Acer Aspire M3-481 User manual

Aspire M3
Quick Guide
Product registration
When using your product for the first time, it is recommended that you immediately
register it. This will give you access to some useful benefits, such as:
•Faster service from our trained representatives.
•Membership in the Acer community: receive promotions and participate in customer
surveys.
•The latest news from Acer.
Hurry and register, as other advantages await you!
How to register
To register your Acer product, please visit www.acer.com. Select your country, click
PRODUCT REGISTRATION and follow the simple instructions.
You will also be asked to register your product during the setup process, or you can
double-click the Registration icon on the desktop.
After we receive your product registration, you will be sent a confirmation email with
important data that you should keep in a safe place.
Obtaining Acer accessories
We are happy to inform you that Acer's warranty extension program and Notebook
accessories are available online. Come and visit our online shop and find what you need
at store.acer.com.
The Acer store is being progressively rolled out, and, unfortunately may not be available in
some regions. Please check back regularly to see when it will be available in your country.

© 2012. All Rights Reserved.
Aspire M3 Quick Guide
This revision: 07/2012
Model number: __________________________________
Serial number: ___________________________________
Date of purchase: ________________________________
Place of purchase: ________________________________
Acer recommends...
Productivity Software
Work Great with Microsoft®Office 2010 - Express your ideas, solve problems and simplify everyday projects with
Office 2010.
Photo editing - Easily edit and print your photos with Windows Live Photo Gallery. Then share them on Facebook,
YouTube or Windows Live.
Search & Decide with Bing - Find and organize the answers you need using Bing™, so you can make faster, more
informed decisions.

3
English
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 Setup Poster helps you get started with setting up your
computer.
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 Aspire M3 User’s Manual. The Aspire M3 User’s
Manual contains useful information applying to your new computer. It
covers basic topics such as using the keyboard and audio, etc.
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.
Follow these steps to access it:
1 Type "User" from Start.
2 Click on Acer User’s Manual.

4
English
Your Acer notebook tour
After setting up your computer as illustrated in the setup poster, let us show
you around your new Acer notebook.
Keyboard view
#Icon Item Description
1 Keyboard
For entering data into your computer.
Caution: Do not use a keyboard protector or
similar cover as the keyboard includes
ventilation intakes for cooling.
2 Touchpad
Touch-sensitive pointing device.
The touchpad and selection buttons form a
single surface.
Press down firmly on the touchpad surface
to perform a left click.
Press down firmly on the lower right corner
to perform a right click.
1
2

5
English
Hotkeys
The computer employs hotkeys or key combinations to access most of the
computer's controls like screen brightness and 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> +
<F3>Communication Enables/disables the computer’s communication devices.
<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> +
<F7>
Touchpad
toggle
Turns the internal touchpad on and
off.
<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.
<Fn> +
<> Volume down Decreases the sound volume.
<Fn> +
<Home>Play/Pause Play or pause a selected media file.
<Fn> +
<Pg Up>Stop Stop playing the selected media file.
<Fn> +
<Pg Dn>Previous Return to the previous media file.
<Fn> +
<End>Next Jump to the next media file.

6
English
Screen view
Front view
#Icon Item Description
1 Webcam
Web camera for video communication.
A light next to the webcam indicates that the
webcam is active.
2 Microphone Internal microphone for sound recording.
3 Screen Displays computer output.
#Icon Item Description
1 Power button Turns the computer on and off.
2
Power indicator Indicates the computer’s power status.
Battery indicator
Indicates battery status.
Charging: The light is amber when the
battery is charging.
Fully charged: The light is blue.
2
3
1

7
English
Rear view
Information on USB 3.0
•Compatible with USB 3.0 and earlier devices.
•For optimal performance, use USB 3.0-certified devices.
•Defined by the USB 3.0 specification (SuperSpeed USB).
Left view
#Icon Item Description
1Ventilation and cooling
fan
Allows the computer to stay cool.
Do not cover or obstruct the openings.
2 Headset/speaker jack
Connects to audio devices (e.g.,
speakers, headphones) or a headset with
microphone.
3 USB ports Connects to USB devices.
If a port is black it is USB 2.0 compatible,
if it is blue it is also USB 3.0 compatible
(see below).
4USB port with power-off
charging
5 HDMI port Supports high-definition digital video
connections.
6 Ethernet (RJ-45) port Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1000-
based network.
7 DC-in jack Connects to an AC adapter.
#Icon Item Description
1 Optical drive Internal optical drive; accepts CDs or DVDs.
2Optical disk access
indicator Lights up when the optical drive is active.
3Optical drive eject
button Ejects the optical disk from the drive.

8
English
Right view
4 Emergency eject hole
Ejects the optical drive tray when the
computer is turned off.
Carefully insert a straightened paper clip to
eject the optical drive tray.
5 2-in-1 card reader
Accepts one Secure Digital (SD or SDHC)
card or MultiMediaCard (MMC).
Note: To remove the card, simply pull it from
the slot.
#Icon Item Description
1
Kensington lock slot Connects to a Kensington-compatible
computer security lock.
Wrap the computer security lock cable
around an immovable object such as a
table or handle of a locked drawer.
Insert the lock into the notch and turn the
key to secure the lock.
Keyless models are also available.
#Icon Item Description

9
English
Base view
Environment
#Icon Item Description
1Ventilation and cooling
fan
Allows the computer to stay cool.
Do not cover or obstruct the openings.
2
Hard disk bay Houses the computer's hard disk.
Memory compartment Houses the computer's main memory.
3 Speakers Deliver stereo audio output.
4 Battery reset pinhole
Simulates removing and reinstalling the
battery
Insert a paperclip into the hole and press for
four seconds to reset the computer.
•Temperature:
•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%

10
English
Connecting to the Internet
Your computer's wireless connection is turned on by default.
Windows will detect and display a list of available networks during setup.
Select your network and enter the password if required.
Otherwise, open Internet Explorer and follow the instructions. Please also
refer to your ISP or router documentation.
Acer Instant Connect
Instant Connect ensures a faster connection to any of the networks that
your computer connects to most frequently.
Power management
This computer has a built-in power management unit that monitors system
activity, such as activity involving one or more of the following devices:
keyboard, mouse, hard disk, peripherals connected to the computer, and
video memory. If no activity is detected for a period of time, the computer
stops some or all of these devices in order to conserve energy.
Acer Green Instant On
Note: For selected models only.
The Acer Green Instant On feature allows your computer to wake up from
Sleep mode in less than the time it takes to open the lid. When you close
the lid, or leave your computer for a while, your computer enters Sleep
mode. While the computer is in Sleep mode, the power indicator LED will
flash orange.
Open the lid or press any key to wake the computer from Sleep mode.
After a certain amount of time in Sleep mode, the computer will
automatically enter Deep Sleep to preserve battery life. When the computer
is in Deep Sleep, the power indicator LED will be turned off. In this state,
battery remains ready to use for many weeks.
Press the power button to wake up from Deep Sleep.

11
English
Note: Once in Deep Sleep, your PC will consume significantly less
power compared with Sleep mode, but it will take a little longer to
wake up from Deep Sleep.
Deep Sleep and Sleep mode work together to ensure that your computer
saves as much power as possible while still enabling quick, instant on
access.
To save more power, your computer will typically enter and stay in Deep
Sleep during times when it will not be frequently accessed, for example,
during the middle of the night. To provide quicker access, your computer
will enter and stay in Sleep mode during times when it will be frequently
accessed, for example, during working hours.
Part no.: NC.RY811.04C
Ver.: 01.01.01