Acer Aspire 8942G-334G32BN Review

Acer Aspire 8942G-334G32BN
  • intel Core i3 330M (2.13 GHz)

  • ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650

  • 4 GB RAM Size

  • 320 GB HDD Capacity

2

Our summary of all reviews

  • Performance

    39 /100

    This high level of performance allows for regular office work, multitasking, multimedia and HD video applications to run at a high speed. This laptop is adequate for professional video editing and other high performance tasks. It also supports quite well games such as “Call of Duty 4”. This laptop is ideal for users who demand high speed performance.

    • 3DMark 06 1024 x 768

      6582.6 #

    • 3DMark Vantage

      3678 #

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  • Design

    3.8/5

    The reviewers’ opinions tended predominantly towards moderate satisfaction concerning the laptop design. The notebook’s appearance was decently received and should prove to be at the taste of many users.

  • Build Quality

    2.3/5

    The build quality is below average. The chassis protects the internal parts, however, daily usage will leave its mark on the laptop. This laptop is best suited for stable and safe environments such as office work. Cracks and squeaking sounds will result from any significant stress.

    • Base Unit Flex

       : 

      2.8/5

      It is not necessary to keep the laptop in constant conditions of security and steadiness. The frame is relatively stable. The built up of the laptop might have some gaps between the different parts.

    • Hinge Stability

       : 

      3.0/5

      The hinge, connecting the monitor and the laptop body, is tight and flexible, though it leaves room for improvement. The screen might move a little after opening the laptop or when moving around, which can be annoying but not disruptive.

    • Display Panel

       : 

      2.3/5

      When opening or closing the screen lid, some minor color distortions will occur on the display. This also happens when applying pressure on the back of the display panel. There might be some gaps between the different parts of the frame.

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  • Display

    2.7/5

    Generally the reviewers evaluated this laptop to be below average. At this level, office work could be manageable. For more demanding tasks like multimedia use, high definition gaming and professional editing you will need a higher quality display. To get a more comprehensive review of this display, users should check the ratings of the different attributes of this screen.

    • Display Resolution

      1920 x 1080

      This resolution is also called, Full-HD. It provides for great multitasking and as well easy and enjoyable office work. The vast screen estate allows for two websites to be viewed side by side. Different tasks such as graphic design, high resolution picture and video editing can be carried out by professional picture and movie editors smoothly and with no annoyances. As this resolution has the same width and height of most movies, users will be happy to enjoy viewing movies with no back bars at the top and the bottom of the picture. Gaming is only possible if the computer features a very powerful graphic card able to support this native resolution.

    • Color Reproduction

       : 

      2.8/5

      Though it would be manageable to watch movies with this color reproduction, the experience might not be enjoyable for visually acute users. The coverage of color spectrum is below average, making colors look far from authentic and incomparable to real life experience. High resolution gaming and HD movies viewing will not be pleasant.

    • Contrast

       : 

      2.8/5

      The contrast between the darkest color -black- and the brightest color -white- is below average in this computer. This results in having the darkest areas being washed out resembling a dark shade of gray, while the brightest areas appear to be of a light grayish color. Movies can be enjoyed provided that the room is completely darkened. Most office workers will find the readability to be sufficient, while some might be annoyed by the close shades of gray characterizing both the dark text and the bright background. The needs of professional designers will surely not be met with this notebook.

    • Contrast Value

      396 :1

    • Brightness

       : 

      2.0/5

      The maximum brightness of this computer can be described as sufficient in most indoor settings. Under medium lighting conditions, this computer will provide for reading, watching movies and gaming with no annoyances. Bright ambient light will however not be favorable for any of the activities mentioned above. A positive point with this mediocre range of brightness is that it allows for energy saving. The battery lasts for longer hours compared to when used with a brighter screen.

    • Average Brightness

      162 cd/m²

    • Reflections

       : 

      0.0/5

      The reflection on this display is abysmal. The slightest light source in the surroundings causes the screen to strongly reflect the lighting, making thus deciphering information impossible. It is thus recommended to only use this laptop in pitch-black environments. Continuous use in this setting is far from ideal for both the sanity of the users and their eyesight, as a minimum exposure to light everyday is highly recommended for a human-like life experience.

    • Viewing Angle

       : 

      1.8/5

      When you position yourself directly in front of the screen, everything is clearly visible. However, moving your head a little to the side will cause the colors to distort. It is almost impossible for two people to watch a movie unless they seek absolute intimacy. This laptop is recommended for people who demand privacy in public spaces.

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  • Sound

    3.8/5

    The sound quality of this laptop is average compared to other notebooks. Although these internal speakers are adequate for easy listening, you should not count on them for a fun movie night with friends. Gaming could still be fairly enjoyed, but the user should always account for external speakers or headphones for a better sound experience.

    • Maximum Volume

       : 

      3.6/5

      The peak volume of this laptop is acceptably loud. If relying only on the maximum sound output of the internal speakers of this laptop, watching movies with a group of friends should be manageable. It will be as well quite challenging to clearly distinguish sounds at peak volume if you are at the other end of the room.

    • Sound Clarity

       : 

      2.5/5

      This sound clarity is below average. Movies and games might not be as enjoyable because the sound will be muffed or suffer from interferences. Your expectations will be betrayed when watching an HD movie.

    • Lows

       : 

      3.6/5

      The bass in this laptop provides relative support for the overall sound experience. Most users might still find the bass acceptable, although this greatly depends on their expectations. Sound effects that depend on bass, like explosions in movies and games will not sound very convincing.

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  • Keyboard

    4.4/5

    This keyboard has been rated by most reviewers as quite convincing. If your daily life relies heavily on typing, then this keyboard has been manufactured for you. Whether you are an academician, a journalist, or an office worker, you will find this keyboard providing for both comfort and speed. Gamers will be as well satisfied even after long hours of use.

    • Layout

       : 

      4.2/5

      The layout of this keyboard stands firmly within the ranges of conventionality. The positioning of the keys conforms with the standard layout, thus reducing the users adaptation time to their new keyboard.

    • Keyboard Size

       : 

      5.0/5

      This keyboard is characterized by large keys, thus dramatically reducing the frequency of typing mistakes. Typing is as well made very comfortable thanks to the deep palm resting area, which is as well handy when playing games, or for any activity requiring long hours of commitment. The whole keyboard is well proportionate with just the right spacing between the keys, providing for an ideal size for most users.

    • Key Responsiveness

       : 

      4.8/5

      This keyboard is made for enjoying long typing hours. The keys do not need that much applied pressure for accurate feedback, and you might even be quite amazed by the improvement in your typing accuracy -no typos- and your speed. The keyboard feels very smooth and comfortable, as the keys go just deep enough when typing. All in all: Guaranteed satisfaction no matter you expectations and your demands.

    • Keyboard Flex

       : 

      3.0/5

      Although the plastic below the keyboard does flex at noticeable levels, it is still not bothersome enough to interrupt your typing. it is true that your typing speed might decrease and your comfort will not be ideal, but the flex of this keyboard is still not too annoying for most users.

    • Keys Clicking Sound

       : 

      5.0/5

      Using this keyboard will not cause any disturbance noise wise. Clicking an individual key provides for an unobtrusive feedback fitting the quietest surroundings. In short: A nice recurring easy-to-get-used-to sound.

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  • Touchpad

    4.3/5

    This touchpad will be considered by most users to be very much suited for some quite complex tasks. Be it for office work, browsing online, or for designing, reviewers thought this trackpad to be convincing. For gaming however, an external mouse is needed. The touchpad button comes nothing short of what the rest of the trackpad provides for: The feedback is accurate, the feel is smooth, and the size is well suited for medium to large displays. This trackpad helps you in quickly adjusting to your new computer

    • Touchpad Surface

       : 

      4.3/5

      The feeling of the touchpad will work at your satisfaction with its relatively smooth surface allowing quick scrolling up and down your pages. If you require rougher textures, the trackpad of this computer can be pleasing, as it combines both smoothness and good surface resistance.

    • Sensitivity

       : 

      5.0/5

      This touchpad has proved to provided for excellent feedback with impressive accuracy. There was no lag or jumpiness, which greatly contributes to increasing your working speed. Your mouse pointer’s precision will be nothing short of an arrow splitting the stem of a flower. All in all, this touchpad is perfectly reliable concerning precision and reaction.

    • Touchpad Size

       : 

      3.7/5

      The size of this touchpad is above average. You can browse through large displayed pages, although it might require frequent finger movement. Putting the sensitivity settings up on your computer should make your mouse move faster, and thus cover “more ground”, without much sacrifice of the accuracy of your pointer.

    • Buttons Noise

       : 

      4.0/5

      The buttons of the touchpad offer a nice clicking feedback while pressing.

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  • Webcam Quality

    4.3/5

    The picture quality of the webcam is quite nice.

  • Battery Surfing

    2:45 h

    The battery provides for up to 3 hours working away from a power source, if the energy saving mode is enabled, and the brightness is set to the minimum. Needless to say that you should avoid running any other programs while you are on battery alone. If you require more independent time from a power source, you should seriously consider a second battery to carry around with you.

    • Battery DVD/Video

      1:42 h

      The battery of this computer will barely enable you to through your preparations for one client presentation. If you think of watching a movie, you might find yourself unable to find out if they actually lived happily forever after. For mobile use an external battery will be a must, otherwise you will not be able to leave the house without your charger.

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  • Weight

    4.60 kg

    This laptop is heavy. It should not even be called a “Laptop”, because moving it from the desk to your lap might cost you an arm. You should limit its use to the desk, as moving it around requires a dedicated bag where it would fit, especially taking into account the additional weight of the charger.

  • Noise

    1.8/5

    The noise emitted by the fan, the hard drive or the CD drive will be enough to make you and your surroundings shut the laptop down. Be it in noisy or quiet environment, the noise of this computer will be noticeable and quite unpleasant for most users.

    • Noise Idle

       : 

      2.8/5

      The laptop is audible while idle.

    • Noise Normal Use

       : 

      2.0/5

      Noise coming from the laptop will be quite intrusive to some, even during light tasks like office work and Internet browsing. It is even more emphasized when the surroundings are silent, making the noise much more noticeable. If you need to study for an exam for example, you should account for some good headphones with music flooding the laptop noise, so you can concentrate on your preparations.

    • Noise Full Load

       : 

      1.8/5

      Running high performance applications such watching movies, editing videos or gaming will make your laptop roar. Not very pleasant when in a quiet environment, or when trying to be discrete.

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  • Temperature

    3.3/5

    The laptop may occasionally get too warm. Most reviewers found, at normal room temperature, you can comfortably use the laptop without burning your fingers or legs. The notebook may only become too warm when you stress it, watching a movie or alike.

    • Heat Top: Full Use

       : 

      3.0/5

      At normal use the laptop gets warm but this is not problematic.

    • Heat Top: Normal Use

       : 

      1.3/5

      The laptop gets quite hot on top.

    • Heat Bottom: Normal Use

       : 

      2.0/5

      The bottom of the laptop can get a bit warmer. If you don’t want to use it on your lap, it will be okay.

    • Heat Bottom: Full Load

       : 

      0.0/5

      There are spots, where the laptop gets extremely hot.

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A

All external reviews  Acer  Aspire 8942G-334G32BN

Language Source URL Review Date Author

English

www.pcworld.com 1/25/10 Loyd Case

English

compreviews.about.com 1/18/10 Mark Kyrnin

English

www.laptopmag.com 11/23/09 Jeffrey L. Wilson

English

www.notebookreview.com 11/16/09 Kevin O'Brien

Deutsch

www.zdnet.de 2/24/10 Joachim Kaufmann

Deutsch

www.notebookcheck.com 11/19/09 Florian Glaser

Deutsch

www.notebookcheck.com 11/19/09 Florian Glaser

Deutsch

www.chip.de 10/28/09 Arnt Kugler
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Total number of reviews: 8