Acer TravelMate 8200

Product: Acer TravelMate 8200
Type: Notebook
Starting Price: Approximately $1999

Configuration:

* Intel Core Duo 2.0GHz processor (Intel Yonah processor)
* 1GB RAM 533/677 (Up to 2GB)
* 15.4″ WXGA screen
* Seagate 120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
* ATI Radeon X1600 512MB
* DVD-DL Burner
* Built-in 1.3 Mega pixel camera, with 225-degree swivel ability
* New Intel Pro wireless 3945 a/b/g
* Bluetooth Voice over IP (VoIP) phone
* Weight of 6.6lbs
* Approximately 6 hours of batterylife (87W 7800mAH )
* Carbon Fiber finish lid
* Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional

NotebookReview.com reveals the new Acer TravelMate 8200 Dual Core Napa Notebook. They have some pretty cool specs listed there. ATI Radeon X1600 512mb and 2GB RAM! I can’t wait.

1. With the recent release of the Intel Centrino Duo technology (i.e. Napa), we have seen a number of offerings from the top notebook vendors, including three from Acer of course. PCWorld comes in with information (and short reviews) of the various models from all the brands showcased at CES 2006. From Acer, we have the Acer TravelMate 8200 and the Aspire 5670, but surprisingly without the TravelMate 4200.
2. With the release of the Intel-powered MacBook, we’ve seen much discussion on its performance in comparison with traditional Windows-powered notebooks. Here is another attempt to statistically compare both notebooks (read the earlier attempt here) by System Shootouts. In the shootout, we see quite a few interesting (though not particularly useful) variables used for comparison such as security alerts and free services, as well as a detailed comparison on the software included with each notebook.

   As usual, the confusion over the two price points of the TravelMate 8200 still appears, but the reviewer does tell you that, “…if actual retail price is more than $1,999, DISREGARD this Shootout completely!”

3. If the two TM8200 vs. MacBook Pro comparisons before this were insufficient, you have another from NotebookReview.com. This one is more of a detailed review of the MacBook Pro, and thus, the comparison is primarily between the MacBook Pro and the various “WinBooks”. But there is enough detail and more importantly, we see the reviewer using the more realistic pricing of the TravelMate 8204WLMi, i.e. $2,527.00.

   The reviewer concludes that that, “On paper, Acer’s TravelMate 8204WLMi beats Apple’s best on features with a fantastic list of specifications (double the RAM, 20% larger hard disk) and matches the MacBook Pro’s innovations. A good example of the innovation is the inclusion of a VoIP Bluetooth phone that slides into the 8204’s PCMCIA slot. The pricing that I found for the Acer ($2419 CDN at Digital Spyders Inc.) puts it right into the MacBook Pro’s price range (factoring in the cost of some software to balance things out). I am pretty sure that the 8204 will create a lot of buzz when it is available in stores.”

4. You might be dead bored of Mac vs. PC comparisons already, but reviewers are definitely not. Why? Because we have with us today yet another MacBook Pro vs. Acer TravelMate 8200 comparison, but this time from CNET.

   CNET puts both notebooks through an 8-round battle, with design, display, features and performance among the criteria used. In the end, while both notebooks put up a great fight, the TravelMate 8200 managed to edge out the MacBook Pro by 1 round. The MacBook won in design, display and software, while the TM8200 won in features, performance, battery life and price.

   Inevitably, Mac lovers have hammered the review, attesting that not every category can be judged equally, e.g. Apple’s win in software should be far more significant compared to Acer’s win in price. Indeed, there is some truth in that, given that the MacBook comes bundled with hundreds of dollars of excellent software (compared to just Windows on the TM8200).

   Therefore, even after the whole process of comparison, most would find themselves back at square one: Which goddamned notebook is better?

5. PCWorld.com recently ran a cross-brand comparison between the top “desktop killer” notebooks on the market, not unlike in style to PCMag’s recent media center notebook comparison.

   Among the desktop replacement notebooks featured were the HP Pavilion dv8000z, Toshiba Qosmio G35-AV600, the HP Compaq nx9420, the Acer Aspire AS9504WSMi, and the Acer TravelMate 8200.

   Although my personal choice would be an Acer TravelMate 8200 due to its strong performance and revamped Acer style, it seems that the HP Pavilion dv8000z was just too good - taking top spot with an overall rating of 85. At second place, also with a rating of 85, was the Toshiba Qosmio G35-AV600. And at third place was the HP Compaq nx9420 with a rating of 83. The Acer Aspire 9504WSMi took fourth while the Acer TravelMate 8200 took fifth place with ratings of 83 and 81, respectively.

6. CRN has just published a review of a few media center notebooks from the industry’s bigger players, not unlike PC Magazine’s own review roundup a while back. However, while PC Magazine’s review didn’t include a single Acer notebook, CRN’s own features the award-winning Acer TravelMate 8200.

   A overall conclusion or ranking isn’t included, but based on what was said about the 8200, it’s clear that it was as impressive as it has been with all its prior reviewers.

   Just a short excerpt:

   One feature that stood out with the Acer unit is that it performs extremely fast no matter the task. CRN engineers were surprised to see how responsive it was when simultaneously using many of the preinstalled multimedia applications.

   Of course, now that humungo-sized HD-DVD-enabled notebooks are out in the open, you might very well prefer the 17″ Aspire 9510.

So here it is: The official release of the Acer TravelMate 8200. It is the powerhouse of the lot given its 1GB standard DDR RAM and ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1600 graphics card with 512MB Hypermemory (256MB external GDDR3 VRAM and 256 MB of shared system memory). The 120GB 5400rpm hard drive can probably satisfy even the most hardcore of hard disk space users. And with this ends the triple Napa notebook extravaganza Acer has set us up with. Check out the related articles below for the excellent reviews this superbook has been getting.

Read the whole news release here