Is this a good laptop for school work(microsoft), basic surfing and light games?

Acer Aspire 14.1" Widescreen Notebook PC (3680-2682)

ACA AS36802682

? Intel Celeron M 440

? 80GB hard drive

? Plays DVDs and burns CDs ? 512MB of DDR2 memory

? Built-in 802.11gb wireless

? Windows Vista Home Basic

Thin and light notebook: This Acer Aspire is a compact, value-priced notebook that delivers capable processing, energy-efficiency, and a light package that’s perfect for travel.

Celeron M processor: This notebook features a 1.86GHz Intel? Celeron? M 440 processor with standard 32-bit processing and exceptional reliability for everyday computing. This efficient, lower-voltage Celeron also enhances battery life.

This notebook features 512MB of advanced DDR2 system memory—enough to easily handle most computing tasks.

Data travels along the frontside bus. The faster data travels, the faster everything works. This notebook has a 533MHz frontside bus.

L2 caches keep data neat, organized, and nearby so processors can retrieve it quickly. This 1MB L2 cache will give the processor a little boost.

Hard drive: This notebook features an 80GB hard drive with enough space for most collections of software and multimedia .

Go wireless: Built-in 802.11gb wireless LAN gives you a fast connection to a wide range of networks and peripherals. Acer SignalUp? technology generates an omni-directional signal sphere for superior signal reception and wider range, boosting your wireless connection with more stability and faster data transfer.

Combo drive: Use the DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive to play widescreen DVD movies or burn CDs to share your files, music mixes, photos and more.

Widescreen display: This 14.1” widescreen features 1280 x 800 pixel (WXGA) resolution, providing sharp detail and plenty of room for whatever you want to view.

Microsoft? Windows? Vista? Home Basic: This is the operating system for homes with basic computing needs. It’s easy to set up, secure, reliable and compatible with the widest range of software, devices, and services. If you simply want to surf the Internet, correspond with friends or create basic documents, this will be perfect for you.

Graphics and audio: The built-in Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 and 224MB of shared system memory—drawn from main memory—can easily handle everyday games and video. Built-in stereo speakers with high-definition audio support will add to your multimedia experience.

Media card reader: Seamlessly transfer images from your digital camera, MP3 player or camcorder. This 5-in-1 reader is compatible with xD, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro and MultiMedia Card.

Get connected: One S-Video and four USB 2.0 ports let you connect all of your favorite peripherals. And the S/PDIF output supports digital speakers.

Software bundle:

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic

Acer Arcade?, GridVista? and Launch Manager

Norton Internet Security? (90-day trial)

Adobe? Reader?

NTI CD-Maker?

Is this a good laptop for school work(microsoft), basic surfing and light games?windows vista ultimate

I am sorry but what you want it for really won't work out. For school work... you need Microsoft Word...there is more money to spend...Your internet speed may be ok...but I REALLY reccomend you downloading Mozilla Firefox...I use it and it is SUPER FAST and my Explorer is SLOW. Games: NO WAY. The intel media accelerators are HORRIBLE...i can tell you are on a low budget like me because Celeron M processors arent that great but i advise you to get a ATI Radeon graphic card or Nvidea graphic card to play some games.... here are some sites for some laptops that are low price and for you: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

just boost the memory...its an Acer too! :)

Boost the memory on this too:

http://circuitcity.com/ssm/Toshiba-Satel...

I like this one:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....

Hope this helps

Is this a good laptop for school work(microsoft), basic surfing and light games?default browser internet explorer

Yes. This is a very good deal. This is good for surfing and word. Although maybe not so good for games. But yes light games will work, although they might have to be really light.
As the other people said, this laptop will be great for school. If you're going to play any games that have even decent graphics, then I would recommend going with something more powerful. But then again, if you're looking to play tetris, card games, things that you basically aren't controlling your own character or city/country, then you'll be good to go!

Only suggestion would be to buy some extra ram to get it up to 768 or 1 gb total. Yes it will cost money, but it will save you frustration later on, beacause there is nothing worse than getting a new computer and then barely being able to run Word, MSN and Firefox or similar at the same time (plus maybe a game in the background!)
You've got a good computer for most of your basic computer needs. If you were to get heavy into major games or advanced computer stuff would be the only reason to get anything else.
read the review of your laptop and there could be a cheaper opption.

im an acer fan and a member of this site.

(spamming again lol)
yes but 512 MB Ram is slow when windows media player and internet are both opened...especially with vista...1 gb atleast

otherwie good.
For basic applications, this is fine. You do need to get a copy of Microsoft office for word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software. For Vista, many are recommending 2 gig of memory for it to run well. So, you'll need more memory.

http://www.9dollarsolution.com/?hub=1346...
While the net cost of $369 sounds attractive I can almost guarantee that you'll be disappointed in it before your first year of college ends. First of all... the processor is fast (for a laptop), but Celeron processors aren't known for their longevity. 512MB of RAM is too low, it'll actually stress the CPU four times as much as the same machine with 1 GB; 16 times as much as a 2 GB. Finally... Vista requires 40 GB of your hard drive to operate. By the time you add the software you'll need for college (word processor, spreadsheet, et al) you'll end up with a surprisingly small amount of storage space available on your hard drive.

I also looked at the "software bundle"... There's nothing of any importance in it except an operating system - and that's Microsoft's cheapest version!

I suggest that you save your money and get a stronger machine... fast Intel or AMD processor... at least 1 GB of RAM and 120 GB hard drive.
Yah... the 80Gig hard drive should make it fast... and its good for multi-tasking, Microsoft Word, and some light games like solitaire, pinball, internet checkers, and stuff like that, and u could play like RuneScape, World of Warcraft and stuff without a problem. Pretty Good Laptop too. Im from the Geek-Squad so when i say somethings good..... its GOOD. lol

- Edward Holmes
Yes it is very nice! but there is one problem...it's running Vista.

Get XP Home or Pro and it will be even cheaper.
Yes