The value of a budget laptop can be interpreted in two ways: sheer processor bang for the buck, or whether it has an attractive, functional design at an aggressive price. Hopefully, your laptop will have both, but in the case of the Acer Aspire V3-571G-9435, the value of the system's high-end quad-core Intel processor and Nvidia graphics comes at the price of high-end design.
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
The Acer Aspire V3's internal specs compare favorably with those of a higher-end 15-inch laptop, at least on the inside. A quad-core Intel Core i7 processor and very good dedicated Nvidia GeForce GT 640M graphics offer performance that normally costs well north of $1,000.
There are downsides to a budget machine, however; in the case of the Acer Aspire V3, they're the lack of extras and a generally cheap feel. No Blu-ray (just DVD) drive, a lackluster low-res (1,366x768-pixel) 15.6-inch display, a subpar keyboard and touch pad, and an overly glossy plastic chassis will keep you from discussing the V3 in the same breath as superior systems.
Those looking for a lot of power, and perhaps planning to plug in an external monitor or keyboard, should consider the Aspire V3; it's a solid back-to-school pick for students who need the horsepower. This is a pure value pick in laptops, and the aesthetic extras do suffer. Some may not mind.
For $799 you could buy a far more easily portable, better-designed laptop that may not be as powerful as the Aspire V3 is, but could provide a more sensible everyday experience: the Timeline U M5, for instance. I'd prefer a smaller laptop, even with less performance, to something with a screen and overall feel that are as middling as the Aspire V3's. You may not agree. In that case, the V3 is your ideal budget power laptop.