Overview
When I started my GCSE year I was advised by a graphics teacher to buy a laptop because it would be a great help, as it would mean that I could get on with the designing work in and out of school. I decided that I didn’t want to spend a lot of money so I looked around and I found this Acer for £349.95 in Tesco, this was nearly two years ago and I have still been hard pushed to find a laptop with the specifications on offer hear for the same or a similar price.
== Hard drive ==
This laptop has a lot to offer for a start it comes with a quite large hard drive, it has 30 GB, which may not seem like much but remember this is only a laptop so it wont be as big as a normal PC, and also this is a budget laptop so you are getting a lot for your money. I have now used this laptop for two years now and now have two years worth of work stored on here and a lot of music, videos, and pictures and still have plenty of room. If 30 GB still isn’t enough for you I would recommend that you buy an external hard drive, I have seen 80 GB hard drive for around £50 on the high street which would boost the memory to 110 GB, more than enough for any one.
== Ram ==
This laptop comes with a 512 MB ram which again compared to some computers may seem small, but again remember this is only a laptop, and again it is a budget laptop.
To be honest I have found that a 512 MB ram has been more than enough to meet my needs and I tend to use a lot of programmes at the same time.
== DVD Drive ==
this laptop comes with a great DVD drive not only does it play CD and DVD style discs but it also re-writes them which means that you can record music CD’s and DVD’s it also works well to back up files and programmes on, I recommend that if you do you use a DVD disk though as it is a 4.7GB memory rather than a 700 MB memory.
== Battery ==
This is probably one of the biggest let downs this laptop has the battery is quite poor it tends to last about half an hour before it runs out so I find that I am constantly having to re charge it, however this takes no time at all really again about half an hour but, you can use the laptop while it is charging.
If you are a commuter and need to use a laptop on the train or where there is no power source, you may find it helpful to now that you can buy a different battery some of which can last for a few hours, the cost around £50-60 on Amazon depending on what sort of power and quality you want.
== Screen ==
The laptop comes with a 15.4 inch screen which is huge, and looks great offering a great display. And considering that it only cost £349.95 it’s a complete bargain.
== Looks ==
This laptop looks great its styled in a silver and black, this makes it look very sleek and professional, this was one of the main reasons that I brought this laptop, because it looked so nice, also because I had a sliver and black phone and a silver and black I pod, I know I am very sad.
Even when the lid is shut this laptop cant help but look good, the smooth curves on the side makes it look very stylish.
== Comfort ==
This laptop is very comfortable, I have very large hands and I find this laptop great as it has a nice big key board with big keys unlike other laptops that I have used before. Like all laptops this one also has a touch pad mouse which again is very comfortable and easy to use, however for people who are not confident with a touch pad or have arthritis or something similar you can attack a USB 2.0 mouse to the side for easier use.
== Portability ==
Like all laptops this is easy to move it weighs next to nothing and is small enough to fit in a briefcase. I recommend though that if you are someone who like me, uses it a lot and are constantly changing location that you buy a laptop case they cost about £20 but will save the laptop from all sorts of damage.
== Durability ==
Like I said I have had my laptop now for about two years now and apart from a few very minor scratches this laptop is a good as new, it has stood the test of time very well and shows no sign at all of breaking.
== Ease of use ==
Today most people have used a computer and no how to do all of the basics but even if you are a complete novice you cant really have to many problems, just plug it in and press the on button, my mum isn’t to gifted with computers but even she managed to get to grips with this lap top in no time at all.
Software
With this laptop you get a lot of extra features, for a start you get software that allows you to create CD’s and DVD’s; however this is quite had so you may want to look at the instructions.
You also get Microsoft works which allows you to produce word documents, it’s not bad but it’s not great at the end of the day it gets the job done and you can always upgrade to Microsoft office at a later state if required.
This laptop also comes with games and other programmes the best thing to do is to simply go and have a play around and get use to the products.
== External devices ==
this lap top comes with three USB 2.0 slots which means that you can attach things like I pods, a mouse, external hard drives, web cams, flash drives etc which is very good for a laptop.
The laptop also has a network card sot which means that you can set up a wireless internet connection for wireless internet surfing any where in the home; it also means that you can set up a network so that you share documents with other computers in that network.
The laptop also was a built in Bluetooth adaptor which means that you can send images, videos and music to and from a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. This also means that you can send documents to a Bluetooth enabled printer, computer or laptop without wires.
== Speakers ==
This computer has twin speakers mounted in the front which are very powerful for there size and sound very clear when playing music and video.
== Instructions ==
Once you have opened the lap top and turned it on you simply have to go to the start menu and choose the ‘Acer users guide’ and it has all the information you will need about the laptop and the software available. If you still get stuck on software most programmes have a tutorial that you can use and a FAQ (frequently asked questions) that you can access.
== Manufacturers support ==
Acer is very helpful if you have any problems with their lap top or software simply get in contact with them on the following address and they will be happy to help you:
Commercial and Product Information
Please call 0870 853 1005
Technical Helpline:
Calling from UK: 0870 853 1000
for all Technical Service related support, please see the http://support.acer-euro.com website or email euro_mail@acer-euro.com
== Value for money ==
Like I said this laptop cost me £349.95 and considering what’s on offer it’s a absolute bargain and is money well spent, my sister has also gone and bought this same laptop since and like me has had no trouble and agrees that it was money very well spent.
by (7%):
21.04.2008 20:23
Great review of a really good laptop :o)
09.03.2008 17:11
Great Review!!! Sounds like a really good laptop. Im currently using the 4315 series and its really good too
09.05.2007 18:50
Very nice review and the laptop is very reasonably priced. What operating system does it run? Jacky x