Acer's quad-core packing Aspire 8930G hits the streets, guns blazing

Acer's just updated their 8930G gaming line, adding the 8930-7665 to its arsenal. This 18.4-inch beast boasts Intel's new (and surprisingly affordable) Core 2 Quad Mobile Q9000 CPU, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 500GB 7200 SATA hard drive, and NVIDIA GeForce 9700M GT graphics with 512MB of dedicated video memory. Other than that, it's identical to previous 8930G models. Sure, it's a little extreme, but hey -- why not? It's available now, if you're willing to drop $1800.

[Via CNET]

[Flashpoint @ Dec 29th 2008 11:45PM]

The wallpaper makes it look so much more sophisticated than it actually is.

[iPhoneAIR @ Dec 30th 2008 12:03AM]

sorry, i replied to the wrong person, sorry mate

[AVG @ Dec 30th 2008 1:14AM]

iPhoneAir, besides your name, your last two comments have to be the biggest Engadget comment fail of 2008.

[Knee to the Groin @ Dec 30th 2008 1:29AM]

I'd almost saved up enough for a Macbook Pro, looks like I have enough to buy this instead!

[The Number 1 Cubs Fan @ Dec 29th 2008 11:46PM]

Flashy wallpaper or not, the laptop kicks ass.

[iPhoneAIR @ Dec 29th 2008 11:58PM]

That "thing" is a media controler, basically volume, channel, etc controls.

[nerdtalker @ Dec 29th 2008 11:47PM]

What's that thing to the left of the keyboard? Some sort of proprietary input thing? Overclocking?

[Flashpoint @ Dec 30th 2008 12:16AM]

...its what happens when your design team plays alot of Halo3

[bolezhinkov @ Dec 30th 2008 12:19AM]

it always reminded me of the cardassians interface on DS9. if I had designed that set all I would be thinking about was a hge lawsuit when I saw this laptop. Gul Dukat would NOT be impressed.

[The WC @ Dec 29th 2008 11:49PM]

Still less costly than a Macbook Pro. (fully upgraded, of course)

[Lamp @ Dec 29th 2008 11:58PM]

exactly what i was thinking.

same price for basically double specs.

[Laguz @ Dec 30th 2008 12:11AM]

honestly, with macbooks it seems you're dishing out several hundred more just for aesthetic purposes...

[David Chartier @ Dec 30th 2008 12:49AM]

Or half the weight. Even a 17-inch MBP weighs 6.5 pounds, and the 15-inch weighs 5.5. This thing is 9.0:

http://snipr.com/991o3

When you really get down to it, these machines aren't very comparable. This Acer is designed as a feature-slammed desktop replacement, so Acer has the room to bulk up and add stuff like media controllers, Blu-ray, and a massive display. The MacBook Pro is designed for a different audience that wants a powerful core computer in an extremely slim, light, and well designed package. Different strokes.

[nikster @ Dec 30th 2008 12:49AM]

The MBP is way smaller, and way better constructed, so don't compare. Yes you pay for small. Acer quality in their non-business line is also often questionable (I went through 3 of them over the last few years).

That said, I would still really want this monster if it supported more RAM. The next laptop I buy needs to support 8GB+. I'd also need to run OS X... oh well.

[eboy @ Dec 30th 2008 12:53AM]

Stop comparing apples with oranges.

[Lamp @ Dec 30th 2008 12:54AM]

As much as I would like to agree,
the prices are still not justified.
I love my mbp, but god,
when i see the difference in specs I want to cry.
My only consolation is that I was in the market 2 years ago,
so this wasnt an option yet.

Sure its aimed at a different audience,
but at the same price tag.

[The WC @ Dec 30th 2008 1:27AM]

@eboy

I will not stop comparing apples with oranges. I read the comments on the Windows 7 article, and how "it's no OSX." People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

I like my iPhone, but I'd change it in a heartbeat if the Nokia N97 came over to the US today. And although my Macbook has done me justice - these specs, for this price, shows that making a laptop affordable AND top-notch isn't out of reach. Why should I pay upwards of $3200 for a MBP with less-than-comparable specs? If Acer can do it, so can Apple.

Although nikster's comment has me worried. I will wait to see what tests the various blogs put this thing through before actually buying one.

[Daza @ Dec 30th 2008 3:17AM]

While we're engaging in this silly Mac vs PC flame, I'd like to mention that the Acer also has a multi touch track pad. It had an awkward implementation but you can do things like pinch or spread your fingers to zoom/un-zoom on photos.

[Patriks7 @ Dec 30th 2008 5:01AM]

Yeah, but this will last you about a year before it will break while the MacBook Pro will last you a couple years and will still be good.. I mean people are still until today using their PowerBooks, so that can tell you something about Apple's construction.. I doubt you will see anyone with an Acer for more than 2 or 3 years..

[Dragod @ Dec 29th 2008 11:58PM]

Pretty good, considering the prices on the Lenovos I was looking at today...
Your choice... $3200 from lenovo or $1800 from Aspire. Plus, the aspire seems to be better, based on specs.

[Dragod @ Dec 29th 2008 11:59PM]

I meant Acer, sorry.

[Ian Whelan (JOIN BAND!) @ Dec 30th 2008 12:43AM]

Nothing compares to Lenovo's build quality and keyboards, it is a shame that the ideapad line has no UltraNav-equipped models.

[Michael B @ Dec 30th 2008 12:03AM]

I wonder how hot it gets.. I can already feel my sperm dying.

[kal326 @ Dec 30th 2008 12:09AM]

Not a bad price at all considering the features. I big on the larger and heavy side though. I wouldn't really ever go with a mobile larger then 17". I have a HP 17" now and its hardly ever on my lap because of its size.

[Jamus @ Dec 30th 2008 12:12AM]

For $1800? Very damn nice.

[timbemo @ Dec 30th 2008 12:12AM]

What hard drive is this thing using? It's the first I've heard of a 500GB 7200rpm 2.5" drive.

[raj @ Dec 30th 2008 12:18AM]

whoa, thats one nice cellphone.

(filed wrong)

[digitallysick @ Dec 30th 2008 12:19AM]

Estimated battery life 15min ? haha but still thats damn nice

[Morphix @ Dec 30th 2008 4:24AM]

i have the dual-core version of this same laptop, and i get 2-3 hours simply by turning down the brightness of the screen. I wont go as far as saying thats 2-3 hours of blu-ray/games (thats closer to the 1-1.5 hours) but it holds up with the power it has

[Kaschif @ Dec 30th 2008 12:27AM]

go here

http://www.acer.com/gemstoneblue/us/

and click on "Power" link, it says "Core 2 Due" processor. Article says "Core 2 Quad Mobile" processor. Am I missing something?

[mackid105 @ Dec 30th 2008 12:40AM]

hmm i see it too. also says 9600M and 1 or 2 hard drives up to 320GB not 500.... could they not have updated their site yet???

[Joe @ Dec 30th 2008 8:54AM]

Click on the read button for press release.

[David Chartier @ Dec 30th 2008 12:42AM]

9 pounds. Wow. I know it's a desktop replacement, but seriously.

[Takahashi @ Dec 30th 2008 12:54AM]

Oh, I am liking the new Acer's more and more! I think they are really stepping up their game (although they still are a Chinese based computer company...).

This is a good price, for what it packs in it. I like it!

Although, I would only pay this type of money for a desktop, but thats my own opinion.

[Daza @ Dec 30th 2008 3:20AM]

What does "Chinese" brand mean? They're actually Taiwanese for that matter. Don't forget there are only about 4 companies that truly make notebooks in the world (Foxconn, Quanta, etc) and all are assembled in China.

[Cassini @ Dec 30th 2008 2:35AM]

Based on the pricing for other systems with similar configurations, $1800 is very good for all that.

So the specs and pricing are fantastic, but the question remains, "How is the reliability and overall build quality?"

[Amol @ Dec 30th 2008 5:25AM]

Meh, Acer.

[ML @ Dec 30th 2008 5:42AM]

I bought an acer laptop one year ago.. guess what happened? it died!!! Just as the warrenty expired

[Gad Get @ Dec 30th 2008 6:13AM]

That's a shame.

[Gadge @ Dec 30th 2008 6:04AM]

My girlfriend got one of these in November for £800 from PC world and it was one of the last in stock with the 1066MHz FSB cpu, The sales assistant told us they were getting another variant of the 8930 with a lower end CPU.

[KingJackass @ Dec 30th 2008 6:31AM]

Can you push the screen down like the George Foreman Grill can and make me a grilled cheese?!?!?


'JIAGT'

[Nate @ Dec 30th 2008 9:15AM]

bah, it's a 1920x1080 screen. WTF? 18.4" and they can't squeeze in 1920x1200? Or hell, 2048 x 1280. Vertical resolution is important, people! I hate the new trend to go 16:9 rather than 16:10. Gimme that extra :1!

[SilentStalker @ Dec 31st 2008 1:45AM]

the reason they chose a 16:9 screen on this laptop is because its main purpose is multimedia. That way those sweet widescreen blu-ray movies fit like on a regular TV.

And seeing as how (some old, most new) games have 16:9 support, i dont see the problem here

[Hamidxa @ Dec 30th 2008 10:15AM]

With specs and prices such as this, anyone who buys a Mac is even more so foolish than ever before.

[superhobo @ Dec 30th 2008 1:44PM]

This is one awesome laptop.
If you disagree you are wrong.

[SPOKE @ Dec 30th 2008 2:52PM]

I dont care what anyone of you say, this is way beta than my Sega Dreamcast.

[revaaron @ Dec 31st 2008 4:39PM]

this just made me hard.
this is what I need to upgrade for my photo editing.

[sendintheclones @ Jan 19th 2009 1:03PM]

i heard the hdds are seagate somewhere...? they make 320s and 500s but it doesnt specify on most sites.

[sendintheclones @ Jan 20th 2009 4:50AM]

oh and apparently it stays pretty cool too.
either way i think im in love.


i've had an acer for the last 2 years and its running faster and smoother now than when i got it. the only problems i've ever encountered have been vista based but they are easily avoided now anyway. as long as you look after them well and clean up the c: regularly enough like with anything running vista they are beautiful. in my experience anyway.

could do with an upgrade though...................

[-=$tr|k3r=- @ Jan 27th 2009 10:18PM]

I purchased this Acer model from NewEgg.com:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115542

Performance wise, it turned out to be a dissappointment, and it ships with a 5400 RPM, vice a 7200 RPM. I had to RMA and return this item, since the HHD specification was not as advertised…. read my NewEgg reviews.

My purchase was for $1,699.-, and NewEgg has since raised the price to $1,899-.

I feel it is an over-statement and marketing hype to label this laptop as a ‘gaming rig’, due to the limitations of the NVIDIA 9700M GT.

Though more costly, better graphic solutions would be the NVIDIA's 9800M series, or ATi’s Mobility 3870/4870 series. For gaming, a system will only perform as well as it’s graphic solution, and there are several C2D’s that will outperform the Q9000 processor.