Acer Aspire 1820PT convertible hands-on, priced for 599 euros

Craftily unhidden at the tail end of its press conference, Acer's long-awaited Aspire 1820PT convertible laptop has finally passed into our hands for ever the briefest of moments. Let's cut to the chase, shall we? Strong hinge, accelerometer for tablet mode, capacitive multitouch, and the ability to use stylus for input (protected in a slot just below and to the right of the screen when not in use). Beyond that, seems like the typical underpowered laptop you know and love -- well, maybe not love, but you get the idea. Under the hood there's an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 8GB RAM, and 320GB HDD, all priced at 599 euro, which we'd venture a guess to mean it'll be about $599 when it comes to the US (actual release date MIA). Gallery below, and brief video demonstration after the break.

Acer Aspire 1820PT convertible hands-on

[NewL Posted Mar 3rd 2010 11:51AM]

So, what exactly is underpowered about 8 freaking GB of RAM?

[cosmok Posted Mar 3rd 2010 11:55AM]

@NewL
Seeing as 8 gigs of ram costs almost as much as the laptop itself it would be safe to assume that's a typo

[JimmyBoy Posted Mar 3rd 2010 11:55AM]

@NewL And a Core 2 Duo?!

[Darak Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:00PM]

@cosmok
Presumably the pricing is for the base config (starting price) and the 8GB is a maximum amount of RAM available.

[nothing Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:00PM]

If they call this "underpowered", what do they call anything w/ Atom...???

[shadowj0 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:05PM]

@NewL

Although historically speaking, tablet PCs have been underpowered compared to their no-tablet cousins, this particular model is a thing of beauty with the specs it's got.

It would be nice to see battery life on this thing. Or confirm that the adapter cord is longer than most.

[gurkha Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:07PM]

@NewL
because engadget (ifans) think that 1ghz, solo tasking ipad is supercomputer....

[8th Gamer Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:38PM]

@NewL
here is the link
http://us.acer.com/acer/product.do?LanguageISOCtxParam=en&rcond5e.c2att92=145&inu49e.current.c2att92=145&link=ln314e&CountryISOCtxParam=US&kcond47e.c2att92=145&rcond159e.att21k=1&kcond48e.c2att101=68403&rcond190e.att21k=1&acond23=EU&rcond4e.att21k=1&sp=page17e&rcond157e.c2att92=145&var9e=793&ctx1g.c2att92=145&rcond42e.att21k=1&kcond50e.c2att92=145&rcond45e.att21k=1&rcond158e.c2att1=0&ctx2.c2att1=0&inu53e.current.c2att92=145&rcond38e.c2att1=0&var13e=EU&rcond44e.c2att1=0&rcond186e.c2att92=145&rcond3e.c2att1=0&rcond28e.attN2B2F2EEF=3206&rcond189e.c2att1=0&ctx1.att21k=1&CRC=155887841

Operating System * Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium

Processor & Chipset
* Intel® Core™2 Duo processor supporting Intel® 64 architecture
* Mobile Intel® GS45 Express Chipset

Memory
* Dual-channel DDR3 SDRAM support
* Up to 4 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, upgradeable to 8 GB using two soDIMM modules

HDD
* 160/250/320GB or larger hard disk drive*
(Specifications vary depending on the model)

[shadowj0 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:42PM]

@8th Gamer

From that link comes battery life:

* ACPI 3.0 CPU power management standard: supports Standby and Hibernation power-saving modes
* 62.16 W 5600 mAh 6-cell Li-ion battery pack:
• *** up to 8-hour battery life ***
* 3-pin 30 W AC adapter
* ENERGY STAR®

8 hours - not bad at all.

[jimlivingston Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:03PM]

@NewL

I've got the 1410 with 4GB and it runs quite well. I can't see how this could be considered underpowered. Also, the screen looked quite responsive.

[steel Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:09PM]

@NewL

It's underpowered when compared to the iPad.

/sarcasm

[punkr0csux Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:20PM]

@shadowj0 If theres one thing Internet reviews of laptops have taught me, it's that manufacturer estimated of laptop batteries lifetime are worthless.

With that being said, ENGADGET staffers. When you get your hands on this for review, can you do a battery life test with the screen in "tablet" configuration. I'm interested to know whether or not the change would make a noticeable difference.

I have an old gateway tablet and I'm looking to upgrade to one with a multi touch screen. This looks like an awesome candidate.

[Alan Strangis Posted Mar 3rd 2010 9:46PM]

@NewL: agreed. Other than the convertible touch screen, this is much like Acers Timeline thin n lights, which perform much better than the typical netbook, and it's certainly fast enough to play back HD video.

That this basically has the footprint of a US letter sheet of paper, and 8+ hrs of battery life, not bad at all.

[Alan Strangis Posted Mar 3rd 2010 9:49PM]

@punkr0csux: those who have this in Europe have stated that the battery life is actually quite good.

Acer's actually been honest about their battery life the past couple of years.

[journalismnazi Posted Mar 4th 2010 9:00AM]

@Engadget.
Fronm that link comes screen size ( 11.6" ) and device weight ( 1.72 kg ).

Do you see what we're doing here ?

[journalismnazi Posted Mar 4th 2010 9:00AM]

@Engadget:
From that link also comes screen size ( 11.6" ) and device weight ( 1.72 kg ).

Do you see what we're doing here ?

[M3 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 11:51AM]

Any Info on weight, balance, or battery life? That actually seems like a really nice tablet. If it's well balanced and has good battery life, we may see the first dirt cheap tablet pc that actually is a good tablet.

[jocantonio Posted Mar 3rd 2010 11:57AM]

@M3: Weigh and dimensions: * 285 (W) 208.9 (D) 28.5/34.5 (H) mm (11.22 x 8.22 x 1.12/1.36 inches) * 1.72 kg (3.79 lbs.) for non-3G SKU. It will raise a battle for tablet pc's. Imagine then HP Touchsmart tx worth at least US $1K with that characteristics.. or more...

[InfernokingS Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:00PM]

@M3 I agree it looks really nice, and quite thin. And from the looks of it it's win7 premium so basically a normal laptop with (hopefully) a good touchscreen.

[Weiman Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:14PM]

@jocantonio 1.7kg is a bit much for an 11.6 incher IMO; it's at least 0.3 kg more than the 1810T. Nevertheless, it looks sweet and I wants one!

[Old fogie late bloomer Posted Mar 3rd 2010 4:45PM]

This is exactly what I wanted six months ago. :( By the time it's released and I'd buy it, I'll be done with classes that would benefit from stylus note-taking....

[Sarig Posted Mar 3rd 2010 11:55AM]

So terribly underpowered it might have more than 45 minutes of battery life?! How dare they!

So how about any actual info about the tablet aspect of it, beyong 'a stylus'.

Wacom? N-trig?

[Salmoncannon Posted Mar 3rd 2010 11:58AM]

Yeah, seriously. How can they call that underpowered?

[aniym Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:00PM]

how the hell is a C2D tablet w/8GB RAM with the capacitive screen that Engadget worships, 'a typical underpowered laptop', especially if its priced at 600EUR?

I suppose wearing rimmed glasses, 'ironic' old-man cardigan/tie outfit and a Gordon Freeman beard somehow empower Engadget writers sufficiently to spew such rubbish with impunity.

[Darak Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:01PM]

@aniym
C2D might be an ULV version, giving it much lower performance than the standard C2D.

[aniym Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:04PM]

@aniym OK, the 8GB is probably a typo, but even if it comes with 4GB, that's standard for most laptops at higher price ranges, let alone a multitouch tablet. With that said, I only just noticed that it's got an 11.6 inch screen. Kinda heavy at 3.79lbs, but I guess that's where tablet tech is at right now.

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:20PM]

@Darak

Even the ULV C2D isn't underpowered.

8GB of RAM isn't saying too much though. Few people will ever need that much.

What I'd like to know is if this uses integrated graphics or not.

[sapient2k7 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:25PM]

@Darak Even if it much underpowered lower speed than a regular C2D it will be a HUGE improvement over Atom. 1.6 GHz. Atom is easily bested killed by a regular (single core) Athlon 64 running at 1.0 GHz.

[N900 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:01PM]

Capacitive stylus input? We have a winner. But I'll have to compare this to a tm2 before my decision is made.

[Sarig Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:13PM]

@N900

Active digitizer by Wacom, is what the winner is, when there's talks of stylus and tablets.

[mhope Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:03PM]

@Sarig Yeah, definitely interested to see what sort of digitizer they're using for stylus input.

[Heatlesssun Posted Mar 4th 2010 9:51PM]

@N900

I've had the tm2 for a month now and its an awesome device. The tm2 is better a better device. It has an EMR Wacom digitizer pen and an option for a dedicated GPU which gives it some gaming power. But it is a bit more expensive.

The iPad is in for some real competition.

[mcarroll Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:07PM]

maybe you guys need to brush up on your german. "bis zu" translates to "up to" 8GB of RAM. It's almost a sure bet that the 599Euro version won't come with 8GB, more like 2GB.

[SetThemStraight Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:10PM]

Underpowered????!!!!!! Seriously? A Core 2 Duo? I am lost here, someone care to help me understand how this thing running a C2D and 8GB or RAM is underpowered? Could Ross Miller Explain?
Thanks

[SolonLysander Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:14PM]

What's the screen size and max resolution?

[easyone Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:20PM]

Are u sure that this machine got a capacitive touchscreen?

This stylus looks kinda pathetic, isnt this one too small?

I mean if it turns out that this machine got a capacitive touchscreen with good hand recognition I could imagine to prefer this one about the hp tm2.

Anyone with additional news?

[fourthletter Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:20PM]

Ok I'll take a stab and say Ross Miller meant that this little laptop "looks like" a typical underpowered Acer netbook.
He just didn't say it in a very coherent way, that's paid writers for you !

[brilliantboy Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:33PM]

In the real world €599 equals 800 or so of your dollars.
Am I the only one a little bit pissed about this?

[RoyFokker Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:45PM]

@brilliantboy Not even close. I got my last laptop from the US. Didn't want to pay up to 60% more for the same thing.

[shadowj0 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:45PM]

@brilliantboy

You must be from Europe. Sorry for your loss. No, we Americans are not upset at this. Not at all.

[WiesiAut Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:55PM]

@RoyFokker

the differences in price are normally a result of differences in taxes and service (less guarantee time etc.)
but importing a laptop from US is expensive @ customs

generally it is a bad idea for most non-business-branded devices without world-wide service plans

[WiesiAut Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:09PM]

@brilliantboy

generally speaking, this difference is there all the time, but income is also on the same proportion. More average income - higher prices

[HansImGlueck Posted Mar 3rd 2010 11:50PM]

@WiesiAut Wait what now? You think the Euros have higher income, that's why they pay more? Come again?

[WiesiAut Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:44PM]

This Tablet hit the market in Europe back in January.

Price: 592 Euro
CPU: all models in EU come with Pentium Dual-Core SU4100 2x 1.30GHz
RAM: 4GB
HDD: depending on model
display: 11.6" WXGA glare Touchscreen LED TFT (1366x768) with active digitizer and capacitive multi-touch
graphics: Intel GMA X4500HD (IGP) max.1792MB shared memory
weight: 1,7 kg
battery: 6cell
OS: Win7 Home Premium

bluetooth, HDMI, webcam, cardreader

It's interesting that this tablet is presented yet, but was shippable @ some shops since nearly two months...

[gerrrg Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:50PM]

Seems like it's perfect...got the HDMI and SPDIF as well.

[Aggot Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:52PM]

Seems like a great tablet, perfect for students using onenote whilst powerful enough for general browsing, music, video and not too expensive.

[steel Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:08PM]

Is this $100 better than the iPad? Yes, sir.

[GusRandall Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:10PM]

Really wish it had separate graphics core, though

[DKazzed Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:18PM]

I tried this machine out at Acer House during Vancouver 2010, the touch screen indeed works with just a finger. There was no stylus available.

It should have the same Intel Core2Duo SU7300 @ 1.3Ghz processor as the 1810T.

[aniym Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:25PM]

@DKazzed apparently the one that's out in Europe has a SU4100, not the 7300.