Acer Aspire 5720-6661 15.4-inch Laptop (1.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 Processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

This notebook also incorporates an HD DVD drive that's compatible with the new high-definition DVD disc format. Enjoy amazingly crisp and vibrantly colorful imagery from this new format. The optical drive also incorporates a dual-layer, multi-format DVD/CD burner that enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc. It's powered by the 1.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predecessor while using 28 percent less power--so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. Other features include a 160 GB hard drive, 2 GB of RAM (maximum capacity), tri-mode, Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11a/b/g), ExpressCard 54 slot, and a multi-format memory card reader.

It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 processor has a 1.5 GHz processor speed, fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and large 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:

  • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.

• Hard Drive: The 160 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) offers enough to room to hold a digital audio library of over 26,000 songs and still have room left over for movies, games, and a large collection of software. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (PC5300, 2 x 1 GB) maximizes the capacity for this notebook, and it also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed.

• DVD/CD Drive: This Acer notebook offers the next generation of DVD entertainment with the HD DVD ROM optical drive, which provides the superior image and sound quality of high-definition images and multichannel surround sound as well as backward compatibility with standard DVD movie discs and content burned onto DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM. It also incorporates a multi-format DVD/CD burner, which is compatible with dual-layer (DL) discs that can hold up to 8.5 GB of data. It offers the following write speeds: 16x CD-R, 10x CD-RW, 4x DVD-R, 4x DVD+R, 4x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+RW, 3x DVD-RAM, 2.4x DVD+R DL (double-layer), 2x DVD-R DL (double-layer).

• Keyboard & Mouse: The keyboard features an inverted T cursor layout, embedded numeric keypad, hotkey controls, 2.5mm minimum key travel, and international language support. It also offers a touchpad with four-way integrated scroll button, WLAN easy launch button, volume adjustment wheel, and independent US dollar and Euro sign keys.

Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 8400M graphics card, which provides up to 768 MB of available RAM/video memory (256 MB dedicated video RAM) for unmatched HD video performance on a notebook PC. With support for Microsoft DirectX 10 Shader Model 4.0 and High Dynamic-Range Lighting (HDR), the 8400M lets you rip through all of today's most advanced and cutting-edge games and applications.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook features an integrated PRO/Wireless 3945ABG wireless LAN that's compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). You also get super-fast wired connectivity via the Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000). Here's the full list of connection options:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• ExpressCard 54 slot
• 5-in-1 card reader compatible with MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card
• 1 VGA for external monitor
• 1 headphone jack (with S/PDIF Support), 1 microphone jack
• 56K modem (V.90)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Norton Internet Security, NTI CD Maker, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Acer Arcade, Acer GameZone, Acer GridVista

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 14.4 x 10.8 x 1.7 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 6.2 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of approximately 3 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Acer Aspire 5720-6661 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.