Acer Ferrari 4005WLMI 15.4-inch Laptop (AMD Turion 64 Mobile Technology ML-37, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD Super-Multi Dbl Layer Drive)

by Acer

Product Details

• Item Weight: 6.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009V6162
• Item model number: LX.FR406.035
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 25, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Get ready to feel the high-speed computing power of the Acer Ferrari 4000 (model LX.FR406.035), a continuation of the speedy, mobile-centric laptops the two companies have previously collaborated on. Sleekly styled, the the Ferrari 4000's carbon-fiber casing--which is stronger and lighter than aluminum--comes in a more conservative black and is accented with exclusive Ferrari red edges and the classic yellow prancing horse Ferrari logo, and the interior has a rubberized coating. Made for today's demanding applications and ready to continue working into tomorrow, the Ferrari 4000 is powered by an AMD Turion 64 Mobile processor. Other hardware features include a bright 15.4-inch LCD, 100 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (with a 2 GB maximum), integrated 54g wireless LAN and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, gigabit LAN, multiformat memory card reader, dual-layer DVD/CD burner, and Windows XP Professional.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 100 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) is above average in size for notebook PCs, and its capacity is a welcome size for road warriors.
• Processor: Combining strong performance with efficient usage of power, the 2.0 GHz AMD Turion 64 ML-37 is uniquely optimized to power today's thinnest notebooks. It's also built for tomorrow's 64-bit applications, which will require a processor with significant power. It includes such AMD technology features as HyperTransport (which increases the communication between integrated circuits), PowerNow! (which enables longer battery life and reduced heat generation), and Enhanced Virus Protection (which works with Windows XP Service Pack 2 to better withstand attacks from certain classes of viruses). It also features a 1 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)
• Memory: The 1 GB of installed RAM (512 MB DDR333 SDRAM, installed in each of two memory slots) is an excellent start at the races, and the Ferrari 4000 has room for extra pimping with a 2 GB maximum RAM size (1 GB x 2).
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the Ferrari 4000 multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. You can also burn your favorite music mixes to CD. It offers the following write speeds: 24x for CD-Rs, 8x for single-layer DVD+R and DVD-R, 2.4x for dual-layer DVD+R, and 2x for DVD-RAM.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook features an 88-key Acer FineTouch keyboard with five-degree curve, inverted T cursor layout, 2.5mm minimum key travel, and international language support. It also offers a touchpad with four-way integrated scroll button and an external gloss-black optical mouse.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The 15.4-inch TFT LCD screen has a 1680 x 1050-pixel resolution and can display up to 16.7 million colors. It's powered by the ATI Mobility Radeon X700 video/graphics card with 128 MB of DDR RAM memory on PCI Express architecture. With 8 parallel pixel pipelines and breakthrough image enhancement technology, it provides extremely smooth, responsive high-definition video that's great for fully immersive 3D gaming as well as DVD movies and graphics-intensive presentations. It offers VGA and S-Video outputs as well as a DVI-D connection for high-def output. This notebook has an integrated audio card that's AC97 compliant and it features a line-in/microphone, line-out/headphone, and two stereo speakers.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
This notebook features an integrated 54g wireless LAN for connecting to 802.11b and 802.11g wi-fi routers as well as integrated Bluetooth wireless connectivity (for synchronizing and transferring data between your PC and your PDA or cell phone, connecting to Bluetooth-enabled printers, and more). It features the following connectivity options:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• Type II PC Card slot, 32-bit PC CardBus architecture
• 5-in-1 memory card reader (compatible with MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, and xD-Picture Card)
• Connector for optional ezDock docking station

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Professional Edition (which adds Microsoft's IIS Web server, back-up and recovery utilities, Remote Desktop, and other enhanced business features) with Service Pack 2 featuring Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. Other preloaded software includes Cyberlink PowerDVD, Norton AntiVirus, and NTI CD Maker.

Dimensions and Weight
This notebook measures 14.3 by 10.5 by 1.4 inches and weighs 6.3 pounds.

Power
It comes with an 8-cell lithium ion battery, which provides up to 3.0 hours life depending on configuration and usage. It has a 2.5-hour recharge time with system off, 3.5 hours with system in use.

What's in the Box
Ferrari 4000 laptop, rechargable battery, optical mouse, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty.

Product Description

Acer America Corp. AMD Turion 64 1GB 100GB

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mobile goodness, October 14, 2005

By 

ET (T.O.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acer Ferrari 4005WLMI 15.4-inch Laptop (AMD Turion 64 Mobile Technology ML-37, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD Super-Multi Dbl Layer Drive) (Personal Computers)

I've been on a look out for a notebook for about 6 months, so you can be sure I've researched the subject thoroughly.

At first I have skipped Acer Ferrari as marketing ploy, but having finalized my requirements and matching the existing models I've come to conclusion that (at least on paper) Ferrari 4005 is the worthy contender.

My requirements were:
-64 bit capability
-powerful video card with dedicated memory (at least 128MB)
-wide screen
-at least 80GB HDD and at least 1GB of RAM
-be light enough to be portable
-good durability, looks and ergonomics

Here's how Acer Ferrari 4005 fits the bill:
- it's one of the 1st notebooks to use AMD's Turion, 64 bit processor designed for mobility
- x700 mobile radeon (yes!)
- wide 15.4" screen (check! but read the cons bellow)
- fast 100GB HDD and 1GB RAM
- carbon fiber casing - light!
- durable - I actually dropped it once from about a feet - no trace/problem whatsoever
- looks stylish, but not too flashy
- love the keyboard

Ok, so there are notebooks out there that match some of this:
- You can get Asus barebone and stick _almost_ all you want in there, which is what I seriously considered, but if you match the features closely Asus becomes more expensive, while delivering LESS (and it's harder to get).
- Dell's are just too expensive.
- Toshiba, Sony, LG don't use AMD's processors (silly buggers) and while Pentium M is close in performance area and goes easier on the power/heat it's not 64 bit, and P4 is way worse in that respect than even non-mobile AMD 64.

Now the disappointments:
- I worked for a bit on an HP notebook and I have to say, its screen performed better in terms of color reproduction. For example looking at Hotmail Inbox you can't distinguish unread emails by the line color.
- It warms up noticeably during normal use. It can grow uncomfortable in heavy use - CPU and graphics card are the main contributors.
- The headphones volume is quite low (what's up with that?!)
- No advanced wireless config utility for built-in Broadcom 11g.

And that's all! Now back to the good:
- Amazing viewing angle - if you can see the surface you gonna see the image.
- Drivers for 64 bit Windows XP are available now.
- Speakers positioning and sound are awesome.
- Sockets positioning is very good. 4 USB ports!
- Videocard will run BF2 and/or Longhorn/Vista equally well.
- If you're wondering about the speed - run some tests, don't just rely on your feelings, you'll be pleasantly surprised!
- You can't see it on the pictures, but the finish is nicely soft to touch on the working surface :)

In short, I think this notebook is worth every dime!
This review has been typed using it.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't Fall for the Hype. This laptop is a disappointment., January 4, 2006

By 

Clint Marcus "tech maven" (Montreal, Quebec) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acer Ferrari 4005WLMI 15.4-inch Laptop (AMD Turion 64 Mobile Technology ML-37, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD Super-Multi Dbl Layer Drive) (Personal Computers)

I was using a Toshiba Qosmio G25 and decided to switch to this smaller and lighter Ferrari. The magazine reviews seemed good and so I fell for them and bought the laptop "sight-unseen". Big mistake. Reviewers can offer valuable first impressions, but they don't have to live with the laptop. I am a power user, having used and bought many laptops. The Ferrari 4005WLMI is a disappointment.

I run an e-commerce business from my home, so I needed a laptop that I can use for everything.

Pros:

-Small and light

Cons:

- Very poor screen in comparison to the Qosmio G25 or F25. The main problem is that the screen is not bright enough. At maximum brightness, it is simply too dim for power users like me. (I just bought a new Compaq Presario laptop from BestBuy for my mother for $625 that is brighter than this!)

- Limited viewing angles. There is no comparison to the Qosmio.

- The ultra-high resolution may allow for sharpness, but has been found to create havoc with your eyes. Had I been smart enough to do some research before my purchase, I would have found that the Acer hardware forums are steaming with Ferrari users who were impressed at first with the unique resolution but later discovered that they were always squinting at their screen. There really aren't any viable fixes to this problem.

- The speakers and sound card are far below what I would have expected from a laptop of this calibre. The speakers do not play bass. Expect the sound to be tinny. There is no fix for this.

- The wireless adapter is advertised as having Speedbooster and a boosted range over other laptops. This is not true. My Qosmio detected many more wireless networks.

- Badly designed keyboard. The Del button is far out of range and next to Backspace button. This doesn't make sense at all. In the most valuable real estate on the keyboard for commonly used keys (bottom right), Acer has placed two buttons: € and $.

- Many outlets are on the side, when they should be at the back. For example, the power cord comes out of the right side.

- The 64 bit processor runs Windows and other programs at the same speed or slower than an equivalent Pentium Mobile at 1.86ghz. My screen sometimes freezes for several seconds while processing. Do not get this laptop because of speed. You will need 64 bit programs that will take advantage of it.

Conclusion:

Some Acer Ferrari owners may disagree with this review. Most likely it is only because the Ferrari is an improvement over their last laptop. But you cannot review a laptop by comparing your old technology to new technology. The way to review a laptop for a personal purchase would be to look at all the laptops out there within a certain class and price range and compare them all.

When you buy a laptop, take a look at professional reviews, but don't take them seriously. Don't buy it sight unseen. Find someone who has had the laptop for a while and get their opinion. Every laptop has some defects or issues. Spend some time on Google to find the hardware forums where people are complaining. Once you are informed about the cons as well as the pros, you can then make an informed decision.

My advice to you is this: Forget about the Ferrari and get the Qosmio F15 or F25. They are around the same price, but the Qosmio is an audio-visual dream.

Good luck!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice - a few drawbacks, January 24, 2006

By 

nonamespecified - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acer Ferrari 4005WLMI 15.4-inch Laptop (AMD Turion 64 Mobile Technology ML-37, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD Super-Multi Dbl Layer Drive) (Personal Computers)

Overall, I am pleased with the laptop after several months of usage, it replaced a Dell 8200, it sure looks a lot nicer than the Dell but I wouldnt say it is radically faster, except maybe for the hard disk, but it is just incrementally better re g-wireless, widescreen etc. I paid a premium for this laptop, over 2200, and would not say that it is really worth a premium price, though it is a solid value at <2k. One item that many reviewers fail to note is the DVI digital video output of this laptop, this is a fairly unique feature for a laptop, and is a considerable factor in the price. In short, you can use it as an HDTV DVD player driving a large screen HDTV monitor, which is pretty cool, especially with some of the WMVHD HDTV DVDs out there.

two cons worth noting - the screen brightness is not up to par with some of the other laptops out there, it is acceptable at max brightness setting, but just marginally. It is also lacking a true line-in audio input, there is only mic-in and headphone-out, this is a consideration if you want to record stereo line-level audio.

Also, the hi-def screen will necessitate using the XP extra-large font setting with a 120+DPI screen res setting to prevent squinting.