Laptops Arena

Without any clear explanation, it is highly unlikely that someone knows what the current brand direction chosen by Acer is. It even more unpredictable what unique configurations will be allowed to stand on their own within a certain laptop line. For instance, Acer is really trying to create the ultimate multimedia laptop range with the Aspire 6xxx, Aspire 7xxx, and Aspire 8xxx. Within the Aspire 6xxx, I presented the 6530 (with all six configurations being based on the AMD specs) and 6930 (the twin of 6530 with Intel specs - up to 12 different configurations). Even so, the Aspire 6xxx still contains some stand alone configurations, which don't really provide anything new in terms of design and hardware.

The Aspire 6935 is the lead configuration for the Aspire 6930. This is a standalone configuration which provides the best sold features within one laptop model. In terms of design, you are probably aware that Aspire 6935 sports the same nice and modern design as the rest of the 6930 and 6530 laptops. You get the Gemstone design with the blue fading into black glossy LCD cover. The metallic "Acer" logo really completes the nice looking lid. However, you should be aware that all laptops with a glossy lid are fingerprints magnet and scratches magnet. Even more, the design might look nice now, but in two years at most it will look rather bad, a replacement being mandatory if you want your laptop to look nice in time.


If you are looking for a durable design try looking at other manufacturer's portfolio, at laptops with metallic or titanium looking case, which will provide sufficient safety and conserve the design within time. Even so, the Aspire 6935 looks really nice. The rest of the case (exterior prior) is made out of a matte black plastic, looking rather acceptable. Inside, the 6935 sports a nice keyboard (black, but not a full keyboard) with the gorgeous media "buttons" for a better control over the multimedia features. The touch pad and the case that holds the touch pad are made out of nice patterned material that not only feels nice but is also very useful (non slippery) when using the touch pad.


Because this design involves the LCD to work as a hinge, you will not get any port or slots on the back side of the 6935. The rest of the ports and slots are included on the left side or right side of the 6935, with a similar structure to the 6930 models. On the right side you get beside the Kensington lock, two USB 2.0, and the Super Multi DVD drive with both read (DVD - RAM, DVD + R double layer, DVD + RW, DVD - ROM, dual layer, CD - ROM, CD - RW, DVD - R, DVD - ROM, DVD + R, CD - R, DVD + R single layer, DVD - R double layer, and DVD - RW) and write function (DVD - RAM, CD - R, DVD + RW, CD - RW, DVD - RW, DVD - R, DVD + R double layer, DVD + R, DVD - R double layer).


On the left side you can find the 6 in 1 memory card reader compatible with xD Picture Card, Multi Media Card, Secure Digital, Memory Stick card, Memory Stick Pro card, and Multi Media card plus, DC in, one USB 2.0, one eSATA / USB combo port with sleep and charge function, microphone line in, headphone line out, RJ 11 modem, RJ 45 LAN, Express Card slot for the both Express Card 54 mm and Express Card 34 mm, and the VGA port.


The build quality is the same found on the 6930, solid build quality (however in time this feature might get diminished because of the plastic case). With a height varying from front to rear 1.5 inches to 1.7 inches (39.3 mm to 43.6 mm), wide of 15.2 inches (385 mm), deep of 10.8 inches (275 mm), the 6935 weights about 7.3 lbs (or 3.3 Kg) with the battery included. Within the battery department, Acer included only a six cell Lithium Ion battery which should provide up to 2.8 hours of autonomy.


This battery needs about 2.5 hours of recharge time when switched off, and 3.5 hours of charging time when powered on. The included keyboard is not a full layout keyboard, but features decent sized keys, relatively easy to use (you might encounter some problems when typing in the hurry because of the off centered deviation). Also, you get the empowering keys such as the WLAN easy launch buttons, the e-mail keys, and the web browser key. You also get the Acer Cine Dash media console with hold key, volume control, media control, mute key, menu navigation.


Under the keyboard you can find the touch pad, which provide excellent feedback and involves several multi touch features, depending on the operating system used. Acer included within this model a 16 inches Cine Crystal TFT LCD with a resolution of WUXGA also known as 1920 x 1080 pixels. This display features a 16 to 9 aspect ratio, and is capable of rendering up to 16 million colors. The brightness level is correct for both artificial and natural light conditions. Therefore, if you need to work on the Aspire 6935 you should get enough brightness (the brightness level is improved then the one from the 6930 models).


The connectivity is ensured by the Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100 with 802.11 a/g/b, Gigabit Ethernet, data / fax modem with a maximum speed of 56 Kb per second, three 2.0 USB ports, one eSATA / USB combo port with sleep and charge function, the Express Card slot with 54 mm, VGA port, and memory card slot. The Aspire AS 6935 6194 includes a Mobile Intel GM 45 Express Chipset. Also this configuration has preinstalled the Windows Vista Home Premium (upgradable to Windows 7, recommended). Acer also added within this configuration the Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile Processor T6400 with 2 MB L2 cache 2.0 GHz and 800 MHz FSB, 4 GB DDR3 with 1066 SDRAM (in a 2 x 2048 MB configuration), 320 GB hard drive, and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 MHD.


Overall the 6935 is an improved version of 6930, that could easily be considered to be the ultimate 6930 experience or configuration model. The second model within the Aspire 6xxx which stands alone in term of configuration is the Aspire 6920. This model should be considered the cheaper version of the 6930 models. However, there is nothing less powerful within this model than the 6930 laptops.


The only diminished element in this equation is the price tag, and a few hardware downsizing. The 6935 is the best in terms of speed, while the 6920 performs well but with older technology. The 6920 sports the same design as the 6935, the Gemstone design with the blue fading into black glossy plastic lid. The rest of the case is made out of black matte plastic, with an excellent build quality as a new product. The longevity of this product is yet to be determined. In terms of ports and slots, the hardware is almost the same.


The LCD cover still works as a hinge. Therefore, you will not find any ports and slots on the back side of this laptop. However you will find on the right side the Super Multi DVD drive with the same compatible formats within the 6935 specs, two 2.0 USB, and the Kensington lock key. On the left side you get the DC in jack, the cooling vent, the Express card slot with the 54 mm Express card, RJ 11 modem, RJ 45 LAN, the VGA port, the HDMI port, one 2.0 USB, headphone line out, microphone line in, and one eSATA / USB combo port with sleep and charge function. The keyboard (with special keys including the Acer Cine Dash media console) and the touch pad are the same found on the 6935. With a varying height from 1.5 inches to 1.7 inches (39.3 mm to 43.6 mm), wide of 15.2 inches (385 mm), deep of 10.8 inches (275 mm), the 6920 weights about 7.7 lbs (or 3.5 Kg), with the battery included.


However, the six cell Lithium Ion battery included in the 6920 offers only 2.3 hours (the 6935 offers 2.8 hours) autonomy. If I can say anything good about this battery is that it charges in 2 hours when the laptop is power off, and 3 hours when the laptop is powered on. Acer included a 16 inches TFT display, sporting the same Cine Crystal technology with a smaller resolution, WXGA also known as 1366 x 768 pixels. The aspect rotation was left unchanged, 16 to 9, capable of rendering 16 million colors. However, the brightness is the one found on the 6930 configuration models, which means washed colors under direct sunlight. However, with autonomy of only 2.3 hours, this laptop is recommended to be used indoors only.


The connectivity is ensured by Intel PRO Wireless 3945 ABG supporting the 802.11 a/b/g profilem with Bluetooth 2.0 plus enhanced data rate, Gigabit Ethernet, modem with 56 Kb per second, three USB 2.0, one eSATA / USB combo port with sleep and charge function, VGA port, and HDMI port. The Aspire AS 6920 6898 includes the Windows Vista Home Premium as operating system. However, you can easily upgrade to Windows 7.


You also get the Mobile Intel PM 965 Express Chipset, Intel Core 2 Duo processor T6400 (2.0 GHz 2 MB L2 cache 800 MHz FSB), 4 GB DDR2 with only 667 SDRAM, 320 GB hard drive with 5400 rotation per minute and the NVIDIA GeForce 9500M GS graphics (512 MB dedicated graphic memory, and up to 768 MB shared memory).

Overall, the Aspire 6920 sports a few better features than the 6935 like the graphic chipset, but loses against the 6935's speed of 4 GB DDR30 1066 SDRAM (6920 including 4 GB DDR2 667 SDRAM). Both 6935 and 6920 are standalone configuration models because they are considered to be the best sellers of the Aspire 6xxx range. However, this is by far true. The truth is that these two configurations can be found easily around the world, while the 6530 and 6930 configuration models, and depend mostly on the local market.