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Acer ES1-411-C1WD 14" Notebook $214 (after $39 CB) IN STORE, Nikon D7100 Body $849 @ JB Hi-Fi

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Acer ES1-411-C1WD 14" Notebook $214 (after $39 CB) IN STORE, Nikon D7100 Body $849 @ JB Hi-Fi
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TRENT86 on 14/05/2015 - 06:56 jbhifi.com.au (6917 clicks)
Last edited 15/05/2015 - 18:58 by 1 other user

Acer ES1-411-C1WD 14" Notebook $214 (After $39 Cashback) IN STORE ONLY
Canon EOS 1200D 18MP Digital SLR Camera (Twin Lens Kit) $509
Olympus OM-D E-M10 16MP Compact System Camera with 14-42mm EZ Lens $636
Nikon D5500 24MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) $749 After Cashback
Nikon D7100 24MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) $849 After Cashback
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II Body Only $934
Olympus OM-D E-M1 16MP (Body Only) + Bonus HLD-7 Battery Grip and BLN-1 Battery via redemption
Nikon D7200 24MP DSLR Camera (Body Only) $1104

Acer Cashback

Electrical & Electronics 15.6inch Acer Camera Canon Computer DSLR Laptop Nikon Olympus OM System

Related Stores

JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi

closed Comments

        • bbyboy on 14/05/2015 - 18:58

          maybe its just me but its still unavailable

        • unity1 on 14/05/2015 - 19:02

          @bbyboy: Just tried it. I was able to add to my cart then choose store pick up.

        • bbyboy on 14/05/2015 - 19:04

          @unity1: you are right. there is a pickup option when you go into your cart

  • Epyc on 14/05/2015 - 19:47
    +1

    Best notebook price vs value proposition for 2015! :)

    Just purchased from JB HiFi Melrose Park, SA… overheard someone else 'selling it' to their wife as a good bang for buck upgrade… sounded like a fellow OzBargainer to me!

    x10 left in Stock!

    Quickly raced to MSY Currie St and bought 1x Kingston 8GB SODIMM 1.35v LV DDR3 1600 RAM @ $79 http://www.msy.com.au/sa/adelaide/home/12483-kingston-so-dim…

    Super happy with the value - Have been thinking about purchasing an Intel Celeron Quad Core NUC \ Gigabyte Brix for sometime now (to use for Foxtel Go, Netflix, Torrent Box, etc) but once you add up ram + SSD + windows 8.1 I was looking at $450.

    I have all of this + a screen and keyboard for $293 ;)

  • Click_It on 14/05/2015 - 20:22
    +1

    Gosh I haven't used a computer (desktop or laptop) running a HDD in years, have forgotten how slow they are. General use seems fine, bit of lag here and there but that's an unfair comparison - my main PC is a high end i7 Desktop with loads of RAM, SSD's etc…

    What did take a hell of a long time (read: hours!) was installing the 70+ Windows Updates! I guess that's normal for a HDD.

    Anyway, this is the wife's one so I'm just uninstalling all the shite (there is a lot of it) and it'll be fine for her. Looking forward to making direct comparisons with my SSD+8GB equiped version.

    All in all I'm chuffed. I spent $3600 on my first laptop (2004) and a few under $1000 over the years, got an ASUS F202 a year or so back for $330 and this trumps that for build quality.

    • Jackson on 14/05/2015 - 22:45

      Good to hear about the build quality, acer can be a bit hit an miss, and I usually only recommend them to people who take care of their things or who only expect 2 years out of their device

      • Click_It on 14/05/2015 - 23:04

        Yeah a whole lot of miss in my experience (i never recommend them). This so far is a pleasant surprise, for $214 it's astonishing.

  • shapers on 14/05/2015 - 20:32
    +1

    Just picked up 2 from JB Nunawading. heaps left. feels good for first time use

  • paulaus on 14/05/2015 - 20:37

    Got messed around by jb at Loganholme store. I called up today at 12 and they said they would put one aside for me, got there this evening and all that was left was an ex demo in an opened box. So called up Mt Gravatt and hes put one aside for me to pick up tomorrow hope this guys more reliable.

  • Epyc on 14/05/2015 - 20:49
    +3

    How to upgrade RAM in this notebook:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDVcPCH1YB0

    Watched the video…. Unscrewed x17 screws… carefully took off back… took a total of 3 minutes.

    Opened notebook and looked inside… We've got it a HELL OF A LOT EASIER than the notebook reviewed in this video… once the back came off, I've got access to both RAM and HDD without any issues or cables in the way (just x1 connecting power cable between back cover and mobo).

    Happy days!

  • skoondi on 14/05/2015 - 21:44
    +1

    Got one for mum to replace the $199 eMachines netbook that I got her back in 2010, should be nice upgrade, thanks Trent.

    • Kkuba on 15/05/2015 - 19:49
      +1

      I just did exactly the same! Except replace "for mum" with "for myself"

  • shanghaistar on 14/05/2015 - 22:00

    Will this be able to watch Netflix?

    • rusty2k on 14/05/2015 - 22:08

      yes in full HD!
      its windows, download the native Netflix app and your off

      • Click_It on 14/05/2015 - 22:21

        Remembering this laptop isn't full HD screen, I'm not familiar with Netflix but if there is a bandwidth saving lower res option it might not have much effect watching on this laptop. I hear netflix is bandwidth hungry, just a thought.

        • rusty2k on 15/05/2015 - 14:48

          HDMI out will be full HD (provided your TV / Monitor supports 1080p). Netflix HD should be viewable on the default LCD screen resolution.

  • rusty2k on 14/05/2015 - 22:08

    for those that have purchased

    using the device on your lap, how long until your legs start warming up?
    does the laptop have a fan and is it loud when it kicks in?

    thanks

    • Click_It on 14/05/2015 - 22:24
      +4

      I've had it on my legs for hours today, this is the coolest running laptop I've ever used! Barely gets warm. I guess the low power 7.5w CPU can take the credit there.

      Sounds fairly quiet to me, though I have a snoring wife next to me so even a chest freezer would be quiet right now.

    • Den on 22/05/2015 - 23:34

      It has been consuming 30-50% of CPU for an hour, feels like it's not even starting fan..

  • ktks on 14/05/2015 - 22:53

    Noob question, after I get my ssd, how do I install the Windows with the key and etc?

    • Epyc on 14/05/2015 - 22:54

      I too wish to know this…

    • gryphn on 14/05/2015 - 23:10
      +6

      When you get your SSD.

      Grab a USB drive 16GB minimum - run Create Recovery Media, this will copy the recovery partition to the flash drive.

      Install SSD and start up from the flash drive. This will install Win 8, already activated.

      Other option is download Windows 8 from Microsoft and use the USB download tool (also from Microsoft) to make a bootable flash drive and do a clean install.

      The key is stored in the BIOS and will validate automagically.

      • ktks on 14/05/2015 - 23:37
        +1

        Champion. You confirmed what i just googled. Thanks.

  • gryphn on 14/05/2015 - 22:56
    +7

    1st impressions on the laptop

    Great little machine

    Good battery , great screen.

    Really needs 4gb+ ram. Can confirm 1.5v does not work (contrary as suggested on some reviews i read amazon and another site)

    Photo of the Mobo
    http://i.imgur.com/9mftBYr.jpg

    Ram
    http://i.imgur.com/nyUqddS.jpg

    Incase anyone is interested.

    There is no warranty stickers, and as mentioned above be vary of the speaker cable connector from the board to the bottom casing.

    • scrimshaw on 14/05/2015 - 23:13

      Wow. Look at all that empty space that's not being taken up by the motherboard. They can really make motherboards compact nowadays..

      Though I guess it helps that the Atom is a System on a Chip.

      • gryphn on 15/05/2015 - 00:14
        +1

        Celeron on this model.

    • Click_It on 14/05/2015 - 23:22
      +1

      Thanks for sharing the pics, I should also clear up any confusion I caused earlier today about the 1600/1333Mhz RAM - I believed this laptop used 1333 natively, it's clearly 1600 (12800).

      I agree with what you said, the RAM certainly holds it back - I'm a big multitasker (used to having lots of RAM) and yeah, not gonna happen with 2GB. My 8GB is on the way thankfully.

    • Den on 22/05/2015 - 23:38

      I can't agree about screen, by default it's not the best one for sure. I'll try to find some tuning prog (or meaybe someone can suggest) and see how it goes.

      And yes 8GB ram makes sense 100%.

  • Fobsessive on 14/05/2015 - 23:13

    So cheap that it's future proofed on price! If you don't upgrade its parts immediately, SDDs will keep getting cheaper for when you do.

    Has anyone had success stacking the 20% off to $20 discount voucher?

    • Click_It on 14/05/2015 - 23:24
      +1

      Can't help there, but being an OB I tried pushing the sales guy down in price further lol. Didn't work but was worth a shot ;)

  • gryphn on 15/05/2015 - 00:11
    +1

    Just had a thought on this little beast. Even though its for my girlfriend - Ive got a rMBP.

    64gb/128gb SSD 8GB stick of ram and a optical hdd caddy since there is no DVD drive on the machine anyway.

    Install OS on the SSD - use the existing HDD for storage.

    Under $400 for a fast light 14" laptop with good battery life. Fantastic for web and media consumption.

  • shanghaistar on 15/05/2015 - 00:45

    Ok, I ordered one :) Where can I get extra RAM for cheap? do I need to throw away the 2gb already in there?

    • Epyc on 15/05/2015 - 01:11
      +1

      No, you keep it as a backup.

    • ujwols on 15/05/2015 - 15:06

      sell in ebay/gumtree

  • jabbairc on 15/05/2015 - 07:17

    Thanks OP! Legend as always…got one for pickup, now for the RAM and SSD ;)

    Do you guys think it needs the SSD, if all it's running is basic MS Office apps, like Outlook and maybe Word at the same time?

    thanks!

    • betheball on 15/05/2015 - 07:39

      Nope…. Unless you want faster boot/load times

      • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 11:41

        Hmmmm I'm on the fence with that one. I'm using my wifes now, not upgrading to SSD on hers (am on mine) and it just feels… slow. Maybe I've been used to SSD's for too long.

        In a way I'm agreeing with you, because I don't plan on upgrading hers unless she complains (I have a 60GB SSD scratch drive I could easily use). It's bugging me but maybe some of the lag I'm experiencing in memory related too.

        It'll be a completely different beast with both replaced.

        • jabbairc on 15/05/2015 - 22:55

          just added the 8GB RAM, kept the internal HDD, works great! HD video via IE YouTube and Outlook simultaneously, all good. No lag issues etc.

  • testeagles on 15/05/2015 - 08:39

    What is the easiest/best way to remove bloatware?

    • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 11:44

      I used Revo Uninstaller but maybe there are better, never heard of DECRAP, could be worth checking.

      Just don't be an idiot (like me) and somehow uninstall the touchpad drivers, unless I was really tired I'm thinking it must have been in one of the Acer bundles I got rid of. I got the correct Elantech drivers to fix it up but so far I haven't got it working again yet.

      On that note, you may want to visit here if you like to collect drivers in the event something might ever go wrong:
      http://www.getdriver.com/notebook/3563/acer-aspire-es1-411-w…

  • paulaus on 15/05/2015 - 08:48

    Try DECRAP http://www.decrap.org/

  • Bagath on 15/05/2015 - 09:27

    @TRENT86, Thanks mate, picked one.

  • xmas tree on 15/05/2015 - 09:47

    It's really a steal for $214 after cashback. Nice price for a basic model.

    Planned to buy a new and low price laptop recently and targeted this model after looking around in JB and DS. Mrs kept asking me to buy earlier to finish the matter. Having a feeling a 15% off is coming, told Mrs I can get it cheaper in weekend. Luckily dreams come true!

  • macca22 on 15/05/2015 - 10:48

    @Trent as well thanx picked up one yesterday from Morayfield ran decrap Macafee gone all good

  • 303-Acid on 15/05/2015 - 10:49

    Picked one up last night for my GF to replace her old Inspiron 1525. I'll take her 250GB SSD out of that and put it in this one. Just need to source some RAM at a good price, not sure whether to go 4GB or 8GB. 4GB would most probably be fine for Web/Office/CandyCrush/FB/Youtube/iTunes/etc.

    • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 11:48
      +1

      Go the 8 if you can stretch it. Better to have that bit extra than regret it later and upgrade again. Can be had for under $80.

    • 2Cheap2Pay on 15/05/2015 - 11:56

      Internet hi-five for Inspiron 1525! I'm using the Acer laptop as a replacement for my old one and couldn't be happier.

      • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 12:04

        They keep going on and on the Inspirons. I had an Inspiron 8600 (cost $3600 in 2004) which almost lasted 10 years.

      • 303-Acid on 15/05/2015 - 12:26

        Back at you. I ordered 2 back then, one for me and one for her. Hers started blue screening so I gave her mine. A while later the backlight failed so I swapped the screens over. Upgraded the CPU, RAM, added SSD and it's still going. I just have to pull lint from the vent every now and then. The one thing this Acer doesn't have is as nice a screen, the 1525 has a 1440x900 display.

        • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 12:35

          It's kinda sad many mobile phones have higher res displays than laptops do now :/ 1080x1920 on my Note3 and many are above that. For $214 fine, but many much more expensive models are the same res.

      • Deviner on 15/05/2015 - 12:54

        Haha, I'm upgrading the gf's pink 1525 to this Acer as well… !

  • exile on 15/05/2015 - 11:35

    Just price matched at HN without any problems. They wouldn't go lower, not even by 30c because apparently its under their cost price. Still just need to buy another $47 item by July and I'll get my $50 back from Amex. Thanks OP. :)

  • Belv on 15/05/2015 - 12:02
    +1

    any one that's upgraded there laptop so far what are you impression's ??? any lag or issues once added 8gb and ssd ??

    • Den on 22/05/2015 - 23:45

      Got only 8gb, Chrome constantly eats about 2-3 gigs, so all the lags has disappeared, all flash games (that it's busy with) now run smoothly. I don't thing that ssd will add much value for my OH, but if you work with big files or programs like photoshop it will make sense.

  • djevoultion on 15/05/2015 - 12:48

    I tried this in the store the other day. I had all the intention to buy it but not so sure now. The keyboard was not nice to type on and the screen had flat colors. Wondering if I should get it and hook an an external monitor once I find one on sale.

    • rusty2k on 15/05/2015 - 14:44

      external monitor would work via HDMI, the 'FLAT' color issue will be resolved
      then again the LCD may need a minor tweak to get it to display correctly.

  • soultrain04 on 15/05/2015 - 13:54

    Anyone had any problems with the wifi? Mine seems to drop out + really slow d/l at times connecting to a dlink router. Trying to figure out if its a doa or a compatible issue.

    • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 15:10

      WiFi has actually been solid here (TP-LINK Archer D9)

      • djevoultion on 15/05/2015 - 18:53

        Ontopic: soultrain04 - have you tried re-installing your wifi drivers?

        Offtopic: The Archer D9 is awful IMO. Had a nightmare trying to set it up then eventually returned it. Still waiting to get my money back.

        • soultrain04 on 15/05/2015 - 21:24

          Tried reinstalling the driver with no luck. Works well with a wifi usb stick so def there is a problem with the internal wifi card. Makes a weird noise too when its on, suspect its the hard drive. Anyway gonna try and get a replacement tomorrow.

    • gryphn on 15/05/2015 - 19:51

      Wifi solid here too

      Time capsule 2011 and TL-WDR4300 (DDWRT)
      Streamed 1080 to the tv over Wifi No issues at all.

  • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 14:56

    Ran into some trouble with mine, fresh install it's asking for my product key (should be auto detected)

    I'm guessing it's because my USB is Windows 8.1 "Pro" not OEM, though this was never a problem with my ASUS F202 also running OEM. That said, it's the only thing I can think of so I'm going to give this a whirl:
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-re…

    I'll update when I have my answer. Yes I know I could just clone HDD-SSD but I prefer my installs pure fresh.

    • DKC on 15/05/2015 - 16:20

      I want to upgrade to SSD too but how do I get/make the Windows USB?

      • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 16:42

        It's been a day of bad luck here. I downloaded the MS tool and proceeded, it reached 100% only to say error "ran out of space", the 8GB USB had plenty of space for a 4GB ISO so I dunno what happened there - awesome work Microsoft.

        So I burnt the Windows 8.1 "Pro" ISO again, this time instead of using "Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool" (which has worked 100% in the past) I used YUMI and strangely enough this time it skips the Product Key screen like it should. Dunno what was going on before, must be an Acer thing.

        YUMI: http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/
        I used an untouched ISO of 8.1 Pro, it should install 8.1 OEM fine (did so fine in the past)

        I thought it'd be handy to have a pure 8.1 OEM ISO anyway so I'm giving the MS tool another go, this time downloading directly to HDD not USB. I can burn it later.

        Everything should be fine now, I decided to give my wife's laptop an SSD as well, a spare 60GB I had lying around. HDD is too slow for my liking.

        • Kenb0 on 15/05/2015 - 17:02

          This may be a stupid question, but is your 8gb usb a REAL 8gb usb? and not a fake 8gb usb stick that can only contain 1gb or something equally lacking?

          Try copying 8 gb of movies onto the usb stick, and make sure all the movies play properly from start to finish, just to check.

        • DKC on 15/05/2015 - 17:11

          Thanks. I'll look up this MS tool.

          How big is a clean install of Windows 8.1? I have a 64GB SSD and wondered if it's sufficient for Windows 8.1?

        • Deviner on 15/05/2015 - 18:06
          +1

          Rufus is, imo, the best USB tool for creating bootable ISO's.
          The Microsoft one is really sensitive and sh!t.

          Also, not sure what exactly happened but don't forget FAT32 can't handle anything bigger than 4GB so use NTFS on your USB stick.

        • lgacb08 on 15/05/2015 - 18:09
          +1

          @DKC: for anything since windows 7, that amount of space will always be short and you will constantly seeing your hdd icon turned red, I have a windows 7 on 100gb hdd and have to constantly removing media files out due to this.

        • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 18:43
          +1

          @Deviner:

          Wow… I can't believe I made that rookie mistake. Just checked and sure enough, FAT32!

          Also, hadn't heard of Rufus and did some digging and it looks pretty good. I'll give it a go, you are right about the Windows tool being sensitive - I found it hated certain USB's so I recycle the ones I know it liked, but it shouldn't have to be like that.

        • mattoo on 15/05/2015 - 18:53

          Hey I couldn't install it either as it didn't recognise my product key since I'm using Win8 pro.

          So we have to download Win8 OEM for it to recognise? If so, do you know where I could get it?

        • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 19:06

          @mattoo:

          It would seem so.

          Here is the link:
          http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-re…

        • King Tightarse on 15/05/2015 - 19:15
          +1

          @Deviner:
          Rufus is excellent. Definitely the way to go.
          @Clickit
          Definitely keen to gear your thoughts once have upgraded seeing as you have two of them. You are in a great position to tell us exactly what to expect with an SSD. As far as RAM goes, I would suggest that the 2GB to 4GB replacement will give noticeable instant results and any more is really dependent on user requirements. IE RAM gobbling programs. 4GB should cut it for most of the activities this laptop is suited to.
          Will you be doing it this weekend?

        • mattoo on 15/05/2015 - 19:30

          @Click_It:
          Thanks!!

          Just to clarify (while I'm downloading) - so this is supposed to create an iso of the Win8 pro OEM version?

        • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 19:43

          @mattoo:

          Yep, but not Pro, you need the non-pro version. It's 3.28GB
          About to try installing it shortly.

          BTW if like me you were curious about what the "n" versions are, they are the corrosponding versions minus Windows Media Player and other Windows Media-related technologies, such as Windows Media Center and Windows DVD Maker. In theory they'd make a slightly lighter install if you use 3rd party software and don't need those. I'm downloading the Windows 8.1 "N" and will come back with the size if anyone is interested.

        • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 19:46

          @King Tightarse:

          I had a drama on one accidently losing the touchpad functionality and couldn't get it back so I got the poops with the HDD idea and decided to give my wifes laptop an older 60GB SSD I had. I'm about to install that shortly. So unfortunately I will no longer have a direct HDD/SSD comparison to make, unless there are any specific tests you were interested in, I could run from my other one (the SSD/8GB RAM hasn't arrived for it yet)

          Let me know if there is anything I can test out before both are running SSD.

        • King Tightarse on 15/05/2015 - 19:54

          @Click_It:
          Touchpad surely is just drivers.
          No nothing specific just your general impression of usability and the improvements you notice. No massive expectations at this price point, more avoiding annoyances such as massive lag.
          Sounds good cheers.

        • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 20:10

          @mattoo:

          Just tried the Windows 8.1 OEM. Asks for Product key again.
          Trying a torrent now… sigh

        • 303-Acid on 15/05/2015 - 20:13

          @Click_It:

          I lost the trackpad on mine after running Windows Update. There was an optional Intel driver update that I selected and installed. Upon reboot the trackpad didn't respond. Checked device manager and the Intel device had an exclamation mark so I rolled back the driver. All good now and I've hidden that update.

        • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 20:14
          +1

          @King Tightarse:

          I was certainly finding it laggy but I'm coming from an i7 Desktop with SSD's and 16GB RAM so I don't know how reasonable I am being. For me, it's too laggy in standard form.

          I'll be happy to report on the other side, I've done the SSD treatment to other laptops and it makes a world of difference, this should be no different.

        • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 20:16

          @303-Acid:

          I didn't have that in my Device Manager, first thing I looked for. I also tried some packages like the Intel IO which other Acer people reported as fixing the problem. The Elantech Touchpad drivers installed but never did anything. Doesn't matter now, hdd is out, secure erased and ready for eBay :)

        • mattoo on 15/05/2015 - 20:33

          @Click_It: omg that is unfortunate. Are you just going to download a cracked version?

        • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 20:44
          +1

          @mattoo:

          Nah, I found an oem version which many people claim to be working on their key-imbedded laptops like ours. (pm if u want a link)

        • debauched sloth on 15/05/2015 - 23:14

          @Click_It:
          How's your hunt for Win8 w/ Bing USB Recovery media going?
          I couldn't stand the increasing value/decreasing price of this laptop, so bought one today along with what appears to be the standard OzBargain upgrade pack (8GB Kingston RAM, 120GB Kingston SSD).
          Confirming that the 1600Mhz RAM slotted in nicely.

          Whilst reading up on how to do a clean install of Win8 on the SSD, however, I've come across the same problem as you. It doesn't appear that this free OEM version of Windows 8.1 is designed for easy recovery/fresh install.

          One reddit poster contacted the OEM (in this case, Dell) for recovery media and apparently got a recovery USB sent out to him free of charge http://www.reddit.com/r/windows8/comments/2pjk8g/has_anyone_…

          Another used various tools to attempt a clone of the HDD, but obviously this isn't a nice clean install
          http://www.reddit.com/r/windows8/comments/2ne3wa/help_how_to…

          What's your current plan of attack? Leaked OEM version of Win8 w/ Bing? Torrent?

          I'm also considering the easy but not very OzB route of just purchasing the Win8 Pro Student Version for a product key - but at $70 this mitigates the value of the computer somewhat.

          Penny for your more experienced thoughts?

          Edit: This ArsTechnica article isn't particularly promising. "A note: the one Windows 8.1 edition this won't work for is Windows 8.1 with Bing, which requires separate media that Microsoft doesn't provide to end users."
          http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/02/save-yourself-from-yo…

        • Click_It on 15/05/2015 - 23:44

          @debauched sloth:

          Running low on ideas now. Basic to the basics, what is different about this laptop to other laptops. You just helped me realise one difference - "Windows 8.1 with Bing", I didn't think anything of it until reading what you just said.

          The other, and perhaps a major thing is: to get this laptop to recognise any USB's I had to default the BIOS from UEFI to LEGACY. Now I'm betting UEFI is needed to pass the key details to the installer, which would explain the problem we're having.

          I did manage to get a USB to detect in UEFI, my Acronis Boot USB (4GB Kingston HyperX) - unfortunately since burning Win8.1 image its now playing hide and seek like the rest of them. The answer must be in the burn method, so I'm trying different settings in Rufus and other software…

          If all this fails I'm in a spot of bother lol.

        • debauched sloth on 16/05/2015 - 00:37

          @Click_It:

          That's a remarkably casual lol :)
          You're a bit more Zen than me Click_It
          Think I'm going to try contact Acer directly for media before messing with the HDD. However, their recovery media will probably come with bloatware anyway, negating clean install grr

          You're definitely onto something with BIOS mode (UEFI or Legacy) though - did you read this?
          Esp. last line "You will need to set your BIOS back to UEFI mode before booting normally to Windows."

          Except you're trying to detect a newer version of bootable media as opposed to a past version of bootable media…

          EDIT: You're better than me at this, but just checking that you have enabled Disc to Disc Recovery

        • Click_It on 16/05/2015 - 00:43
          +1

          @debauched sloth:

          Well thanks, not sure if Zen is the word I'd use for me but I'll take that - I think the only reason I'm still sane is the fact that others are in the same predicament. On my own it's possible the laptop would have gone through the window by now.

          Funnily enough (I had forgotten until now), the reason I went to Legacy mode in the first place was from reading that very link earlier!

          Okay so that dispels the theory about needing UEFI to install. We only need UEFI to boot into Windows later.

          At least we're learning things along the way, a small consolation. The reality that my wife is going to wake up grouchy any minute, or my 2yo wake up screaming - triggering said wife but amplifying the negative effects are now firmly on my mind (time is very much against me getting this figured out tonight)

          Please update me(us) on how your attempt goes with Acer.

        • debauched sloth on 16/05/2015 - 00:54

          @Click_It:

          Sleep is underrated as a problem-solving technique…

        • Click_It on 16/05/2015 - 00:55

          @debauched sloth:

          Tell me about it :)

          I have just managed to get past the product key screen (i got this far once before, but it crashed further in) I'm trying the same image on a different USB in the hope the problem was just a corruption the first time…

          EDIT: Froze at "Getting devices ready"… Fun times.

        • CVonC on 16/05/2015 - 02:22

          @Click_It:

          is knowing what the product key the problem? cos you can just use ProduKey for that (provided you've yet to do a fresh install ofc). forgive me if it's not as simple as that.

        • Click_It on 16/05/2015 - 02:32

          [@CVonV](/comment/2753423/red ip:

          Yeah I just remembered those key finding apps, should solve everyone else's problem - mines different, my original hdd is completely wiped so I got thinking if there is any bootable method and apparently there is using hirens boot cd(usb).

          Will try this in the morning :

          http://briteccomputers.co.uk/posts/recover-windows-product-k…

        • Click_It on 18/05/2015 - 10:56

          @King Tightarse:

          Kinda old now, you asked for some comparisons. I happen to be using both currently (1 completely stock, the other with 60GB SSD but still 2GB RAM)

          The 60GB SSD is an OLD Corsair, wasn't a speed demon in its day, certainly not now. And 2GB ram means any improvements are all on the SSD.

          If I shut down both together, the SSD powered lappy is back up in Desktop before HDD lappy has completed a shut down.

          That was with a cloned OS too not fresh. I've since gone fresh but making comparisons now wouldn't be very fair (it's simply more faster)

          Can't comment on RAM, haven't pushed the multitasking yet but 8GB should make huge differnces when you start to really use this thing.

        • Kkuba on 18/05/2015 - 15:41

          @Click_It:

          Can I ask how you did the fresh install?

          I inserted my original hard drive, used Produkey ti find the Windows key, then downloaded the microsoft boot creator for windows 8.1.

          Insalled SSD, booted from USB, and key does not match thius version of windows.

          What did you use to boot from?

          I am reluctant to use a torrent version. Instead, tempted to use the original HDD to create an image, boot from that, then remove bloatware.

        • Click_It on 18/05/2015 - 15:56
          +1

          @she_spools_180:

          Don't ask…

          The short version is it's impossible to have a clean install on these. (see edit below)
          Your best best, image the HDD and run decrap (but not in full Auto as you should probably keep the Acer Recovery software)

          EDIT: Looks like my theory (posted elsewhere in this deal) was correct. Manufacturers get this "/w bing" version for FREE from Microsoft. It's designed for low end devices, usually tablets, and usually in developing countries to increase MS Market share. The downside is there is as yet no support from Microsoft, so if you try a clean install you'll be disappointed. Bing uses different keys to regular OEM.

          I did manage to find a torrent (use at own risk) which should work perfectly fine, and technically legal because it's still using your laptop's BIOS embedded key. But the only version I could find was x86 (32 bit) making it useless if you want >4GB RAM. Even 4GB RAM will be limited due to onboard graphics (probably ~3GB usable)

          Another theory, this Bing version might not qualify for the free Windows 10 update later this year, since they officially don't support (or even acknowledge) it. So it's almost certainly designed to draw in future license purchases.

  • rusty2k on 15/05/2015 - 18:54

    deal seems to have finished

    website link no longer available

    • Dominic on 15/05/2015 - 21:09

      Still available in store. Picked mine up 5 mins before closing.

  • anthoneeyz on 15/05/2015 - 19:32

    guys how's your sound on the laptop for those who got it? Mine seems to be very low. Any issues for anyone else?

    • gryphn on 15/05/2015 - 19:47

      It has rather tiny drivers that are bottom mounted.

      Dont expect much out of them, the one I bought last night is not loud at all as to be expected from a sub $250 machine.

    • Den on 22/05/2015 - 23:49

      I can't it's VERY low, but it's definitely not loud. Enough for laptop anyway, if you need more, use earphones :-)

  • paulaus on 15/05/2015 - 19:52

    Just picked mine up today all good this time it was security sealed not a demo. Im off to Philippines for 2 weeks on Sunday so i might leave it in box till i return. Im seriously thinking about getting a pendo pad windows 8 tab from coles for $89 to take with me because it has a micro hdmi so i can watch movies on plasma tv in my hotel.

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