[Jaenne]

Alright, I'm on the hunt for a new laptop. The thing is, I don't want a Dell or something like that. Honestly, you don't want to hear the potty mouth on me when someone tells me to get one.

Does anyone know anything about Acer laptops? I'm looking into getting one.

[Chade]

I've never personally owned an Acer, I know a lot of people who have. Mainly because they are easier to fit into a budget. Looking at Acer Specs vs Cost they seem like a good deal. Hpwever:

1. In my experience the build quality is poor. Lots of flex on the keyboard, cheaper components. That being said, there are people that get high quality Acer's with great build quality. Seems like it's the luck of the draw though.

2. If cost is a major factor in your decision making process, Acer isn't a bad way to go, you can get cheaper alternatives for about the same build quality.

3. Warranty. I haven't heard good things about Acer's support/warranty fulfillment. I know this is a big thing with people and it needs to be researched.

Keep in mind that I don't have a lot of first hand, long term experience with Acer's this is mostly hearsay and what I've seen from looking at my friends/colleagues.



In the end, buying a notebook boils down to A) What you need it to be able to do. How much you are willing to spend C) What particulars are most important to you. D) What size/weight you are looking for

My preferred brands are: 1. Asus <-- for everything except support 2. LG <-- for high priced quality 3. Lenovo <-- for business



Also, I have a long standing grudge with Dell when it comes to notebooks/desktops. My company gets a 10% discount with them and it's easy to get coupons so I managed to get a Xbox 360 elite for 15% off . Love messing with Dell.


**EDIT** Quick plug for the notebook I'm typing this on right now on sale here for $1499.99, regular $1,549.99

[Solaran_X]

I got a 19" widescreen LG Flatron LCD display for this computer. It was affordable (about $275) and was the only monitor I saw with a 2000:1 contrast ratio - much higher than the Samsungs and others I was looking at.

[Cujo]

I'd avoid buying an Acer if at all possible. While affordable, they have many issues and as Chade said, its really going to be luck of the draw to get a good one out of the box. If you get one in the box at all. One company I worked for started ordering Acers for the price and that our reseller gave us an additional discount on them. We had ordered 3 and when I got to the second box, I opened it to find nothing but recycled paper. The box was most definately factory sealed, meaning the laptop was switched out at the assembly plant or their warehouse. The weight of the paper in the box was pretty damn close to the weight of the actual model laptop too. Our guess was that this wasn't the first time this had happened. We stopped purchasing Acers.

Maybe if you give us a price range you are looking at, someone can give you reasonable alternatives.

[J_A_X]

yeah, I don't like acer or toshiba at all. Dell is 'okay'. I bought a Sony Vaio last year and I have to say, it was one of the best investments I've ever made. I *love* this thing...

[Cujo]

yeah, I don't like acer or toshiba at all. Dell is 'okay'. I bought a Sony Vaio last year and I have to say, it was one of the best investments I've ever made. I *love* this thing...

Agreed. I love my VIAO too, Sony is just kinda pricey for most.

[Bodhisattva]

The problem with the Sony Vaio right now is that it comes with Windows Vista, and that's definitely something she didn't want (she already got and returned one). Can't have Vista, so if you've got suggestions for laptops that come without it, she'd prefer that.

[Chade]

The problem with the Sony Vaio right now is that it comes with Windows Vista, and that's definitely something she didn't want (she already got and returned one). Can't have Vista, so if you've got suggestions for laptops that come without it, she'd prefer that.

A larger and larger percentage of notebooks are coming with vista now, just format and install your operating system of choice. Letting the operating system that comes with a machine determine what you buy definitely isn't the greatest way to pick a machine. Unless it's significantly affecting the cost.

[SaintArthur]

just format and install your operating system of choice

It's not as easy as all that, laptops are really hard to get right, especially dell and HP ones, acer is not that bad but still no walk in the park. The OS image, reinstall discs you'll get with the new machine will now almost always be for Vista, you'll have to search up all the XP drivers for the laptop.
Our providers no longer have even one model that comes with XP installed.

We sell nearly all ASUS laptops in the shop, mainly because they have a 6 month battery guarantee and a 2 year overall one. And at very good prices too.
We have contacts with the installation group now and they've given us access to one of their servers to get the drivers for reinstalling XP so things are getting a bit more easy to handle in that department, thank god.

Personally I'd recommend them for build quality and economic reasons.
We can get any makes we want (except dell)but have settled with them because of the tiny amount of problems we've had with them.

Also we've repaired many, many Acer machines.

[Chade]

just format and install your operating system of choice

It's not as easy as all that, laptops are really hard to get right, especially dell and HP ones, acer is not that bad but still no walk in the park. The OS image, reinstall discs you'll get with the new machine will now almost always be for Vista, you'll have to search up all the XP drivers for the laptop.
Our providers no longer have even one model that comes with XP installed.

We sell nearly all ASUS laptops in the shop, mainly because they have a 6 month battery guarantee and a 2 year overall one. And at very good prices too.
We have contacts with the installation group now and they've given us access to one of their servers to get the drivers for reinstalling XP so things are getting a bit more easy to handle in that department, thank god.

Personally I'd recommend them for build quality and economic reasons.
We can get any makes we want (except dell)but have settled with them because of the tiny amount of problems we've had with them.

Also we've repaired many, many Acer machines.

I've never really had problems getting XP drivers as it's still supported by all major notebook makers. Although, I've been using Asus pretty exclusively for about 6 years now and their site is decent for having up to date xp drivers. I admit that it isn't ridiculously simple, but it seems like a silly thing to be a major factor in your decision.

[Bodhisattva]

Chade, part of the issue was that some of the hardware didn't have XP drivers available, so it was Vista or nada.

[Chade]

Chade, part of the issue was that some of the hardware didn't have XP drivers available, so it was Vista or nada.

Hmm... I've never had that problem. Is Sony (or are other manufacturers) really releasing hardware that is only supported on Vista? As in no XP drivers, unless you get them 3rd party?

[J_A_X]

Hmm... I've never had that problem. Is Sony (or are other manufacturers) really releasing hardware that is only supported on Vista? As in no XP drivers, unless you get them 3rd party?

All Vista compatible hardware is also compatible with XP. However, not XP compatible hardware can be compatible with Vista.

But yeah, since Microsoft are the assholes that they are, they force people to get Vista if you want it or not. I'm pretty sure all of the laptop manufacturers are now switched to vista..

[Jaenne]

Chade, part of the issue was that some of the hardware didn't have XP drivers available, so it was Vista or nada.

Hmm... I've never had that problem. Is Sony (or are other manufacturers) really releasing hardware that is only supported on Vista? As in no XP drivers, unless you get them 3rd party?

No XP drivers. We searched and searched and there were just some functions that didn't have XP drivers. The Sony site didn't have thema nd we called them and asked them. They told us that there are not XP drivers for the newer laptops. I don't think it's all Sony. I think it's more of Microsoft backing people into a corner.

[Shaken]

Hmm... I've never had that problem. Is Sony (or are other manufacturers) really releasing hardware that is only supported on Vista? As in no XP drivers, unless you get them 3rd party?

All Vista compatible hardware is also compatible with XP. However, not XP compatible hardware can be compatible with Vista.

But yeah, since Microsoft are the assholes that they are, they force people to get Vista if you want it or not. I'm pretty sure all of the laptop manufacturers are now switched to vista..

However, you can get a Dell laptop with Linux... I know you wanted to rule out Dell, but at least 5 people at the Niagara meet had Dell laptops and seemed pretty happy with them.

OR if you are really bent on getting an Acer... http://www.linux-on-...s.com/acer.html

Shaken

[Cujo]

Hmm... I've never had that problem. Is Sony (or are other manufacturers) really releasing hardware that is only supported on Vista? As in no XP drivers, unless you get them 3rd party?

All Vista compatible hardware is also compatible with XP. However, not XP compatible hardware can be compatible with Vista.

But yeah, since Microsoft are the assholes that they are, they force people to get Vista if you want it or not. I'm pretty sure all of the laptop manufacturers are now switched to vista..

However, you can get a Dell laptop with Linux... I know you wanted to rule out Dell, but at least 5 people at the Niagara meet had Dell laptops and seemed pretty happy with them.

OR if you are really bent on getting an Acer... http://www.linux-on-...s.com/acer.html

Shaken

Dell also will give you the option of going to XP, if desired.

[J_A_X]

Dell is alright in my book. Haven't seen many people with trouble with them except for my one friend that after 3 years of having it, his LCD backlight borked and had to get a new one.

[Maelgwyn]

I use a Dell and I will admit, its not the best laptop at times (like the inability for Linux to use the power management) but overall I am extremely happy with it. Its even had two rather large spills and it still works like new.

Bar the scratches

Maelgwyn

[Illyria]

I've had both Dell and Toshiba laptops and love them both. I've never had a problem with either. I also have XP on both and refuse to upgrade. I do know many people who have had problems with Acer's though.

If it's possible talk to a small business that sells and repairs computers, they might be able to give you an idea of some of the pro's and con's of some of the more popular laptops, if anything, they'll be able to tell you what they fix most often.

[beachbum]

Acer has been around for a long time, We were actually dealing with a company that was selling relabled acers (With the name "Olympia") Many years ago ... They were crap.... The "Fisher-Price" of computers ....

If you want to go Cheaper, try a factory reconditioned laptop, many companies like Dell sell what they call reconditioned models. (Resellers offer these on ebay, I got a great deal on a dell desktop on ebay).... Most of the time these are just ones that were returned by people who bought a computer to do a single job with every intention of returning it when the job was done ... Most of the time, There was nothing wrong with the unit, But the company can not resell it as new.....