We aren’t quite sure how Acer managed to squeeze a quad-core
AMD A8 processor into a $626 laptop, but that’s exactly what it’s done with the
Aspire 5560C. It’s a mid-range machine with dedicated graphics that should be
capable of playing modern 3D games.
When run in CrossFire mode with the A8-3500M processor, the
Radeon HD 6650M flew through our Dirt 3 benchmark with an average rate of 42.1
frames per second (fps). We could even increase the resolution and still
maintain a playable rate, so even the latest titles should be playable at high
detail settings.
Acer Aspire 5560G
If you aren't looking for a games machine, the 5560C has
plenty of other features, too. Its 1.5GHz processor and 8GB of RAM helped it to
a decent score of 35 in our video encoding benchmark, and although it's slower
than an Intel Core i5 chip it’s still more than fast enough to handle everyday
applications. There’s also ample storage on which to store your files, thanks
to the 750GB hard disk. Its battery life of just over five hours in our
light-usage test is reasonable, too, considering its dedicated graphics and
quad-core processor.
Once you get beyond its powerful components, the Aspire
5560G is a relatively generic mid-range laptop. Its grey plastic chassis is
fairly sturdy, although there’s slightly more flex in the screen bezel than
we’d like. It’s perfectly usable, though. The keyboard is spacious and sensibly
laid out, with a separate numerical keypad and full-size Chiclet-style keys
that have plenty of bounce.
Its grey plastic
chassis is fairly sturdy, although there’s slightly more flex in the screen
bezel than we’d like
Sadly, the touchpad is less impressive, mainly because it
uses a rocker bar for the mouse buttons. There's also a significant dead zone
at its center, which means you have to click the edges of the touchpad for
presses to register. It’s still large enough to navigate the desktop
comfortably, though, and its smooth finish lets your fingers glide across its
surface. It also supports multitouch gestures.
Image quality from its 15.6in screen is only average, and
its viewing angles are limited. There’s more than enough tilt, but move too far
from a face-on position and colors quickly begin to wash out. Its 1,366x768
resolution is fairly standard for a 15in laptop, but images and text still look
sharp from a sitting position. Colors lack a little vibrancy, however, and its
glossy screen finish makes it difficult to work under bright lights.
Connectivity is also fairly basic, with three USB ports,
audio input and output jacks, an Ethernet port and a multiformat card reader.
It also comes with a DVD rewriter.
Acer has done well to fit one of AMD's top-end mobile
processors into a $626 laptop, but we don't think the Aspire 5560G is quite the
bargain it initially appears. The technically slower A6 processor that HP has
used in its DV6 (opposite) performed better in our benchmarks, and it costs
almost $126 less than the 5560G. If you're looking for the best value, the DV6
is a better option.
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Info
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Price
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$626
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Details
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www.acer.com
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From
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www..com
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Summary
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Verdict
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Immensely powerful for the price, but it's best suited
only for specific tasks
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General-purpose laptop
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AMD A8-3500M, 8GB RAM, 750GB disk, AMD Radeon HD 6650M
graphics, DVD+/-RW +/-DL, 15.6in widescreen LCD, 2.6kg
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