UPDATED: HELP! Acer AS3820TG vs Acer AS5820T graphics?

note: I have updated this thread because I am now deciding on either the Acer AS3820TG or the AS5820T. (the first two replies are from when I asked about acer as3820TG vs acer as5741)


Hey, I am sorry I have kinda been asking lots of questions on the board lately! But I've been looking for a laptop for university and I wanted to get an Acer AS4820T but then I could not find it anywhere in Canada.

So now, I am trying to decide between the AS3820TG-3022 model and the Acer one because they are both from the Acer TimelineX line. Here are the specifics about each computer with direct links to the websites...
AS3820TG-3022 (at Staples, $699.99)
• 2.26GHz Intel Core i5-430M processor
• 4GB memory
• 500GB hard drive
• 13.3” LED back-lit display
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 graphics card with 512MB dedicated memory
• Connectivity: Bluetooth and Acer Nplify b/g/n Wireless LAN
• Integrated Media card reader
• HDMI port and webcam
• Up to 8 hours battery life

AS5820T-5612 (at Visions, $798)
• Intel Core i3-350M processor (3 MB L3 cache, 2.26 GHz, 35 W)
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium , 64 bit version
• 4GB DDR3 SDRAM
• 500GB hard drive
• 15.6" HD+ (1366 x 768), high-brightness (220-nit) TFT LCD
• Intel® HD Graphics with 128 MB of dedicated system memory
• WiFi 802.11b/g/n
• WLAN, 10/100/1000 LAN
• Webcam

1) I bolded the graphics part because I am not sure what it means. In the second laptop, does Intel HD Graphics mean that it's integrated graphics or no?
2) And there seems to be a pretty big difference between the dedicated system memory so will that be a problem?
3) Is TG better than T?
4) I've noticed that lots of people are buying the 3820TG and 4820T but barely any are posting about the 5820T...is there something wrong with it or is it simply because of the personal preferred sizes?

I will be using the laptop for school but a lot for entertainment as well (such as music, web browsing, solitaire, minesweeper). The only games that I will play will most likely be online flash games and The Sims. I don't really mind the weight of the laptop because I probably won't be bringing it too far when I travel with it (since I live on-campus).

Thanks!

hehe and I promise, these two laptops are my final two decisions so I hopefully won't be asking about decisions on laptops to get for quite a while

 

You cannot play cd's and dvd's on the 3820TG.Only through an external drive.Apart from that is an excellent notebook.In my opinion much better suited for someone which will be taking it back and forth to school.The 13'' form factor is better suited for the job.Both can do easily the things you want to do..Personally I would get the 3820TG.

 

If you're in Canada, I am assuming you're talking about the Staples version of the 3820TG with the HD5470 GPU. The 5741 that I looked up with that model number had integrated graphics. I have the HD5650 model of the 3820TG and could not be more pleased with it.

The 3820TG has a smaller display (15.6" vs 13.3") and no-built in Optical Drive. The lid of the 3820TG is very thin. The quality of the display is extremely variable from unit-to-unit, even though they're made by the same company and may have the same model number. I got a very good display but it seems to be the luck of the draw (be prepared to return ones that are not up-to-par). All that being said, if portability, and power are important to you, there is proably no other computer out there that will deliver better than the 3820TG. Battery power is very good.

You can probably get the 5741 for less than the 3820TG but you can't really compare the two machines.

If you can, get the I5 version of the 3820TG, I recommend it over the I3. I think it was on sale for around $699 CN. Good luck with college.

Bronsky

 

bump! new question

 

hey, sorry to bump this thread again but I'm hoping to get some people's opinions (mainly on the graphics part) before I buy it in the next two days.

 

3820TG hands down, easiest decision of your life. $100 cheaper and better processor and way better graphics and better battery life and lighter and same resolution. You can get an external USB DVD drive for $50 bucks.

Basically the 3820TG comes with switchable graphics... you can switch between the integrated HD (found on the 5820T) and the ATI 5470 (which again is much more powerful than the integrated graphics). The 5820T only has the integrated graphics.

 

bronsky where did you get yours?

 

Computeruniverse in Germany. Had it shipped to the US before they stopped shipping them.

Bronsky

 

For your purpose, Intel HD (integrated) is good enough.
If portability and long battery life matters, I'd personally go for a 13,3" model with IGP. Not sure if a 3820T is available.

Michael

 

A 3820TG Core i5/HD 5470 for $699.99 is very cheap. I would definitely go for that over the Intel GMA HD version.

 

Well, my Dell (see signature) was also cheaper than the model with IGP (after rebates and special offers Dell is famous for). Now I have a more or less useless (for me) battery sucking Geforce 8600, and I am hoping this beast will not fail

Michael

 

Well ATI have not had the issues that Nvidia did, combine that with the cooler running 5470 (which is quite slow) and its not going to run into the same issues.

8600M was just an unreliable product.