Acer Aspire 5740 (6378)

Priced at an aggressive $649, the Aspire 5740 (6378) combines serious multitasking muscle (thanks to Intel’s vgp-bps8 processor) with a rich multimedia experience for considerably less money than Acer’s rivals. How much less? A similarly configured 15.6-inch machine from Dell CF623 Battery or HP would cost you at least $150 more. This 6.2-pound mainstream notebook for vgp-bpl8 also includes a comfortable keyboard and third-generation Dolby Home Theater surround sound. However, Acer’s Gemstone design is starting to feel a bit dated, and the battery life is below average. Still, bargain hunters will find a lot to like about vgp-bps9,Sony vgp-bps9.

Design

Acer has unified the design of its larger Aspire notebooks; from the outside, the 5740 looks identical to the vgp-bps9/s,Sony vgp-bps9/s sporting the same glossy blue (and fingerprint prone) lid. On the inside, however, it’s reminiscent of the vgp-bps9/b,.Sony vgp-bps9/b .When opened, the 5740 reveals a deck which transitions from a slick matte surface near the screen to a dimpled texture surrounding the touchpad. Blue LED lighting beneath the power button complements a glossy midnight blue lid. The overall look is far from cheap, but it’s not exciting, either.



Measuring 15.1 x 9.8 x 1.5 inches and tipping the scale at 6.2 pounds, this notebook is not one you’re going to tote around much; it’s heavier than such mainstream competitors as the vgp-bps5 (5.2 pounds). However, the 5740 is easy to move from room to room, making it a good choice for home users.

There are a variety of buttons and controls scattered around the 5740’s gunmetal gray deck. The left side of the vgp-bps5a houses buttons for power, wireless on/off, Bluetooth, and the Acer Backup Manager. On the right is a touchpad enable/disable button, master volume controls, and the Acer Launch Manager shortcut (which launches an application of your choosing).

Heat

During our tests, vgp-bps9a/b,sony vgp-bps9a/b hovered near the edge of being uncomfortably warm. After playing a Hulu video at full screen for 15 minutes, the touchpad measured 94 degrees Fahrenheiyt; the middle of the keyboard (between the G and H keys) reached 100 degrees, and the middle of the chassis’ underside registered 101 degrees. We also measured a small corner near the back left underside of the system, which came in at 118 degrees. (We consider anything over 100 degrees unpleasant.)

Keyboard and Touchpad

Coupled with a spacious lower deck, the 103-key Acer FineTip keyboard was a pleasure to use, offering excellent vgp-bps2c,vgp-bps2a,vgp-bps2b and feedback. Even with a full-size number pad to their right, the flat island-style keys remain large and comfortable.

The slick 3.3 x 2.0-inch touchpad supports multitouch gestures, including pinch-to-zoom and two-finger scrolling. A dedicated scrolling area is integrated into the right side of the pad, vgp-bps10 offers little friction. While the single mouse button is large and clicks are simple to register, we always prefer two dedicated buttons.

Display and Audio

The vgp-bps9/b,Sony vgp-bps9/b features a 15.6-inch CineCrystal display; while the 1366 x 768 resolution is ideal for video playback, both light and dark scenes in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Captain Ron were generally underwhelming, with fuzzy edges. Nevertheless, the brightness and large screen size mean two or three people can watch movies side by side without complaint.



The 5.1-channel surround sound Dell CF623 Battery Theater speakers delivered stellar audio quality for movies and music. At only 50 percent of full vgp-bps5a, The Whigs’ “Right Hand On My Heart” easily filled a small vgp-bps9/s. Sony vgp-bps9/s With the volume cranked to the max, this system would be more than adequate for entertaining a small party of guests.

Ports and Webcam

The right side of vgp-bps2c,vgp-bps2a,vgp-bps2b features two USB 2.0 ports, a DVD SuperMultiDrive, a modem jack, and a Kensington lock slot. On the opposite side of  vgp-bps5, users will find Ethernet, HDMI, VGA, headphone, mic, and line-in ports, plus two additional USB ports. Beneath the left front corner is a 5-in-1 memory card reader.

Acer’s vgp-bps9a/b,sony vgp-bps9a/b webcam captured accurate and detailed still images. During a Skype call, colors remained accurate despite strong overhead florescent lighting.