How is the Acer Gemstone 2920?

I'm thinking of this as possibly my next notebook, the 2920-6569 to be exact. I've seen a lot of 5920 owners here but no 2920 owners, any reviews on it, info?

It has a low-end Intel T5250 processor, how easily could I upgrade it to the other higher end Santa Rosa chips and I think the first Penryn chips would also be compatible? Thanks.

 

Its scary that I've only seen CompUSA selling one model of it here and see no reviews, TONS of info and people owning the 5920 (but for good reason) but not the 2920.

 

Hmm, the 2920 looks like a scaled down version of the 5920. From what I've seen of the 5920, thats not a good thing; in fact, thats a very bad thing.

As for upgrading to Penryn: it should be fairly easy. Santa Rosa notebooks will only need a bios upgrade to support the new chips, and after thats done, its just opening it up and changing the CPU.

 

Hello, I'm the owner of the high end version of the 2920 (T7300 250 Gb HDD). Though it is a bit bulky for a 12 inches, it 's a very good machine which runs Vista very smoothly. And having such a config for a low fee is a great bargain. Build quality is rather good too.

 

Yeah... top of the line DX-10 MXM-II chip, HDDVD Drive, 2GB ram, 160GB HD, T5250... Right... very bad. (5920)

 

[/QUOTE]For all those comparing it to Dell, the Vostro 1500 has far and away better quality. And better styling too, in that it doesn't look like a toilet seat..[/QUOTE] http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=176354

Vivek apparently has a thing about and against Acer. Probably has never owned one so don't let him put you off. I really don't know what his problem is

We should find out shortly however if he responds/replies to this post

Thanks,
Theo

 

Specs would be a plus point on the high end model, but interestingly, the low end 5920 and the 2920 do not have these, so your point is moot. Its like puttng a turbo into a Geo Metro and calling it better than a similarly powerful Audi A3 or BMW E46 325i. Cheaper, yes, but its still a piece of ****.

No, I have never owned one. I have, however, used the 5672 (the X1600 one) quite a bit, since a friend of mine has one, and I did check out the 5920 before deciding that it was one of the worst notebooks I have ever used. Like I said earlier (and in multiple other posts), its got great specs, but like a tarted up Neon or Metro, it really never lets you forget that its a $500 notebook with some high end components. My problem essentially lies with the fact that the build quality is the worst in the industry, and Dell offers way better quality for the same (or even less) money with a minimal hit on performance.

Due to the fact that the 2920 does not have such outstanding specs (HD DVD and 8600GT), I think you'd be better off getting a Lenovo V200 or something of the sort.

 

What's your definition of build quality?

I've both the Inspiron 6000 and the 5920G. 5920G has a solid chassis that barely flexes. I can pick up the laptop one hand without worrying; there are also no cheap creaking noises.
My Inspiron 6000, on the other hand, can hardly bare the same test. Whenever I try to pick up the laptop with one hand the chassis flexes so much that I'm truly afraid that the laptop is going to split in two. Furthermore, the screen hinges are already wearing out after 2-3 years of VERY gentle treatment. It also groans and creaks like crazy. Just recently I went to see the new and "improved" 1520. The result? Disappointing. Still the same cheap plastic feel and flimsy chassis.
I can say a lot more... but I suggest you to REALLY check out 5920G in person.

Hmm... if I remember correctly we've been over this before.

 

To the original poster...

Perhaps you can check out the following reviews:
http://www.mobile01.com/newsdetail.php?id=4106
http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=232&t=432854
It's in Chinese, but Google translator should work.

 

Yes, and if I remember correctly, we've also been over the whole thing where I actually did go to check out a 5920 at Best Buy before deciding it was the worst notebook I had ever used. Or close, anyways. Hell, I even thought that the old 5672WLMi was better, and I didn't really like that one either....Both did offer insane power for the money, but c'mon, quality was so crappy that it really wasn't worth to buy one.

As for the I6000 comparisons...Wow, brilliant, your brand new, top spec Acer is better than a 3 year old Dell thats got maybe a quarter the performance. Excellent, way to set the bar high, eh? "My brand new Dodge Neon is waaaay better than my 25 year old Camry! Hooray!" As for the 1520 not being an improvement over the i6000, well, if great progress is not considered an improvement in your book, then certainly, no, the new generation of Dells is not an improvement over the older ones. In fact, its quite a step backwards...Also by that definition of improvement, the 5920 must be just about the best laptop ever made. I guess being a fanboy means being able to throw any logical statements out the window should they not support your cause, eh?

As for your value price performance thing, did you know that a Lenovo ThinkPad T61p with a higher resolution screen, a GDDR3 workstation version of the 8600GT, a 1lb lighter weight, Vista Business (as opposed to Home Premium), and a 33% faster processor can be had for well under $1200, or around the same price as the 5920. Granted, it has 1GB memory ($60 to upgrade to 2GB - which brings it to just about 1200) and a smaller hard drive, but still. What was this about Acer build quality again? Oh yea, thats right, it sucked badly when compared to Dell, I wonder what happens when you compare it to a ThinkPad...Hmmmmmmm, think about that for a nice, long minute.

 

VIVEK you are obviously a smart ass kid that has an answer for everything. You really think your opinion carries a lot of clout here.

Leave Acer alone. You even interfered in the "Acer Rocks Thread". Just to stir and maybe try and flame. Your opinion as the "Acer 5920 looks toilet a seat" chirp is childish. As you indeed are.

Get a girlfriend and a life and then dream about all you will accomplish once you have grown up and don't see yourself as the self appointed Acer quality and build control specialist.

Oh yeah, try and pass your studies too. Probably quite important for an opinionated wanker. Whose opinion was not called for anyway.

 

I'm only comparing the build quality not the performance. Furthermore... you should know that the design of i6000 is not old as e1505 uses almost the same chassis.

I never said that 5920g is the best... and I never will. I'm only saying that it is a very solid machine. I really don't know why you say the chassis flexes when it's almost rock solid. Of course thinkpad it's better built... but it's for business purposes without the option of surround speakers, glossy screen, etc. Btw... the 15inch T61 model is not a pound lighter.

I assume you know computers go down in price really quickly? I bought my 5920G with the specs in my signature for $1250 plus tax. With BestBuy clearance you can get the base model with 8600gt for around $600-800 dollars now. i wonder if you can really get the thinkpad for under $1200 with the specs you described 5 months ago. However, can you provide a link to the specs you described on sell now? I want to check it out.

 

Right, my bad. Its 0.9lbs lighter. Huge, 1.6 ounce difference right there. Change the course of the world, that will.... Actually, I just rounded it to 1lb, but thats ok.

As for me and the toilet seat comments: I'm not the only one. There are plenty of others, if you search around, you will find some who say the exact same bloody thing. http://www.google.com/search?as_q=a...rch=notebookreview.com&as_rights=&safe=images

@TJ, my studies are not something you should be worrying about, since I'm a high school dropout. Or, at least, I dropped out before I got there.

And actually, the T61p has been under 1200 since it released what, maybe 4 or 5 months back? I remember nearly placing an order on one for just above $900 when there was that one 25% off coupon (that was August, I think...), but I backed out at the last second because I really didn't want a ThinkPad. Too much of a stigma about the brand...

Sorry about the thread-hijacking, Rahul. Lets get it back on topic, and stop the discussion about whether or not Acer sucks right here, since neither of use are going to acknowledge the other's view as legitimate. However, I will say that the high end Acers are pretty sweet notebooks (that means the Ferrari models and the TravelMate 8200). In fact, the Ferrari 4000 is one of my favorite notebooks of all time, though that Ferrari thing does appeal to me greatly as a car person.

 

Hey Vivek...

You still need to consider the fact that 5920G comes with 8 cell battery... and T61p with 9 cell battery weighs about 6.3 pound. So that makes it close to the difference of 2 oz...

Strangely the toilet seat common still traces back to you..

Anyway... I try configuring t61p with the same configuration as my 5920G with T7300, 160GB HD, 2GB HD, 2 year warranty, etc. and the laptop turned out to be around $1500. Plus tax that would be around $1600-1650. That's about $300-400 more than my 5920G when I bought it.

And lastly... I really want a clarification. How is 5920G's build quality bad??? I've been wondering that from the moment you say it. The chassis is rock solid... other 5920G owners also agree... Would you like a youtube video or something to prove it?

 

Add the applicable coupons, and it comes right back down to $1200. If you ignore a lot of things, then yes, the Acer will obviously come out on top, but I'm not keen on worshipping Acers simply because I feel the need to justify my purchase. Obviously, this is because I do not own an Acer, but even if I did, I wouldn't.

The toilet seat comment traces back to me? Au contraire, monsieur....Maybe if you read more carefully, as opposed to blindly attacking me, you would have noticed this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=2134894&postcount=37 I'll give you rep on one of your "I love Acer posts" if you can find a post I made before that time with the phrase "toilet seat" in relation to the looks of the Acer 5920.

And even with the 9 Cell battery, the T61p is a half pound lighter. Or nearly, anyways, since I remember last time you had a problem with me rounding numbers. Maybe it was too complicated?

And how useful do you really think a youtube vid would be, considering that I've used one (or at least I say I have, which is something you alluded to in a previous post ) and only after that decided that it was an utter piece of junk? I tell you, read the whole thread (of which I linked to you one post), it should be pretty telling. I liked the idea, a lot, but the execution left....plenty.....to be desired. Like real mouse buttons, and better than milk-jug grade plastics for the interior....

And please, lets get back on topic and end this discussion, because again, neither of us is going to accept the others viewpoint, making this a completely worthless discussion that is quickly subsiding to personally insulting the other person, which probably isn't a good thing.

 

Until I have a problem (any) with my 5684WLMi I will remain an Acer fan. Why not? I have owned and used this lappie and have had no problems whatsoever. And it works. And works etc......

In Viveks opinion, it probably would not meet his design or beauty expectations.

Bottom line Vivek:

1. Do you buy a computer to work on or to admire (it's not a car).
2. Personally, I don't care what the computer/laptop looks like. I don't buy a lappie to brag. I use it for business purposes. Bang for buck and performance. Reliability has been fine too.
3. Third Acer. Fanboy no. Acer has given me no reason to post crap when their products have been good to me. I have actually used them and loved them. Why should I then sit back and allow someone to persecute a great product? Grow up or shut up.

Own an Acer Vivek and then comment.

Stick your oppinionated judgement where it belongs.

 

\

Why are people so easily offended nowadays? I wasn't even accusing you of anything, let alone insult you. I respect your points and I'm definitely trying to understand your view. Furthermore, I'm always learning that's why I'm asking you questions and such. Debate is no always about winning, and now I'll admit that Thinkpad is undoubtedly better built with better price-performance ratio currently. Happy?
Anyway, I didn't even say anything about worshiping Acer and saying that it's better than the thinkpad. As a matter of fact I'm quite interested in t61p and that's why I asking about it. I'll give a rep too if you can find one of meaningless "I love Acer" post from me. The main point is that I find it weird that your experience 5920G differs so much from 5920G owners... and I just really want to get that cleared up.

Oh by the way... I said the toilet all traces back to you because that post is from a thread you started/active in. Honestly, no offense intended. If you think that 5920G looks like a toilet seat fine and I will respect your views.

 

Interestingly enough, my posts have not actually been about looks of the 5920 so much as the build quality. I do care what my laptop looks like, but I would never buy a notebook solely for looks. If I was to have done that, I would be using a Black MacBook, which, as you can see, I am not.

As for having an opinionated judgment, I could say the same for you as well. I won't though; I'm simply being realistic about the flaws of the 5920. If you cannot accept the fact, I'm very sorry. If you have a different opinion than I do, so be it. I'm not attempting to change yours, I am merely stating my own.

I actually didn't mean to accuse you of anything, I just didn't want to say anything insulting, since I was being a really sarcastic ass before.

I don't know, I was really digging the 5920 based on specs, price, pictures, and reviews, but seriously, actually seeing it changed that in a big way.

 

You just have to take everything the wrong way do you? sigh... Can't you just don't be so sensitive?
Don't take everything as an insult.

 

This model just appeared in Russia. At first i looked on Acer 6292 hi-end, but it's too expensive for me. It is about 1.900$. Acer 2920 costs about 1300$. It has the same parameters as 6292, but i don't like design of 2920.
how do you think which model would be better?
Thank's a lot.
I soory for my English. i'm from Russia and i just studing this language

 

there's nothing wrong with the build quality of the 5920G. the LCD barely flexes, the hinges are solid, the locking mechanism works well...there are only two things that bug me about the chassis. the first is that the touchpad buttons do feel flimsy, like they're just waiting to break or pop off, but, in the close to 3 weeks I've used mine now, that feel hasn't worsened. secondly, there is some minor flex in the right hand side of the keyboard, but it does NOT affect my ability to type effectively. actually, I have a third complaint, but this one goes for every laptop out there...that the portion where the CPU/GPU/HDD go, warms up a bit.

that aside, I've read the Gemstone design has been applauded. it's new, so it's yet to 'prove' itself whereas the older designs have been tested and many found wanting. move on.

one last thing...3mm of plastic is stronger then 1mm of aluminum/magnesium alloy.

and if a $600 laptop benchmarks the same as a $1200 laptop, the guy who paid $600 scored big. it doesn't matter if the headlights, dashboard n taillights look different if what's under the hood is the same, Vivek.

I'm going to guess that because Vivek has such a large post count, he's been here for some time and he's lived thru a period of time where Acer produced a bunch of crap and his prejudice comes from that. being the Gemstone is new and as yet mostly unproven, we'll have to wait and see how it fairs.

 

that's a sexy looking laptop and the only flaw I find with it is the x3100 IGP...but, if all you intend to do is watch a movie, surf, email and do some word processing, it'll be the perfect platform.

 

I saw the 2920 model at eZone in Bangalore India. Man its damn good look. I just couldn't take my eye of it. Its look is quite distinct from the general laptop trend. It cost Rs 45,000 which means its costlier compared to the USA pricing by more than $300. Thats some thing which I hated. I don't know the specification exactly of the Indian model since the guy handling the section didn't know much.

Does anybody know whether this Laptop have an option for Turbocache memory?

 

Could some one enlighten what does it mean by a 15 quot screen? What does quot means?

 

Please help me.
I want to replace my notebook (old travelmate) with Aspire 2920 (T7300) but I'm not sure about the casing (from plastic, not magnesium alloy?). Is it strong enough? Is it good for image processing and programming? Can Aspire runs in WindowsXP? Or should I buy TM 6292 (T7300)?