Source: Tom's Guide | Keywords: Acer, Aspire, netbook | Themes: Laptops and Notebooks, Business Notebooks
8. Conclusion
The Acer Aspire One cuts a pretty good figure. Price wise, it is definitely an interesting alternative as this Linux-based pocket-sized machine that can be used on the go almost anywhere (until the battery runs out 2.5 hours later) retails for only $329.
Productivity while out and about is not a problem as Open Office 2.3 is already preinstalled. Firefox gets the user onto the Internet, and an email client and a messenger are also installed. The games are simple, but entertaining, and in some cases have the potential to become addictive. It is a pity that the installed versions are limited demo versions, particularly as the majority of the games are available free of charge as Flash games on the Internet.
The media player is picky. The audio section can handle MP3, OGG and WMA files, but MP4/AAC files are ignored. We were surprised by how a Linux machine was happy handling the proprietary WMV format, but not XVID. The appropriate codec for Quicktime files was also missing.
The Live Update function is good and ensures that you are always up-to-date. Theoretically this means that there is also the possibility that Acer may add additional programs. It would be good if it were possible to subsequently install the missing codecs, as is offered by many Linux distributors. However this option is not available for Linpus.
The greatest disadvantage of this Linux version is, thus, that you have to live with the specified software options. Only by jumping through command line interface hoops can you run non-static binaries. You are also reliant on Acer for software and security updates — even for Firefox.
The extremely shiny design looks great, but it has its drawbacks. Fingerprints leave their mark quickly, particularly on the lid. They take a little longer to smudge up the inside of the machine, but are still annoying.
The machine’s ergonomics is both good and bad. The Aspire One’s casing is solid and really is torsion-resistant. The keyboard, however, seems to belong to another machine and has noisy and hard-to-press keys, is prone to bending and quite simply ruins the otherwise excellent impression the unit makes. The reflective display is easy to read, but is not so great when it comes to displaying colors correctly.
Compared to the almost identical MSI Wind U100, the Acer doesn’t make such a good impression. The competition offers better keyboards, brighter displays and, ironically, Windows XP, which is a platform that is much easier to expand (but is more costly). A version of the Acer Aspire One with Windows XP is available, but also more expensive.
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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.