Looking for opinions on this Acer laptop + back to school laptop recommendations

[daygray]

I'm heading back to university in a month and I need a new laptop because my old one broke. I stumbled across this Acer on newegg but I could not find any reviews on it. I've never owned an Acer and seeing as I'd be ordering online, I'd like one's opinion on it first.

Acer V5-552G-X412
AMD A-Series A10-5757M(2.50GHz)
8GB Memory 500GB HDD
AMD Radeon HD 8750M
Windows 8

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I pretty much gave up the idea of solid gaming on the laptop as I plan on building a desktop anyways. Basically what I'm looking for is something durable, quick - and if it can handle even light gaming that'd be great (low settings on games like dota 2, sim city 5, civilization 5, etc would be more than enough on the laptop)

If anyone has any other recommendations close to this price range it would greatly appreciated.

Update: Due to my past experience with klaences with laptops I'm thinking of getting the Accidental Damage Handling plan through new egg, would anyone recommend it or oppose it? I also want to upgrade to a SSD, how would that factor into any of my warranties? I simply don't want to be without laptop in 2 years again and have to buy a new one.

 

[kirilmatthew]

I can't speak for the warranty, but that laptop you picked out seems really nice! It certainly seems like something to consider at that price point. It should game decently for a laptop as well.

 

[daygray]

I can't speak for the warranty, but that laptop you picked out seems really nice! It certainly seems like something to consider at that price point. It should game decently for a laptop as well.

Do you think upgrading to a SSD is necessary? Or should I be fine with the 500gb 5400 rpm drive on it already and save money towards my desktop. I guess I have to keep in mind that it is an ultrabook, so the upgrade could be a bit tricky.

 

[kirilmatthew]

I can't speak for the warranty, but that laptop you picked out seems really nice! It certainly seems like something to consider at that price point. It should game decently for a laptop as well.

Do you think upgrading to a SSD is necessary? Or should I be fine with the 500gb 5400 rpm drive on it already and save money towards my desktop. I guess I have to keep in mind that it is an ultrabook, so the upgrade could be a bit tricky.

The upgrade won't be a problem, but an SSD is costly and reduces the amount of storage you have. If the storage doesn't matter then it might be a good idea. I speeds up boot and sleep wake as well as the time it takes to open programs. It also increases battery life. It doesn't increase gaming performance though. its up to you to decide if your usage makes it worthwhile for such an investment. It is very nice, but has its drawbacks.

 

[dextermat]

Hi,

Good specs but laptop are junk, I recommend an asus over an acer .

I can assure you you will get problems with acer laptops within 1 to 1.5 years.

I repair computers for a living and acer/toshiba/gateway/ has really high failure rate.

 

[kirilmatthew]

Hi,

Good specs but laptop are junk, I recommend an asus over an acer .

I can assure you you will get problems with acer laptops within 1 to 1.5 years.

I repair computers for a living and acer/toshiba/gateway/ has really high failure rate.

I agree that Acer is not very good, but unless you can find a laptop with similar specs from a better OEM, then I'd stick with it. That being said I always purchase by specs and not by brand. Its completely up to you.

 

[daygray]

I can't speak for the warranty, but that laptop you picked out seems really nice! It certainly seems like something to consider at that price point. It should game decently for a laptop as well.

Do you think upgrading to a SSD is necessary? Or should I be fine with the 500gb 5400 rpm drive on it already and save money towards my desktop. I guess I have to keep in mind that it is an ultrabook, so the upgrade could be a bit tricky.

The upgrade won't be a problem, but an SSD is costly and reduces the amount of storage you have. If the storage doesn't matter then it might be a good idea. I speeds up boot and sleep wake as well as the time it takes to open programs. It also increases battery life. It doesn't increase gaming performance though. its up to you to decide if your usage makes it worthwhile for such an investment. It is very nice, but has its drawbacks.

It sounds like I should be fine without one then, I'd probably benefit from putting the money towards my desktop. Do you have any thoughts on the battery life of the 4 cell? I won't be gaming on battery, I pretty much just need it to last for the most part throughout the school day.

And in regards to dextermat

Hi,

Good specs but laptop are junk, I recommend an asus over an acer .

I can assure you you will get problems with acer laptops within 1 to 1.5 years.

I repair computers for a living and acer/toshiba/gateway/ has really high failure rate.

kirilmatthew, is your opinion about Acer as a company the same? or does anyone else feel this way?

 

[daygray]

Hi,

Good specs but laptop are junk, I recommend an asus over an acer .

I can assure you you will get problems with acer laptops within 1 to 1.5 years.

I repair computers for a living and acer/toshiba/gateway/ has really high failure rate.

I agree that Acer is not very good, but unless you can find a laptop with similar specs from a better OEM, then I'd stick with it. That being said I always purchase by specs and not by brand. Its completely up to you.

Ah you beat me to it haha, then my question is do either of you think it would be wiser for me to lose the dedicated graphics card in order to compensate for the price to buy an Asus? If the integrated graphics of an Asus model i5 would let me play even dota 2 on low graphic settings that would be fine with me to be honest.

 

[kirilmatthew]

Hi,

Good specs but laptop are junk, I recommend an asus over an acer .

I can assure you you will get problems with acer laptops within 1 to 1.5 years.

I repair computers for a living and acer/toshiba/gateway/ has really high failure rate.

I agree that Acer is not very good, but unless you can find a laptop with similar specs from a better OEM, then I'd stick with it. That being said I always purchase by specs and not by brand. Its completely up to you.

Ah you beat me to it haha, then my question is do either of you think it would be wiser for me to lose the dedicated graphics card in order to compensate for the price to buy an Asus? If the integrated graphics of an Asus model i5 would let me play even dota 2 on low graphic settings that would be fine with me to be honest.

Go with the Acer. Don't sacrifice performance for brand. You can get a dud no matter what brand you buy.

 

[daygray]

Hi,

Good specs but laptop are junk, I recommend an asus over an acer .

I can assure you you will get problems with acer laptops within 1 to 1.5 years.

I repair computers for a living and acer/toshiba/gateway/ has really high failure rate.

I agree that Acer is not very good, but unless you can find a laptop with similar specs from a better OEM, then I'd stick with it. That being said I always purchase by specs and not by brand. Its completely up to you.

Ah you beat me to it haha, then my question is do either of you think it would be wiser for me to lose the dedicated graphics card in order to compensate for the price to buy an Asus? If the integrated graphics of an Asus model i5 would let me play even dota 2 on low graphic settings that would be fine with me to be honest.

Go with the Acer. Don't sacrifice performance for brand. You can get a dud no matter what brand you buy.

That sounds good, I actually did a bit of reading and old model Acers had problems whereas the newer ones have been doing very good. Thanks for all the help

 

[kirilmatthew]

Hi,

Good specs but laptop are junk, I recommend an asus over an acer .

I can assure you you will get problems with acer laptops within 1 to 1.5 years.

I repair computers for a living and acer/toshiba/gateway/ has really high failure rate.

I agree that Acer is not very good, but unless you can find a laptop with similar specs from a better OEM, then I'd stick with it. That being said I always purchase by specs and not by brand. Its completely up to you.

Ah you beat me to it haha, then my question is do either of you think it would be wiser for me to lose the dedicated graphics card in order to compensate for the price to buy an Asus? If the integrated graphics of an Asus model i5 would let me play even dota 2 on low graphic settings that would be fine with me to be honest.

Go with the Acer. Don't sacrifice performance for brand. You can get a dud no matter what brand you buy.

That sounds good, I actually did a bit of reading and old model Acers had problems whereas the newer ones have been doing very good. Thanks for all the help

No problem. I had an old Acer laptop and it had a couple problems, but its still kicking today. I try to avoid them, but they aren't that bad and I'm sure they've improved!

 

[Huzaifax]

Hi,

Good specs but laptop are junk, I recommend an asus over an acer .

I can assure you you will get problems with acer laptops within 1 to 1.5 years.

I repair computers for a living and acer/toshiba/gateway/ has really high failure rate.

Acer was junk in 2011, currently in 2013 it is just as good as asus due to acer teaming up with asus. So no it is not "junk"