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Acer Aspire One Netbook Review

The Acer new launch netbook, Acer Aspire One, as what they pronounced to be not an ordinary laptop but instead a new generation of “internet device”. However it does not convinced other IT companies including Intel and their netbook rival Asus, they still considered their laptop as a “netbook”. The whole concept of netbook is first introduced by Asus with their series of Asus Eee models.

Despite the late arrival of Acer Aspire One, it has the potential to be the netbook market leader. So, what make them so unique? Below I will summarize a list of features on the Acer Aspire One netbook:

Acer Aspire One Catchy Design

Aspire One has a curved edges with glossy blue finishes. The overall dimensions are 249 x 140 x 29mm thick, which make it thinner and wider by 25mm than the Asus Eee PC 901. The overall weight of Aspire One is also lighter than the Eee PC 901. One of the main reasons is primarily due to the use of lightweight 2200mAh battery. The design of Acer Aspire One gives a more mature look to the Asus Eee PC series. For some experts, the looks of aspire One is still considered not as good as the Eee series.

Operating System

Acer Aspire One comes with two types of operating system software installation for their users to choose from, there are based on Windows or Linux systems.

Linux system: The Acer netbook with Linux system comes with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor with 512 Mb RAM memory. However for this series, it comes with a slightly disappointment in term of its storage capacity, only 8Gb of NAND flash memory capacity.

Windows system: For those models with Windows system, you will get a similar type of processor but with larger RAM and storage capacities. 1.0Gb RAM memory and 80Gb of hard drive. This model netbook, the storage capacity is definitely not an issue but it is more vulnerable to loss of data in the hard drive due to impact or movable parts.

Ports and Connections

Acer Aspire One comes with a standard 3 USB ports: one at the left side and another two ports at the right side. This is definitely an additional bonus for this series of Acer netbook. A list of other ports and slots that comes along with Acer Aspire One is given as follows:

D-Sub video output slot

Ethernet port

Mic port

Headphones port

SD card readers (at either side of the netbook)

Other Features of the Acer Aspire One

This netbook has a LCD display panel of 8.9” width with a 1,024 x 600 pixel screen. It also comes along with a 1.3 mega pixel web cam that allows you to chat and communicate with family or friends via internet.

To find out more about Acer Aspire One netbook, check out our full detail of Acer Aspire One Review.
Visit our laptop reviews site to find out more other laptop and netbook reviews and buying guides: Laptop Reviews.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/laptops-articles/acer-aspire-one-netbook-review-927827.html

May 21, 2009 · Filed Under Netbook reviews

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Buying a Netbook? 5 Things You Need To Consider Before You Buy

Netbooks are the latest, lightweight mini-laptops that you can take anywhere with you. A good netbook will do most of your basic computing – internet services like email, web browsing and downloading, run business applications and play music and video files – without straining your back or your bank balance. They’re cheap and they’re fun! Most netbooks come with Windows ready-installed and there are Linux-based mini-notebooks with their simpler interface that’s very popular.

Although there’s a big selection of netbooks for sale out there, not all mini-notebooks are created equal. The people who design them have to contend with the problems of weight, size and performance and their decisions can cause problems for you, the netbook user.

Here are 5 factors you need to know when shopping for a netbook:

1: Will it do the job?

Most netbooks feature a useful 1.6GHz Intel chip and although they give good, brisk performance in the jobs they’re designed for, remember that they’re not heavy-duty number crunchers. If you need to do some heavy-weight computing, you may need a notebook that’s got more power.

2: Is the keyboard big enough?

The keyboard is the main interface with your netbook and many early-model mini-notebooks had mini keyboards. People who could easily touch-type on a regular keyboard found themselves struggling on a netbook. As well, some designers try to save space by moving keys around or reducing their size. Test the keyboard before buying so you know you’ll be able to type comfortably.

3: Is the track-pad adequate?

In the struggle to make netbooks ultra-portable the track-pad and its buttons frequently get the chop, too. Unless you’re prepared to carry a mouse, the trackpad is the other main interface with your computer. Check that the netbook’s trackpad is large enough to be usable and that the buttons are well positioned.

4: Is the display large enough?

Early-model netbooks also had smaller displays, and while they were more portable, 7 inch displays are not noted for their visibility. Currently, 8.9 inch screens seem to be about the smallest display for reasonable readability, while the industry standard, the 10 inch display, is a reasonable compromise in terms of size and ease of viewing. Check that the laptop you’re considering won’t cause you eyestrain.

5: Does it have the features you require?

The majority of netbooks have the features we require in a notebook computer: a good-sized hard drive, webcam, speakers and microphone, card reader, bluetooth and a wireless card. The only feature that netbooks lack is an optical drive – the DVD/CD drive has been sacrificed to keep size and weight to a minimum. When choosing your netbook, be sure it has all the features you need.

So there are five important things to consider when purchasing your netbook.

Although these mini-notebooks are cheaper than regular notebooks, do your due diligence before buying. The main manufacturers all have web sites with detailed specifications. Have a look at them at your local computer store and check out online netbook forums. If you buy online, don’t buy on impulse and buy from a seller with a good reputation.

Peter Strudwick bought himself a netbook recently and takes it everywhere with him. He also uses it to write for NetBookNut.com where you’ll find a great range of cheap netbooks.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/laptops-articles/buying-a-netbook-5-things-you-need-to-consider-before-you-buy-925931.html

May 21, 2009 · Filed Under Netbook reviews

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The difference between Laptops, Notebooks and Netbooks: 101

You hear the word netbook quite often recently and may start to wonder what that is. Does that have something to do with notebooks? But I thought those were laptops? There are different origins to each word and many “experts” will tell you the exact time, place and company of each origin. For example, netbook is currently being trademarked (if not already) by a UK firm. But in short, they are marketing terms created to sell new lines of products.

So are you telling me laptops are notebooks, which in turn are the new netbooks? Far from it. Although they may be marketing terms, they do in reality serve as categories within the portable personal computer category that denote a specific purpose to consumers. These three marketing terms tell the consumer where they should be looking based on their specific needs. For example, a teenager who does schoolwork, play games and surfs the web will probably want a laptop for his needs. Another teenager who does schoolwork, blogs and carries it to school will probably want a small notebook. A mother of these two teenagers who emails and surfs the web would probably be happy with a netbook.

Broadly summarized, laptops can be considered as portable desktops and notebooks as lightweight laptops, although both words have become synonymous and interchangeable. The new entrant of the three called netbooks can be considered as inexpensive notebooks mainly for internet use.

So when you’re deciding on what to get next, consider what you will be mainly using it for. If surfing the web is all you do, a notebook may be going overboard. Getting a netbook and using the savings on something else may be a wise choice. Remember that a netbook is an inexpensive option for basic uses. That means if you’re a power user, don’t buy a netbook and try to run video rendering software on it and call it slow! It’s probably best to stick to the laptop aisle.  

Darren is a Software Developer and is also the General Manager of Ellie B (http://www.elliebonline.com), a consumer electronics company.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/laptops-articles/the-difference-between-laptops-notebooks-and-netbooks-101-913948.html

May 13, 2009 · Filed Under Netbook reviews

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Your next portable computer – netbook or laptop?

Netbooks are a popular, cheaper alternative to full size notebook and desktop computers. While some netbooks ship with Linux, most consumers are opting for Windows XP-based netbooks. What makes a netbook different from a notebook or desktop computer? The primary difference is size – netbooks fall somewhere between the smallest notebook computers and a large smartphone. Netbooks are also less powerful PCs – to reduce the cost. As a result most netbooks can’t run Windows Vista and ship with Windows XP (and in a few cases Linux). To save even more money some consumers install OpenOffice instead of Microsoft Office. Netbooks are available from many manufacturers including Acer, Asus, HP, MSI, Dell, OLPC (One Laptop Per Child), Medion, Kohjinsha, Lenovo, Toshiba and others.

Netbooks have even caught the attention of Google – the search engine company – who are working with computer manufacturers on a next generation netbook based on Google’s Android platform.  And Microsoft is looking for Windows 7 as its sequel to Windows XP for netbooks.

So where does that leave consumers? Should you race out and buy a netbook today with Windows XP or wait until later this year or 2010 for the Android / Windows 7 based netbooks? Or should I instead pay a bit more (likely $100 – $150) and get a full-size notebook?

Here are some things to think about:

  • Speed – if you are planning to run anything beyond email, basic Internet browsing and basic text document creation you should get a laptop; for the basics a netbook is good enough.  And pretty much forget about gaming on a netbook – and likely most high quality Internet video.
  • Power Typer- if you are power typer take some time to type on a netbook in a store – are you really going to put up with the smaller keyboard? If you are just tapping out Twitter updates or email messages you’ll be fine – but if you are writing your next novel the netbook’s smaller keyboard might be frustrating.
  • Vista Experience: if you like or are used to the Windows Vista experience, look and feel and features then you only have two choices – get a full-size notebook now or wait until Windows 7 enabled netbooks come out later… and heres a catch – Windows 7 may be limited to basics for netbook use (details from Microsoft still pending).
  • Compatibility: Linux-based netbooks have pretty much disappeared from the shelves of retailers because Linux doesn’t allow you to run popular applications like Microsoft Office.  Google’s Android-based netbooks will likely have the same restriction.  So if you use Microsoft Office at all stay clear of netbooks that aren’t running a Windows-based operating system (for now that means XP, later this year Windows 7).

One thing that isn’t different are problems.  At support.com we deal with thousands of computer problems every day including netbook and laptop problems.

Netbook computers can be affected by the same problems as a full-size notebook or desktop computer. Because netbooks aren’t as powerful, anything impacting computer performance (like a virus or spyware, or too many installed programs) will be even more noticeable.

Common problems include:

  • Slow startup and/or shutdown time
  • Frequent crashes or lockups
  • Help getting printers and other devices / peripherals to work
  • Problems upgrading netbook BIOS to the latest version
  • USB devices are not accessible after being plugged in
  • Problems transferring data to my used computer
  • Unable to synchronize an iPod, iPhone, Treo, Centro, Windows Mobile or other portable device
  • Problems accessing media content (pictures, videos, music) in Windows Media Player
  • Windows Update errors preventing the latest security updates from being applied
  • Errors with Flash, Java / Javascript, ActiveX
  • Help connecting a used computer to a home network
  • Frequent pop-ups and/or warnings that my PC is infected with a virus
  • No audio or choppy audio / sound problems
  • Problems installing and configuring anti-virus / anti-spyware software
  • CD-ROM drive unavailable error

 

My advice is don’t jump out and buy a netbook just because it is $100 – $150 cheaper – it may be a great deal if you are the right kind of user.  Take the time to really use a netbook in a store, understand how you will use it at home and make sure you can live with the limitations.  If you can, netbooks are a great deal – if you can’t, you’ll just be returning the netbook and, at some stores, paying a restocking fee.

James Morehead leads product management for support.com – a leading provider of premium technology support services for consumers across North America. From removing a nasty virus to speeding up a slow computer, support.com’s US and Canada-based Solutions Engineers take the time to listen and then solve your computer problem.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/laptops-articles/your-next-portable-computer-netbook-or-laptop-907706.html

May 10, 2009 · Filed Under Netbook reviews

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