To test comes the favorable version of a mobile computer from Acer Aspire TimelineU series.
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Equipment - Hardware:
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The cheapest model of TimelineU series comes with an Intel Core i3 2367M processor (dual-core / 1.4GHz) with integrated HD3000 graphics unit.
There is installed a 320 GB hard drive from Hitachi and a 20 GB large Flash memory, which mainly helps the TimelineU to boot quickly.
4GB of RAM is installed, the manufacturer can this be upgraded to 6GB.
On the back you will find 3 USB ports, one of which corresponds to the USB 3.0 specification, an HDMI port and an RJ-45 LAN connector.
Also, the headphone jack can be found on the back.
The keyboard is a so-called chiclet keyboard with separate numeric keypad. The keys have a good pressure point and the flat design of the Acer device longer write without problems is possible!
The touchpad works without problems also gesture control is possible. The buttons of the touchpad, I personally find something insensitive. It's happened with that I had to make certain clicks and double clicks several times before they have triggered a reaction!
Contrary to Ultrabook practices Acer has installed a DVD drive, so I very much welcome, because it extends the application possibilities of a mobile computer but enormous!
The display (15.6 ") is a weak point of the Acer TimelineU. It offers a resolution of 1366x768 pixels and is not anti-reflective. I ask myself, when the mobile device manufacturers finally realize that reflective displays that looks nice, but yet extremely limit the usefulness of mobile devices in the open air. Above the display sits a 1.3 MP webcam, which provides sufficient images for my applications.
A SD card reader is installed!
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Housing - Weight:
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The case is processed just 20.7 mm high and very valuable. Acer uses a mix of quality plastic and aluminum for the casing. One has the impression that has been spared here at any time. Super!
Also the weight of just over 2 kg is pleasantly low!
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Equipment - Software:
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The device is delivered with Windows 7 Home Premium and quite a bit of software that does not necessarily require any user. The pre-installed antivirus software from McAfee and Norton Security Suite, I just uninstalled and replaced by streamlined programs. Even if you own the Acer is Clear.fi software required times undecided. Depending on the user can be determined here clean spacious and uninstall software.
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Initial power & performance:
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The first device of the Acer Ultrabook and the operating system took about 30 minutes. This value is also known from other mobile computers. After the initial setup you should definitely secure his system. This can be easy to do with the Acer Recovery Manager. But needed 4 DVD blanks. Unfortunately, Acer sets, as well as all other manufacturers no recovery DVD in.
After all Windows updates have been recorded, I wanted to know if the Acer Ultrabook really as fast boot as advertised. In fact, the entire system is up to 25 seconds. For this really good result is the 20 GB flash memory, to which one does not have access, to play its part.
With its Intel Core i3 2367M CPU and the integrated HD 3000 graphics unit this Ultrabook is not suitable for demanding games. Since the graphics unit supports DirectX 11 no 10 I let the DirectX 3D Mark Vantage benchmark through. The TimelineU came merely to 1400 points. Noteworthy was the fact that the TimelineU yet he remained very quiet during the very demanding benchmarks. In PCMark 7 benchmark the TimelineU reaches respectable 2018 points. For normal office and multimedia applications, the performance of this device is perfectly adequate.
The Sound of Acer Ultrabooks has also convinced me. Acer has the TimlineU series missed the Dolby Home Theater sound system. Even the factory speakers can sound good. It lacks a bit of bass, it can be controlled via the software equalizer but reasonably well. Really great the ultrabook sounds but if it connects to a home stereo!
After about 6 hours, the battery of the device had to be charged. In the 6 hours, the use I was surfing the Internet, a DVD (min 30) and looked different Office used functions. I think this figure can be quite impressive.
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Conclusion:
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Good Ultrabook, the only criticisms are the reflective display, the resolution of the display and placement of ports on the back I do not find particularly chosen happy!
4 strong star!