The Acer TravelMate 8215WLMi model is available in two versions, with exactly the same specifications -- bar one. Our review sample ships with a Blu-ray drive that can be used to play the latest high-definition movies. The other version ships with an ordinary DVD super-multi drive and is available for £300 less.
Design
The words 'latest' and 'high-end' aren't terms that spring to mind on first inspection of the 8215WLMi. The lid of the laptop is finished with a glossy, mottled, carbon-fibre effect that while certainly not ugly, did remind us a little of granddad's old corduroys.
When opened up you'll notice that the keyboard and control design is very basic, barring the peculiar banana-shaped key layout, which is designed to ensure a comfortable and more ergonomic typing position. Above the keyboard you'll find an Acer hotkey that acts like your own personal Superman, rushing a range of preloaded support, performance and recovery tools to the fore for instant system management.
There are shortcut buttons for launching email and Internet applications, plus a third shortcut key for an application of your choice. Sadly, there's no dedicated multimedia controls, which is particularly strange considering Acer is encouraging users to watch Blu-ray movies on the laptop.
Along the front of the case are line-in and microphone ports along with, thankfully, an S/PDIF connection for outputting high-quality digital audio. There are also handy on/off switches for the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, along with an infrared port and 5-in-1 card reader. Importantly, there's a DVI port for getting high-definition video to a screen that'll make the most of it.
Features
Despite a rather bland opening scene, Acer warms up for act two with some pretty nifty components. The 8215WLMi sports an Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 CPU that runs at 2GHz, along with a generous 2GB of RAM. No shirking here -- while not Intel's fastest current mobile processor, it's not far off the flagship 2.33GHz version.
Unfortunately, the graphics power isn't quite in the same league. ATI's X1600 may be perfectly suitable for most users, but if you're planning on getting the most from the latest games you'll find it somewhat lacking. Hardcore gamers are clearly not Acer's target audience with this Blu-ray machine, so we're not too surprised to see a mid-range card here.
You'll find 160GB of SATA hard drive running at a modest spin speed of 5,400rpm. This includes Acer's DASP (disc anti-shock protection) GraviSense system, which parks the drive heads to protect against damage when it senses a jolt. Give the laptop a bit of a nudge and a system tray icon shows the drive is being protected.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters
User reviews2
Add your review
Laura Bale 13 October 2010
Comment: pramry school
paul porter 19 October 2007
Good: I am unable to answer this question
Bad: Everything apart from the way it looks
Comment: Acer Travelmate 8215
New unit is sent to technical support every month, good job the support is free with the warenty. Purchased in July, 3 visits in 3.5 months. A total of 12 days to date and still no explaination as to why a new unit would need this. Hard drive replaced, optical drive replaced, sluggish, unstable and by far the most unreliable unit made by Acer.
The support is appalling. Customer service, a contridiction when you have to call them. They do not call you back when they agree to, do not acknowledge emails. Poorly trained staff. You pay your staff peanuts and you're going to get monkey's.
Monkey's would be cute and enjoyable to listen to. Acer customer service staff have given me the two most painfull customer service experiences of my life. This is quiet an achievement as I used to live in India and South-East Asia.
The Tech team have repeatedly failed to identify that the unit is faulty and are replacing parts one or two at a time. Enjoying playing travelmate ping pong with DHL with the travelmate spending more time in repair and travelling than being my mate.
Acer's policy of not replacing buy alway's repairing is an annoying quote that I hope you do not hear after you have invested two month working to buy their product. I have asked them what is their policy of providing units that works.
Customer escallations are even worse than customer service. Looking for a human side to this company is like trying to flirt with the borg:
Customer: 'Hi Sweet thing, hows it going?'
Acer Borg: 'Resistance is futile!'
Currently trying to email the president of Acer, Gianfranco Lanci. Not having much luck trying to guess his email, if anyone can help?
In the mean time Trading Standards and Citezens Advise are helping. Would be better if Acer's products work and their staff were oblivious to the idea of customer service.
Honest opinion. Don't do it, do not buy Acer the support is not their when the product fails. I have fonder memories of being in a car crash than I do of my Acer experience. Winning the iF product seal for design, I do not know who they bribed to get that.
This customer gives Aver a rating from 0-10 of minus the number you can think of. Gianfranco Lanci your product sucks.
I hope I can save someone having the same experience as myself.
See all 2 user reviews