Acer Aspire One netbook

[Mark H]

For anyone deliberating over a new netbook, we have been evaluating an Acer Aspire One for a couple of weeks and I cannot fault it, and IMO it's the best of the current bunch.

The version we have is Windows XP, 120Gb HD, 512mb RAM (most XP versions are shipping in the UK with 1Gb RAM now), should be around £299 inc VAT.

The Linux version has come top in a couple of comparison reviews (which included the new Dell mini), the only criticism being that this version uses an 8Gb drive, but this is whipped by the XP version's 120Gb.

A couple of very minor niggles - XP came preconfigured not to use a virtual memory paging file which threw up virtual memory error messages, but this was easily sorted, and the shiny case is a fingerprint magnet, but many of them seem to have this now.

[pinbrook]

i have to admit my preference with any of these netbook thingies is to have solid state disks. it means you can really chuck them about

[Mark H]

The Linux version (and other versions, but not so relevant) with 8Gb SSD has two memory card slots - one is the usual "download from my camera etc", but the second slot is specifically used to extend the SSD, so if you stick in a 16Gb card it will automatically add this to the SSD's "space". Good for security too........

[printerbase]

Hi,

How's the Acer going?

Been looking at getting one of these netbook recently and have seen the Acer and Eee PC models.

I am definitely drawn to the Acer machine as I prefer the keyboard on it to the Eee PC machines and the screens on Eee PC machines look very dated almost like a kids toy because of the large borders around the screen.

The one thing that puts me off the Acer is the lack of bluetooth support, so I can get internet access using my phone as a modem.

Also can't decide between the XP or the Linux version of the Acer, they now seem to do Linux version with the 120GB drive. Is XP still running OK ? Tempted with Linux because of it being more lightweight and faster.

Peter

[Mark H]

The Acer's going very well indeed, it runs all our Windows programmes (including Actinic!), it plays music, it runs films (ripped to the hard drive) even on an external 27" 1920x1200 monitor attached in extended mode.

We are running Bluetooth using something very similar to this which uses up one of the three USB ports and is almost un-noticeable in use (we bought ours in PC World):

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/589044...h+Adapter+10m#

I think you have to look at the different versions in two different ways:

Small, very portable PC for travelling round, doesn't matter too much if it is stolen or broken (eg compared to another PC we used to use for this purpose, a £1,300 10" Sony) - get the XP version with 120Gb drive - will do 99% of everything a web designer or e-commerce company would want to do (XP runs very well on this version, and outperforms most of our other PCs).

Small, very portable ultra CHEAP PC for travelling round, doesn't matter too much if it is stolen or broken - get the Linux version with small SSD - will do emails and word processing etc but not much else unless you are a Linux techie.

Having said that, I don't understand the point of the Linux version with 120Gb drive, but no doubt someone will put me straight.

We will be buying another one, but we're waiting for the version with a built in 3G card slot, which is rumoured for early 2009.

[Mark H]

PS I can also thoroughly recommend one of these to carry round with a netbook like the Acer:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mo...s.aspx?pid=112

Buy at dabs.com

[printerbase]

You've convinced me with that Bluetooth thingy. Looks just what I need.

I will be going for the Windows XP one as well.

Thanks for all information.

Peter