Source: Tom's Guide | Keywords: Acer, Aspire, netbook | Themes: Laptops and Notebooks, Business Notebooks
5. Software
Operating system
The Acer Aspire One uses a Linpus Linux distro. After the quick system start, which doesn’t even take 20 seconds, the user sees a selection interface that is divided into four sections: Connect, Work, Fun and Files. An additional button takes you to the settings. This means that the Aspire One is intuitive to operate.
To see more screenshots of the Aspire One, click on an image.
The disadvantage is that this is a closed system. You are not able to install your own software. This limits you to the applications that Acer has provided on the Aspire One. Anyone with a little Linux knowledge will be able to use the console to find a way to install packages. But if these need to be compiled, you come across the next problem: the tools for compiling are missing. The installed Linpus Linux does not support RPMs.
The appearance of the interface is very similar to that of Window XP in order to not scare off the Windows converts. The windows have the typical blue Windows bar and three boxes to minimize, maximize/reduce and close the window can be found in the top right-hand corner. When the browser is open, you wouldn’t know at first glance that this is a Linux machine. When selecting an external hard drive, you should go for FAT32, as Linpus doesn’t read NTFS.
Productivity
There is nothing to stop you working on the Aspire One, with Version 2.3 of Open Office is installed. The program starts up quickly and works fine. A calendar and address book are also available.
Firefox 2.0.0.14 serves as the browser, An IM client called "Messenger" and an email program (Aspire one Mail) are also permanently embedded in the interface. The Connect section offers links to Google Maps, Wikipedia and Hotmail. The final link starts up an RSS reader.
"Photo Master" shows images in the commonly available formats, although image processing is better done with a more powerful laptop or PC.
- Previous page Display
- Next page Games and Media Player
no mention of the hard drive version
the 120GB 2.5" HDD versions are the ones to get (if you want one) and only the hard drive version will run XP nicely.
the SSDs suck on these things and are only good for running linpus linux
right now I can go to the my local store and pick one up for $409 CAD which is great because most of the comparable netbooks are $100 to $200 more expensive
that would be the 6cell battery, XP, 1GB RAM, 120GB HDD
agree. using it right now
"The installed Linpus Linux does not support RPMs."
Yes it does.
The author of this article is completely incompetent. The Linpus system is fully customizable and extendable. It features standard xfce desktop and yum package manager (which DOES handle rpm's). Access to these is described here:
http://www.aspireoneuser.com/forum [...] f=13&t=28.
The system interface that comes out of the box is designed to make it easy for people with no computer experience at all, but it is easily unlocked to get a pretty standard red-hat based system.
As to the hdd-version I would never consider one because of the reliability. Hdd's is the main cause of failures in laptops (maybe except for spilling liquid on them). They are the only component sensitive to the slightest shock. Having an hdd in a small, mobile laptop like that defies its purpose. You will probably carry it around alot - not at all as a normal laptop, actually more like a bigger pda - then its easy for an accident.
With a solid state drive (ssd), even if you drop it to the ground the data on the drive is safe.
"Unfortunately, however, it falls over backwards if the display is opened more than 90°."
The images in the gallery appear to contradict this statement.
"Unfortunately, however, it falls over backwards if the display is opened more than 90°."
Unless you always sit like a Mayan Chac-Mool or like you where driving an italian car (with your knees up)
Does anyone know if the XP version has dual monitor capability. I called Acer Tech Support to ask and all they could tell me is "no, it only has one VGA port".
Yes, the XP version supports dual monitors, at least mine does. I have the 160GB XP Home version (A0A 150 - 1283) and connected an external 19" display with 1280 x 1024 resolution. Going into the graphic properties (only after connecting the second monitor) allowed me to set the extended desktop onto the external monitor at it's full 1280 x 1024 resolution. I was then able to move the mouse back and forth between the displays if I used the top half of the external display.
My biggest complaint is with the keyboard. I generally like the layout and feel of the keys but since I live in Canada we get stuck with the Multilingual keyboard which halves the left shift key to make room for a special accent key and also changes the return key to make it smaller and put some extra keys beside it.
I can get a US keyboard on eBay for $55 plus shipping and may do this as this one is driving me crazy.
I replaced my desktop with a 17" laptop, but it's a beast to lug around. Instead of flash drive, I bought the hard drive version of the Aspire One with Windows XP, along with a 160 GB HDD, 1 GB ram and 6 cell battery that fits in my purse for only $350? Such a deal!
I bought an Acer Aspire One (AAO) this fall and within weeks the screen blacked out upon booting. Rather than replacing my AAO , Acer referred me to a technical repair depot. After 6 weeks still no word - then two weeks ago after calling Acer they said they would send me a new one on “back-order” - still no sight of it. Today when i called they said they have no idea when the “back-order” will be filled. Just wonderful customer support - not! Wish i had bought a MacBook now…..
I bought an Acer Aspire One 12/2008 and downloaded the updated Mobile Intel 945 chipset. It will not talk to a remote Dell monitor nor will it talk to an Acer PD311 projector. I called tech support because it clearly has a 15-pin D-sub connector on the side and, after an hour waiting for Level 2 support, a technician told me it did not support two monitors and I could toggle between them using Fn+F5. That does not work. The remote monitor displays an Acer screen but no icons and does not show anything opened on the laptop screen, nor does it show movement of mouse, etc. This is similar to a problem I used to have with an Dell Inspiron 60000 (Windows XP) that Dell eventually fixed with some driver downloads. The little Acer Aspire One is cute but it is useless for road warrior work (I'm a public speaker) if one cannot even toggle between displays. By the way, while Acer was courteous, it did not recognize its own serial numbers and claimed they were invalid. I had to go through painful phone registration. I am taking the computer back to Costco as it has no real value if it can't talk to a larger monitor. It's a cute idea - too bad it's not ready for prime time.