Acer Aspire E5-573G

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Acer Aspire E5-573G

Acer E5-573G From Rear

I am running Linux (OpenSuSE Leap 42.1 augmented with kernel 4.4.0) on my Acer Aspire E5-573G. I use it in the desktop replacement role: software development, system administration, document preparation, and web page design. This is an excellent machine for that role, and this product family is currently the value leader. However, there are some rocks in the road, particularly for the Linux user, which you need to take into account:

• It is not an IPS display. You won't be doing digital art on this screen. But It's fine for software development and editing.
• Wi-fi (QCA9377) starts to be supported in Linux kernel 4.4.0 which is very recent. However, Ubuntu 15.04 Vivid Vervet is said to have a backported Wi-fi driver.
• The touchpad (ELAN0501:00) has bugs in its firmware which prevent multitouch mode. In BIOS put it in Basic mode and it will work including acceleration and scroll gestures.
• There are multiple BIOS bugs.
  • You must update to BIOS version 1.31 or newer to boot Linux at all.
  • Legacy boot required, it ignores the Linux UEFI booter.
  • If you suspend (S3 or S4) when on AC power it freezes. There's a workaround.
  • When suspending to RAM (S3) you need to leave it asleep or awake for at least 5 minutes, or you can have reliability issues.
• Battery life is ordinary. There's a PC Magazine review of the Acer Aspire E5-573G-57HR that claims 8 hours playing MPEG-4; this has got to involve power management tricks that don't translate into that many hours of actual work done, either in Windows or in Linux.

Table of Contents

• Selection
• Subsystem Tests, hardware and software
• Setup Activities
• Hacking
  • Power Measurements
• Amazon Review

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