Warning: external monitor on Acer TM800

[BaconTastesGood]

Just as a warning, anyone considering the Acer TravelMate 800LCi should reconsider if they require the use of the external monitor output simultaneously with the laptop screen. Mirrored or extended desktop modes will result in blurry images on the external monitor, or sometimes both. Other than this flaw, the laptop is great, but this really bums me out since I needed the second monitor output.

 

[Pennstate]

What is the actual write, rewrite speed of the CDRW/DVD drive? Various websites have different specs. Thanks

 

[JZilla]

I would like you to do a review Bacon. The only review I has seen so far is the CNet review, also read your user comment.

How is the case ? How much noise ?

 

[BaconTastesGood]

Overall I think the TravelMate 800LCi is a great notebook. It works as advertised, the integrated wireless is pretty solid, and I haven't had many complaints with it at all.

My most major complaint has to do with the second monitor output. That has been a source of frustration for me since I NEED dual monitor output, and the degree of fuzziness is just intolerable.

My only other complaints are a lack of a full size FireWire port (it uses the miniport) and the fan seems to turn on a lot and at random, making a lot of noise in the process.

BTG

 

[MikeD2k3]

I'm considering either the Dell 600m or Acer 800LCi for college this fall. I would also be very interested in knowing the true speed of the CDRW drive--there are multiple listings on the web. Another question I have is what is the warranty on it? CNet lists it as having a 3-year warranty and even totes it in their "the good/the bad" summary. COMPUSA and Best Buy both list a 1-year warranty. Acer's website doesn't say from what I can tell. Retailers have a vested interest in making customers think the Acer only has a 1 year--they can sell their high-margin service plan. Can anyone clear this up? I would love to hear any opinions on both the 600m and Travelmate--especially the Travelmate

Thanks for your help!
MikeD2k3

 

[BaconTastesGood]

Well, after numerous discussions with Acer support, I CANNOT recommend them anymore. Even though I was polite, one of the techs actually hung up on me simply because I wanted to speak with a supervisor. I'm also noting problems with the LCD screen. They also would not consider cross-shipping a replacement laptop to me, even though I offered to prepay in advance (my entire business is on my laptop, I can't ship it to them for two weeks while they 'look into it').

The multimonitor problem also has not been resolved, and they say they don't know when they'll resolve it or even if they should.

To quote one of their techs: "Sir, poor quality does not mean that it's malfunctioning".

If I were doing this over again, you bet I'd get the Dell.

 

[MikeD2k3]

Besides the dual-display mirroring--have you been happy with your TM800? Also--since you've invoked the warranty evidently--can you tell me whether it's a 1 or 3 year warranty?

Thanks for your help!
MikeD2k3

 

[BaconTastesGood]

I believe it's a 1 year warranty, but I'm not sure.

Other things that have bothered me:

- mini-Firewire port instead of a full size firewire port
- complete lack of accessories from Acer. I haven't been able to find a docking station, etc.
- completely crappy support (I know, I keep harping on this). I asked for a supervisor to call me back, and they never did.
- a couple odd anomalies with the LCD. It's not dead pixels, but these small starburst patterns under the LCD (it's not dirt)
- fan seems to come on a LOT

For the money it was decent, and the high-res display is nice to have. Good weight and battery life (watched a DVD movie and still 50% battery left when it was over). Built in wireless seems to work pretty well.

 

[MikeD2k3]

Hmm....I had planned on getting the Acer b/c I can get a Best Buy employee discount on it which brings it down quite a bit--but I don't want a low-quality computer. I need my notebook to hold up to 4 years of undergrad. I also just checked on the specs on the 600m..they stopped putting 5400rpm drives in there. I guess the upside is that there's better battery life hopefully. I get 10% off the Dell w/ my university so it's not a total loss I guess.

Thanks for the info!
MikeD2k3

 

[BaconTastesGood]

to be fair, aside from my minor quibbles with their suport and the starbursts in the LCD, it's a well built machine. But their support is SO bad, that I'd always be terrified that if something went wrong, I'd be in trouble.

I mean, if you go their Web site, they don't even list the 800 under models when searching for accessories.

 

[MikeD2k3]

I also just noticed that the case quality differs b/w the Dell 600m and Dell D600. I used a D600 the other night and was very impressed. Now I read the 600m isn't as sturdy! Grr! I never thought buying a notebook would be so tedious!

Thanks
MikeD2k3