Acer introduces quad-core Aspire 8930G

Acer introduces quad-core Aspire 8930G

Acer today introduced a version of its 18.4-inch Aspire 8930G with an Intel Core 2 Quad Mobile Processor Q9000. The Aspire 8930G-7665 is Acer's first quad-core notebook. Other notable features include a full HD 1920x1080 display, Nvidia GeForce 9700M-GT graphics, and a Blu-ray disc drive. The 8930G-7655 is available now through authorized Acer resellers for $1,799.99 and is backed by a one-year limited warranty. Its full specifications are as follows:

• Intel® Core™2 Quad Mobile Processor Q9000 (6MB L2 Cache | 2.0 GHz | 1066MHz FSB)
• 18.4" WUXGA Acer CrystalBrite™ TFT LCD (1920 x 1080)
• 4GB DDR3 1066 MHz Dual Channel Memory
• NVIDIA® GeForce® 9700M GT with 512MB dedicated video memory
• 500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
• Blu-ray Disc^™/DVD-Super Multi double-layer drive
• 6-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
• 802.11a/g/Draft-N Wi-Fi CERTIFIED®
• Acer Crystal Eye Webcam
• Dolby Home Theater®
• Windows Vista® Premium 64-bit

Acer Press Release (BusinessWire.com)

 

Wow, finally. Now to get the Documentation.

 

Pretty good for the price! DDR3, quad core, C2Q... The only thing that's not so great is the 18" screen (they don't make bags for these do they?).

 

It seems to have a 500GB 7200RPM drive as well, and 64-bit pre-installed.

 

That's a definite bang-for-your-buck winner right there.......am wondering how long it'll take the other mainstream manufacturers to hop on board?

 

Only downside to the Q9000 is that the average program utilizes fast dual core processors more than lower clocked quad cores. It'll be interesting to see how it actually benchmarks and if it's even much faster than say a T8100 or T7300.

 

Yeah, but a software that can fully utilize 4 cores, will run faster with a Quad. If not, you'll end up with 2 cores free for multi-tasking, provided the HDD is idle and you've got some RAM to work with.

Most new games and apps are optimized to utilize 4 cores, and almost all video encoders are....

I wouldn't be surprised to see a Q9100 or Q9200 model as well.

 

Wondering why don't they throw in a more powerful GPU...

 

Uhh, yeh they do. I'm using a nice notebook messenger bag to carry around my 8930G.

 

I know Acer won't do this, but a 9800 in that baby and they've got themselves the cheapest quad-core gamer on the market.

 

Anyone know if the lcd in these 8930s is dual lamp like the ones in the HDX 18 and (i think)Sony AW? are they all the same manufacturer for the panel anyway?

 

Going by these measurements the screens are similar in contrast and black levels, brightness on the Sony is higher:
http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/inspection/sony-vaio-vgn-aw11z-b-669
http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/inspection/hp-pavilion-hdx18-1080-685
http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/inspection/acer-aspire-8930g-944g64bn-653

(you may need Google to translate it)

 

Ooooh. Awesome! This thing is looking better by the second.

 

True, I have a quad core myself in my desktop, but it's also running at 3.32 GHz which makes up for the lack of quad support in most programs.

 

anyone know the tdp on the Q9000? and does it have any kind of powersaving modes that would shut off 2 cores or something, making it draw similar to the p8400 or p7350?

 

Its on Newegg for $1699.99, $100 off the MSRP.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115542

 

Man, this thing is gonna be expensive in Europe (whenever it is released). The T9400 model is for £1,429.29

 

I think UK prices of laptops are rising because of the weak pound.

If it costs 1400 euro in Europe it's not that crazy.

 

CPU Speed: 2 GHz
Bus Speed: 1066 MHz
Bus/Core Ratio: 7.5
L2 Cache Size: 6 MB

Manufacturing Technology: 45 nm
Thermal Design Power: 45W
Thermal Specification: 100°C
VID Voltage Range: 1.050V-1.175V

On the positive side, it uses lower voltage so there's probably even more room to undervolt this. It will no doubt down clock with EIST, SpeedStep, etc, but I'm unfamiliar with what the 7.5 multiplier steps to.

 

Ok, so that 45w tdp would be with all four cores running. with the new mobile quad cores, do they have a mode where they can turn off two cores and run at 22.5w? or if it doesn't work that way, it still works out to 11.25 watts per core, whereas even a 25w P7350 is 12.5 watts per core, for the same mhz. so this is a very power efficient chip i think. that and the price is making this a very tempting laptop.

 

The 45W TDP will be with all 4 cores running at full load. You can undervolt to reduce the TDP.

 

Does anyone have an idea how the performance between this Aspire and the Toshiba Qosmio X305-Q706 would compare? I do not do much gaming but do video encoding in Adobe Premier CS4 and create virtual tours using very high resolution images. I have read that the Toshiba can be upgraded at least as far as the processor goes. I have not found much of any detailed info on the Aspire 8930g-7665. Does anyone know how upgradeable the Aspire is? There is of course the cost savings of $300 for the Aspire as well as the 18.4" screen.

Thanks for the replies in advance.

Robert

 

Robert:

The Toshiba X305-Q706 has an Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz/3MB L2/1066MHz FSB) processor while this Acer has a Core 2 Mobile Quad Q9000 (2.0GHz/6MB L2/1066MHz FSB). The Acer will be almost twice as fast for your uses since it has four processing cores vs. the Toshiba's two. Definitely go for the Acer.

 

Thanks for the reply Chaz. Do you or anyone know if the Acer can be upgraded as far as the video card goes? The Toshiba can have the processor upgraded by the user (though difficult) I know it is not too important as I am not a gamer and will be upgrading from my Acer Ferrari 4005 which is still a great laptop. It has never failed me.

 

You can't upgrade the video card in almost any laptop, so buy the laptop with the video card you want. If you're not a gamer, then I wouldn't bother focusing on the video card. A low-end card or an integrated one will be fine.

 

And even if you could, the prices on the cards just aren't worth it. Might as well put the money towards a new desktop/laptop.

 

The 8930G's card is upgradable, but the 9700M GT it uses is aalready the best you can upgrade to in it's line. I dunno, I might borrow a 9700M GTS froma friend and try some stuff out.

 

This is normally correct but several Acer laptops seem to be the exception that rule.

Plasma has good point though, there's not much to upgrade to.

 

Acer uses the standard MXM interface, and people have been installing GPUs bought from Clevo and ASUS....