Acer doesn't have telephone support? Should I buy an Acer Aspire AS5535-5452 ??

I'm thinking of buying an Acer Aspire AS5535-5452, but now I'm having second thoughts because I just checked their support offerings -- am I correct that they don't have telephone support? I agree that most phone support is not very good, but I've been helped before by other laptop makers when I had quick, relatively simple questions.

How can Acer not offer phone support and be competitive. People expect phone support for computers.

That aside, what do you think of the Acer Aspire AS5535-5452 for $450 ??

Specifications
Display Type: WXGA CineCrystal™ TFT LCD

Screen Size: 15.6"

Maximum Resolution: 1366 x 768

Memory Type: DDR2

Memory Size: 3GB

Memory Slots (Total): 2

Memory Slots (Filled): 2

Memory Slots (Available): 0

Maximum Memory Supported: 4GB (Up to 1 GB may not be available due to 32-bit operating system resource requirements)

Capacity: 320GB

HDD/SSD Drives Included: 1x 320GB

Drive Types: Hard Drive

Hard Drive Speed: 5400 RPM

Lifestyle: Home & Student

Condition: New

Operating Systems: Windows Vista Home Premium

Startup Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® Vista Home Premium

Optional Operating Systems: Microsoft® Windows® Vista Family (available separately)

Operating System Licenses Included: Microsoft® Windows® Vista Home Premium

Platform: Notebook PC

Expansion Ports: 1 - Express Card Slot/54

Processor Brand: AMD

Processor Class: Athlon 64 X2

Processor Type: Dual-Core

Processor Speed: 2.10GHz

Processor Number: QL-64

Processor FSB: 667MHz

Processor Cache: 1MB L2 Cache

Graphics Description: Dedicated Graphics

GPU/VPU: ATI Radeon™ HD 3200

Video Memory: 256MB Dedicated + Up to 1792MB of shared memory

Video Interface: VGA

Optical Drive Type: DVD Super-Multi Dual Layer

Supplemental Drive Type: Media Reader

Capacity: 5-in-1

Media Types: SecureDigital
Memory Stick
xD-Picture Card
Memory Stick PRO
Multi Media Card

Audio Description: Integrated Audio

Audio Chipset: Hi-Definition (HD) Audio Support

Audio Channels: Built-in Stereo Speakers

Audio Input: 1- Microphone input port

Audio Output: 1 - Headphone output port

PS/2 Mouse Connectors: N/A

PS/2 Keyboard Connectors: N/A

Serial Communication Ports: N/A

Parallel Ports: N/A

USB Ports: 3

FireWire Ports: N/A

Fast Infrared Ports (FIR): N/A

LAN Ports: 1

Modem Ports: 1

Audio Out Jacks: 1

Line In Jacks: N/A

Microphone Jacks: 1

VGA Ports: 1

S-Video Connectors: N/A

DVI Video: N/A

HDMI Ports: N/A

Port Replicator/Connector: N/A

eSATA Ports: N/A

Communications Description: Integrated LAN
Integrated Modem
Integrated Wireless LAN

Interface Type: RJ-11 Phone Connector
RJ-45 Ethernet Connector
802.11b/g/n Wireless Networking

Data Transfer Rate: 56Kbps Modem
10/100/1000Mbps Network
Up to 300 Mbps

Protocols: V.92
WIFI
802.11b
802.11g
802.11n

Width: 15.1"

Height: 0.6" - 1.5"

Depth: 9.9"

Weight: 5.94 lbs

Mouse Type: Touch Pad

Buttons: 2

Battery Type: 6-Cell Lithium-ion

Battery Life: Up to 3 hours

Integrated Webcam: Yes

Webcam Resolution: 0.3MP

Specification Notes: [6] To provide the most accurate specifications, the specifications listed are base upon information provided by the vendor.

 

Acer most definitely does have phone support, but the number tends to be buried on their website - try the Contact Us page instead of the Service & Support page.
Where are you located, whuzizname?

As for the system itself, and at that price, it's a steal. The Radeon HD 3200 runs laps around any Intel graphics solution, and can even keep up with low-end dedicated cards - great if you're looking for HD video or some medium-light gaming. The HDD, CPU, and RAM all look great for the price.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm in the USA.

As you suspected, the tech support number is on the contact us page -- but it should ALSO be on the tech support page. I called the line and found it closed for the day; so it's not 24/7 like many others.

Most of my work will be office stuff, some light video editing, and medium gaming (Spore, Half-Life 2, War Rock, Doom 3). Do you think this rig can run these games well?

Also, what are your thoughts on overheating and overall Acer reliability?

Is this unit eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 7? Acer's website doesn't say.

I'm beginning to have second thoughts of buying this lappy because Acer's support seems somewhat inferior.

Thanks again.

 

For questions about how well the thing can game, check out the Can My Notebook Run It? thread on the Gaming forum.
Notebookcheck is also known for having a wide variety of benchmarks on hand.
The HD 3200 may not be able to run all those at full resolution or detail, but you'll be getting decent FPS on some settings.
I haven't heard of the Aspire 5535 series having overheating issues (the 6920G does, but that's my problem and not yours).
If you bought it on or after June 26th, you've got the free Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade. See here.
Acer's support can be specky at times, but that's what NBR-Acer is for - we cover a wide variety of tech issues. The only thing we can't do is hardware repair and replacement.

 

Acer's phone support isn't bad. Though with this forum and my friends, I feel that I know more than 99% of the techs out there... hah. I just told them what was wrong with my notebook when my network card died and the tests that I ran plus their results and told them what to do and they did it pretty quickly, no questions asked.

 

OK, just ordered it. Was able to nab it for approx. $398 shipped. I expect delivery in a week.

This if my first Acer...I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Congrats - that IS quite a steal.
Be sure to check back here with any questions you have - we're here to help!

 

Thanks to all -- I'm sure we'll talk again!

 

Lucky you! It was really a steal!

 

Well, I haven't even received it yet, but once I do I'm going to have to send it right back. Apparently, this unit, which comes with Vista Home Premium, does NOT get a free Windows 7 upgrade according to this list:

http://www.acer.com/windows7upgrade/eligible.html

This list was not available when I purchased the unit just 22 hours ago, by the way.

Am I missing something?????

 

I don't have any idea why it's not on that list - call Acer directly and ask!

 

I called them and e-mailed them and got contradictory information about Win 7 free upgrade eligibility. One guy said yes, and the other said no "due to configurations" (does not instill confidence in Acer's tech support capability).