Great Basic Laptop!
Written: Jul 03 '00 (Updated Jul 04 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: terrific tech support, lightweight
Cons: bad audio quality, battery doesn't last long
|
|
|
| manhattan15's Full Review: Acer TravelMate 512DX (512DX-AAL) PC Notebook |
When I was looking for a laptop I wasn't seeking a super-fast, super-thin, super expensive model with tons of memory. I just wanted a basic portable computer that wasn't wholly aesthetically displeasing (something about the Presarios just don't appeal to me.) The Acer TravelMate 512 DX had most of the features I wanted: 4MB RAM, 433MH Celeron Processor and a CD-ROM drive and I found it at a great price, about $900 at WorldSpy. It was on sale for Christmas.
The computer's connection isn't considered fast by today's standards, but it gets the job done and I've yet to use nearly half the memory. Unlike my defective Gateway desktop the Acer has no trouble with downloading or accepting software. An interesting feature on this computer is that you can open the CD-ROM drive without having to turn the computer on. It's handy when you need to grab a CD out of it quickly.
Due to a recent misfortune (I knocked over a can of Coke onto my computer, effectively killing it) I can vouchsafe for the quality of Acer's technical support. When I called to say my computer wouldn't turn on they set up an appointment to have the computer picked up the next business day. They fixed it, replacing the mainboard and audio board, and returned it within a week. Because this all happened within my first year of ownership it was covered by the computer's warranty. They managed to salvage my hard drive, restoring the information I had stored on it.
The computer's battery only lasts about two hours and it takes quite a while to totally recharge. The sound clarity isn't terrific either. The screen's image quality isn't as sharp as flat panels of today, but I think it's sharper than a lop of laptop's panels. My computer came with Microsoft's Windows 98 operating system, but no extra software.
For the price and service the Acer TravelMate 512DX is a terrific
bargain. It's user friendly, light and has terrific tech support. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in the market for an inexpensive, basic laptop.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID: manhattan15
|
|
Member: Stephanie
Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 112
Trusted by: 14 members
|
|
|