We haven’t done one of these in a Looooooonngg time so I’m particularly grateful to Peter Andersen for writing this up.

This is the first “real user” review of the Acer Aspire 3935 so you can tell what it’s like in the “real” world. For the record, and just to clarify this point, I have done no editing to this article. What you get is what I received.

So again, many thanks Peter, let’s hope you kick start the user review section again!

I received my new Acer Aspire 3935 this Thursday (June 11th), and unpacked it at work… Working in IT, I could play with my new computer without arousing attention, other then the admiring looks and comments from co-workers. The case has such a nice copper color, brushed on the outside, textured on the inside portion. The keyboard’s keys appear to float, a visual effect you get with higher end Sony and Apple brands. The speaker band runs the length of the machine, adding texture and visual relief to the machine. As many have reported, the screen has beautiful edge to edge glass that you would expect on higher end machines.

All in all, it is the visual stunner I remembered from J&R Music a month or two ago, when I first saw it.

So, is my attraction skin deep? First, let me say that the US spec machine has a tray CD/DVD, where a slot loading version would have been more appropriate on a system like this. I had my hopes up when someone posted such a device, and I wish it was available… A moment of disappointment, but one of the few.

Booting up was quick, and setting the finger swipe login was painless, and has worked flawlessly since. The screen, as noted by others, is beautiful when viewed dead on, but loses luster quickly as you move off center. Sharing a movie may be difficult, but so is sharing your private information. Is the glass half full or half empty???

I have had no issues with all basic computing, with plenty of speed and great wireless strength from distances from the WAP that made previous laptops go silent. I am currently listening to Pandora and gamecasting the Mets/Yankees game across a good distance from where our wireless B WAP is located, and it is giving me “Excellent” connectivity. Music played for a few hours as I waited for servers to install updates, and surfing the web was speedy – making me appreciate both the screen and keyboard. Word and Excel load quickly and without issue, even with many tabs and programs and music running. The battery ran for about 4.5 hours of mixed use before I plugged it in, and seems to be about what is estimated for the machine. Streaming video did put a dent in the run time, though I did not specifically test. I did not use the Eco mode, which dulls the screen and saves power, so I assume you could get more from the machine if you need.

Although standard programs run without a hitch, heavy hitters tend to bog the system down. I loaded Adobe Photoshop Elements, and it isn’t as speedy as I would like. It does do the work in a timely fashion, but not as crisp as one would like for a new machine not yet saddled with a bunch of software and cookies and adware… I tell myself the facts: it isn’t a desktop, and it isn’t a 7 lb. desktop replacement either… You shouldn’t expect the power of the 16” slabs of plastic you can get for the same money. You don’t get the 3D gaming (I am not much of a gamer at my age), or the big computing power – or the 167 degree laptop base cooking your lap, or the 3 extra pounds, or the aforementioned plastic, or the sore shoulder from your computer bag, or or or. I guess I am telling you what side of the fence I fall upon. I like a desktop with power. I like a laptop to go with me. This does goes with me, and does so with style and substance.

Movies play nicely, without delays or skips, and with good sound though the speakers. Speaking of the speakers, they do have a nice surround sound-ish feel to them, though they lack the bass punch. Do you expect base from your 13” laptop speakers? I didn’t, but I do love the clarity that these deliver.

Want more? Hook up a good pair of headphones.

A lot has been made of the touchpad and buttons on the 3935… Ok, it is more style than function, with a smallish square for gestures (I do love the gesture feature, as I live in an iPhone world), and smallish buttons. Know what? It is easy to get used to, and is incredibly more attractive then your standard touchpads. Typing allows wrists to rest comfortably left and right of the square, with no edge to rest your palm upon. If your hands hitting the buttons or touchpad is an issue, a small button turns off the touchpad while you type, but I just don’t see it as necessary with the space allowed. Should I care about design and look of the touchpad more than the function? When the function is easy to learn, and design will make me happy looking at the machine for years to come, yes.

I saw that this machine won a green rating from PC Mag. Don’t care about green awards? Well, do you care about the great battery life with the smaller battery? How about being able to extend the battery life even more with a simple button press, bringing you to Eco-mode? Do you care about the energy bills at home, when prices begin to rise for power again. It is nice that it is mostly recyclable too, but you don’t have to care about that if you don’t want to – but in 6 years, recycle it anyway…

So, my final thoughts? I love my new toy. It goes with me where I go, because it is light, because it boots quickly, because the keyboard fits my hands, because it looks stunning (and NO, it is NOT BROWN), and does all that I need, when and where I need it. It does so at less money than the competition – there is not much real competition at this price. Too much style, too little weight, too much power, too little name/cost inflation – sounds unique to me…

It is not perfect, and it is not for everyone. Some will want to spend a few dollars more for the incredible new MacBook; this is not a Mac-Killer. If you love Mac, this is just another pretty MS based machine which you will hate because it wasn’t created by Steve Jobs… Some will spend less on a bigger, more powerful slab of plastic; because of the gaming, or the huge screen for movies, or the fact that the machine will sit on a desk 24/7/365. For me? For my lifestyle, my wallet, my needs? This is a great companion.