Advice on laptops - Acer Gemstone range?

[PoloMint]

I'm looking for a laptop, and am quite tempted by the Acer Gemstone range:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5720WLMi_Gemstone_Laptop_LX.AHE0X.154/version-1.asp

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_7720_-_Core_2_Duo_T7100_-_17_Inch_TFT_LX.AHL0X.015/version-1.asp

Has anyone used this range, or have any comments on them? I've used Acers before in the past and have generally been happy.

I'm a bit worried about the screen resolution - 1280*800 for the 15.4 inch one, is that reasonable in actual use? The 17inch one is tempting, but the physical size of the whole thing puts me off a bit, it looks like it might not be very portable, and it's not clear what the battery life of it is.

Also, can anyone recommend an alternative laptop of a similar price range?

Ideally I would like:
Processor: Core2Duo T7300 or equivalent.
RAM: 2GB
Stated battery life: 3+ hours (that one is important)
The rest isn't so crucial, but non shared graphics would be a bonus.


Thanks

 

[2cvbloke]

Some Acers aren't very reliable, most of the laptops I repair are Acers, and I have 2 with me here for repair at the moment, but most do work well, and for the price they're pretty good laptops...

 

[PoloMint]

I just ordered the 5720 Gemstone. :-thumb1

I got the version with 1GB of RAM as it was £120 cheaper than the same one with 2GB, however as 2GB only costs around £60 it works out better to get the RAM separately, and I'm tempted to fill it up with 4GB...

 

[2cvbloke]

I just ordered the 5720 Gemstone. :-thumb1

I got the version with 1GB of RAM as it was £120 cheaper than the same one with 2GB, however as 2GB only costs around £60 it works out better to get the RAM separately, and I'm tempted to fill it up with 4GB...

The more ram, the better, especially for video editing and 3D model work...

 

[PoloMint]

As I'm out most working hours I paid extra for saturday delivery (ordered from laptops direct), I also sent them an email last wednesday asking if they could confirm which saturday it would arrive, I got a speedy reply saying next satuday (now last saturday).

I had a missed call from laptops direct at 4PM last friday, much to my disappointment when I called back I was told it's their policy to verify the address by landline phone before despatching it and I had now missed the despatch deadline for that day.

I'm not at all impressed with them, they could have told me that they would have to do this on the order conformation page, or in the reply to my email. So I cancelled it, they guy wasn't apologetic and began explaining to me the security problems of mail order shops.

I went back to looking online for another shop, and found one...Tesco - and at a similar price. A big tesco in the nearest city had it and now I have my laptop. :-) I'm still stunned that I bought a laptop in a supermarket (and got clubcard points) but without paying delivery it worked out cheaper than the original price I was going to pay.