Acer 5742G:Portable gaming on budget

Acer 5742 Full Technical Specifications:-

Processor:-

Intel Core i5-460M Mobile Processor (3MB Intel Smart Cache, 2.53GHz)or

Chipset:-

Mobile Intel HM55 Express

Memory:-

Up to 4GB (2GB installed in each of two memory slots) DDR3 SDRAM

User upgradeable up to 8GB (one 4GB memory card in each slot)

Storage:-

Up to 500GB SATA hard drive, 5400RPM

Integrated variable-speed Super-Multi drive:

-Read – 24X CD-ROM, 24X CD-R, 24X CD-RW, 8X DVD-ROM, 8X DVD-R, 8X DVD+R, 6X DVD-ROM DL, 6X DVD-R DL, 6X DVD+R DL, 6X DVD-RW, 6X DVD+RW, 5X DVD-RAM

-Write – 24X CD-R, 16X CD-RW, 8X DVD-R, 8X DVD+R, 4X DVD-R DL, 4X DVD+R DL, 6X DVD-RW, 8X DVD+RW, 5X DVD-RAM

2-in-1 card reader supports optional MultiMediaCard or Secure Digital (SD) card

Video:-

Acer CineCrystal HD 15.6″ (1366 x 768) high-brightness (200-nit) TFT LCD 16:9 aspect ratio

Integrated Intel HD Graphics Microsoft DirectX 10.0 support or

NVIDIA GeForce 540M graphics Microsoft DirectX 11.0 support

Up to 16.7 million colors

Acer Video Conference with integrated Acer Crystal Eye webcam, 1280 x 1024 resolution

MPEG-2 DVD, WMV9/VC-1 (Windows Media Video 9, VC-1 standard), H.264/AVC decoding

VGA and HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) with HDCP (high-bandwidth digital-content protection) ports

Support for simultaneous display on notebook LCD and external monitor

Audio

Integrated microphone

Integrated mono speaker

High-definition audio support

Headphones/speaker/line-out and microphone ports

Microsoft DirectSound compatibility

Interface Ports

DC-in

RJ-45 LAN

VGA

Headphones/speaker/line-out

Microphone:-

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) with HDCP (high-bandwidth digital-content protection) support

Three USB 2.0

Card Slot :-

2-in-1 card reader supports optional MultiMediaCard or Secure Digital (SD) card

Communications:-

Acer InviLink Nplify 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN, Acer SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency, WI-FI CERTIFIED

Bluetooth v3.0 + HS (high speed) wireless PAN (select models only)

Gigabit LAN, Wake-on-LAN ready

Acer Video Conference with integrated Acer Crystal Eye webcam, 1280 x 1024 resolution

Dimensions & Weight :-

15.0″ (381.0mm) W x 10.0″ (253.0mm) D x 0.9″ – 1.3” (25.0mm – 34.0mm) H

5.7 lb. (2.6kg)

Power:- 90-watt AC adapter

Six-cell, 4400mAh lithium ion battery: up to 3.0 hours life depending on configuration and usage.

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Construction and Build quality:-

This notebook is built pretty well. Solid plastics, and a rock solid hinge. The surface feels nice to hands due to matte finished and textured body. Its not that heavy at 2.6 kgs. At least not by Gaming notebook standards. Only negative is the keypad. Although very comfy, it doesn’t seem like its built too well.

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Ergonomics:-

Keypad is pleasure to use. 5742G uses a segregated  keypad which was initially used by Apple in MacBooks(then iBooks), after that Sony VIAOs, Dells and finally Lenovo, HP and Acer among others. Keys are well spaced out and provide good feedback. Neither too soft, not too hard to press. As mentioned earlier, keys doesn’t seem too well built. Touch pad is reasonably sensitive and adequately large. It also offers multi-touch gestures like pinch to zoom e.t.c. Overall, Acer 5742g is pretty good ergonomically.

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Display:-

The reflective LG screen (model: LP156WH2-TLEA) has a resolution of 1366×768 pixels. This resolution is pretty common nowadays in the mid-range and even some high-end notebooks. Needless to say, reflective screen kills the experience and viewing angles are absolutely terrible. Colors wash out with even a hint of diversion. And thats just unforgivable for a gaming and multimedia device. Saturation is good though. All necessary ports are present. Yes HDMI too to connect the Notebook with a Larger(and of course better) panel.

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Performance:-

This is the area where this notebook kicks everything around its price range. The model we got had a speedy i5 460m processor with Turbo-Boost support. Those who dont know Turbo-Boost is a technology deployed by Intel in their i5 and i7 series of processors that enables the processor to run above its base operating frequency via dynamic control of the CPU’s “clock rate”. Everything was pretty snappy. Media files opens up in a flash. Windows 7 boots up quickly. The presence of Nvidia GT540m graphics solution just garnishes already delicious dessert. Gaming performance is very impressive. Here are the some fps (frames per seconds) score in popular games.

Crysis2-

Crysis 2 is sequel to one of the best looking game ever Crysis. There was a popular quote used by GPU reviewers around the world-“yes its good but does it run Crysis?”. Reason was that the game was highly taxing requiring gamers to buy or upgrade their systems. Crysis 2 to be honest looks as good as Crysis if not better. Still manages to run better than the prequel. Our notebook gave 25 fps in its native resolution i.e. 1366*768 when we turned up graphical settings to “Very High”.

Battlefield Bad company 2-

The first-person shooter from the beginning of 2010 has always gotten along with AMD’s graphics cards until now. The GT 540M isn’t a threat for this standing with exactly 29.6 fps at Normal(Medium) settings at the native resolution.

Metro 2033-

Dark, atmospheric, eery is how you describe this game. Visually stunning, features all new DX11 effects. Notebooks performed decently enough with 28 fps at medium settings.

Important point to note: Notebooks gets pretty hot while gaming, to an extent you won’t like to call it a “Laptop” as you will not be able to keep it in your laps.

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Speakers-

No stereo goodness here. Only one mono speaker near the power switch above the keypad. Quality is strictly so-so and volume isn’t too loud either.

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Battery life-

The Aspire 5742G doesn’t earn any kudos with two and a half hours of battery life. The weak 48 Wh battery takes its toll here. While gaming, battery life is horrible. Hardly half an hour. This device is better plugged in the mains while gaming.

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Verdict-

The Acer 5742G is equipped with well built body, with a good keypad, good performance and also a cool graphic solution. But as with any other tech product, this one is not without downsides. Notable mentions-Low battery life, Palm-rest gets very hot while gaming, flimsily built keypad and reflective screen.