Acer Aspire Timeline 1810TZ This version of the 1810T offers good performance and long battery life for a reasonable price.

by Michael A. Prospero on April 25, 2010


Like its close relative, the 1810T, the Acer Aspire Timeline 1810TZ offers nearly double the power of netbooks while still delivering all-day battery life. At $579, this 11-inch machine isn’t cheap, but for about $180 more than a premium netbook you’re getting a dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and a relatively large 320GB hard drive. Plus, the 1810TZ lasts nearly 9 hours on a charge. While we’re not fans of the overly glossy lid, this is one compelling ultraportable.
Design

Not surprisingly, the Aspire Timeline 1810TZ looks the same as the Timeline 1810T and 1410; while at 11.2 x 8 x 1.2 inches it shares the same dimensions as its predecessors, it’s a slightly lighter 3 pounds. Our review unit had a glossy black lid with Acer’s metal logo impressed in the upper corner, and it picks up fingerprints fairly easily. The deck is a silver plastic that’s a decent simulacrum of brushed aluminum, and is offset by the matte black keyboard and glossy black bezel.

Thankfully, the 1810TZ’s six-cell battery does not bulge out the back. Instead, it bumps out of the bottom, tilting the system at a slight downward angle towards the user.
Heat

After playing a Hulu video at full screen for 15 minutes, we measured the temperature of the 1810TZ: the touchpad and the area between the G and H keys was 82 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively, and the middle of the undercarriage got as hot as 99 degrees. That last temperature is almost a cause for concern; we consider anything over 100 degrees to be too hot.

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