Aspire 5738/5738Z/5338 Series

Quick Guide
Copyright © 2009. Acer Incorporated.
All Rights Reserved.

Aspire 5738/5738Z/5338 Series Quick Guide

Original Issue: 02/2009

Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation
to notify any person of such revisions or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new
editions of this manual or supplementary documents and publications.

Record the model number, serial number, purchase date and place of purchase information in
the space provided below. The serial number and model number are recorded on the label
affixed to your computer. All correspondence concerning your unit should include the serial
number, model number and purchase information.

This booklet has been reviewed for accuracy. Although Acer makes all reasonable attempts for
this booklet to be printed in an accurate manner, Acer takes no responsibility for any
inadvertent errors or misprints. Acerís liability with respect to this booklet is subject to any
limitation of liability set out in the applicable product warranty.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in

any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, by photocopy, recording or
otherwise,without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.

Aspire 5738/5738Z/5338 Series Notebook PC

Model number: __________________________________

Serial number: ___________________________________

Date of purchase: ________________________________

Place of purchase: ________________________________

Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Incorporated. Other companies'
product names or trademarks are used herein for identification purposes only and belong to
their respective companies.
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First things first

We would like to thank you for making an Acer notebook your choice for
meeting your mobile computing needs.

Your guides
To help you use your Acer notebook, we have designed a set of guides:
First off, the Just for Starters... poster helps you get started with setting up your
computer.
The Aspire Series Generic User Guide contains useful information applying to all
models in the Aspire product series. It covers basic topics such as Acer's
Empowering Technology, using the keyboard, audio, etc. Please understand
that due to its nature, the Generic User Guide as well as the AcerSystem User
Guide mentioned below will occasionally refer to functions or features which
are only contained in certain models of the series, but not necessarily in the
model you purchased. Such instances are marked in the text with language such
as "only for certain models".
The Quick Guide introduces you to the basic features and functions of your new
computer. For more on how your computer can help you to be more productive,
please refer to the AcerSystem User Guide. This guide contains detailed
information on such subjects as system utilities, data recovery, expansion
options and troubleshooting. In addition it contains warranty information and
the general regulations and safety notices for your notebook. It is available in
Portable Document Format (PDF) and comes preloaded on your notebook.
Follow these steps to access it:

1 Click on Start, All Programs, AcerSystem.

2 Click on AcerSystem User Guide.

Note: Viewing the file requires Adobe Reader. If Adobe Reader is not
installed on your computer, clicking on AcerSystem User Guide will run the
Adobe Reader setup program first. Follow the instructions on the screen to
complete the installation. For instructions on how to use Adobe Reader,
access the Help and Support menu.
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Your Acer notebook tour

English

After setting up your computer as illustrated in the Just for Starters... poster,
let us show you around your new Acer notebook.

Top view

# Icon Item Description

1 Acer Crystal Eye Web camera for video communication.
webcam (only for certain models)
2 Display screen Also called Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD),
displays computer output (Configuration
may vary by models).
3 Power button Turns the computer on and off.
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# Icon Item Description

English
4 Wireless LAN Enables/disables the wireless LAN
communication function. Indicates the status of wireless
button/indicator LAN communication.
Bluetooth Enables/disables the Bluetooth function.
communication Indicates the status of Bluetooth
button/indicator communication. (only for certain models)
3G 3G WWAN Enables/disables the 3G WWAN function.
communication Indicates the status of 3G WWAN
button/indicator communication. (only for certain models)
Backup key Launches Acer Backup Management for
three-step data backup.
5 HDD Indicates when the hard disk drive is
active.
Num Lock Lights up when Num Lock is activated.

Caps Lock Lights up when Caps Lock is activated.

6 Keyboard For entering data into your computer.

7 Touchpad Touch-sensitive pointing device which
functions like a computer mouse.
8 Click buttons (left, The left and right buttons function like
center* and right) the left and right mouse buttons. *The
center button serves as Acer Bio-
Protection fingerprint reader supporting
Acer FingerNav 4-way control function
(only for certain models).
9 Power1 Indicates the computer's power status.

Battery1 Indicates the computer's battery status.

1. Charging: The light shows amber when
the battery is charging.
2. Fully charged: The light shows blue
when in AC mode.
10 Palmrest Comfortable support area for your hands
when you use the computer.
11 Touchpad toggle Turns the internal touchpad on and off.

12 Microphone Internal microphone for sound recording.

13 +/- Volume Up/ Increase system volume/decrease system

Volume Down volume.
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# Icon Item Description

English

14 Acer PowerSmart Puts your computer into power-saving

key mode.
15 Speakers Left and right speakers deliver stereo
audio output.

1. The front panel indicators are visible even when the computer cover is closed
up.

Hotkeys
The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the
computer's controls like screen brightness, volume output.
To activate hotkeys, press and hold the <Fn> key before pressing the other key
in the hotkey combination.

Hotkey Icon Function Description

<Fn> + <F2> System property Starts System Property for displaying
system information.

<Fn> + <F3> Bluetooth Enables/disables the Bluetooth function.

<Fn> + <F4> Sleep Puts the computer in Sleep mode.

<Fn> + <F5> Display toggle Switches display output between the

display screen, external monitor (if
connected) and both.
<Fn> + <F6> Screen blank Turns the display screen backlight off to
save power. Press any key to return.

<Fn> + <F8> Speaker toggle Turns the speakers on and off.

<Fn> + < > Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.

<Fn> + < > Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness.

<Fn> + < > Volume up Increases the sound volume

(only for certain models).
<Fn> + < > Volume down Decreases the sound volume
(only for certain models).
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Closed front view

English
# Icon Item Description
1 5-in-1 card reader Accepts Secure Digital (SD),
MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory
Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS
PRO), xD-Picture Card (xD).
Note: Push to remove/install the
card. Only one card can operate at
any given time.
2 Latch Locks and releases the lid.

Rear view

# Item Description
1 Ventilation slots Enable the computer to stay cool, even after
prolonged use.
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Left view
English

# Icon Item Description

1 DC-in jack Connects to an AC adapter.

2 Ethernet (RJ-45) port Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1000-

based network.

3 HDMI HDMI port Supports high definition digital video

connections.
4 External display Connects to a display device (e.g.,
(VGA) port external monitor, LCD projector).

5 USB 2.0 port Connect to USB 2.0 devices (e.g., USB

mouse, USB camera).
6 Line-in jack Accepts audio line-in devices (e.g., audio
CD player, stereo walkman, mp3 player)

Microphone-in jack Accepts inputs from external

microphones.

Headphones/speaker/ Connects to audio line-out devices

line-out jack with (e.g., speakers, headphones).
S/PDIF support
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Right view

English
# Icon Item Description
1 USB 2.0 port Connects to USB 2.0 devices
(e.g., USB mouse, USB camera).
2 Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or
DVDs.
3 Optical disk access Lights up when the optical drive is
indicator active.
4 Optical drive eject Ejects the optical disk from the drive.
button
5 Emergency eject Ejects the optical drive tray when the
hole computer is turned off.
Note: Insert a paper clip to the
emergency eject hole to eject the
optical drive tray when the computer
is off.
6 Modem Connects to a phone line.
(RJ-11) port

7 Kensington lock slot Connects to a Kensington-compatible

computer security lock.
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Base view
English

# Icon Item Description

1 Battery bay Houses the computer's battery pack.

2 Battery release latch Releases the battery for removal.

3 Battery lock Locks the battery in position.

4 Hard disk bay Houses the computer's hard disk

(secured with screws).
5 Memory compartment Houses the computer's main memory.

6 Ventilation slots and Enable the computer to stay cool, even

cooling fan after prolonged use.
Note: Do not cover or obstruct the
opening of the fan.
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Specifications

English
Operating • Genuine Windows Vista®
system
Platform • Intel® Centrino® 2 processor technology, featuring:
• Intel® Core™2 Duo processor
• Mobile Intel® PM45/GM45 Express Chipset*
• Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5100/5300*
• Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5150/5350*
• Intel Pentium® mobile processor*
®

• Intel® Celeron® mobile processor*

• Mobile Intel® GM45/GL40 Express Chipset*
• Acer InviLink™ Nplify™ 802.11b/g/Draft-N*
• Acer InviLink™ 802.11b/g*
System memory • Dual-Channel SDRAM support
• Up to 2 GB of DDR3 800 MHz memory, upgradeable
to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules*
• Up to 2 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, upgradeable
to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules*
• Up to 4 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, upgradeable
to 8 GB using two soDIMM modules*
Display • 16:9 aspect ratio
• 15.6" HD 1366 x 768
Graphics • Mobile Intel® GL40 Express Chipset*
• Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset*
• NVIDIA® GeForce® G105M*
Audio • Dolby®-optimized surround sound system with two
built-in stereo speakers
• True5.1-channel surround sound output
• High-definition audio support
• S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) support for
digital speakers
• MS-Sound compatible
• Built-in microphone
Storage • 2.5" hard disk drive
subsystem • Optical drive options:
• Blu-ray Disc™/DVD-Super Multi double-layer
drive*
• DVD-Super Multi double-layer drive*
• 5-in-1 card reader
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Communication Acer Video Conference, featuring:

English

• Integrated Acer Crystal Eye webcam*

• Optional Acer Xpress VoIP phone*
• Wi-Fi/WiMAX: Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5150/5350*
• WWAN: UMTS/HSPA at 850/1900/2100 MHz and quad-
band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)*
• WLAN:
• Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5100/5300*
• Acer InviLink™ Nplify™ 802.11b/g/Draft-N*
• Acer InviLink™ 802.11b/g*
• WPAN: Bluetooth® 2.0+Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)*
• LAN: Gigabit Ethernet; Wake-on-LAN ready
• Modem: 56K ITU V.92; Wake-on-Ring ready
Privacy control • Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution*
• BIOS user, supervisor, HDD passwords
• Kensington lock slot
Dimensions • 383 (W) x 250 (D) x 26/37 (H) mm
and weight (15.1 x 9.9 x 1.03/1.5 inches)
• 2.8 kg (6.16 lbs.) with 6-cell battery pack
Power • ACPI 3.0
subsystem • 48.8 W 4400 mAh
• 3-pin 65 W AC adapter
• ENERGY STAR® 5.0*
Special keys • 103-/104-/107-key keyboard
and controls • Touchpad pointing device
I/O interface • Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint reader*
• 5-in-1 card reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD)
• USB 2.0 port
• HDMI™ port with HDCP support
• External display (VGA) port
• Headphones/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF
support
• Microphone-in jack
• Line-in jack
• Ethernet (RJ-45) port
• Modem (RJ-11) port
• DC-in jack for AC adapter
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Environment • Temperature:

English
• Operating: 5 °C to 35 °C
• Non-operating: -20 °C to 65 °C
• Humidity (non-condensing):
• Operating: 20% to 80%
• Non-operating: 20% to 80%

Note: * Only for certain models

Note: The specifications listed above are for reference only. The
exact configuration of your PC depends on the model purchased.