Product Summary
8.2
out of 10View score
The bad: One-year warranty; no dedicated volume control; pricey.
The bottom line: The eye-catching and powerful Ferrari 4000 will appeal to Ferrari fans and those who want their notebook to stand out in the crowd.
Read full review of the Acer Ferrari 4000 series »
Average User Rating
from 22 users
CNET Asia Review
Is there any better reason to own this notebook than being Team Ferrari's official laptop? While Ferrari's 2005 batch of F1 racers haven't emulated the success of its devastating F2004 car, the latest Acer Ferrari looks to be wildly popular judging from the huge number of hits we've gotten on our site. While its carbon-fiber exterior is breathtakingly scorching, the insides are made of powerful stuff when we size up the AMD Turion 64 2.0GHz chip and 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon X700 graphics.
Acer Ferrari 4000 photo gallery
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The good-looking Ferrari 4005WLMi was undoubtedly one of the stars at Computex 2005. Sporting Acer's Folio design in a revamped black-and-red casing, the new chassis is a refreshing change from the usual red of the previous models in the 3000 series. Ferrari’s Prancing Horse doesn’t only just lie embossed on the checkered flag-inspired carbon-fiber lid; it also makes its appearance just next to the right edge of the notebook and on the color-matched mouse, too. The lower part of the lid and the areas surrounding the keyboard are covered by a pleasing non-slip rubberized black surface that is soft to the touch.
Beneath the impressive materials that Acer uses, it appears the Ferrari is none other than our Editors’ Choice-winning TravelMate 8104WLMi, though the Centrino platform has been replaced by the AMD Turion 64. Just like the other unit, you get a 15.4-inch WSXGA+ screen with a high-end 1,680 x 1,050 native resolution, though we were a little surprised Acer didn’t implement its CrystalBrite technology to enhance image clarity. The frame with Lithium cell weighs about 3kg and comes in 363 x 265.7 x 34.3mm dimensions--not too compact considering the likes of the very light 15.4-inch Samsung X50. The keyboard slants at a five degree curve for user comfort, while the depth of the keys still feels rather shallow. Like the other Acer Folio laptops, we like the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi switches at the front edge with their blue/orange glows, though the dedicated volume control is still missing.
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Features
The Ferrari is fitted with the high-end AMD Turion 64 ML-37 (2.0GHz) sporting a 1MB L2 cache, essentially a more energy-efficient version of the desktop Athlon 64 chip. Other components include 1GB DDR SDRAM and huge 100GB drive split into two 50GB partitions. 3D rendering is once again handled by the 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon X700 graphics engine. The optical drive remains as a DVD±RW burner with DVD+R dual-layer support, though it is changed to a slot-in from the modular tray design.
There is a wide range of ports and slots such as four USB 2.0, FireWire, S/PDIF digital audio interface, a 5-in-1 flash card reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD), S-video out and DVI-D for excellent visuals on external monitors. You've no shortage of networking options with Bluetooth, Gigabit Ethernet, modem, fast infrared and the ability to surf on 802.11b/g wireless LAN.
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While the Ferrari 4000 appears similar to the TravelMate 8100, there are quite a few changes such as the choice of AMD over an Intel processor, no 802.11a wireless surfing and the lack of a Smart Card slot for pre-boot authentication. The slot-in DVD writer, extra 20GB of storage and Bluetooth Ferrari optical mouse are welcomed additions.
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User Reviews
2Fast & 2Furious
Nov 8, 2006Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
Pros: Ferrari like superiority Product
Cons: bluetooth mouse is bad
Opinion:
top features for 64 bit processor , top design and performances
May 23, 2006Rating: 10 out of 10 (Perfect)
Pros: top features in box , no need to upgrade
Cons: no remote control , not a problem for me
Opinion:
I own this wonder since 1 year and no problems until now.If I have to buy a new one , for sure will be another Ferrari
Acer Ferrari 4005WLMi
Oct 25, 2005Rating: 7 out of 10 (Very good)
Pros:
Cons:
Opinion:
I bought one new in the UK. After the second day the rom gave me problems but went away. I made a report to the supplier. Now a month later the rom is worse! I have been struggling between Acer technicians and the online site that I bought it off to return it for a new one as the problem started 2 days after purchase. But I have just been messed around and referred from one person to the next. I still haven't got clarity on the matter but will persue to get a new one. With that aside... the Ferrari 4005WLMi is some serious equipment! It is so easy to use for connectivity and light for mobility. The graphics gives 'out of this world' a new meaning! Although I will admit that I was told it had a glossy screen but on arrival - nada, no glossy. It is extremely quiet (when I don't use my rom). And let's ... Read more
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