my new computer

[Apollo]

Acer Aspire AST180-UA350B Desktop PC


• AMD Athlon 64 3500+
• 160GB hard drive
• Media card reader

• 512MB of DDR2 memory
• Burns DVDs and CDs
• Windows Vista Home Basic







Features


Acer Aspire Desktop PC (AST180-UA350B)



64-bit processing: This desktop features the 2.2GHz AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ processor. The Athlon 64 is capable of processing 64 bits of information at once, twice as much as older 32-bit models. As a result, this Athlon 64 is more powerful than standard 2.2GHz processors.

• This desktop features 512MB of advanced DDR2 system memory—more than enough to handle everyday computing needs.

• HyperTransport technology works like a fully-integrated frontside bus that increases bandwidth, reduces bottlenecks and enables processors to work more efficiently.

• L2 caches keep data neat, organized and nearby so processors can retrieve it more quickly. This 512KB L2 cache gives the processor a little boost.

Hard drive: The 160GB hard drive has more than enough space for the typical collection of movies, music and multimedia. This drive’s data disks spin at 7200rpm, providing fast access to your files.
Double-layer DVD drive: Use this drive to burn DVDs and CDs, and share your files, music mixes or home movies. Record up to 8.5GB of information on just one double-layer disc.
Microsoft® Windows® Vista™ Home Basic: Vista Home Basic is the operating system for homes with basic computing needs. It’s easy to set up, secure, reliable and compatible with the widest range of software, devices and services. If you simply want to surf the Internet, correspond with friends or create basic documents, this will be perfect for you.
Graphics and audio: The NVIDIA® nForce™ 405 media and communications processor delivers enhanced video clarity, high-definition audio and secure data storage. The nForce 405 teams up with GeForce™ 6100 graphics and 256MB of shared video memory to deliver smooth, crisp and clear imaging. High-definition, 8-speaker audio support lets you connect a great surround sound system.
Media card reader: Seamlessly transfer images from your digital camera, MP3 player or camcorder. This reader is compatible with Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, CompactFlash I/II, MicroDrive, Smart Media, xD and Secure Digital memory cards.
Tons of ports: With one FireWire, two PS/2 and six USB 2.0 connections, you’ll be able to add all of your favorite peripherals.
Gigabit Ethernet port: If you’ve got a lightning-fast Gigabit Ethernet wired network, this desktop has a port that can keep up.
Software bundle:
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
Norton® AntiVirus™ 2005
Adobe® Reader® 6.0
CyberLink® PowerDVD™
NTI CD-Maker™ Gold

I am so happy. We have been in the market for a new desktop, and we found this beauty which is in our price range. A big plus is that it comes preloaded with Windows Vista, so I dont have to worry about installing it on a computer. This will make life a lot better. So happy.

 

[januaryguy]

Hmmm..you certainly know how to make poor folks like me jealous...have fun with it

 

[Apollo]

haha i am far from rich. I originally wanted a laptop, but they were too expensive so I had to settle for that which is $409. We sadly couldn't spend over $500. Thankfully, we got away with that beauty.

We bought it today, but they are having technical difficulties with Vista, and while he was getting the right price for it(it was suppose to be on sale for $399) I played with some VISTA desktops right next to me, and one of the programs refused to work, so they wont be giving them to people till tuesday, which is when Vista official is released anyway. Still I can't wait. I dont have to buy Vista and have my own difficulties with the OS, then have to pay someone to fix it for me, probably costing more than what I payed for the computer.

 

[mike_n_herrin]

/\

well i'm glad for you blackwolf, a new computer i find rather exciting. let us know what you think of VISTA.

 

[Apollo]

Well I just got it today, and after I got home from work. SUPRISE! it was right in the middle of our bedroom waiting for me to open it. First off Vista is wonderful, with Acer i got a 90 Norton Anti-virus security so that is up and running, and i plan to purchase it once the trial runs out. If you dont get that 90 trial, then Vista comes preloaded with Windows Defender so it is still good.

i still want to learn the 3D mode. in the PC mag review it said windows-tab and i assumed that meant the the button inbetween the alt and ctrl buttons and tab but its seems not so.

Vista is running smoothly. In fact although i am using a non-HD 3 or 4 year old monitor, the picture on it feels and kind of looks like a HD monitor. I can only imagine once i buy a brand new up to date one. the start menu is different. you can type in the program you want. PC Mag said this is to minimize the amount of windows on the screen which will prevent lagging. its pretty cool. reminiscent of MAC though.

it doesnt come with Microsoft Office, which is offered only on Vista premium and up i guess. so i will have to download openoffice.org i guess, which i didnt want to do.

i have yet to really go through all the stuff yet. i have been downloading programs i use like firefox and trillian and all those. if you want a in-depth review of it i suggest the PC Mag review which was about 10 pages long although each page wasnt super long, just divided into different segments.

 

[gewhite3]

PC sounds good, I would ditch Norton though. It sucks.

 

[mike_n_herrin]

/\ yeah i'm afraid t-rex is right blackwolf, i think the aero glass thing and 3D effects are not in the home basic version. sorry. but your monitor looking good sounds like a plus!

 

[Apollo]

ahhhh, thats messed up. i kind of came to that conclusion sometime last night.

 

[BlueStreaker]

I like the setup - except the Vista part - but were you planning on getting more memory? 512 is not a lot. I'd say you should get at least another gig if not up it to 2 or 4 if your machine supports it. Of course, if you're not going to be doing that much with it, then I wouldn't bother.