Another Recommend Me a Laptop Thread. Acer Aspire 1694?

steve_stogwart · 19th January 2006, 5:46 PM

I've noticed a few people on here have the Aspire 1694 and am considering it for myself.

The major downside of the Acer is that it's sound port is on the front, and i plan to hook it up to my existing speakers and this might become a bitch as it will essentially be a desktop replacement.

I'm after a 15.4" laptop mainly for watching movies and listening to music. I won't be playing many games at all, but i still don't want it to be sluggish. Really need a 100GB hard drive and am also after 1GB RAM. After these, screen quality is important. Budget around $2000-2500

Is there any reason why the Acer has higher specs than most others for the same price? Does it sacrifice build quality? What are the best brands to buy and do you have any suggestions for similar laptops?

Thanks.

Specs:
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (2.0 GHz, 2 MB cache, 533MHz FSB)
15.4" WXGA CrystalBrite colour screen (1280 x 800)
1 GB PC4200 DDR2-SDRAM
100 GB 4200rpm EIDE hard drive
DVD-DUAL +/-R/RW (Dual Layer) drive
ATI® Mobility Radeon X700 PCI Express accelerator with 128MB DDR RAM
$2499

SCwerTA · 19th January 2006, 7:09 PM

I've got one. Got it for $2241 delivered back in november last year. Really nice piece of equipment. Although the HDD does feel sluggish at times because its only 4200rpm. I get on average 3hrs of battery life with full setting on and can strech it to 4hrs with power saving settings.

Slot load dvd is my main dislike about the laptop. Its too noisy. Another would be the shocking sound from the inbuilt speakers, but then what laptop has good quality sound. heh.

I'm using a usb sound blaster audigy 2 which takes care of the sound port in the front.

If your getting this for desktop replacement i think the Dell 9300 would be much better choice. Since the 9400 is out also, pricing for the lappy is sure to go down. Back in november i remember pricing the 9300 at 2.2k with equal specs to the 1694 and with the 6800go. But if you go that path, mobility would be totally out of the question.

steve_stogwart · 19th January 2006, 8:03 PM

Yeah, i thought about the dell 9400. But then decided that the largest screen i would want is 15.4" because although it will primarily replace my desktop, i do still want a decent amount of portability.

The Dell 6000 i can get with similar specs (Not Duo though), but i'm hesistant to buy a computer without seeing it as i'm worried that it will be fairly thick. The site says 3.8cm, how does this compare to other laptops? I'm after a fairly slim computer and i've seen the Acers and they look pretty good. Also it seems to have the sound port in the front again.

I was fairly worried about the 4200rpm HD. Maybe i should abondon the 1694 and make this another recommend me a laptop thread.

sreg0r · 19th January 2006, 10:50 PM

MSI Megabook M635 is the same except with an AMD Turion MT-34 processor and 80GB HD.

EvilGenius · 22nd January 2006, 2:54 AM

Do you need/want the graphics card? If not the 1644 is only $1999 . Its the same laptop minus the graphics card, and at Dick smiths, comes with the car/plane power adaptor and carry bag.

If you do need the graphics, then the best price going is $2219 for the 1694.

Either way, I helped a friend buy one of these over christmas and thought it was a great laptop, only drawback was the speed of the hardrive, but at that price, with those specs, I wouldn't complain.

SSJ · 23rd January 2006, 12:46 PM

I have a 1694 and its great! i have an radeon X700 which covers the graphics side of things quite well and a Audigy 2 ZS PCMCIA card which increases the sound quality and makes the sound ports on the side!

munka · 24th January 2006, 8:39 PM

Just in case your considering second hand notebooks, this one is similar http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...00#post5468900

steve_stogwart · 27th January 2006, 12:27 PM

Thanks dudes, i think i do want the graphics card so i'll go the 1694 if i get the acer. Still really tempted to get the Dell, even without seeing it. Might have to read some reviews of both.

Nothin else i've seen comes close to these two in terms of value for money.

The main thing i was worried about was general build quality of the acer, just seemed to good to be true.

EvilGenius · 27th January 2006, 3:59 PM

I wouldn't stress about the build quality on the acer. From using one, I can tell you it's pretty good, infact if I had a spare $2k lying around I'd buy one right now

I just had a looksee at the dell, and after tricking it up as close to the acer as I could I got this...

Dell vs Acer

The dell comes in at $2424.40 which includes delivery, gets a free second battery, faster hdd, better screen res - 1680x1050 vs 1200x800 and a copy of microsoft works, er, I probably wouldn't even install it, only because I much prefer Office...

The acer comes in at $2379 but I don't believe that price covers delivery, has a better graphics card - x700 as opposed to x300 (I've found the x-300 to be fairly useless, couln't run bf1942 on a hp zd8001 at lowest settings without stuttering), has a dual layer dvd burner and gigabit lan.

Personally, my money would go to the acer, but it's not my money so, enjoy whichever you choose

Kelvin · 28th January 2006, 11:02 AM

The Dell 9300 is still portable... having change from a 3.1 kg 15.4 notebook to the 3.6kb 17" dell 9300..

Its a terrifice desktop replacement... And I still carry it around... weights not an issue... Its just a little bulkier and takes a bit of getting used to...

The Dell 9300 has some amazing reviews..... Very little to fault... except the backlgiht on some machines isn't very even..

steve_stogwart · 28th January 2006, 12:03 PM

Okay guys, i found some others that might be worth a look see.

Asus M6A-B011P
Processor: Intel Pentium Mobile 760 2.00GHz (FSB: 533Mhz/L2 Cache)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition
Chipset: Mobile Intel 915GM Express Chipset
Memory: 1GB DDRII 533Mhz
Display: 15.4" WXGA, Resolution 1280 x 800 pixels
Video & Graphics: Intel 915GM UMA, 64Mb shared Video Ram
Hard Drive: 100GB 5400 PATA
Optical Drive: 8 x DVD Dual with Dual Layer
Card Reader: SD/MMC/MS/MS Pro
FAX/Modem/Lan: Integrated Wireless 802.11g (Mini-PCI), Integrated Bluetooth

$2295

Asus A6040VM001P
PROCESSOR: Intel Pentium M750 1.8GHz (L2 Cache, 533MHz)
OPERATING SYSTEM: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition
CHIPSET: Mobile Intel 915 PM Express Chipset
MAIN MEMORY: 512Mb DDRII 533MHz, 2 x SO-DIMM socket expandable to 2GB
DISPLAY: 15.4" WXGA + Colorshine, 1280 x 800 pixels
VIDEO & GRAPHICS: nVidia GeForce Ge6200 with TurboCache
VIDEO MEMORY: 256Mb HyperMemory
HARD DRIVE: 100G HDD (4200), 2.5" 9.5mm IDE HDD W/Ultra DMA 100 supported
OPTICAL DRIVE: DVD Dual W/Double Layer
FAX/MODEM/LAN: WLan 802.11G, Integrated Bluetooth

$2295

Any comments?

EvilGenius · 28th January 2006, 8:13 PM

At first glance, Asus laptops have a better warranty, 2yrs RTB international, compared to the acer 1 yr RTB, and IIRC the same for dell. Also, the Asus will have better speakers. I don't know about the dell, but while the acer's are adequate, the Asus' will be better.

The first lappy, M6A-B011P, has no graphics card, which is something you said you wished to have.

The second, A6040VM001P, has only 512mb ram. You really should aim for the full gig, it will make that much more difference, especially with the slower processor ( although 200mhz isn't really that much of a difference).

steve_stogwart · 29th January 2006, 4:20 PM

Yeah, looks like it's still between the Dell and Acer.

I'd say i'll probably end up getting the acer, i much prefer the shiny/glossy screen to the Dell's matte one. (at least i presume it's matte, as i'm yet to see a Dell with a glossy screen.)

Cadbury · 30th January 2006, 6:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve_stogwart

Okay guys, i found some others that might be worth a look see.

Asus M6A-B011P
Chipset: Mobile Intel 915GM Express Chipset

Asus A6040VM001P
VIDEO & GRAPHICS: nVidia GeForce Ge6200 with TurboCache

Any comments?

If you're not into games they sound ok.

19th January 2006, 5:46 PM	#1
steve_stogwart Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 348	Another Recommend Me a Laptop Thread. Acer Aspire 1694? I've noticed a few people on here have the Aspire 1694 and am considering it for myself. The major downside of the Acer is that it's sound port is on the front, and i plan to hook it up to my existing speakers and this might become a bitch as it will essentially be a desktop replacement. I'm after a 15.4" laptop mainly for watching movies and listening to music. I won't be playing many games at all, but i still don't want it to be sluggish. Really need a 100GB hard drive and am also after 1GB RAM. After these, screen quality is important. Budget around $2000-2500 Is there any reason why the Acer has higher specs than most others for the same price? Does it sacrifice build quality? What are the best brands to buy and do you have any suggestions for similar laptops? Thanks. Specs: Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (2.0 GHz, 2 MB cache, 533MHz FSB) 15.4" WXGA CrystalBrite colour screen (1280 x 800) 1 GB PC4200 DDR2-SDRAM 100 GB 4200rpm EIDE hard drive DVD-DUAL +/-R/RW (Dual Layer) drive ATI® Mobility Radeon X700 PCI Express accelerator with 128MB DDR RAM $2499 Last edited by steve_stogwart; 19th January 2006 at 8:03 PM.

19th January 2006, 10:50 PM	#4
sreg0r Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 648	MSI Megabook M635 is the same except with an AMD Turion MT-34 processor and 80GB HD. __________________ Art Flutter

22nd January 2006, 2:54 AM	#5
EvilGenius Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: _Rocky Status:_Folding! Posts: 4,365	Do you need/want the graphics card? If not the 1644 is only $1999 . Its the same laptop minus the graphics card, and at Dick smiths, comes with the car/plane power adaptor and carry bag. If you do need the graphics, then the best price going is $2219 for the 1694. Either way, I helped a friend buy one of these over christmas and thought it was a great laptop, only drawback was the speed of the hardrive, but at that price, with those specs, I wouldn't complain. __________________ Q9450@3.4 \| GA-P35-DS4 \| 4GB Team Xtreme Dark PC-8500 \| 8800GT \| Enermax Revolution 1050w \| CMStacker810 Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more Cry fold for Team24, OCAU and all the world! WANTED: Large and/or well ventilated case. Pickup greatly prefered in Rockhampton.

23rd January 2006, 12:46 PM	#6
SSJ Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 135	I have a 1694 and its great! i have an radeon X700 which covers the graphics side of things quite well and a Audigy 2 ZS PCMCIA card which increases the sound quality and makes the sound ports on the side! __________________ OCAU Night Owl

27th January 2006, 3:59 PM	#9
EvilGenius Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: _Rocky Status:_Folding! Posts: 4,365	I wouldn't stress about the build quality on the acer. From using one, I can tell you it's pretty good, infact if I had a spare $2k lying around I'd buy one right now I just had a looksee at the dell, and after tricking it up as close to the acer as I could I got this... Dell vs Acer The dell comes in at $2424.40 which includes delivery, gets a free second battery, faster hdd, better screen res - 1680x1050 vs 1200x800 and a copy of microsoft works, er, I probably wouldn't even install it, only because I much prefer Office... The acer comes in at $2379 but I don't believe that price covers delivery, has a better graphics card - x700 as opposed to x300 (I've found the x-300 to be fairly useless, couln't run bf1942 on a hp zd8001 at lowest settings without stuttering), has a dual layer dvd burner and gigabit lan. Personally, my money would go to the acer, but it's not my money so, enjoy whichever you choose __________________ Q9450@3.4 \| GA-P35-DS4 \| 4GB Team Xtreme Dark PC-8500 \| 8800GT \| Enermax Revolution 1050w \| CMStacker810 Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more Cry fold for Team24, OCAU and all the world! WANTED: Large and/or well ventilated case. Pickup greatly prefered in Rockhampton.

19th January 2006, 7:09 PM	#2
SCwerTA Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SE Melbourne Posts: 173	I've got one. Got it for $2241 delivered back in november last year. Really nice piece of equipment. Although the HDD does feel sluggish at times because its only 4200rpm. I get on average 3hrs of battery life with full setting on and can strech it to 4hrs with power saving settings. Slot load dvd is my main dislike about the laptop. Its too noisy. Another would be the shocking sound from the inbuilt speakers, but then what laptop has good quality sound. heh. I'm using a usb sound blaster audigy 2 which takes care of the sound port in the front. If your getting this for desktop replacement i think the Dell 9300 would be much better choice. Since the 9400 is out also, pricing for the lappy is sure to go down. Back in november i remember pricing the 9300 at 2.2k with equal specs to the 1694 and with the 6800go. But if you go that path, mobility would be totally out of the question.

19th January 2006, 8:03 PM	#3
steve_stogwart Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 348	Yeah, i thought about the dell 9400. But then decided that the largest screen i would want is 15.4" because although it will primarily replace my desktop, i do still want a decent amount of portability. The Dell 6000 i can get with similar specs (Not Duo though), but i'm hesistant to buy a computer without seeing it as i'm worried that it will be fairly thick. The site says 3.8cm, how does this compare to other laptops? I'm after a fairly slim computer and i've seen the Acers and they look pretty good. Also it seems to have the sound port in the front again. I was fairly worried about the 4200rpm HD. Maybe i should abondon the 1694 and make this another recommend me a laptop thread.

24th January 2006, 8:39 PM	#7
munka Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Perth Posts: 1,851	Just in case your considering second hand notebooks, this one is similar http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...00#post5468900

27th January 2006, 12:27 PM	#8
steve_stogwart Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 348	Thanks dudes, i think i do want the graphics card so i'll go the 1694 if i get the acer. Still really tempted to get the Dell, even without seeing it. Might have to read some reviews of both. Nothin else i've seen comes close to these two in terms of value for money. The main thing i was worried about was general build quality of the acer, just seemed to good to be true.

28th January 2006, 11:02 AM	#10
Kelvin Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 1,668	The Dell 9300 is still portable... having change from a 3.1 kg 15.4 notebook to the 3.6kb 17" dell 9300.. Its a terrifice desktop replacement... And I still carry it around... weights not an issue... Its just a little bulkier and takes a bit of getting used to... The Dell 9300 has some amazing reviews..... Very little to fault... except the backlgiht on some machines isn't very even..

28th January 2006, 12:03 PM	#11
steve_stogwart Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 348	Okay guys, i found some others that might be worth a look see. Asus M6A-B011P Processor: Intel Pentium Mobile 760 2.00GHz (FSB: 533Mhz/L2 Cache) Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition Chipset: Mobile Intel 915GM Express Chipset Memory: 1GB DDRII 533Mhz Display: 15.4" WXGA, Resolution 1280 x 800 pixels Video & Graphics: Intel 915GM UMA, 64Mb shared Video Ram Hard Drive: 100GB 5400 PATA Optical Drive: 8 x DVD Dual with Dual Layer Card Reader: SD/MMC/MS/MS Pro FAX/Modem/Lan: Integrated Wireless 802.11g (Mini-PCI), Integrated Bluetooth $2295 Asus A6040VM001P PROCESSOR: Intel Pentium M750 1.8GHz (L2 Cache, 533MHz) OPERATING SYSTEM: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition CHIPSET: Mobile Intel 915 PM Express Chipset MAIN MEMORY: 512Mb DDRII 533MHz, 2 x SO-DIMM socket expandable to 2GB DISPLAY: 15.4" WXGA + Colorshine, 1280 x 800 pixels VIDEO & GRAPHICS: nVidia GeForce Ge6200 with TurboCache VIDEO MEMORY: 256Mb HyperMemory HARD DRIVE: 100G HDD (4200), 2.5" 9.5mm IDE HDD W/Ultra DMA 100 supported OPTICAL DRIVE: DVD Dual W/Double Layer FAX/MODEM/LAN: WLan 802.11G, Integrated Bluetooth $2295 Any comments?

28th January 2006, 8:13 PM	#12
EvilGenius Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: _Rocky Status:_Folding! Posts: 4,365	At first glance, Asus laptops have a better warranty, 2yrs RTB international, compared to the acer 1 yr RTB, and IIRC the same for dell. Also, the Asus will have better speakers. I don't know about the dell, but while the acer's are adequate, the Asus' will be better. The first lappy, M6A-B011P, has no graphics card, which is something you said you wished to have. The second, A6040VM001P, has only 512mb ram. You really should aim for the full gig, it will make that much more difference, especially with the slower processor ( although 200mhz isn't really that much of a difference). __________________ Q9450@3.4 \| GA-P35-DS4 \| 4GB Team Xtreme Dark PC-8500 \| 8800GT \| Enermax Revolution 1050w \| CMStacker810 Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more Cry fold for Team24, OCAU and all the world! WANTED: Large and/or well ventilated case. Pickup greatly prefered in Rockhampton.

29th January 2006, 4:20 PM	#13
steve_stogwart Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 348	Yeah, looks like it's still between the Dell and Acer. I'd say i'll probably end up getting the acer, i much prefer the shiny/glossy screen to the Dell's matte one. (at least i presume it's matte, as i'm yet to see a Dell with a glossy screen.)