Acer Aspire 3 A317-55P-C8DB Detailed Review : A Powerful and Affordable Laptop
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The Acer Aspire 3 A317-55P-C8DB is a versatile and affordable option for users looking for a laptop capable of handling everyday tasks. Whether for office work, entertainment, or light use of creative software, this model stands out for its attractive price/performance ratio. Combining solid performance with ease of use, it offers a smooth and convenient everyday experience, making it a relevant choice in its category.
This review offers a detailed examination of the Acer Aspire 3 A317-55P-C8DB , reviewing its performance, technical specifications and ergonomics, while identifying its possible weak points. The objective is to provide a comprehensive assessment to determine whether this computer meets the specific needs and expectations of users.
Autonomy and energy management
The Acer Aspire 3 shines with its battery life . Its battery lasts up to 8.5 hours of continuous use, providing a full day of work without recharging. This is especially useful for students and professionals on the go. The moderate power consumption also helps preserve battery life, an often overlooked but crucial detail for extended use.
Solid performance thanks to the 11th generation Intel Core i5
Under the hood, the Aspire 3 A317-55P-C8DB features an 11th generation Intel Core i5 processor, renowned for its balance of power and efficiency. With its four cores and eight threads, it ensures smooth multitasking, whether for office work, managing spreadsheets, or checking emails. Even with multiple applications open simultaneously, the computer remains responsive, without noticeable slowdowns.
Fast storage and smooth browsing
The combination of a generous SSD (512GB or more depending on the configuration) and the responsiveness of the processor guarantees near-instant boot-ups and fast application launches. Web browsing remains pleasant even with multiple tabs open, and watching Full HD videos is smooth, making this Aspire 3 a reliable companion for work and digital entertainment.
- STRIKING IMAGES: Laptop with 17.3″ ConfyView Full HD LCD IPS (Matte Panel) display with narrow edges, for realistic colors and vibrant images; BlueLightShield reduces blue light and Color Intelligence improves contrast.
Design and ease of use
The Acer Aspire 3 A317-55P-C8DB adopts a modern and sleek design that will appeal to those looking for a stylish yet functional laptop. Weighing only 2.1 kg and measuring 19.9 mm , it stands out for its exceptional portability , an important criterion for those who need to carry their device on a daily basis, whether for work, study or leisure. These dimensions allow the Acer Aspire 3 to remain fairly light, while maintaining a robust chassis that does not compromise solidity. Its gray chassis brings a touch of sobriety and class, while resisting scratches and other marks related to regular use.
One of the model's strengths is its neat finish , which offers a pleasant grip without sacrificing durability. Although the structure is made of plastic, the overall design gives a solid feel, with well-designed edges and a non-slip surface, which adds to the ease of transport.
Keyboard and Touchpad: Comfort and Precision for Everyday Use
When it comes to typing, the Acer Aspire 3's QWERTY keyboard responsive . The key layout is standard, and their spacing allows for fairly accurate typing, even during extended sessions. The keys offer good feedback, making typing quick and smooth. However, users with higher expectations for typing comfort might find the lack of backlighting a slight inconvenience, especially in low-light environments. Other than that, the keyboard remains perfectly suited for office and multimedia use.
The touchpad , on the other hand, is functional but can sometimes show signs of inaccuracy when used intensively or when moving the cursor quickly. This is not a major problem for everyday use, such as browsing the web or viewing documents, but for more detailed tasks such as manipulating graphics or navigating complex interfaces, it can be a little less responsive than those of high-end models. Using an external mouse can correct this small limitation.
Acer Aspire 3 A317-55P-C8DB Specifications Summary Table
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Celeron N100 (4 cores, 3.4 GHz) |
| RAM memory | 4 GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 128 GB SSD |
| Graphics Card | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Screen | 17.3″ Full HD IPS (Matte panel) |
| Autonomy | Up to 8.5 hours |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, 2 USB 3.2 ports, USB-C 3.2 |
| Weight | 2.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 19.9 mm thick |
Intel Celeron N100 Processor Performance
One of the key aspects to consider when evaluating the Acer Aspire 3 A317-55P-C8DB is its Intel Celeron N100 . This model, designed primarily for light computing uses, stands out for its economical while still providing sufficient performance for basic office tasks and daily activities. The Celeron N100 is a quad-core , with an architecture optimized for energy consumption, which allows the Acer Aspire 3 to operate quietly and with low power consumption , an asset for users looking for an affordable and energy-efficient machine.
Performance for Everyday Tasks: Smooth Operation
Thanks to this processor, the Acer Aspire 3 A317-55P-C8DB is perfectly suited for basic computing tasks . Web browsing , word processing , and sending emails are handled without a hitch. You can easily browse websites, write documents in software like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, and manage spreadsheets in Excel. In addition, for multimedia activities, the processor is fully capable of handling streaming high-definition videos (1080p, for example), whether on platforms like YouTube or Netflix. It allows you to watch videos and enjoy multimedia content without noticeable slowdowns or stuttering.
Limits for Intensive Tasks
However, the Celeron N100 shows its limitations when tasks become more demanding . Processor-intensive applications, such as video editing , advanced photo editing , or 3D modeling , will be problematic with this type of chip. The Celeron N100, while efficient for simple tasks, is not designed to handle a heavy workload . If you need a computer for professional creative tasks , such as working with high-resolution videos or using heavy graphic design software, this processor will likely be too slow, and performance may be unsatisfactory . It may also struggle to handle multiple applications open simultaneously if they are too demanding in terms of memory and processor.
Suitable for Office and Educational Use
On the other hand, this model is ideal for basic office uses , such as writing reports, document management, or viewing data online. It is also well-suited for students or professionals who need a lightweight and affordable tool for distance learning activities . You will be able to attend online classes, participate in video conferences, or conduct research without any major problems. In addition, the light weight and slim design make it an excellent choice for people looking for a portable device for simple tasks and studies.
Full HD IPS screen
The Acer Aspire 3's 17.3-inch screen is indeed a strong point of this computer, especially if you are looking for a device that offers good visual comfort for long sessions, such as watching videos, browsing the web or working on multimedia projects.
IPS Technology : IPS (In-Plane Switching) is a technology that allows for more vivid colors and sharper contrast compared to traditional TN (Twisted Nematic) screens. This not only allows for better image quality, but also allows for wider viewing angles, so you can view the screen from different angles without losing image quality. This is really convenient if you want to share the screen with other people or if you move your computer a little while using it.
Matte panel : This is a real asset for avoiding glare, especially outdoors or in very bright environments, such as near a window. The matte finish helps limit visual distractions and maintain better screen readability. It's easier on the eyes for extended periods.
Acer BlueLightShield : BlueLightShield technology is designed to reduce exposure to blue light, which is often associated with eye strain and can disrupt sleep. By reducing the amount of blue light, this feature allows you to use your computer for longer without discomfort or fatigue—perfect for those who spend several hours in front of a screen.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
The Acer Aspire 3 often comes with 4GB, 8GB, or even up to 12GB of RAM , depending on the configuration you choose. RAM is crucial for your computer to handle multiple tasks at once. The more RAM you have, the more programs your computer can open without slowing down. This is especially useful for:
Multitasking : If you have multiple applications open at the same time (e.g., a browser with many tabs, a word processor, a video player, etc.), more RAM helps maintain smooth performance.
Work comfort : For activities like photo editing, video editing, or light gaming sessions, more RAM allows you to work faster and avoid slowdowns.
Internal Memory (Storage)
When it comes to storage, the Acer Aspire 3 generally has HDD hard drives (500GB to 1TB) or SSD drives (256GB to 512GB) . Here are the differences:
HDD : The traditional hard drive is more spacious and cheaper, but it is also slower. This can slow down system startup and file transfers, although it is still sufficient for basic use (office work, web browsing, storing large files).
SSD : Solid State Drives (SSDs) are much faster than HDDs. If you choose an SSD version, your system will boot faster, your programs will launch faster, and files will transfer faster too. On the downside, SSDs generally offer less storage capacity than HDDs at the same price.
Memory expansion
Some Acer Aspire 3 models also allow RAM expansion via one or two additional slots, allowing you to increase memory capacity as needed. This can be useful if you plan to use your PC for more demanding tasks in the future.
Overall performance
In terms of overall performance, a good balance of RAM and a fast SSD, if possible, is ideal for smooth daily use. If you plan to use your computer for lighter tasks, 4GB of RAM may be sufficient. However, for more intensive tasks, such as video or photo editing, it's better to opt for 8GB or more.
Who is this cheap laptop for?
The Acer Aspire 3 A317-55P-C8DB is an entry-level laptop designed primarily for users looking for an affordable device for basic tasks. Due to its technical specifications, this model is particularly suitable for certain user profiles. Here are the types of users who might benefit from it:
1. Students or pupils :
This model is a good option for light study . If you only need to process text documents , browse the Internet , watch educational videos , or do online research, the Acer Aspire 3 will be sufficient. It is also convenient for taking notes online , using office applications (Word, Excel, etc.), and watching online courses. However, it is not designed for very demanding applications such as photo editing software or professional video editing.
2. Office use and light multitasking :
Users who need to browse the internet , manage emails , use office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and do light video streaming (YouTube, Netflix) will find this device powerful enough for their daily needs. However, with 4GB of RAM, you should avoid opening too many applications at once, as this can cause slowdowns.
3. Budget users :
If you're looking for a budget laptop , this Acer Aspire 3 might be a good choice. It offers good value for money for basic computing needs. The 128GB SSD is a plus because it allows for faster boot times and faster file access compared to traditional hard drives (HDDs). However, storage capacity can be a bit limited, especially if you want to store a lot of multimedia files.
4. Navigation and light multimedia consumption :
The large 17.3-inch Full HD IPS is a plus for watching movies, TV shows, or surfing the web, especially in a home setting where you don't need to carry your computer around often. The IPS screen, in addition to being brighter and more colorful, allows for better viewing angles, which is great for watching videos with friends or family. Be careful, though, as this isn't a model suitable for heavy video games or graphically intensive tasks.
5. Using lightweight software :
If you use light applications like music players or note-taking tools, the computer will perform very well. However, the Intel Celeron N100 and 4GB of RAM limit its capabilities for more intensive tasks, such as photo/video editing software, games, or professional applications like 3D modeling tools.
Limits to consider :
Celeron N100 Processor : This is an entry-level processor, so it won't perform well for heavy-duty applications or modern games. It's better suited for light tasks.
4GB of RAM OR MORE : While 4GB is enough for basic use, you'll be limited if you're used to working with multiple applications at once. Multitasking is possible, but it can become slower if you open too many programs.
128GB SSD Storage : If you want to store a lot of files (photos, videos, games), you could quickly run out of space. You may need an external hard drive or cloud storage solutions to supplement this.
In summary:
The Acer Aspire 3 A317-55P-C8DB is designed for users power needs students, people looking for a computer for light office tasks , web browsing , and multimedia content consumption . It's also a solid option for those on a budget . But if you need a more powerful machine for more resource-intensive software, you might want to consider another model.
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