Customer Reviews

Acer Extensa 5620-6832 Notebook

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The Acer Extensa line, in general, presents a serious value--but beware. Without a doubt, it's possible to find this and similar Extensa models at ridiculously low prices for the hardware components involved. Anyone looking for good performance at a cut rate should give them a hard look. Mine surprised me with its speed and stability. Obviously, this componentry doesn't cut the same swath through serious video processing the way a more pricey (or current) machine would, but mine was a completely solid workhorse capable of handling large Photoshop and Illustrator projects with ease. I experienced no unusual behaviors whatsoever in 18 months of use; performance was stable and predictable. The screen is sufficiently bright and clear. The model is generous with USB ports, and the touchpad is at least as good as any other. Another plus: the Extensa ships blessedly low on so-called "crapware," trial software and proprietary manufacturer programs designed to "enhance" the user experience, but invariably getting in the way. Mine shipped with an Acer program or two for managing network and battery issues (not too obtrusive), as well as an MS Office trial--but otherwise, was a relatively pure Windows machine. A minor downside? The on-board sound is extremely weak. Few laptops are known for their speaker quality, but the speakers on the Extensa are particularly shabby and quiet.

So what, then, keeps me from recommending the Extensa 5620 as a budget laptop?

The physical construction of the unit--the body and case--is unacceptably vulnerable to wear-related damage. (Research confirms this to be the case across similar incarnations of the Extensa line). After a year of responsible use, deep cracks began to appear around the lid/screen hinges, and within another month, those cracks extended from the hinges to the outer edges of the lid. Perform a quick search on the internet (use the terms "extensa," "cracks," and "lid" or "case") and you'll turn up numerous complaints. Though I didn't keep the machine long enough to see if those cracks would lead to the failure of the LCD screen, the damage noticeably affected the performance of the screen as a hinged lid--it became a wobbly, weak element, and any adjustment of the screen angle seemed to stress the cracks further.

The next major issue involved the AC adapter jack. Shortly after the screen cracks appeared, I noticed play begin to develop where the adapter plugged into the machine body. In short order, charging the unit required wobbling or wiggling the jack to find the "sweet spot." Within a week, "wiggling" the jack evolved into the need to apply persistent pressure in a specific direction in order to successfully charge my laptop. I had used the product in a responsible and careful way, but it appeared as though the jack-port had internally become loose and free of its solder. Eventually, getting any amount of charge into the battery via the AC adapter became a frustrating and time-consuming affair--and I was in constant risk of having my data trapped in a drained laptop. (Though not as common as the lid-crack issue, an internet search reveals that this sort of failure isn't infrequent either).

After 18 months, I was forced to retire my Extensa.

If, I suppose, you're the sort of casual laptop user who chiefly confines their laptop to a desk or table at home, the durability issues may not be a factor. Treated as a seldom-used, chiefly-home machine, the Extensa line could prove a fantastic value. Most of us, though, purchase laptops (be they budget models or high-end workstations) with the intention of carting them to work, on trips, and to the local coffee shop. That requires a certain minimum level of sturdiness in design, and I strongly believe the Extensa line fails to meet that threshold.

PROS:

- Extreme value from a component/hardware perspective

- Stable behavior

- Speed and multi-tasking more than adequate for the price

- Minimum crapware by today's standards

CONS:

- Speakers well below-par

- CRITICAL weaknesses in physical construction: lid hinges, AC adapter jack, and possibly more areas prone to failure

BOTTOM LINE:

- For the exceedingly gentle, non-portability-minded home user only

I bought an Acer 5620 laptop in 2006. The battery life dropped dramatically after 1.5 years. (1 hour battery life max). Then the LCD screen malfunction- part of screen remained permanently distorted. Then it died in December 2008. I tried to get it repaired at a computer tech shop but was told the system board was corrupted and the laptop couldn't be fixed.

For what i paid it should have lasted more than 2 years. The warranty was only for 1 year.

Buyers beware.

Wow, sorry to read the previous users had such negative experiences with their Extensa's. I bought mine new in 2007 as well. Upgraded the memory to 4GB and in 2009 upgraded the OS to Windows 7 HP. Only issue with it was the battery died by 2009 & I could not get it out- not sure if the battery failing is attributable to the unit or to how I used it (kept it plugged in 95% of the time with the battery in). When I attempted to remove the battery, the spring release wouldn't release that battery- seemed to jam. Could not get the battery out until I unscrewed the case and used a screwdriver to get the battery to release. Got a new battery for it recently and am trying to take better care of the battery. All I can say is other than the battery failing/release jamming, I've had no cracks or the like and the 5620 is still running well with Windows 7.

I purchased this computer in 2007 and it has done a pretty good job. The battery has endurance: it still holds a two and a half hour charge. It gets the job done with some bonus features without breaking the bank. If you just need to do basic tasks, this is the computer for you. If you want power, look elsewhere.

UPDATE: On the three year anniversary of purchase, the hardware has almost given out. It now makes noises at start-up for no reason and the CD drive seldom works any more (and when it does, it can rip maybe one CD before it ceases to work again.