This post was typed on the good looking, great performing, well-built and extremely power efficient Acer Aspire 5738G laptop. After an extensive research on the laptop market, I made my decision in its favour and I must say, it proves to be a wise decision indeed.

My requirements just didn’t fall entirely under one category and that’s a big reason why it took a bit long in the research phase! I needed a pretty much powerful processor – Core2Duo to be specific – and enough memory to complement it. I wanted the screen to be at least 15″ in size. And in order to stand eligible for the free Windows7 upgrade program, I needed at least Vista Home Premium to be factory-installed on it. Above all, I was on a limited budget. And there was this one, Aspire 5738G offering all these plus many features more (including a dedicated nVidia 512MB GPU). There wasn’t any reason at all, to keep me away from buying it. I got it for Rs.42,500 (including tax of 4%) which on batteries with power saver mode enabled, lasts for around 5 hours on minimal use and 3.5-4 hours on normal use and 2.5-3 hours with WiFi on; which is pretty great considering it’s performance.
The thing about product reviews
One thing that I learned about the (user-contributed) product reviews and opinions is that, always take them with a pinch of salt. Some people tend to talk about a product or post a review, when it malfunctions or doesn’t work the way they expected it to. Remember that while there is this guy who is disappointed with the particular product, there are hundred others who is satisfied and are happily using the same product.
Read (user-contributed) comments and reviews only to shortlist 3-5 products. Do not base your final decision on them. And it’s advised to read the reviews at CNET, TrustedReviews (UK targeted), PCWorld and such corporate reviewers. In this context, Test Freaks deserves a special mention. It’s a review aggregator. You specify a product and you get to see reviews and comments on it, pulled from all over the web. But what makes it really stand out is that they’ve got expert ratings and reviews too, apart from user reviews.
And one question I’ve been asked much is, how is it possible for a company, to offer something at a much lower price than another company’s product with similar specs. I think it’s the brand value that plays the big part there. For instance, HP has got a higher brand value than Acer and costs more with similar specifications. Also factors like place of assembling influence the price.
And hey, a bonus tip: HP is giving away 25 packages, each package containing a Hp dv6 entertainment notebook, a HP Mini, an awesome backpack and Syncables software to keep the note and net books in sync. A friend of mine, @binoyxjwon a HP Mini the last time HP did a giveaway. Give them a try. You never know what’s the next awesome thing gonna happen to you.


sushnat
2 months ago
in my lappy also games not appears in full screen & black borders sidebye…..if any solution advice plzzzz!!!
mev
2 months ago
lol
How lame can shubham and mev get…
U just got to adjust the screen resolution in your game settings.
like i hadnt tried that….
siddharth
2 months ago
actually the graphics card renders like that only. If you set resolution at 4:3 aspect ratio, the screen is not stretched. We can only have fullscreen with no blank spaces if you play the game at 16:9 aspect ratio i.e. 1366×768 / 1280×720 / 852×480 resolutions. You can play at other resolutions but you have to set the aspect ratio at 16:9 from the in game menu.
deadndivine
2 months ago
I am having the same problem as sushnat. My game won’t let me change the resolution to the ones you suggested. Another problem I’m having is that when I press a button on the keyboard, I can’t move the mouse using the mousepad at the same time. With this problem, its very difficult to play FPS games because I can’t move my look around and move at the same time.
deadndivine
2 months ago
Can anyone help me PLEASE?
neelesh
2 months ago
hey guys i heard acer has recalled 5738 series for some heating issues, i wanted to buy the same 5738g but having second thoughts also what type of ram does it come DDR2 or DDR3 please help jose
siddharth
1 month ago
@deadndivine
Every game has the scope to change the resolution. May I know which game r u playing?
And playing FPS with mousepad, that needs some serious skill. Don’t u feel uncomfortable? Man, get a USB mouse, it just costs 300bucks (Logitech). Or ur hands will pain.
@neelesh
Yes, some units were recalled but they were manufactured before June 2009. And 5738G uses 4GB DDR3 RAM.
aravind jose
1 month ago
That’s really a nasty bug. Don’t know of some way to fix that.
Expecting some reader could answer that.
aravind jose
1 month ago
Siddharth,
Great that you are replying to other comments and helping out.
Much appreciated.
mev
1 month ago
getting serious heat on my leg after 10 mins of usage the serial number isnt on the list that needs new bios update…umm is this th enorm with this product???
siddharth
1 month ago
@aravind jose
Thanx man, actually the laptop is good and good things need to be appreciated.
@mev
That heat is normal for any laptop. Actually a desktop generates far more heat but no one cares about that. It’s cool. Make sure to use the laptop putting on a table or some hard surface. Actually air vents get blocked when u use the laptop on bed and it heats up enormously to damage any component inside.
mev
1 month ago
thanks man
test
1 month ago
i bought acer 5738G
check out my reviews at
http://chotareviews.blogspot.com/2010/01/acer-5738g.html
Avinash
4 weeks ago
i m considering this model but with the Tri-def 3D screen
are u all using the same?
how is it if any1 has idea about it
does having 3D film coating disrupt the screen clarity when using only 2D option
pls guide asap as i m seriously in need of lapi and want to buy it fast
Regards
Arun Basil Lal
4 weeks ago
Oh boy, this page is getting a lot of comments it seems. I had subscribed in earlier. Lucky your laptop, I had plans to write about mine, but didnt make it. Now its too late.
gamefreak
4 weeks ago
i am playing NFS most wanted help me how to adjust the resolution i am getting black borders in the side
Jakarandapanda
4 weeks ago
Hey guys, my 5738G overheats too when playing demanding games like Call of Duty modern warfare 2. I’ve heared that a BIOS update fixes this but I can’t figure out how to install the update I got off Acer, any suggestions will be appreciated.
I get the same problem with the resolution on some games. I play Warcraft 3 which does not allow you to change the aspect ratio to 16:9. Any ideas?