Acer Aspire 9504WSMi
Notebook Reviews > Acer Aspire > 9504WSMi

The Aspire 9504WSMi is the top pre-configured model of the Aspire 9500 series of notebooks and as such is currently Acer's top Aspire desktop-replacement media-centric notebook. Although some might argue that the 20.1" Aspire 9800 is newer and more powerful, but can you really call it a notebook?

Despite being a desktop-replacement, the Aspire 9504WSMi still maintains an arguably portable weight of 8.4 pounds. This may not sound portable enough but don't forget it is meant to be as a desktop-replacement in the first place and 8.4 pounds are a far cry from the 17.2 pounds of the Aspire 9800; battery life stands at a decent 2.5 hours using the included standard battery.

As with every media focused notebook, the screen is of paramount importance and the Aspire 9504WSMi comes with a vibrant 17" wide-screen glossy display using Acer's CrystalBrite technology for richer colors and higher brightness & contrast. Complementing the screen for your TV viewing pleasure is an integrated digital/analog TV-Tuner with two remote control units. One is a full-featured normal sized remote control unit and the other is a mini-controller that slots into the notebook itself for use while on the move.

Driving the 3D graphics on the Aspire 9504WSMi is ATI's MOBILITY RADEON X700 graphics chip with its own 256MB of dedicated video memory. While this may not be a top-of-the-line graphics card, it sure does manage to handle modern games with relative ease although some more demanding games might need to have their settings tuned down a bit to get a decent frame-rate.

On the software side of the media experience is Acer's Arcade software which offers an interface similar to that of Windows Media Center. Probably the key difference would be that while Acer's Arcade can be launched from within Windows just like Windows Media Center, it can also be launched separately using the dedicated Arcade button on the front of the notebook or on the remote. Doing so will almost-instantly bring the notebook into a pre-boot Linux-based version of Arcade; offering you full media capabilities including watching TV without the need to boot up into Windows.

Storage is of high importance in a media centric notebook and the Aspire 9504WSMi does not disappoint. The included 120GB SATA hard drive more than meets the needs of most users and should your recorded TV programs or other digital media start to fill this hard drive you always have the option to burn them onto DVDs. For that, you have the integrated Super-Multi DVD burner drive capable of handling all sorts of CD and DVD writable media including Dual-Layer discs.

All things considered, the Acer Aspire 9504WSMi is a very capable media center notebook offering its users all that's required to possibly make it their primary home entertainment device.