Acer Aspire AS3830TG-6431

Acer Aspire AS3830TG-6431

The Acer Aspire AS3830TG-6431 takes a utilitarian approach to ultraportable design. It may not be as pretty as the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch ($1,299 direct, 4 stars) and Samsung Series 9 ($1,650 list, 4 stars), but what it crams inside will have geeks gushing. The Intel Core i5 processor and Nvidia graphics are a fast and furious combination, yet they don't negatively impact battery life. Granted, this laptop is heavier and thicker than some, but given its $750 street price, this ultraportable is a serious contender. The AS3830TG-6431 isn't intended for design snobs who crave the thin and luxurious looks of the Series 9 and MacBook Air, but it's also not cheaply made. The lid and palm rest are draped in aluminum, a material ultraportables can't afford to leave out these days. It isn't as solidly made as the Series 9, MacBook Air, and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 ($1,399 direct, 3.5 stars), but you wouldn't expect that from a laptop that costs half as much. The AS3830TG's one flaw is its heft. At 4.1 pounds, it weighs almost a pound more than the 3.2-pound Toshiba Portege R835-P50X ($850 list, 4 stars), an ultraportable that has a built-in DVD burner. At least the AS3830TG's compact dimensions (12.6 by 9 by 0.75 inches, HWD) might alleviate some of that burden.