Acer Aspire 1410: Single-Core CULV Takes on Atom
by Vivek Gowri on May 6, 2010 1:31 AM ESTAcer Aspire 1410: Conclusion
The Acer Aspire 1410 is a great alternative to the netbook class of devices. With its single-core ultra low voltage processor, it runs single threaded applications well and offers far better performance than any Atom-based (non-ION) netbook. Add to this the higher resolution screen, Windows 7 Home Premium, double the memory, and it starts to look a lot more appetizing than a netbook for just $60 more.
Take, for example, the ASUS Eee PC 1001p, our favorite current netbook. The Acer is on a different level entirely when it comes to performance, in both computationally and graphically intense tasks. Plus, the all-important benchmark of smooth 1080p video playback is pretty much accomplished here. (HD Flash, on the other hand…not so much.) The Acer gets knocked for its lack of multithreaded processing, but that doesn’t make any difference in basic usage, and as a laptop to use for standard tasks, the SU3500 offers a much smoother and less painful experience than the Atom N450. Typing comes nicer, with the full sized keyboard and the overall Windows experience is more pleasant because of the upgrade to Home Premium and the shininess of Aero Glass.
The screen could be a debatable point—the AS1410 has a higher resolution (and thus far less limiting) screen, whereas the Eee 1001p has a far higher quality panel that offers much better contrast ratios and a matte finish. Honestly, while I love the way the 1001p display looks, I prefer the openness and more usable resolution of the 1410. Windows was built for at least 768 vertical pixels, and in a netbook, you really miss that extra real estate. For those that prefer numbers, a 1366x768 panel offers a whopping 70% more pixels than your standard 10.1" 1024x600 netbook display.
The 1410 loses out in a couple of places: styling is not that great, and neither is build quality. The Acer also has a slightly larger footprint and weighs a bit more, though the 0.3 lb (10%) weight increase doesn’t make any difference when thrown in a backpack or carrying case. But the real problem is battery life. It gets hammered on the battery life front, with runtimes down 35% from the ASUS. However, with 6-7 hours of battery life still on tap, it’s still a fairly long running laptop—just not up to the netbook standards or the top of the CULV class.
If you can live with the hit on battery life, there are many, many reasons to spring for an Acer 1410 or a similarly low priced CULV ultraportable notebook, even with a single-core processor. They offer adequate performance, embarrass the Atom, and come equipped with some nice features that most netbooks leave on the wayside to reduce cost as much as possible.
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Mugur - Thursday, May 6, 2010 - link
Mine is a little different: 1.3 Ghz cpu, 3 GB of RAM and Bluetooth...Aloonatic - Thursday, May 6, 2010 - link
There seem to be quite a few versions of this notebook out there. Seems like you've got the same version as me (sans BT). You from the UK too?I'm assuming that this is an American only version, like the other duel core version of the 1410 that was knocking about a while ago. Is it really that hard to give products clearer/more distinct product numbers/designations?
ET - Thursday, May 6, 2010 - link
I thought Anandtech decided to get away from these synthetic benchmarks. I know these Intel graphics are still crap, but I'd rather get an fps score from WoW with medium or low details, because that's something that actually tells whether this laptop may be used for some gaming in a pinch.DaPeezi - Thursday, May 6, 2010 - link
Hey Guys - If you like the Aspire 1410 please check the Lenovo x100e in some time. It also has a 1366 x 768 Pixel Screen on 11,6" and it is non Glossy. Also It´s capable of 1080p Full HD YouTube Playback.Its an AMD Based Plattform with the "MV-40" - also seen before in an EEE PC. Performance therefore is quite similar of course. The Main Advantage is the good Quality of Screen, Keyboard and Chasis for a low price - here in Germany 400€ incl. tax (19%) - would mean about 430$ I think.
You get a Single Core AMD Processor @ 1,60 Ghz (which can be undervolted for powersaving quite a bit), 2 Memory Slots for up to 4GB RAM and the - quite strong - HD3200 IGP. There are 3 USB Ports, a Cardreader and a VGA Port - unfortunately no HDMI
I bought it for myself a few weeks ago and use it every day. Battery Life is depending on use and varies for me between 3 and 8 hours, but haven´t checked with a testing tool jet.
whatthehey - Thursday, May 6, 2010 - link
Anandtech reviewed a system with an MV-40 a while back, and performance was really quite poor. Oh sure, it was faster than Atom, but as this article shows beating Atom is nothing to be proud about. It's particularly not worth boasting over when you can only last 1/3 as long in battery life. There are a few reviews of the x100e out there, and the consensus is that with the 6-cell battery you shouldn't expect more than 5 hours at best. More likely 3-4.http://www.liliputing.com/2010/01/lenovo-thinkpad-...
http://netbooked.net/netbook-reviews/review/lenovo...
If you think the 1410 is only mediocre at 5-7 hours (internet to idle), the x100e would be far worse. $450 isn't a horrible price, and Lenovo's build quality can't possibly be as bad as Acer, but the lack of HDMI makes it a no-go for portable HTPC and AMD's HD 4200 (3200?) isn't fit for gaming either. It would probably handle HD YouTube a bit better than the Acer.
Personally, I wouldn't get a laptop that can't last at least 6 hours on a charge when brand new -- preferably 8+. A year down the road and you might still be able to get 5-6 hours out of it.
jaydee - Thursday, May 6, 2010 - link
Where's the MV-40 review? I've been looking for a MV-40 vs Atom comparison for awhile and had no idea Anandtech did one. Search shows up with nothing...synaesthetic - Thursday, May 6, 2010 - link
MV-40 doesn't compare very favorably to any of the Intel CULV processors, even the SU3500. The dual-core Athlon Neo L335, though, is mostly comparable to a Celeron SU2300 (but performs slightly worse).I've seen overclocked Atom N270s get higher passmark scores than the MV-40...
JarredWalton - Thursday, May 6, 2010 - link
jaydee:I looked at the MSI X610 here:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2852
It's not quite the same, as MSI tossed in an HD 4330 instead of going with discrete graphics, but that just means performance with a normal MV-40 (in gaming) will be lower than the X610. Battery life on the other hand should improve somewhat, but it's still going to be a big step down from CULV battery life.
svojoe - Thursday, May 6, 2010 - link
I have been reading about how CULV's essentially negate any use of a 'netbook' for a year now and unfortunately I'm still not sold.I had a eeepc 8.9" a while back and I upgrade to a HP mini 311 (ION) last year and I haven't looked back. And even after reading this article I still see no compelling reason to jump ship. I paid less than $400 for the mini 6, 7 almost 8 months ago?? it has a 1366/768 screen, It can do light gaming and multi-media leaps and bounds better than this acer. Infact the only area's this CULV is substantially better than the ATOM is in isolated cpu benchmarks.
I'm not saying the atom is all that and the kitchen sink, its sloooow but I am saying the atom + ION is just amazing for what you pay for. My mini has become my primary laptop. It is my mobile office. It does office apps/internet, hdmi video outs 1080p to my tv and plays fallout3. This acer is costs the same is 7-8 months newer tech and still can't do that. Battery life aside (which is only marginally better)
I feel that your comments directed at non-ION netbooks (as you mentioned) are spot on. But some people are just excited about a sub $300 tiny, internet thingy.
Nvidia really stirred things up with the ION, they essentially created another class of ultra portable. The ION graphics allow the atom to perform higher than any IGP intel has by far. If I could find a CULV + ION that would be a different story, of course now its going to cost another $50-70? so now we are almost at $500, and back into 'real' laptop territory with better graphics.
I felt at the time that a ION + ATOM was the sweet spot for "trying to pack it all into the smallest cheapest package" And it still looks like it is.
alphacheez - Thursday, May 6, 2010 - link
I looked at this notebook last month when the 9 month old replacement battery on my 12.1 Dell Latitude D410 died and I didn't want to shell out $60-70 every 9 months on such an old machine.My decision was basically down to either the AS1410 or eeePC 1001p. I chose the 1001p for a number of reasons including the high-contrast matte display (though lower resolution), lighter weight, smaller form-factor, lower cost (I got the $295 model), and better battery-life. The main advantages of the AS1410 were the higher resolution (but lower contrast, poorer viewing angle) display, faster processor, and HDMI out.
I don't have an HDTV and my desktop monitor has it's digital input hooked to my desktop full time so that makes the HDMI out less of a bonus. I'm very reticent to have a glossy display on a mobile computer as I do sometimes use them in situations that would cause a lot of glare and I value a good contrast ratio (something my old Dell was seriously lacking). Battery life was a big sticking point for me since I don't want to have to carry a power adapter with me all the time as I'd had to do with the Dell seriously limiting it's portability.
In day-to-day use I notice that in situations requiring a lot of CPU horsepower the 1001p's N450 setup is slower than the old Dell, but in most everyday tasks like quickly switching between many applications the HT (SMT if you prefer) of the Atom seems to make the experience more fluid and snappy which counts for a lot. One annoyance is the glossy bezel and trackpad button; everything else on the 1001p is matte or patterned so the glossy on those pieces (where you'd least want glossy) is pretty frustrating, the trackpad button has a silver mirror finish that would be excellent for gathering fingerprints for forensic evidence. I do enjoy the multitouch gestures and tend to use "tap-to-click" on the trackpad.
In the end I'm glad I went for the 1001p and don't think the benefits and tradeoffs of the AS1410 make it worth the extra $100 (30%).