Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T-68U118

Back again in September, we talked about that Acer was planning to update its TimelineX sequence by cramming an Intel Core i7 processor into an eleven.6-inch ultraportable laptop computer. Properly, the business succeeded. The Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T-68U118 packs a ton of processing energy right into a netbook-size deal, and nevertheless manages to incorporate a full-size keyboard.

Our review design ($899 as of November eleven, 2010) arrived that has a potent Core i7 processor--a 1.47GHz, ultra-low-voltage variant of the 680UM processor--as properly as 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard push, and also the 64-bit model of Windows 7 Home Top quality. Connectivity functions included an ethernet port, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth--but no cellular broadband. You do get an embedded 1.3-megapixel Webcam.

However not quite as attractive since the new 11-inch Macbook Air, the TimelineX is extremely sleek. It measures 11.2 inches vast by eight inches extended by just about 1 inch thick, and it weighs three pounds; the power brick is so light you may barely observe it. Within our battery life exams, the TimelineX lasted for six.five several hours on one particular cost.

The textured, matte-black cover with the TimelineX features a shiny, mirrored Acer logo within the center. The inside features a matte black keyboard, a dark-gray brushed aluminum wristpad, as well as a glossy black bezel round the display screen, but there are no focused buttons (conserve for your circular ability button) and few indicator lights.

The TimelineX supplies a acceptable variety of ports for an ultraportable laptop. Around the appropriate aspect, it presents an ethernet port, a Kensington lock port, two USB two.0 ports, headphone and microphone jacks, along with a five-in-one card reader slot. A vent occupies component from the left facet from the laptop, however the designers even now located area for a USB two.0 port, an HDMI-out port, plus a VGA-out port.

The TimelineX's floating Chiclet-style keyboard is full-size, but it really is quite flat, as well as the keys are essentially flush with the palm relaxation. The keys are also smooth and carefully spaced, plus they offer weak feedback, which makes touch-typing quite frustrating.

The multitouch trackpad is even worse. The palm relaxation is a tad also narrow for being cozy, as well as the trackpad is only as deep since the palm rest is. In sensible terms the trackpad as well as the palm rest are one particular entity, with all the touchpad distinguished only by two slightly elevated strips on possibly facet of it. Two tiny, discrete buttons sit beneath it, appropriate on the edge in the laptop. Often as I tried using to maneuver the mouse pointer, I might find out that I was futilely transferring my finger all around within the nontrackpad aspect in the palm rest; at other times, I would endeavor to press on the list of buttons and finish up poking myself from the lap.

The glossy, 11.6-inch display screen includes a native resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels, common for its class. The show top quality is pretty excellent, but it's not bright adequate for comfortable use outdoors (particularly in immediate sunlight), colours have a tendency to seem somewhat washed out, and the photograph degrades rapidly if you see the display off-axis. The glossiness tends to toss back plenty of reflections, as well.

Video playback about the TimelineX is fairly excellent, however the absence of a discrete graphics card implies that graphics-intensive video clip games are unplayable. The integrated graphics method handles high-definition fairly properly, nevertheless; so if you're just arranging on streaming a couple of Hulu episodes or enjoying back clips shot with an Hd camcorder, this laptop computer will do the trick.

The Acer's audio is significantly louder and deeper compared to sound you would get from a typical netbook. Since the stereo speakers are situated about the bottom in the personal computer, just below the wrist rest, perching the ultraportable in your lap significantly muffles the sound. The speakers, however great for the laptop computer of this dimensions, could use much more bass. Nevertheless, they are loud enough to let you observe a film or take part in a video clip chat without feeling aggrieved.

The TimelineX runs Windows 7 Residence Premium, and includes Microsoft and McAfee trialware, CyberLink Electrical power DVD 9 (regardless of the absence of an optical drive), and a suite of Acer software program (like Crystal Eye Webcam, eRecovery Management, and Backup Manager).

If you are searching for a netbook that has the ability of a laptop (or a laptop computer the dimension of the netbook), seem no additional. The Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T-68U118 brings together energy and portability in an desirable package deal that expenses $100 less compared to new Macbook Air. The keyboard and trackpad are flawed--but for an i7 processor and an 11.6-inch display, you must make some sacrifices.