New Acer TravelMate 8100 Available

Brian, just letting you know - the pricing from Securemart doesn't match the pricing from your link.

I've contacted sales reps from all the links posted above by Brian and most all seem to say that Acer has not shipped them yet and estimate the 2nd week of February for arrival. Not sure if PCNation really had any or not????

-Kevin

 

We get that feed from CNET, it's updated regularly, that merchant may have just made a change. It should sync up tommorrow.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Brian,

I found two for sale on E-Bay last night with a "buy it now" for $2,399.

As I stated earlier: I was told by Rebecca at PCNation that they do not have any in stock.

 

Brian, if you find another site with them in stock, would you please let me know?

 

Sellitus,

I hope one of us can find them too. Last friday I spoke to Acer and they said to expect them in the US the first week of Feb.

 

thats great.but they r not an authorised acer reseller. how can you trust them?

 

agree with sellitus in toto!!

 

Whats there not to trust? The exact model number was what I ordered. I also looked at reviews for the company from third party sites, and they were all exceptional. Their terms of service also state that they ship exactly what they sell. They're authorized by the Better Business Bureau. If worst comes to worst, I have protection via my credit card company.

 

i spoke with our corporate account guy who categorically advised me NOT to buy from non acer authorized resellers

 

Hi, I just ordered one of these laptops (the tm8104) from http://thehonestcompany.com/. Their price was the best that I found and overnight shipping was quite reasonable. Yesterday, when I ordered I recieved a call that they were backordered, but an employee, Dave, from the website called me today and said they had just one that they could ship me. They were quite helpful as well and pointed me to other websites if I didn't want to wait. He said I should get it early next week or Friday. (great customer service!) Just a note, the guy said he'd be taking it off the page since they were out of stock.

Anyways, this is my first laptop, and I will do a review if you guys would like, but I have nothing of my own to compare it to except for my friend's T42 and some other laptops from people on my floor.

Also, I was looking around on line for an extended battery for this, but I didn't find any. It seems like one would fit and extend out the back, but it seems as if they aren't made. I was looking for a nice bag as well, I currently have a Timbuk2 messenger bag, but its not a laptop one and they don't make a bag that would fit this nicely. Do any of you know where I can gte a reasonably priced laptop sleeve or a shnazzy bag for it?


Weee, I can't wait.

-Mike

 

Of course they're going to advise you not to buy from an unauthorized reseller because they don't make as much money fron unauthorized dealers.

 

just read a nice review at: http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=14&id=1395

can anyone tell me what the difference is about the Acer 8104 not having:

"is not exactly an ideal 'Sonoma' notebook either, since it does not feature a SATA hard disk drive with NCQ technology".

Is this any disadvantage for business use?

 

I wouldn't risk 2200 on a site like that. Not an Acer dealer, yet they magically have one, just for you, in stock before any other website in the US has it? If I were you I'd cancel my order, that seems a bit too risky for a little earlier shipping date. Good luck with it though man, and I hope everything turns out right.

 

In regards to the lack Serial ATA, the bandwith of a 5400 RPM drive is by no means bottlenecked by a ATA100 or 133 conncetion. Also, NCQ doesn't do too much right now. If you read http://www.cooltechzone.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=431&Itemid=0&limit=1&limitstart=3 it will explain. In my opinion SATA is just a buzzword and would have almost no effect in a notebook. In a desktop, it does make some difference though, but mostly because each drive gets its own dedicated channel.


Edit: Pardon my incoherenet sentences and typos

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by ridinonabus

 

That's just my own personal view ridinonabus. Good luck with yours you lucky ass, I can't wait to hear your impressions of it. I'm really anxious to get mine. I'm surprised so many people are going for this notebook, seems to be a popular one.

 

ridinonabus, i know of two colleagues who bought a vaio and an acer respectiveli from similar reseller and discovered it to be refurb stuff. hope you have better luck. both companies refused to honor warranties since it was not bought from them/ authorized reseller

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by athreya
both companies refused to honor warranties since it was not bought from them/ authorized reseller
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Yeah, that's probably the biggest problem now-a-days in buying big money items online. Shopping around for home theater equipment is the same way.

 

Is there any chance we will see the Acer 8100 in a retail store. Do any of the major retailers even sell Acer. It would be great to be able to try it out a bit before buying. A notebook is such a personal choice.

 

The only retailer I know of who stocks them in store is Micro Center, and there aren't many of those around.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

FYI: for anyone needing a 2nd power adapter and/or a "total care" ext. warranty (covers accidents, etc:

1. Acer says any Travelmate 8100 series power adapter will work for the 8104

2. warranty is cheaper if purchsaed from the reseller instead of Acer ( $199 at PcNation vs $280 at Acer ).

 

Hey guys, I just got off the phone with PCNation, I decided to harass them about the website saying "In stock" when I ordered and now 2 weeks, and asked if they could direct ship just for the hell of it. The guy told me that Acer wasn't a company that they could direct ship it, but he said in the next couple of business days they were expecting to recieve a shipment of the laptops. The reason for saying 2+ weeks on the website is because, I believe, that they recieved a buncha orders for the notebook and are shipping them out on a first come first serve basis. Who knows though, hopefully I'll get mine soon, along with the rest of you who've ordered.

 

Hey guys,

First off I wanted to say thanks. I really enjoyed reading all your posts. I'm glad to see that other people are just as excited about this Acer laptop as I am! I have yet to order it, and am waiting patiently to hear the thoughts of the lucky few who have ordered already.

Is anyone planning on ordering the extra battery that goes in the media bay? (I hope I have terminology correct). I do alot of travelling on a daily basis, and battery life is important to me. Does anyone have any idea how much the media bay battery would increase battery life? Estimates are welcome!

Thanks,

- b

 

I might depending on the price and how many cells it is. It also depends on how long the current battery lasts since I am content with 4 hours.

 

Finally the Acer USA site got the specs right for the most part. The 8103 definitely has the 750 1.87Ghz 533fsb CPU, not the older 745. Memory is still listed incorrectly but those already with an 8104 have confirmed the 533Mhz DDR2 memory so I think we can rest easy as to what is in the 8103 as well now. YeeHaww!! [ ]

-Kevin

 

I know this is completely off topic but I know the audio quality for this laptop isn't going to be that great, but I know there are USB subs for notebooks now. Anyone have any thoughts on these subs, or heard any? I'm probably just going to invest in a pair of really nice headphones. I'm into audio editing and composing music, so obviously these qualities are important to me. Anyway, any thoughts on external notebook subs or bassy and high fidelity headphones?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Sellitus

 

What is an external USB sub?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Shano

 

golf, that's off topic. Please start a new thread in the accessories forum.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Bluetooth Wireless Mouse:

Does anyone have any recomendations for a small mouse since the 8104 has bluetooth. Please post any reviews of your favorites.

 

Brian,

Didn't realize it didn't apply. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

Well, the original topic is regarding the release of the TM 8100, so mice are off topic. Besides, you'll get more replies in the accessories forum anyway.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Just an note; I spoke to a guy from the company I bought it from, and he said I should get it on Monday. Also, they ARE an authorized dealer after all. I'll try to do an extensive review after I recieve it and get Gentoo all set up on it, since that's my first priority.

 

thats terrific!
Btw if they are an authorized reseller, they should be mentioned on the acer website which they are not

 

lol athreya, sounds like you're trying to be a complete smartass.

 

Athreya: don 't you think you've cast enough doubt about this user's purchase? Your first warning was thoughtful but a continual negative reply to many posts is getting old!

FYI: I called ACER and asked if the only authorized resellers were the ones currently listed on their home site and I was told not necessarily!

PC Nation isn't listed either but they display that they are on their web site. Do you think they are lying? Even if the seller is not an authorized dealer you have made your point.

I suggest we share in their excitement until they have other news to share with us!

 

Sellitus: i only repeated what you reiterated earlier. I guess that makes two of us 'complete smartasses" [ ]

 

Golf: I asked Acer thrice and they said only those listed are authorized. It is always easy to say the the nice, happy things; always difficult to say the harsh, 'politically incorrect' things. In no way does it take away from the excitement of the purchase. That is a separate issue. But facts are facts.Indeed if PC nation are not listed, they are not authhorized either and are perhaps lying!

 

Thanks for the "Welcome" - I've always had good luck with CDW - I always ask for them to give me their "best deal" and they always give something - I guess the $100 off was OK, huh? When I talked to CDW on Monday they told me to expect it by Friday - which of course has come and gone - he told me I had the 18th order for it in their system - hard to beleive!

 

"Greetings to the Group" - I'm new to this forum - just ordered the 8104 from CDW on the 24th of January and share your enthusiasm and anticipation for this machine. This is the second Acer I've ordered from CDW - got the 803Lci exactly two years ago - and have been more than happy with it. It required one trip back to Acer America for a motherboard replacement (video went bad) - I had bought the additional 2 yr. total warranty direct from Acer for $142 and am glad that I did - the only thing it didn't include was shipping to Acer - I think total turnaround time was like a week. I got the 8104 from CDW for $2,170 and the extended warranty for $199 (vs. $280 on Acer's website) - my account executive told me I should have received it by yesterday - but no luck - website shows on "Backorder" and he didn't return an e-mail I sent to him yesterday. The 803 had been kind of the same deal and out of the blue it showed up like three days later from Taiwan! The only irritating things I disliked about the 803 was the intense heat that the H.D.D. generated through to the left wrist rest - and the constant off and on of the cooling fan - I am hoping that these are not issues with the 8104! Back in 2003, CompUSA stocked Acer and that's where I first demo'd Acer laptops - I'm not sure if they still do! Well, I look forward to seeing some honest reviews on the 8104 and will certainly share my first impressions - would be nice to see it arrive next week.

 

welcome to the community!!
Btw cdw's website still shows the price as 2299$. Can you share with us how you managed a discount?

Also do you know whether they have it in stock or not?

 

Does this laptop come standard with a 1 year warranty?

 

BTW - current CDW price shows $2,267.89 for me at their website.

 

Yeah, standard 1-yr warranty is included - "One-year parts and labor limited warranty* with concurrent International Traveler’s Warranty**". I feel that you just can't beat Acer's total extended warranty too for $199- one repair more than covers the cost - and they pay return shipping!

 

Hey I was only trying to caution and be helpful. If you feel you can hold them 'legally' to a word given on the telephone, thats fine by me. I have written to our corporate contact in Acer and will let you know their reply if thats of any use.

 

Raguu: Do you think you can pm me your invoice or link to it? i just called cdw and they are saying 2299$. Heres the link

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=733812

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by athreya

 

athreya: Email my Account Executive Tim Murphy, [email protected] and tell him I (Rick Green) referred you - that should do the trick! I usually just email him requesting a quote on whatever and he usually just emails me back the same day with pricing, including shipping and tax costs, and availability. Of course he is probably out until Monday but I would hope that he would offer the you the same if not a better deal. Good luck.

 

I'll probably do the same Raguu, if you don't mind me doing so.