, i just ordered a Dell Inspiron E1705 this morning with:

- Intel® Core? Duo Processor T2300 (1.66GHz/667MHz FSB)
- 17 inch UltraSharp? Wide Screen UXGA (1920x1200) Display with TrueLife?
- 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
- ATI MOBILITY? RADEON® X1400 256MB HyperMemory
- 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
- Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
- 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
- Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)
- 80 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
- Remote Control for Windows XP Media Center Edition

=$2060
- $650 off $1999+ coupon
- 3% fatcash ($42.30)
- free shipping

= $1367.70 + tax

helluva deal IMO! 🙂
 
If my volume is up and i use my touchpad, i'm getting a feedback-type noise from the speakers. Anyone know how to fix this?? It gets sorta annoying while i'm listening to music or watching a movie.
 
so can anyone who has bought this laptop tell me what media they are using to burn with? for DVD? and if they are getting 8x burn speeds? i can only get 2x with ritek g05
thanks
 
Back
Top