Acer doesn't hide its aspiration to dominate the notebook market using the same formula VGP-BPS9/B that got Dell to first place in the past with its Inspiron line, top specs for the dollar. The "Gemstone" is their latest line and the Aspire 5920 is the top model. But does it deliver?

Reason For Buying

After looking for a desktop VGP-BPS9A/B replacement notebook with gaming capabilities I found the Acer 5920-6313 offered unparalleled specs for the money. At the time of purchase it beat even the Inspiron 1520 when compared in a spec-to-spec analysis. Acer: 1, Dell: 0.

Buying Experience

Best Buy had the Acer 5920-6313 for $1,049 but I missed that deal so I had to find mine on ebay. I bought one from "HD Gamer store," one of the many aliases of a company called Dealtree which specialize in Best Buy returns. But instead of getting the advertised "Like new in its original box" I got a non-working, physically broken notebook with no box or accessories what so ever. This company wouldn't take responsibility and fix the problem so I had to send the notebook to an Acer certified lab, pay extra cash for the repair and wait for another five weeks. The tech determined the notebook screen to be faulty with no relation to the physical damage which wouldn't have happened anyway had the notebook been in VGP-BPS9 its original box and not so poorly packed, but still Dealtree refused to acknowledge their fault and take full responsibility.

In short, this was the worst ebay experience to date but there is another reason why I'm telling you all this. While waiting for the notebook to come back from the lab I bought another 5920-6313 from a different seller. That allowed me to pit two 5920's in this review as well as comparing VGP-BPS9/S the original screen with the replacement screen on the repaired unit.

Build and Design

Acer marketing named their new Aspire line toshiba PA3534U-1BRS Battery style "Gemstone" but we'll call it the pebble. A rounded, dark outer form combined with the yellowish gray stone-like inside reminds me of natural river pebbles. However, nature stops when it comes to the keyboard area. The somewhat eccentric keyboard has a high tech look combing lots of blue LEDs, grooved geometric lines and angles including a slanted space bar.

You can love it or hate it but you have to applaud Acer for the innovative style, especially in contrast with Dell's 1520/1720 styling statement which mainly consists of different colors for the lid. Another point for Acer.

Too bad the pebble doesn't come without design flaws. The glossy lid looks quite nice with the "floating" Acer logo but Dell GD761 Battery is a finger print magnet. The lid prevents any rippling to the screen and is opened with a car boot like handle, but it isn't as easy to use as the traditional slider. In addition, I don't feel comfortable applying more upward pressure to the handle when lifting the lid all the way up so I only use it to free the latch and then raise the lid by holding the non-moving screen bezel instead.

The lid hinges, while solid, pose another problem. They tilt the screen backwards Dell Vostro 1510 Battery and down so it's blocking part of the rear side, resulting in no ports aside from the DC jack. When the lid is open it's harder to plug in the power plug (properly built with a 90 degree angle to reduce possible stress on the DC jack). The lowered screen also eliminates a proper vent that could have been located there

I feel the need to address some claims concerning the right side USB port proximity to the optical drive tray. Using a USB mouse the tray is free to open and close without touching the USB plug. However, it is sometimes hindered by the mouse Dell Inspiron 1545 battery cord ... but that's not that big of a deal. The notebook in general feels pretty much solid as it should be for its size and 6.6 pounds weight.

Screen

Acer boasts its Crystalbrite screen with 220 nits brightness and 8ms response time and the screen is very bright indeed. Unfortunately, that is all I can say in favor of this screen. There is very little contrast to the point the blacks are only dark grays at best. Even though it can not display proper blacks the screen manages to Dell Latitude E6400 Battery be annoyingly reflective. The problem is compounded by the poor viewing angles at all directions, did I say angles? I meant an angle.

You would think it's just a bad screen but luckily (or unluckily if you ask me) we can battery compare two Acer 5920 screens side by side. In the image below the notebook on the right features the original AU Optronics panel and the notebook on the left is the replacement Chi Mei Optoelectronics panel which shows no real improvement.

To be fair, most consumer laptops today exhibit glossy screens good battery that sometimes sacrifice black and contrast for vivid colors in an attempt to lure in buyers. Still, I'd rather have a choice of a matte screen with deeper blacks and high contrast. No points awarded.