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MagyarAcer Aspire V3-331-P982 Notebook Review Update
For the original German review, see here.
The build of the Aspire V3-331 is identical with the Aspire V3-371 (Core i3-4030U, HD Graphics 4400) that we recently tested. The processors used in the two models differ though. While the V3-371 is available with Core processors, the V3-331 is powered by a Pentium processor. Despite its fairly low price, the V3-371 attracted attention with good battery runtimes. Our test report reveals whether the V3-331 can keep up in this regard.
One contender of the Aspire is found in Lenovo's M30-70 (Core i3-4010U, HD Graphics 4400). This model is also a low-priced 13.3-inch laptop.
Since the Aspire's build is identical with that of the V3-371, we will not go in-depth about the casing, input devices, connectivity or speakers. Corresponding information can be found in the review of the Aspire V3-371.
Case & Connectivity
Unlike the Aspire V3-371 that is available in either black or white, the V3-331 is presently only available with a black casing. The only difference between both color options is found in the pattern on the lid's back.
Display
The Aspire sports a matte 13.3-inch screen that operates with a brightness of 189 cd/m², which is not a good rate. The screen's contrast of 234:1 and black level of 0.82 cd/m² are not outstanding either.
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Brightness Distribution: 84 %
Center on Battery: 192 cd/m²
Contrast: 234:1 (Black: 0.82 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 8.83 | 0.55-29.43 Ø5.2
ΔE Greyscale 10.55 | 0.57-98 Ø5.4
44.49% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
64.7% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
43.04% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.18
The screen's average DeltaE 2000 shift is about 8.83 in state of delivery. Thus, the screen scores marginally better than most screens that we have assessed to date (DeltaE of 10 to 12). However, the Aspire's screen does not come remotely close to the target range of DeltaE less than 3. Besides that, the screen has a visible bluish cast.
As might be suspected from the laptop's price level, the screen only offers limited viewing angles - but we did not expect anything else. The laptop is quite suitable for outdoor use owing to the screen's matte surface. However, extremely bright surroundings should be avoided.
Performance
Acer has a basic 13.3-inch office laptop in its lineup with the Aspire V3-331. The device deals with routine tasks such as browsing, Skype, typing, as well as video playback. Users who want more diversity should take a device from the identically built V3-371 line. This range, for example, offers models with a matte Full HD screen and/or solid state drive.
Processor
A Pentium 3556U processor beats inside the Aspire. This dual-core processor (Haswell) clocks with a speed of 1.7 GHz. It does not have a Turbo. Intel specifies the CPU's TDP with 15 watts. The full processing power is available in both AC and battery mode. The processor ran the CPU tests of the Cinebench benchmarks at full speed in both cases.
| Cinebench R11.5 - CPU Single 64Bit (sort by value) | |
| Acer Aspire V3-331-P982 | |
| Lenovo M30-70 | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad S300-MA14CGE | |
| Acer Aspire V3-371-36M2 | |
| Dell Latitude 13 3340 Education Series | |
System Performance
The system runs smoothly and no problems occurred. The direct comparison shows that the V3-331 only scores marginally worse than the Aspire V3-371 (Core i3-4030U, HD Graphics (Haswell)) in the PCMark benchmarks. The V3-371 sports both a stronger processor and GPU. Both Aspire models are equipped with a hybrid hard drive (hard drive with an integrated SSD cache). The PCMark benchmark clearly benefits from these kinds of hard drives and achieves better results with them than with conventional hard drives. PCMark 8 was divided. The partial benchmarks Home, Creative and Work hardly benefit from hybrid hard drives, and thus they allow a better comparability of the results.
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 1848 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 1564 points | |
Help | ||
| PCMark 8 - Home Score Accelerated v2 (sort by value) | |
| Acer Aspire V3-331-P982 | |
| Dell Latitude 13 3340 Education Series | |
| Lenovo M30-70 | |
| Acer Aspire V3-371-36M2 | |
Storage Devices
Acer installs a hybrid hard drive from Seagate in the Aspire. It has a capacity of 500 GB and spins with 5400 revolutions per minute. An integrated, 8 GB hard drive ensures that frequently used applications open faster. The drive offers overall good transfer rates.
Graphics Card
Intel's HD Graphics core takes care of graphics output. It supports DirectX 11.1 and operates with speeds ranging from 200 MHz to 1000 MHz. The 3DMark benchmark scores are as we expected from the GPU. The Aspire cannot compete with the scores of the V3-371 because of its stronger graphics chip.
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 555 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 25637 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 2366 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 304 points | |
Help | ||
Gaming Performance
The Aspire is able to run a few up-to-date computer games in low resolution using low quality settings smoothly. A few more frames can be retrieved by installing a second working memory module. The working memory would then operate in dual-channel mode, which would make better use of the GPU and could - depending on the game - achieve up to 20% higher frame rates. A higher price would have to be paid should gaming suitability be a purchase criterion. Gaming capable, 13.3-inch laptops are available from approximately 900 Euros (~$1194). Two recommendable devices are, for example, Acer's Aspire S3-392G and Asus' Zenbook UX32LN. Affordable, gaming-suitable laptops are only found in a 15.6-inch size. We would mention Acer's Aspire E1-572G (Core i5-4200U, Radeon HD 8750M) as an example. It is currently sold for less than 500 Euros (~$663).
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
| Trackmania Nations Forever (2008) | 113 | 45.1 | ||
| Far Cry 3 (2012) | 18.7 | 11.4 | ||
| Tomb Raider (2013) | 30.2 | 14.2 | 8.1 | |
| Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014) | 19.9 | 14 | ||
| GRID: Autosport (2014) | 58.2 | 19.6 | ||
| Risen 3: Titan Lords (2014) | 13.3 | 9.7 |
Emissions
System Noise
The Aspire overall belongs to the quiet laptops of its kind. The device is virtually silent when idling. At most, the hard drive's noise can be heard in very quiet surroundings. The fan spins with higher speed during load, but the produced noise level still has to be called very moderate. It looks similar in the Aspire V3-371. The fan in the V3-371 only increased its speed a bit more during the stress test.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 30 / 30 / 30 dB(A) |
| HDD |
| 30.3 dB(A) |
| Load |
| 35.8 / 36 dB(A) |
 | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min:  , med:  , max:  Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance) | ||
| Acer Aspire V3-331-P982 HD Graphics (Haswell), 3556U, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Lenovo M30-70 HD Graphics 4400, 4010U, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545050A7E380 | Acer Aspire V3-371-36M2 HD Graphics 4400, 4030U, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Dell Latitude 13 3340 Education Series HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | -2% | -1% | 0% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 30 | 31.2 -4% | 29.8 1% | 31.3 -4% |
| Idle Average * | 30 | 31.2 -4% | 30 -0% | 31.3 -4% |
| Idle Maximum * | 30 | 31.2 -4% | 30.2 -1% | 31.3 -4% |
| Load Average * | 35.8 | 33.5 6% | 33.8 6% | 31.6 12% |
| Load Maximum * | 36 | 38.2 -6% | 39.6 -10% | 35.7 1% |
* ... smaller is better
Temperature
The Aspire's exterior temperatures were within an acceptable range when idling. The temperatures only increased slightly in the stress test. 40 °C was exceeded only on two measuring points. Overall, the Aspire heats up a bit less than the Aspire V3-371. Both the CPU and GPU processed the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark run for at least one hour) at full speed in AC and battery mode (CPU: 1.7 GHz; GPU: 1 GHz). The CPU's temperature settled to approximately 60 °C in the stress test.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 37 °C / 99 F, compared to the average of 35.9 °C / 97 F, ranging from 21.4 to 59 °C for the class Subnotebook.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 43.2 °C / 110 F, compared to the average of 39.5 °C / 103 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 30.1 °C / 86 F, compared to the device average of 30.7 °C / 87 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 29 °C / 84.2 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(±) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.3 °C / 82.9 F (-0.7 °C / -1.3 F).
| Acer Aspire V3-331-P982 HD Graphics (Haswell), 3556U, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Lenovo M30-70 HD Graphics 4400, 4010U, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545050A7E380 | Acer Aspire V3-371-36M2 HD Graphics 4400, 4030U, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Dell Latitude 13 3340 Education Series HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | 3% | -4% | 6% | |
| Maximum Upper Side * | 37 | 44.6 -21% | 41.8 -13% | 41.1 -11% |
| Maximum Bottom * | 43.2 | 38.6 11% | 45.3 -5% | 43.5 -1% |
| Idle Upper Side * | 32.3 | 30.6 5% | 32.3 -0% | 26.8 17% |
| Idle Bottom * | 36.5 | 29.8 18% | 34.9 4% | 30.1 18% |
* ... smaller is better
Energy Management
Power Consumption
We did not record any anomalies in power consumption. The power requirement ranged within the field that we expect from this hardware platform over the entire load range. The power consumption stayed below 10 watts in idle mode - like we know from Haswell processors.
| Off / Standby | 0 / 0.1 Watt |
| Idle | 5.3 / 6.6 / 7.9 Watt |
| Load |
23.5 / 27.4 Watt |
   
| |
| Acer Aspire V3-331-P982 HD Graphics (Haswell), 3556U, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Lenovo M30-70 HD Graphics 4400, 4010U, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545050A7E380 | Acer Aspire V3-371-36M2 HD Graphics 4400, 4030U, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive | Dell Latitude 13 3340 Education Series HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption | 6% | -3% | -0% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 5.3 | 3.9 26% | 4 25% | 4.7 11% |
| Idle Average * | 6.6 | 5.6 15% | 6 9% | 6.3 5% |
| Idle Maximum * | 7.9 | 8.4 -6% | 9.9 -25% | 7.1 10% |
| Load Average * | 23.5 | 20.9 11% | 23.5 -0% | 28.8 -23% |
| Load Maximum * | 27.4 | 32.1 -17% | 34 -24% | 28.8 -5% |
* ... smaller is better
Battery Runtime
Websites are opened automatically every 40 seconds in the practical Wi-Fi test. The energy-saving profile is enabled and the screen's brightness is set to approximately 150 cd/m². The Aspire achieved a runtime of 6:27 h, which is on par with the Aspire V3-371 (6:34 h). Lenovo's M30-70 (3:37 h) cannot compete with either laptop because its battery has a considerably lower capacity (32 Wh) than the Acer contenders (48 Wh).
Verdict
The Aspire V3-331 is virtually identical with the recently tested Aspire V3-371 - apart from the casing's color. Both have the same strengths and weaknesses in common. They offer very good battery runtimes, have matte screens, and they feature decent keyboards. However, the installed screens are dark, low in contrast, and they have a bluish cast. Additionally, neither have a maintenance cover. The Aspire V3-331 sports a slightly weaker processor, and thus the device operates a bit quieter and does not heat up quite as much. Like the Aspire V3-371, the Aspire V3-331 is recommendable as a portable, 13.3-inch typewriter and browsing machine. Buyers looking for an affordable compromise of size, mobility, and endurance should look closer at the V3-331. The surcharge for the Aspire V3-371 is worthwhile for users who require high multi-thread power. The Core i3-4030U has more to offer than the Pentium in this regard.
