Acer a-550 Series manual Contents

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TMa550.book Page vii Wednesday, October 3, 2001 10:57 AM

First things first

iii

Your guides

iii

Basic care and tips for using your computer

iii

1 Getting familiar with your computer

1

A tour of your computer

3

Front view

3

Left view

5

Right view

6

Rear view

7

Bottom view

8

Features

9

Display

11

Indicators

12

Keyboard

15

Special keys

15

Keyboard ergonomics

19

Touchpad

20

Touchpad basics

20

Launch keys

22

Storage

24

Connectivity options

25

Ethernet and LAN

25

Fax/data modem

25

Audio

26

Adjusting the volume

26

Using the Audio DJ feature

26

Securing your computer

27

Security notch

27

Passwords

27

2 Operating on battery power

29

Battery pack

31

Battery pack characteristics

31

Installing and removing the battery pack

31

Charging the battery

33

Checking the battery level

33

Optimizing battery life

33

Battery-low warning

34

Power management

36

Contents

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Contents TravelMate α-550 series TMa550.book Page ii Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Turning your computer on and off Basic care and tips for using your computerFirst things first Your guidesTaking care of your AC adapter Taking care of your computerCleaning and servicing Taking care of your battery packTMa550.book Page vi Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Contents Moving with your computer Peripherals and optionsAppendix a Specifications Appendix B Notices Index TroubleshootingSoftware TMa550.book Page x Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Your computer TMa550.book Page 2 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Front view Tour of your computerDescription Left view Right view Rear view Bottom view Connectivity FeaturesPerformance MultimediaExpansion Video performance DisplaySimultaneous display Function Icon Description IndicatorsTMa550.book Page 13 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM TMa550.book Page 14 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Lock Key Description KeyboardSpecial keys Lock keysEmbedded keypad Desired Access Num lock On Pad lock OnKey Description Windows keysHotKey Function Description HotkeysKeyboard ergonomics Touchpad basics TouchpadFunction Left Button Right Tap Launch keys Icon Description Storage Ethernet and LAN Connectivity optionsFax/data modem Using the Audio DJ feature Adjusting the volumeAudio Securing your computer PasswordsSecurity notch TMa550.book Page 28 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Battery power TMa550.book Page 30 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Using a battery pack for the first time Battery packBattery pack characteristics Installing and removing the battery packOperating on battery power Using the Windows battery meter Charging the batteryChecking the battery level Optimizing battery lifeBattery-low warning Situation Recommended Action Power management Options TMa550.book Page 38 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM External display with s-video input Using simultaneous displayExternal display devices External monitorExternal pointing device External input devicesExternal keyboard External keypadPrinter Audio devices PC Card slots Expansion devicesInserting a card Ejecting a card Disconnecting USB devicesIeee Disconnecting Ieee 1394 devicesMiscellaneous options Battery packAC adapter Memory upgrade Key component upgradesInstalling memory TMa550.book Page 48 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Hard disk upgrade TMa550.book Page 50 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Computer TMa550.book Page 52 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Disconnecting from the desktop What to bring to long meetings Moving aroundPreparing the computer What to bring to short meetingsWhat to bring with you Taking the computer homeSpecial considerations Setting up a home office Traveling with the computer Traveling internationally with the computer Software TMa550.book Page 60 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM System software Easy Button Mail Detector Navigating the Bios Setup Utility Bios Setup UtilityMain Parameter Description System Devices System DevicesSecurity SecurityMay consist of up to eight alphanumeric characters A-Z, a-z Setting a passwordChanging a password Removing a passwordOthers Others screen contains various parameter settingsBoot BootExit ExitTMa550.book Page 74 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Troubleshooting TMa550.book Page 76 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Nothing appears on the screen Frequently-asked questionsImage is not full-screen Keyboard does not respond Floppy drive cannot access a disketteNo audio from the computer External microphone does not workWant to set up my location to use the internal modem CD or DVD drive cannot access a discPrinter does not work Charged? Error Messages Corrective Action Error messagesTMa550.book Page 82 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM TMa550.book Page 83 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM TMa550.book Page 84 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Specifications TMa550.book Page 86 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Display and video MicroprocessorMemory Data storagePorts Weight and dimensionsAudio Keyboard and pointing deviceOptions PowerEnvironment Operating systemTMa550.book Page 90 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Appendix B This appendix lists the general notices for your computer Use conditions FCC noticeRemarque ¶ l’intention des utilisateurs canadiens Modem noticesCTR Important safety instructions Laser compliance statement Year 2000 compliance statement Lithium battery statementMacrovision copyright protection notice LCD pixel statementIndex TMa550.book Page 100 Wednesday, October 3, 2001 1057 AM Password 102

a-550 Series specifications

The Acer A-550 Series is a noteworthy entry into the competitive landscape of mid-range laptops, attracting attention for its exceptional balance of performance, design, and affordability. Tailored for everyday users, students, and professionals, the A-550 series aims to deliver a reliable computing experience, whether for productivity, entertainment, or casual use.

One of the standout characteristics of the A-550 Series is its advanced display technology. The series features a 15.6-inch Full HD screen with IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology. This ensures vibrant color accuracy and wide viewing angles, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and creative work. The display is complemented by thin bezels, providing a modern aesthetic while maximizing screen real estate.

In terms of performance, the A-550 Series is powered by Intel’s latest generation processors, ranging from efficient Core i3 models for basic tasks to potent Core i7 options for more demanding applications. This versatility allows users to choose a configuration that best meets their workload requirements. Paired with up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM, the laptop provides responsive multitasking capabilities, enabling users to run several applications simultaneously without lag.

Storage options in the A-550 Series include both traditional hard drives and faster solid-state drives (SSD), catering to different needs for speed and capacity. The SSD option ensures quick boot times and rapid file access, enhancing overall system responsiveness, while the HDD provides ample storage for multimedia files and documents.

Connectivity is another strong suit of the A-550 Series, featuring a comprehensive selection of ports. Users can leverage USB 3.2 ports for high-speed data transfer, an HDMI port for connecting to larger displays, and a headphone/microphone combo jack. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 ensures that users benefit from faster wireless connectivity and reduced latency, essential for smooth video conferencing and online streaming.

Battery life is a critical consideration for mobile users, and the A-550 Series does not disappoint. With an impressive duration of up to 10 hours on a single charge, users can comfortably work or enjoy media on-the-go without constantly searching for power outlets.

The build quality of the A-550 Series is robust, with a sleek and lightweight design that makes it easily portable. Acer has also integrated proprietary technologies like BlueLightShield to reduce eye strain, ensuring that users can work for extended periods comfortably.

Overall, the Acer A-550 Series offers a compelling blend of performance, features, and user-friendly design, making it an attractive option for a wide range of users seeking a dependable laptop without breaking the bank.