Basic Gemstone design layout is kept, but some elements are discarded while others have new positions. Despite the fact that 5530G model is successor of 5520G model, Aspire 5530G has layout of additional keys like on much pricier 5920G model. These keys can be found on both sides of main keyboard and not above. Left column of keys are used for software and communication components control while right section is responsible for multimedia controls and they are touch sensitive. Along edges are pictograms that can help in locating USB ports. On our model 702G32Mi there wasn’t third key between two “mouse keys” but on some models can be found fingerprint sensor. Touchpad is precise and we were satisfied with its performances but typing on keyboard was little bit “jingling” experience and with noticeable bending, so we dare to say that keyboard is “Achilles heel” of this model.  USB connectors are conveniently arranged and on left side beside 2 USB connectors can be found also audio connectors along with always nice to see “old fashioned” volume button.  Aspire 5530G has HDMI support and this is good news for all owners of big LCD TVs.

Cover is colored in black with piano finish and glowing Acer logo at the center. Inside surfaces are made of mate plastics colored in nice grey color. Cover is fingerprint magnet while inside surfaces are not (at least some good news). Plastic ring around power button is illuminated with blue light when notebook is powered on. Acer Aspire 5530G has few more attributes of its predecessors so this model is toll and heavy (3kg).
If we take a look inside Aspire 5530G we will find interesting details. For starters we are for the first time in opportunity to test notebook with two graphics cards based on AMD Puma platform. In theory this would bring numerous benefits.  By connecting both graphics cards in CrossFire we could have better performances or if we disable discreet graphics card we can have better autonomy.

Although in theory this sounds great but the real world results are not so bright and shiny. ATi control panel called “Catalyst Control Center” has option for CrossFire options. By changing this option user can use just one or both graphics cards. Unfortunately model that we got on test could disable only discreet graphics card but we got “inside” information that this will be corrected in next BIOS revision. In mean time we can only hope that modification will be done also in ATi drivers because they claim that switch between graphics cards can be done without reboot and here it wasn’t the case. 

While all this problems are solved remains the fact that this model has shorter autonomy than most competitors. Although we didn’t succeed in finishing our autonomy benchmark program (PC Mark 2002) you shouldn’t be concerned by this fact because the cause of this is probably some conflict between drivers and this, let’s face it, pretty old benchmark. Instead of PC Mark 2002 we used Battery Eater. We found this benchmark quite satisfactory so maybe we will continue using it in the future. Battery Eater offers few testing scenarios, from maximum load to simulation of simple operations like text reading. This way we were in position to determine autonomy in worst and best case scenario. For Acer Aspire results are: from 50min under full load to 2 hours and 8 minutes under reading text scenario.

Cooling system used on Aspire 5530G is very efficient so notebook isn’t warming up to much but noise levels can be high on prolonged usage period. Camera is, as expected, very good so label: “Webcam optimized for low-light video chatting” should be taken serious. Speakers are very good too and can produce some of low frequency sounds.

One of most important new options is Easyport IV connector that is used for docking station connection. This kind of connectors is usually found on business notebooks from mid and high price range. We were pleasantly surprised with presence of this option on this model.
We got Aspire 5530G with no preinstalled OS. In package was present CD with drivers for XP and Vista (there are models with preinstalled Windows Vista).
With nice balance between price, possibilities, accessories and quality build Acer Aspire 5530G is solid purchase. When problem with disabling of integrated graphics card is corrected this notebook will become even better purchase option.