Acer Computers - Still Crap ?

[Old Timer]

Ladies and Chaps,

I was abroad recently and my toshiba decided to microwave the motherboard, ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :cry::cry::cry:

Looking for a 14" laptop that I can take around with me and use on the planes.

There appears to be a goodly few Acer models but my previous experience was horrendous. I had to return FOUR laptops within days of being bought as they just kept corrupting when downloading MS updates

When I did some research I discovered that Acer have an appalling name for build quality, reliability, customer service, etc, etc.

The splendid chap in the computer store wants me to buy an Acer.

I really am not sure at all, and I dont want to end up with a lemon like so many other people.

Anyone else have any recent experience with Acer ?



http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/online-stores/223735-expansys-acer-poor-service.html

 

[devon_metro]

My 2 year old Acer laptop has been fine, very good in fact. Never had anything go wrong. Its a bit slower these days, however its probably just got too much installed on the hard drive.

 

[Old Timer]

Either needs a defrag or re-install. Cleared your cache, etc ?

Computer geeks reckon you should reformat and reinstall about every 12 months !

 

[devon_metro]

Either needs a defrag or re-install. Cleared your cache, etc ?

Computer geeks reckon you should reformat and reinstall about every 12 months !

Can't say I have the patience for any of that

If said computer geek wishes to do that then fine, however whilst it works i'm happy. Besides, its about time I upgraded to a better spec anyway!

 

[Jordy]

I have an Acer Aspire Laptop, which i've never had any problems with, and an Acer Aspire One Netbook, which had a problem booting two weeks after I got it, but Customer Services were excellent and it was sent away and returned within a week, never had any problems since, and that was 2 years ago.

 

[ainsworth74]

Had two Acers over the last 6 years. First one lasted fine until I dropped it on the floor from quite a height which broke one of the hinges attaching the screen to the unit, still worked (which suprised me, was quite a drop!) just had to prop the screen up and that gave 3 years service. My current one is fine and about 3 years old this summer I think. I personally have no issue with buying Acer laptops, I suppose the build quality could be better but as I say I've had two and the only issues have been my own fault not the Laptops.

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

No nay gen on Acers. Can say to avoid Siemens mind! Keys falling off and a loosening screen to be a common problem amongst them!

 

[Tom B]

I've had one for coming on for three years - and never had any issues.

 

[mrcheek]

Ive had an Acer laptop, and an Acer Netbook in the last few years. No real problems with either. Theyre not the fastest, and they crash occasionally like all computers, but I guess Acer is one of the cheaper brands, and you get what you pay for.

 

[Geezertronic]

My personal laptop is a Dell and I was very dubious about buying one but have not looked back. They do tend to be a bit more expensive than normal but I plumped for a decent spec so I was prepared to pay for it.

My works one is an IBM (pre Lenovo) and it is shocking

 

[generalvegitable]

my pc is an acer and I have had it for at least 5 years, the only problem I had with it was a HDD failure but that was only a few months ago, otherwise no problems ever, acer have been brilliant, however my PC is getting a bit out of date now, I think I should start thinking about getting a new one

Computer geeks reckon you should reformat and reinstall about every 12 months !

that is complete bullpoop the only reason computers slow down is due to the crappy operating system that most of them come with (IE windows) all you need to do is a defrag at least once a week and keep a minimum of 15% of the space on each hard drive free.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

I've been advised to reformat and reinstall every 12 months OT, and it does wonders for your system.

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6142_102-0.html?threadID=354310&start=105

Apparently it is advised by a few people, and fixes missing files and corruptions that happen regularly.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

As time goes by they become increasingly cluttered and inefficient. Some programs and utilities install updates without completely cleaning out the old versions. Over the years many users install and discard many utilities and programs. Another problem arises when hardware upgrades cause changes in the optimal configuration. A computer installed with 512mb that is upgraded to 2 GB suddenly wants a larger swap file, or new applications demand more virtual memory. The new swap files are then spread across the drive instead of in a single optimized and contiguous segment near the center of the hard drive. Remote tech support often installs patches, fixes and utilities that continue to degrade the computer long after the initial problem has been resolved. All of these create overhead that your system must handle in order to operate. As a result the computer that once seemed like a speed demon has become a creeping clunker.

One of the posts about why you should reinstall.

 

[generalvegitable]

I've been advised to reformat and reinstall every 12 months OT, and it does wonders for your system.

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6142_102-0.html?threadID=354310&start=105

Apparently it is advised by a few people, and fixes missing files and corruptions that happen regularly.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
[ quote]
One of the posts about why you should reinstall.

that just shows bad design on the o/s

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Doesn't mean you shouldn't reinstall and reformat though

 

[37401]

Ive got a Ausus ee pc (although not chosen for the name), It works splendid OT, and it was quite cheap too, it does the trick for saving files and using the net, ill post more stuff about it and do a little video abit later if you like

 

[Heinz57]

TBH I don't think Acers arnt that bad, my dads laptop is an Acer, and a friend of mine has an Acer. Neither of them have ever had any problems with them.

We've also had Acer boards in our desktops over the years, they've proved to be quite reliable

 

[richw]

if you buy from a reputable computer store your warranty is with the company you purchased from rather than ACER so there customer service is irrelevant unless you buy direct from them,

 

[Drsatan]

I've had an Acer Aspire laptop since December 2009 and haven't had any problems with it.

 

[Old Timer]

if you buy from a reputable computer store your warranty is with the company you purchased from rather than ACER so there customer service is irrelevant unless you buy direct from them,

True but after a period of use, the legal remedy is a repair. I really cannot afford to be on the trackside abroad with a lemon

You would NOT believe just how nervous I am based upon my previous experience, but everyone should get a second chance.

 

[richw]

i've a toshiba laptop thats around 7 or 8 years old, and still running as good as new, the mrs has had 3 cheaper brands in that time, that have all failed!
if anyone ever asked i'd always reccommend toshiba laptops

 

[142094]

Samsung R510, bought 2 years ago nearly. Brilliant laptop, no problems as yet touch wood. I'm not a gamer by any means, but recently wanted to buy GTA 4, which wouldn't work as well on this laptop. But I'm guessing Old Timer won't be playing much GTA

 

[devon_metro]

i've a toshiba laptop thats around 7 or 8 years old, and still running as good as new, the mrs has had 3 cheaper brands in that time, that have all failed!
if anyone ever asked i'd always reccommend toshiba laptops

They have Toshiba laptops at my old school, the biggest pile of crap I have ever used. Wouldn't personally touch them with a barge pole.

 

[Nick W]

From what I've heard, the IBM thinkpads are very reliable and durable, that or of course the uni-body Mac book pros!

 

[ralphchadkirk]

From what I've heard, the IBM thinkpads are very reliable and durable, that or of course the uni-body Mac book pros!

I can really recommend the MB Pro's, I've got one on an education license (so cheaper!) and they are excellent, reliable machines.

 

[Geezertronic]

From what I've heard, the IBM thinkpads are very reliable and durable...

I am typing this on a ThinkPad T42 Running XP and shockingly slow, not going to reinstall since my work crap is on here. It only has 1Gb and if I wanted to upgrade it I would have to pay for it myself Work have said no chance of a new one either

IBM Thinkpads (or are they Lenovo now?) tend to be used by businesses, never seen anyone with a personal one

 

[jimrbrobinson]

I've always liked Acer and Advent and I've had a few over the last 10-12 years. I had nothing but problems with an Asus though, and ended up demanding it be replaced (when I got an Acer instead!). I would also avoid Fujitsu/Siemens like the plague!!