Acer Aspire 8920 / 6920 Gemstone Blue laptops now available in North America

You already know full well what these buggers look like, and you've even had ample time to roll that 8920 review around in your noggin. Now, the moment of truth has arrived. Both of Acer's Gemstone Blue lappies -- the 16-inch Aspire 6920 and 18.4-inch Aspire 8920 -- are finally available in North America. Prospective buyers can snatch either up starting at $849 / $1,299, respectively, though real hardware junkies will insist on paying more for those high-brow components. Shamelessly, at that.

[Keith @ May 15th 2008 11:45AM]

eh, I saw one of these at Circuit City 2 days ago in Richmond, VA and was not impressed. Just another laptop with more bells and whistles to try and make it look spiffy.

[ZeRo @ May 15th 2008 12:10PM]

yeah saw one at costco a few days ago, I was like meh. Seeing it on engadget, im like...its an acer, I guess there trying to be balance out all there mac coverage? Either way this laptop is as impressive as say a razr 2?

[ZeRo @ May 15th 2008 12:11PM]

I should really run spell check.

[chadow @ May 15th 2008 11:50AM]

The version with the upgraded Nvidia card is a very respectable gaming laptop for the price. I haven't been able to find any besides the low end version at local stores though.

[Richard Lai @ May 15th 2008 11:59AM]

What's that thing sticking out in the left model?

[Matt @ May 15th 2008 12:11PM]

it's called a reflection.

these were on sale last weekend on the Canadian shopping channel.

[Spinfusor @ May 15th 2008 2:57PM]

Actually, it's called a shadow.

[foe1one @ May 15th 2008 12:05PM]

reflection of the screen

[PS3guy @ May 15th 2008 12:06PM]

I'll take this over Macbook Air lol

[CraigJ @ May 15th 2008 12:32PM]

Yes, because clearly the people that want a minimalist 13" light weight laptop are the same people that want a big honking 18" laptop.

I'll take a Mac Book Pro or a Thinkpad T61 over either...

[Schfelzerberg @ May 15th 2008 1:10PM]

Looks nice (the previous Gemstone line looked like cheap plastic), but I'll take a 15" Mac Book Pro with Windows anytime. Price, performance, looks, build quality is just too good for me.

[Tsd986 @ May 15th 2008 2:27PM]

Looks to me only swimming pool is not on the feature list.

[Mozza @ May 15th 2008 2:30PM]

Are these any good for gaming? Looking into buying one but might get a macbook pro instead...

[Iridium @ May 15th 2008 2:41PM]

I don't want a 18.4" laptop but that version is the only one with respectable specs.

I'd actually love the 16" version if it came with the good video card and better processor. To get the specs I want I need to get a 17" laptop or bigger but I don't want to carry a 12lb monster around with me.

When will computer companies get off their ass and release a good 15.4" or 16" laptop with a high tier GPU for $1200. I'll buy that one in a second.

[Traqstar @ May 15th 2008 2:55PM]

Cant find anywhere to buy this? I only see the 16inch version for sale at Circuit City. Where can i get the 18incher???

[the tansman @ May 15th 2008 4:00PM]

wot she said.

[Mike @ May 16th 2008 1:36AM]

What are the prices for the other 2 specs of the 6920. So far I was only able to find the AS6920-6621 for $850 at B&H or $700 at Circuit City.

How about the AS6920-6864 or the AS6920-6422.

The 6920-6864 has the Nvidia GeForce 9500M GS... and the 6422 has the nice 1920x1080 screen and the bluray drive.

[DiscoCat5 @ May 16th 2008 9:44AM]

i think they look pretty good, not great but good.

[DanMan @ May 17th 2008 7:02PM]

I've been selling the 16inch at Staples in Canada for the past two weeks. I find them meh and I hate the irregular 1368*768 screen.

[Tim @ May 18th 2008 7:24PM]

I just bought the AS6920-6864 at Costco today ($899). I was looking for a reasonably priced laptop with an HDMI port, and this seemed to fit the bill. I just now pulled it out of the box to charge the battery.

I can't find it online at any of the usual stores. I was looking just to see if $899 was a decent price. Too late now, I guess. :)

[Joe @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:48PM]

Tim, how is your acer computer working so far? I am thinking also to buy this one from Costco. The HDMI port is exactly what I am looking around.

[Fad @ May 30th 2008 7:39PM]

I just bought this laptop and I don't care what anybody says. It's amazing. It adds style to performance for an unbeatable price. I got the 6920-6428 for 1100, and I can say that it firmly exceeded my expectations. I advise anybody who is looking for a well valued laptop to buy this one.

[Laura @ Jun 14th 2008 12:50AM]

Hey I red you bouth the AS6920-6864 for $1100, Can you tell me where? Cant seem to find that soecific model on the web....

Thanks.

[Fad @ Jun 14th 2008 11:17AM]

Actually, I bought the 6920-6428 for 1100$ from tigerdirect.com. But unfortunately they don't carry it anymore. The AS6920-6864 seems to be much harder to find. I would suggest you try your luck on ebay.com, but make sure you know what you're doing (not all sellers are trusted).

[Shamil @ Jun 22nd 2008 11:07AM]

Hey! Can nebody tell me how good Acer Lappies are compared to HP and Dell. I want to go for 6920 16", but not sure... if acer gives technical / software problems in the package :)

[Dany @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:36AM]

I have a Notebook Acer Aspire 6920 and the Tach Cine Dash is not
working anymore. I think is blocking. The volume is on maximum (with
blue light) and when I touch him is not hoppen nithing. Who is
possible to give me a answer? How is possible to make to work again
the Tach Cine Dash? Thank you in advance.

[deedoo @ Jun 29th 2008 9:24AM]

I also have one (bought it yesterday!) That the volume control isn't working! Maybe we are doing something wrong?? PLEASE...can someone help me and Dany???? Is there a phone number we can call???

[Dany @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:39AM]

For Daedoo

I solve the problem. Try to take out the baterry for 5 minutes and put again. Will work

[Baz @ Jul 6th 2008 2:19PM]

I have the same problem - cinedash control is stuck - showing full volume with mute illuminated -
I'll try dany's battery removal solution and let you know how it goes. I was thinking something like that should work - soft reset kinda thing.

[BobInTx @ Aug 5th 2008 4:23PM]

Recently Acer has been erroneously shipping the 8920-6961 to retailers in a sealed box without the model number. Customers purchasing the 8920-6837 or 8920-6048 expecting it to handle 1080P with a 1920x1080 resolution are shocked to find that upon opening it, the laptop only supports 1680x945. This is because the model they were delivered was actually the 8920-6961 which, by design, uses an HD+ only screen capable of no better than 1680x945, even though the laptop is clearly labeled as supporting 1080P and 1920x1080 resolution. Acer claims that the laptop is built as specified and will not exchange them. Consumers are forced to return the unit to their retailer for a refund. However, in the case of one consumer after receiving a refund he purchased another 8920 from another vendor and received a 2nd 8920-6961. Therefore, the problem seems widespread and consumers should be careful. If you purchase an 8920G check the model number on the INNER black box and ensure it is correct. On that same label check the LCD: listing and ensure that it DOES NOT say HD+ CineCrystal LCD. That is the screen that only goes up to 1680x945.