Quad-Core Laptop for $1,799

[Tom Lowe]

I need a new laptop for 2K, 4K and 6K RAW demosaicing & rendering, After Effects CS4 work, Premiere Pro/Cineform editing, and general DIT-type work on the road.

I was looking at getting an Alienware M17 Quadcore, but I just read this about a new Acer Quad core for $1,799...


The Aspire 8930G-7665 will be powered by Intel's Core 2 Quad Q9000 CPU, GeForce 9700M GT, Blu-ray, Dolby Audio and more.

Acer America has just introduced their brand new, flagship offering for multimedia laptop freaks - the 18.4" 8930G-7665 Notebook. This latest edition to the Aspire 8930G lineup features Intel's 2.53GHz Q9000 Core 2 Quad processor, Blu-ray, NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT GPU with 512MB VRAM, 4GB DDR3 Memory and pre-loaded Windows Vista Premium 64-bit.

Acer's 8930G-7665 also offers an 18.4-inch Full HD 16:9 display for a true cinematic experience for movie watching and playing games in all their glory. Plus, the bundled 500GB hard drive ensures it would be a while before you run out of storage space on your new laptop.

Detailed technical specs for Acer Aspire 8930G-7665:

Intel Core 2 Quad Mobile Processor Q9000 12MB L2 Cache | 2.53 GHz | 1066MHz FSB)
18.4" WUXGA Acer CrystalBrite™ TFT LCD (1920 x 1080)
4GB DDR3 1066 MHz Dual Channel Memory
NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT with 512MB dedicated video memory
500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Blu-ray Disc/DVD-Super Multi double-layer drive
6-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
802.11a/g/Draft-N Wi-Fi CERTIFIED
Acer Crystal Eye Webcam
Dolby Home Theater
Windows Vista Premium 64-bit

A similar system would cost closer to $3,500 at Alienware. The only major thing Alienware offers better, as far as I can tell, is Dual CrossFireX 512MB ATI HD 3870 graphics cards. How important are the graphics cards to the type of work I am doing? Also, Alienware only offers a 17" screen, as opposed to Acer's 18.4".

BTW, are eSATA ports possible to have installed on laptops? Or just express cards? I really need a fat pipeline to the external drives. What is the best solution for linking a laptop like this to large, fast externals?

[Hrvoje Simic]

Acer had issues with built quality and materials used, but it got better recently, especially with this series of notebooks. Although less then before, keyboard still bends.


The only major thing Alienware offers better, as far as I can tell, is Dual CrossFireX 512MB ATI HD 3870 graphics cards. How important are the graphics cards to the type of work I am doing?

Until ATI comes out with 4000 mobile series I'd recommend going with Nvidia, if CS4 is your priority.

GPGPU is going to have a significant role in speeding up multimedia workflow and ATI 3000 series are not optimized for GPGPU by missing local memory share/store.
ATI introduced it with 4000 series, and Nvidia has it since GeForce 8.



Also, Alienware only offers a 17" screen, as opposed to Acer's 18.4".


This is a matter of preference.
I prefer the look and of 18.4" 16/9 vs. 17" 16/10, although you actually have less pixels, compared to 1920x1200 screens.




BTW, are eSATA ports possible to have installed on laptops? Or just express cards?


ExpressCard to eSATA adapter will do just fine.

[Tom Lowe]

Thanks.

How do you think the Acer's NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT with 512MB would compare to the two ATIs?

Do you think this Acer will get the job done for me? Are there any other similar laptops I should be looking at?

[Adam Glick]

You will definitely want to ask about battery life.

Expect it to be less than an hour normal under heavy use.

[Tom Lowe]

Wow, how come?

[Joe G.]

Vista?

I'd say to research that horrible OS before making a decision.

[Shawn Booth]

15" MacBook Pro.

It has a smaller screen.
:sarcasm:

[Tom Lowe]

Apple Shmapple... :bleh:

[Rudi Herbert]

Tom,

My two biggest concerns would be: a) battery life, a screen that big would definitely suck the battery dry in less than one hour, which is not what you're looking for on the road, so count on getting several batteries and a charger so they are available to you at all times, and b) maximum memory capacity. To run CS4 I would recommend a minimum of 6 gigs of memory, and the more the merrier, but 4 is a bit weak for the set up you describe. As for Vista64, it is working REALLY well for me with CS4 once I trimmed all the unnecessary fat off it, so have no fears about it, and yes, Apple Schmapple :-) Alienware is very good but very expensive and for video editing and image manipulation, dual graphic cards don't make any difference. Ultimately, you can buy the Acer, treat it carefully, load the software, test it, and return it in as new condition if it doesn't meet your expectations, which is how I test all of my computers before committing to them...