ACER ASPIRE 5745G 971096
As the most expensive laptop of the group, you might expect great things from Acer’s Aspire 5745G. It has the fastest processor in this round-up, an Intel Core i5-450M running at 2.4GHz, plus a discrete nVidia Geforce 310M graphics chip.
This combination meant the Acer notched up 108 points in WorldBench 6, giving it a convincing lead over all but the Packard Bell EasyNote TX86, which was closer with 104 points.
The processor’s integrated graphics are capable of running Windows 7′s Aero interface and playing HD media, but won’t provide a satisfying gaming experience. However, the additional nVidia chip enabled the Acer to achieve 33fps in our Fear games test at ‘Maximum’ settings. In fact. the 5745G is the only laptop here that has any gaming credibility, with our benchmark revealing framerates almost three times faster than the nearest competition.
The Acer’s build quality is pleasingly high. Although this laptop isn’t as stylish as the metallic EasyNote from sister brand Packard Bell, the two models are very similar. Both Acer and Packard Bell feature the same lilypad-style floating keys – seen here in a more traditional black. And both laptops make use of a single tilting-button trackpad and user-programmable function key. The Aspire has none of the Packard Bell’s fancy touch-sensitive media controls, however.
As an entertainment-centric laptop, the Aspire delivers not only gaming performance but plenty of preinstalled applications. including Acer Arcade Deluxe multimedia software.
Our only quibble concerns the Acer’s comparatively short battery life, with the Aspire 5745G unable to endure more than 3 hours 48 minutes of our MobileMark 2007 Productivity test. Despite being fitted with the same 48Wh battery, close competitor Packard Bell lasted 5 hrs 20 mins in the same test.
VERDICT: The Acer is the fastest laptop here, leading the pack in both our gaming and general-performance tests. But if gaming isn’t your thing, the less expensive Packard Bell offers similar Windows performance, better build quality and significantly longer battery life.
Price £627
As the most expensive laptop of the group, you might expect great things from Acer’s Aspire 5745G. It has the fastest processor in this round-up, an Intel Core i5-450M running at 2.4GHz, plus a discrete nVidia Geforce 310M graphics chip.
This combination meant the Acer notched up 108 points in WorldBench 6, giving it a convincing lead over all but the Packard Bell EasyNote TX86, which was closer with 104 points.
The processor’s integrated graphics are capable of running Windows 7′s Aero interface and playing HD media, but won’t provide a satisfying gaming experience. However, the additional nVidia chip enabled the Acer to achieve 33fps in our Fear games test at ‘Maximum’ settings. In fact. the 5745G is the only laptop here that has any gaming credibility, with our benchmark revealing framerates almost three times faster than the nearest competition.
The Acer’s build quality is pleasingly high. Although this laptop isn’t as stylish as the metallic EasyNote from sister brand Packard Bell, the two models are very similar. Both Acer and Packard Bell feature the same lilypad-style floating keys – seen here in a more traditional black. And both laptops make use of a single tilting-button trackpad and user-programmable function key. The Aspire has none of the Packard Bell’s fancy touch-sensitive media controls, however.
As an entertainment-centric laptop, the Aspire delivers not only gaming performance but plenty of preinstalled applications. including Acer Arcade Deluxe multimedia software.
Our only quibble concerns the Acer’s comparatively short battery life, with the Aspire 5745G unable to endure more than 3 hours 48 minutes of our MobileMark 2007 Productivity test. Despite being fitted with the same 48Wh battery, close competitor Packard Bell lasted 5 hrs 20 mins in the same test.
VERDICT: The Acer is the fastest laptop here, leading the pack in both our gaming and general-performance tests. But if gaming isn’t your thing, the less expensive Packard Bell offers similar Windows performance, better build quality and significantly longer battery life.
Price £627
