3201XCi HDD RPM Issue

How many people out there bought an Acer Travelmate 3201XCi, after being told by Acer that their HDD would be a 5400rpm drive, but end up to be a 4200rpm HDD?

Well, there might be a solution. Thanks to Blueman's post/update, he was capable of getting a 5400rpm HDD replacement after speaking to Acer's Support/Corporate Offices. No cost to Blueman and the old drive didn't have to be shipped back first to get the replacement.

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6766

This definitely shows that Acer is willing to go the extra mile to keep their customers happy.

Please post your results if you contact Acer for a replacement HDD.

Again, thanks Blueman for the info!

-Vb-

 

I just got my 3201. I've been looking to find the actual rpms but can't find it written anywhere on my computer. Can you tell me where to find it? Thanks, Jim

 

i hv quite a dull way to check it.. not sure if it appeals to u...
go Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > Disk Drives and take down the model number of the hdd currently installed. The model is the label for the disk drive.

Google the model number and you will be directed to the product page that will tell you the RPM and other specs...

hope this helps..

 

Thanks! I found it and indeed it's 4200rpm. Guess i'll give Acer a call!

 

Yes, everyone who bought an Acer notebook recently or any notebook for that matter should check and confirm that the hard drive is running at the RPM that was specified to you when you bought it. That's false advertising and if intentional it's fraud. I'm sure their quick to send out the right drive to keep it from being a class action lawsuit in the future. Just think how many people bought this model and will never know they were shortchanged.

Jack

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" (Ben Franklin)
http://pbase.com/joneill

 

My 3201xci has a "hitachi" 60gb travelstar ata6 4200rpm. can't say I care but the info might be useful to someone who does...

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by molochi

 

bugga, i brought TM3201XCi in Taiwan 4 weeks ago, they didn't specify which kind of hd it was, it just said 40gb hdd.

also, it said it was only 256 mb ddr ram. is that like others?

also the price of the laptop was around 1380 USD (converted from taiwan dollar to aus to usd)

this kind of price is cheap, so i thought what the heck, and i brought it...


was it worth it?
i've had no problems with it, its good for games and work. just a tad hot after a while of gaming.

 

i doubt that this is a good deal.
add another 256 and larger HDD and the price will be much higher than newegg's

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Airborne

 

I just got off the phone with ACER and sure enough, my 5400 rpm HDD is on the way FEd ex. They were very accomodating. They are paying postage both ways too! They did ask for my credit card # for insurance that I would send this one back. Only fair. I'm a happy customer! Thanks for your info Blueman and to the forum. Now lets see if I can change it out? Sounds simple. Jim.[ ]

 

This question is for blueman and any others who have successfully replaced their harddrives. Did you notice a speed difference after the 5400 rpm was put in to replace e 4200rpm? Is it even worth calling acer to try to replace my 4200?

 

i was wondering where is it on the web said that the HD is suppose to be 5400rpm but not 4200rpm???
i couldnt find it anywhere.....it only said 60GB 100ATA....but never mention about 5400rpm or 4200rpm

 

I't doesn't. I emailed Acer asking the speed of the drive for the 3201xci and the reply said 5400rpm.

 

Guess what guys... I just ordered my new Acer 3200Xci... Unfortunately, as usual, I think a lot before I make a decision, and once I made the decision they just raised the price !! %#$$@$#$% $100 more. How much did I pay ? $1459 (shipping incl), if I had bought yesterday would have cost me $100 less !! Anyways, I just think about the new HDD I'm gonna receive by FedDex..yeeeha !! Ok.. alright I'm just thrill.. My first laptop ever.. please bear with me.
Ok, now seriously, why I decided to go with this unit ?
1. Specs
2. great value
2. Looks.. ? why not.. after all..being a geek doesn't mean I don't have a heart too...
3. I don't like DELL nor Toshiba.. they are ugly
4. Apple is not for me, cute though, but I'm not that much into graphics design
5. And you guys.. specially you Blueman... with the HDD rpm

However, I've always used and IBM for my work (600X, T20, T21, T30 and T42). They are all very good, but costly. So, same specs, would have cost me at least $2000 easily...

 

Wait.. I'm confused now.. Can anyone pls. set this straight ? Weight: 6.4lbs or 4.8 lbs
I don't know why in some websites it shows 6.4 lbs and others 4.8 lbs. I gave a call to one of them and they said that is 6.4 with the battery.. Thanks

 

i think 4.8 is without the bat, and 6.4 is when the bat is installed.

 

Chico,

This thread is for people that have been incorrectly informed of the speed of their drives in the Acer Travelmate 3200 series. If you have any other questions, please post a new thread with your questions or perform a search to see if your questions have previously been answered.

Regarding the weight issue, it has been answered in previous posts by users who have the unit. It's been reported that it weighs approx 5lbs with the battery.

-Vb-

 

I'm about to order this exact notebook. I live in the UK.

Nowhere on various sites I have been browsing to buy this notebook has it said it's a 5400rpm drive. It always just says 60GB.. The most detail i've seen is "IDE interface" or "ATA/100 Hdd"

Should I be concerned about this? Or was this a problem with batches in the past?

 

The specs on the HDD is being quoted by Acer incorrectly to people. They have 2 sets of specs that differ depending on country. I believe they do have 5400rpm drives available, but in Europe or Asia. Their sales/support reps seem to quote the European/Asian specs rather than the specs specific to your region. If you do decide to get this unit, it's probably gonna be a 4200rpm drive. If you were told otherwise, you can bring this up with Acer's customer service reps. If you were told one thing and the final product turns out different, then that's false advertising. That's probably why they're willing to shipout replacement drives, this avoids any lawsuits.

-Vb-

 

Cheers for the reply.

I have been told by the retailer I am about to buy this notebook off that it is a 4200rpm drive..

I guess I should just accept it.. but most notebooks seem to coem with 5400rpm drives nowadays.

Is this notebook still worth buying!?

(I'm in the UK)

 

Chaiseylain,

Most people upgrade the HDD afterwards anyways, so it's more than worth it. You may find that a 4200rpm HDD does what you need, but you can always upgrade later.

-Vb-

 

Really? I thought it wasn't easy to upgrade/replace notebook hdds and other internal parts. Is it as easy as doing a hdd in a desktop PC?

Also what would I do with an old notebook 4200rpm hdd?

Cheers.

I'm also concerned that I will loose my warranty (3 year) if I decide to open it up to change the hdd.

 

Chasey,

You may want to put this into a new thread. This thread is really meant for people who have been mis-informed about their HDD speed. Also to findout peoples success in getting the problem resolved.

But, regarding the HDD, it's easy to upgrade because I believe it's located on the underside of the unit. It will not void the warranty because Acer ships out replacement drives and you replace them. You can buy an external USB 2.0 drive cage and put your old HDD into that. Use it for external/portable storage.

If you have any other questions/issues, please start a new thread.

Thanks,

-Vb-

 

Thanks for all that.

I have my 3201XCi on the way. I think I will give it a year before looking for a 7200rpm notebook hdd to upgrade with, and then do as you say with the existing hdd by popping it into an enclosure.

Cheers.

 

I'm gonna buy the Acer Travelmate 3201XCi...

i have several questions.

maybe you could help me out,

What's the real weight with battery ?

The case it's made of plastic or some other material?

those the 9700 radeon with 64 mb it's enuff to run Sims 2 and games like that?

thx for yer coop,

 

I've never weighed the thing (I don't have my own set of scales)? Doesn't feel too heavy or light though

I haven't installed any games on this thing yet.

It seems to be made of your typical notebook hard quality plastic - and has a nice metallic-ish finish.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Rowman

 

The questions about the HDD came up some months ago in other threads. Im glad to see people are returning it for a new one because Acer can't get their specs or support info right for different versions between regions. Also the 3200 is not the same as the 3201Xci. At any rate, I got the 3201xci with a 4200 rpm drive and bought the Hitachi 60gb 7200 rpm version on Dell's site. They go on sale from time to time. I stuck the 7200 drive into a shell and then ghosted the original drive to the new one. I then swapped drives and now the 7200 is my main drive and the 4200 is my backup. First I dont think I care nor do I think it makes much difference speed wise when backing up files to a 4200 vs a 5400. HOWEVER, second of all, the boot up speed is MUCH faster with the 7200 drive installed! As I am sure all other operations are as well! So I will not bother getting on Acers case about this as I was going to buy a backup drive anyway and this worked out fine for me.

David

PS - if people did a search on the forums they would find that I posted back in Sept/Oct the actual weight of the 3201XCi as weighed in a UPS store at 5.4lbs! Go figure!

 

Seems weird but I can't find Acer America's Support Number. Can anyone here give me their support number?