A great device for casual gamers

I have the Acer Aspire M3 TimelineU would be decided in the version with Core i5-2467M and GeForce GT640M because I needed a universal laptop also occasional games and 3D CAD (ProEngineer) allow. In the class of ultrabooks there is indeed currently not so much choice.

The unit came as Amazon usual well on packed. Acer packaged the unit in a cardboard box in the laptop lay wrapped in a kind of flow. Apart from the laptop were power supply and cables, various manuals and warranty documents and a rag around the unit to clean it.

When first turning on extremely much software is installed (a total of 47 steps). Again and again stopped the process (eg when installing IE9 30min break). As was written in the 'Getting Started' Flyer by about 20 minutes installation time, I went after about an hour waiting assume that the program had hung up and started the computer again by pressing and holding the Power button. When you restart the disk was examined and also a few bugs found have been fixed. After neuerlichem restart put the installer there was continued where earlier terminated (IE9). Unfortunately, it was not fast, repeatedly, the program held at some points very long. Until the computer for the first time booted to the desktop went about two hours (!!). In retrospect seen the installer probably had not suspended but it was just very long. However, I lost by the forced restart and run the hard disk troubleshooting maybe 15min max. That means without which it would have taken even almost two hours ...

After this first disappointment I already suspected that loads of unneeded software been installed and I went first of them ans Removing a majority. Uninstalling the ballast and updating of Windows took about an hour again. So it was a good three hours passed before I had a upgedatetes on last stand 'bare' system in front of me.

As much as I would but without the entire software like to see a clean pre-configured system with all drivers ballast. Unfortunately no storage medium with drivers is included. I have not checked whether Acer offers on its website all the drivers to download.

Another hour needed it then until I had my main programs on it, but Acer can not help.

What is striking is that even at idle well 2GB RAM are occupied (only Windows starts) already, but could be that this is due to the advanced power saving modes. So far I was thus able to determine no impairment of working speed. Apparently, the 4GB Hard RAM 2GB and 2GB built more on single slot. This can be expanded by replacing the one 2GB module with a 4GB module only 6GB to the device apparently. It is incomprehensible to me why not at least installed a 4GB module firmly and has left the slot empty. That might be enough for some fields of application and in terms of future-proofing.

The notebook will change very quickly in the power saving mode and wake up from this well on very fast - very impressive and useful!

The key to open the DVD Super Multi drive is the side on this and is without looking barely palpable. This could have been solved much better. I always had to look where the key is, now I find it even without looking, the first few times. No major shortcoming, but initially disturbing. The drive itself has been used for various installation media. It was sometimes quite noisy. I figured what the occasional installation of programs not care but could be quite disturbing for playing DVD's. Therefore, I tested it with a video DVD. Here the drive after the first few seconds very quiet and unnoticeable across the film. The burning features have not been tested by me.

The Nvidia Optimus technology works great, I tested it but it was only a game (Anno 2070). Unbeknownst is changed to the high-performance NVIDIA graphics. Under normal conditions (Windows desktop, Office programs, browsers, ...) is used, the integrated and energy-saving Intel graphics. The laptop is very quiet under these working conditions, sometimes you can hear the clacking of the hard drive. But it is never distracting and total secure the quietest notebook I've ever had. Under very power-hungry applications (habs times with Anno 2070 tested), so high CPU load and use the Nvidia graphics, the fan is audible but then to loud, but not so that it's very disturbing. At least it did not bother my fun playing. I could not watch that the notebook at any point would be very hot, here I also know another ... Even the power supply is not nearly as hot as my previous laptop, probably because of the lower overall power consumption.

The biggest point of criticism is for me the display. The resolution is 1366x768 with low but you get to a pixel density of about 100px / inch. The widespread and used by me in the work 24 'monitors with a resolution of 1920x1200 have a lower density of about 94px / inch. Nevertheless, I feel at roughly the same distance to the monitor the image on the laptop much less sharp and blurry. Here I will still check settings because not quite clear at this point is where the subjectively poorer image now actually due. Perhaps the indulgence of the eye by Smartphone and Tablet screens makes me also increasingly apparent that indeed consistently exhibit a much higher pixel density ...
The problem and the vertical viewing angle. I change the seat position I have the display continues through so that I have a pleasant image.

The keyboard is very well laid out, the distances are large enough so as not to make a mistake. The stop hardness I felt as pleasant. Loud rattling or other disturbing noises did not occur to me. Toll is also the large touchpad with multi-gesture support. It can be scrolled somewhere with two fingers, or only with a finger on the edge. Also pinch to zoom (Spreizgeste to zoom) worked in default image viewer easily. It is the first time for me that I did not feel the performance of the touchpad to be disturbing. But my laptop used to date are all a bit dated ... Clearly you need for special programs (3D CAD, games, photo editing, ...) continues to be a mouse, but for office and internet, I can now do without it.

The Webcam I briefly in Skype (an old version was pre-installed, but is updated at the first start) tried, it might concern inconspicuous standard fare.

Stupid I find that there are not two separate jacks for Mic and Line Out, it's just a Combined present. I do not know how to use my headset with two connectors now. Perhaps there is an adapter or something, which I still have to check.

In fact, I find it incomprehensible that there are so few connections. The whole right side is empty, not even vents are available here. Also on the back was still plenty of space available. I would also like to see, or at least more USB ports (especially least a second USB 3.0 port), separate jacks for Mic and Line out and at least one VGA better DVI connection. Obtain adapter or other Enlargement utensils to those ports are not included.

The integrated speaker provides sound appealing as far as possible in such small dimensions. I am still quite impressed. The maximum volume is quite loud. Compared to older laptops a very welcome improvement. The built-in sound of standalone monitors compared to resettle three steps below. Wonder how that the notebook replaces the HiFi system, but you should not expect.

For performance of the CPU and graphics I can only say so much that I am very impressed by the speed. Office and Internet anyway no problem demanding applications I have not yet been adequately tested. Even Anno 2070 runs properly, but it is not tested under maximum graphics options. Here, however, should give some concrete benchmarks and measurements of the tests of online magazines.

The processing of the laptop is very good, the new form factor Ultrabook convinced me very much. The materials used (much aluminum) are very appealing and feel 'wertig' on. Although this device compared to some competitors, it is larger and heavier fails as laptops always should have been.

For an estimate of battery life, it is still too early, but once here present experience I will supplement this report.

Summary

+ Great form factor
+ CPU performance
Nvidia GeForce GT640M +
+ Sound
+ Keyboard and Touchpad
+ With a DVD Super Multi drive
+ Much faster standby

o Webcam
o 4GB memory

- Which is only to 6GB removable
- Display
- Number and type of ports
- Long first-time installation of software you do not need to a large extent

I vacillate in the evaluation between three and four stars. But after some initial problems and disappointments I know now the advantages of this device more appreciated, therefore I give now four times out of five stars.