Acer Aspire 4730-4516

The Acer Aspire 4730 notebook features a Pentium dual-core processor, dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive, 5-in-1 digital media card reader, and 14.1" WXGA widescreen LCD.

Acer 4730-4516 14.1 Laptop PDC 2.16GHz 2GB 250GB DVDRW

The bottom of the laptop lists 4730z as well.

Our Overall Rating

The 4730-4516 was a member of a series of 4730 models. Aspire 4730 models:

• 4730-4516
• 4730-4901
• 4730-4947
• 4730-4972

Product Features

• Intel Pentium Dual-Core mobile processor T3400 - Features a 667MHz frontside bus, 1MB L2 cache and 2.16GHz processor speed.

• 2GB DDR2 memory - For multitasking power, expandable to 4GB.

• Multiformat DVDRW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support - Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible DVD+R and DVD-R DL media, also supports DVD-RAM.
• 14.1" WXGA TFT-LCD widescreen display - With Acer CrystalBrite technology and 1280 x 800 resolution showcases your movies and games in stunning clarity.
• 250GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm) - Provides plenty of storage space and fast read/write times.

• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD - Features up to 1759MB
• shared video memory with Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0.
• Supports Microsoft DirectX 10. High-definition audio with built-in Acer 3DSonic stereo speakers.
• Acer MediaTouch media console - Allows easy media access and control with the touch of a button.

• 5-in-1 media reader - Supports Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card formats for easily

transferring digital photos and videos from your digital camera or camcorder.

• 2 high-speed USB 2.0 ports - For fast digital video, audio and data transfer.

• Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n) - Wirelessly connect to the Internet.

• 56 Kbps V.92 high-speed data/fax modem - For flexible wired Web connectivity options.

• Weighs 5.3 lbs. and measures just 1.6" thin - For easy portability.

Review

The positives, it provides a lot of features for the price. Also, the video driver on the Intel equipped model allows the option to "extend desktop" which is a feature not available on lower end laptops and netbooks, including those with an external VGA port. Many of those with an external VGA port allow "clone" but not "extend" desktop. This one has sufficient video memory and a powerful enough chipset to offer full multi monitor capabilities.

Unfortunately, this laptop suffers from defects mostly related to ACER's poor driver support. The external display functionality is problematic. After awakening from sleep mode the operating system does not recognize the presence of an external monitor without reboot (windows xp verified). The display driver conflicts with the wireless adapter driver. WiFi is problematic, when disabled, the driver often has to be uninstalled and reinstalled to activate the radio again. When using two displays, switching from extended desktop to clone, or external monitor only, causes the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). Acer driver support on the web site is limited and misleading. The WiFi driver is broken.

There are chronic and unresolved driver support issues neglected by ACER, the manufacturer that doesn't seem to care. However, in this price range it is probably a reality with many laptops.

Drivers and Support

Wireless (WiFi) card: Atheros AR5B91

The ACER Driver DIRECT Download Link (support.acer.com)

• ACER DRIVERS for Aspire 4730Z

• There are 2 touchpad drivers offered. 4730-4516 uses Synaptics.
• There are 3 VGA drivers offered. 4730-4516 uses Intel.
• There are 4 WiFi drivers offered. 4730-4516 uses Atheros.

• The link below is less useful...

• http://global-download.acer.com/Step5.aspx?Step1=Notebook&Step2=Aspire&Step3=Aspire%204730&BC=Acer&SC=PA_6&LC=en&OS=X02&FS=O01&Category=Driver
• Additional notes on how stupid ACER Driver downloads are provided: You have to use support.acer.com to get the best/latest/most compatible drivers. Going to acer.com also has a support link for your device, but providers older, out of date, and incomplete drivers. Why does ACER do this? According to their support engineer, it is because support.acer.com is for United States users, and acer.com is for International users. However, when you browse acer.com the first thing the site asks for is your country. Selecting United States still lands you in the area where the support links to the inadequate drivers. The people at ACER are dipshits. Just make sure you use support.acer.com despite the idiocy of their driver location fiasco.

• WiFi driver for Atheros Wireless LAN driver
• Card Reader

Multiple Display Issue

WinXP - extend desktop from laptop to external monitor works but clone display causes blue screen crash.

note: graphic driver not listed on acer driver download page.

In Device Manager, Display adapters:

• Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
• Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family

Listed twice.

Atheros Wifi Yellow Bang in Device Manager

Yellow bang in device manager on Atheros driver - common issue with this Acer laptop under Windows XP. Rebooting does not resolve. What seems to work is to right click and "Uninstall" then refresh so Windows finds the card and reinstalls the driver. This seems to resolve the conflict.

• In Device Manager Uninstall and Reinstall Atheros

It seems that under Windows XP the WiFi card conflicts with another hardware on laptop. It is unknown which other hardware is the cause. It is not the wired adapter.