HP Envy 14 vs. Acer 3820TG

I didn't know where to post this, but I felt like many people in the HP Envy forum might not know what the Acer 3820TG is, so I'm posting it here first.

I've been debating between the HP Envy 14 and the Acer 3820TG for past couple days. I already ordered the Envy about a week ago, but just recently came across the 3820TG. I was really attracted by its size and specs, but was turned off by its unavailability here in the states. However, I found out I can ask my family in Korea to send it to me. So I was debating if I should cancel the Envy and order the Acer or just keep the Envy.

HP Envy 14:
Intel i5-450M Processor (2.4 Ghz)
4GB DDR3 System Memory
320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 (but underclocked at 450Mhz)
14.5" HP Radiance Infinity LED Display (1600x900)
Weight of 5.2 lbs
Around $1100 after tax.

Acer TimelineX 3820TG:
Intel i5-430M Processor (2.26 Ghz)
4GB DDR3 System Memory
500GB 5400 SATA Hard Drive
1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 (clocked at 550Mhz)
13.3" Screen (1366x768)
Weight of 3.9 lbs
Around $900

The Acer has a slower processor, but I doubt it would be that noticeable during real life activities. And the space or the speed of HDD is not really a big concern to me (I'm looking to upgrade to a SSD in the future; when the price drops significantly).

What really concerns me is the GPU. I heard horror stories about the underclocked HD 5650 in the Envy 14s and how it performs significantly worse than the default HD 5650 (the Acer has the default HD 5650). So the Acer probably has a better gaming capability, but I can ignore that to a certain extent, since I don't game too much.

One thing that concerns me more than the GPU is the weight of the two systems. The Envy 14 weighs about 5.2 lbs. I'm using a Dell XPS M1530, which is about 5.9 lbs. So it should feel a bit lighter compared to what I'm used to. However, I'm afraid it might not be light enough. I'll be starting college soon and I feel like the Envy 14 might be too much of a hassle to carry between classes. On the other hand, the Acer weighs only about 4 lbs, making it more than a pound lighter than the Envy. I never heard of a laptop so light, but have such power; this is a major attraction for me.

If I were to choose the Envy, I feel it might be a bit too heavy for my taste and will spending about $200 extra. I am also concerned about its underclocked GPU. However, I heard the screen is really beautiful and I watch A LOT of videos, so it would be better to have a nice screen. Also, I've been following the Envy for so long and just fell in love with its design; however, my excitement for its looks would probably die after few weeks.

If I were to choose the Acer, it would be too much of a hassle to get my family to order it in Korea and send it to me here to the states. Also, I would have to cancel the order and everything (I'm a bit lazy). Also, since I'm ordering it from Korea, the warranty is almost non-existent. I didn't really purchase a good warranty for the Envy, but I'm sure HP has some kind of warranty. I just really love how thin and light the Acer is and still have such nice specs.

I need to get this settled, so I can have a laptop in hand before classes starts and I have no idea what to do. Any help would be appreciated and please be nice No need to offend anybody.

 

I don't think you can really compare the two until they are both readily available in the same market. Without that, buying the Acer is a risky proposition while buying the Envy is not. That becomes the biggest single factor in the companison. If you can't tolerate the risk of having no warranty, you have to buy the envy.

The 3820TG is simply the best performing ultralight on the market today. With the capability of OC'ing the GPU and the possibility of OC'ing the CPU, the Acer will outperform many 14" and some 15" computers.

To be sure, the Envy is a nice notebook. I think you are making far too much about the extra weight. The 4820TG weighs almost 7oz more than the 3820TG and I have never heard a complaint from 4820TG owners who talk about the portability of their units.

I would say the size is really the difference. The Acer is easier to tuck under your arm and take it everywhere.

Again, however, it all comes down to buying a new unit without a warranty. If I did not get so lucky with my unit, this would have been an important factor.

 

Not to mention no batteries allowed on aircrafts due to restrictions, so unless someone deliveres the Acer to You personally, it might be a no go I'm afraid.

 

Is that the case for all notebooks? and how did you get yours then?
So if I ask my family in Korea to send me the Acer, there's a good chance it would get sent back?

 

im also deciding between these 2 laptops !!!
I live in singapore so both laptops have been released . The acer has been released quite a long time now but i have always wanted an Envy 14 .
The envy 14 is so dam expensive in singapore that i have to risk buying from overseas .

I would like to ask u if u are able to sell me the Envy 14 if u were to choose the Acer . I could have ordered the Envy from ebay but i was told that macs are preferred as i am in a design course . But after much consideration , i think that buying a core 2 duo is not worth it . Now the price has increased by $200 and i am really frustrated i did not ordered earlier !!!!!!!!!!

I dunno if we are able to xchange laptops as i can help u to purchase an acer 3820 tg from singapore and ship it over , but u have to guide me on the shipping .

 

I'm not so sure about this. I flew from South Korea to Burlington, VT (USA) this past week. I went from Seoul --> San Francisco --> Chicago --> Burlington. With TWO laptops as carry on. No issue over the batteries.

 

You can carry them on. You can't ship them in the hold of a common carrier.