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Pros
- Signature Ferrari design.
- 160GB hard drive.
- HDMI-Out port.
- Option for HD DVD-ROM.
- Rotating 1.3-megapixel webcam.
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Cons
- Mobile AMD processor not as fast as its Intel counterparts.
- Slightly heavy for a mainstream laptop.
Acer Ferrari 5000 Specs
| Graphics Memory | 512 |
| Graphics Processor | AMD Mobility Radeon X1600 |
| Operating System | MS Windows XP Professional |
| Optical Drive | DVD+R DL |
| Processor Speed | 2 |
| RAM (as Tested) | 2 |
| Screen Size | 15.4 |
| Weight | 6.7 |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11a/g |
Of all the car-themed laptops that have surfaced over the years, the Acer Ferrari line is by far the most successful alliance between a race-car icon and a PC giant. Acer is not letting up, introducing its latest Acer Ferrari 5000 laptop ($1,999 list) with all the trimmings. This media speedster continues to stick to its engine of choice—the 2GHz AMD Turion X2 TL-60—and includes an adjustable 1.3-megapixel webcam, Bluetooth accessories, and an HDMI-out port, all features which are worthy of the Ferrari name.
The defining feature of a race-car laptop is design. Several makers have given the motorcar theme a whirl but have come up short. For instance, the
Many people like the keyboard's curvature, but even though it's supposed to promote efficiency, it took some time for me to get used to it. The rubber palm rests block some of the heat while you're typing. Most of the heat can be felt blowing out from the side vents and through the base of the laptop. The 6.7-pound frame is a little heavier than some of its competitors', such as the 6.1-pound
The Ferrari 5000 has a feature set that will open some eyes. The rotating 1.3MP webcam is a boon for Skypers and Webcasters. The 160GB hard drive is one of the largest I've seen on any laptop. Acer has gotten rid of the DVI-D port in favor of an HDMI-out port, which streams video and audio content. Although my review unit bundled a standard DVD dual-layer burner, the system can be configured with an HD DVD-ROM drive. Without one, your best bet for outputting HD content stored on the hard drive is via the HDMI-out port. In addition, the Ferrari 5000 ships with built-in Bluetooth, along with a Bluetooth mouse and VoIP phone. I've talked about this VoIP phone, which slips into the PC Card slot, on the
The Ferrari series has chosen to stick with mobile AMD processors to keep the price competitive. AMD processors' speeds have fallen behind their Intel counterparts over the past few years. Performance with the system's 2GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-60 dual-core processor, however, is nothing to laugh at. Its SYSmark 2004 SE overall scores are 49 percent better than the
Gaming is none too shabby on the Ferrari 5000. The laptop uses the ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics chipset—the same card found on the MacBook Pro. You will be able to achieve decent frame rates playing 3D-intensive games such as
The Acer Ferrari series will thrive as long as Acer can maintain the fabulous Ferrari design. The Ferrari 5000 can hold its own in the performance department, but the main draw is the multitude of features that come with this laptop. If you're in the market for a super-stylish desktop replacement laptop with all the bells and whistles, then the Acer Ferrari 5000 is definitely worth your attention.
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