SlashGear Japan
Acer’s entrant to the budget ultraportable fray, the Aspire One which we first saw last week, has been made official. As expected, the notebook is based on Intel’s 1.6GHz Atom processor, has an 8.9-inch display (though 1024 x 600 rather than 1024 x 768 as was predicted) and comes as standard with a Linux OS (Linupus Lite) with Windows XP an option. Storage is courtesy of an 8GB SSD, with 512MB of RAM and a memory card reader.
Measuring 248 x 170 x 29mm, the 0.9kg Aspire One will be available in four colours – sapphire blue, seashell white, golden brown and coral pink – and with options including doubling the RAM, swapping the SSD for an 80GB HDD and, in future, 3G and WiFi WWAN connectivity to augment the standard WiFi b/g. There’s a webcam at the top of the screen bezel. Acer are claiming 3hrs battery life from the 3-cell pack, and 6hrs from the 6-cell pack.
One area where we’re glad the predictions over-estimated is the price: Acer are saying the Aspire One range will start at $379 (the original estimate was €299, or around $465). It’ll be available early in Q3 2008.
EeePCNews have already got a video hands-on with the Aspire One, shot at Computex 2008, and an image of it sat next to ASUS’ Eee PC 901:
11 Responses to “Acer Aspire One launched: $379 for Atom-powered Eee 901 rival”
Jason White June 9, 2008
It’s about time!!! Finally, a laptop that families with multiple children in school can afford without taking too much food out of their mouths at the same time.
NeutralBug June 10, 2008
Erm, I’m not exactly a big-family working-class person, but I plan to get one of these as a secondary machine. My current 17″ rarely leaves the house for all the bulk.
+1Christian June 28, 2008
I hate that hinge. It reminds of the ugly Cloudbook.
-2Ewdison Then June 28, 2008
[quote comment="43042"]Erm, I’m not exactly a big-family working-class person, but I plan to get one of these as a secondary machine. My current 17″ rarely leaves the house for all the bulk.[/quote]
These “netbook” are really made as a secondary machine, hence why the price are so low
+1a j furman July 24, 2008
It looks like a great deal. A friend of mine has a Linux programmer for a son. He swears by it. I spent over 8oo for my HP Pavilon dv 1000. No qualms about it. If the Acer has WI Fi built in or a slot for a wifi card…ye hah.
+1Like many, our Laptop has taken over a seat at the table while our boat anchor of a pc sits idle in the corner of the dining room….
This will make a nice addition to our routed housedhold, at last, I may surf on the deck again…..surf’s up….typing south of the mighty turtle creek that is in my last observance, receding. ajf
Bdawg July 30, 2008
I am looking for a good-quality computer. I’m almost 14 and I would like something that I can carry around (my backpack is getting heavier every day) and as such would like to purchase a netbook. I already own a OLPC XO-1, which I like very much- it has really fun games and I can take it apart to study the hardware. But there are a ton of limitations with it, for example, it only reads files compatable with the operating system, Sugar. I tried installing an alternate operating system, but it ran really slowly. The file compatability is a huge problem- I am myself a programmer more oriented toward gaming, and therefore need programs such as Flash and Eclipse (the one for Java). I definatly would not like to go through the compatibility issues, especially if it turns out it doesn’t work for my needs and I have to do months of house and yardwork to get enough money to buy a better computer. Does anyone know how if I could run .exe files on this computer? The other problem with my XO-1 is that I can’t watch Flash videos on it. Being a huge Colbert and Stewart fan, not to mention Potter Puppet Pals, that is a pretty big bummer for me. I’m pretty sure this computer can run Flash videos, but I’d like it if someone could confirm this for me.
+2Mark FUrlong August 4, 2008
I got one of these last week. I bought it because my last trip overseas I almost had to pack laptop or Digital SLR in checked luggage because of weight restriction on carry on (Aer Lingus). I need something to look at my pics on the trip and to store the files off the camera cards as I go…also to pick up e-mail, keep spreadsheet for expenses and write small notes about the trip and photos.
THIS is perfect for those minimal needs. Will carry along a small HD for backup pics and I’ll be done.
The keyboard is a minor adjustment for touch typing, but the internet works fine and the screen resolution is plenty good. The touch pad is dismal….portable mouse will be a good addition.
Love the quick startup and shut down versus ANY MS Windows system.
Mark
+1Shodan August 14, 2008
I feel this is a cool device. Every one can afford to buy one.
-2I special like the silver design. Need to buy one soon.
Gingertrees August 19, 2008
This looks an awful lot like my Fujitsu Lifebook B-series that I’ve had for years! I got mine for $380 on eBay then.
2.2 lbs, 15G harddrive, 800×600 screen. I got it in 2004, so its not as high tech, but Windows 2000 O/S with a 500 mhz Celeron processor actually skips along almost as fast as my modern desktop. I got it for the portability while in college…just funny it seems to have taken the rest of this country so long to realize “maybe a laptop the size of a medium pizza ISN’T the best.”
NeutralTory September 18, 2008
Hi,
NeutralI am very interested in getting one of these. Does anyone know where they could be checked out in person? I would like to try out the keyboard and the weight and the resolution before I purchase. Thanks
-Tory
Rob December 11, 2008
I bought one two months ago on a door crasher sale at Future Shop but you can get it at Best Buy also. I paid an unheard of $299CDN for the Windows XP Home version but now they’ve settled at $379CDN.
Now it does resemble a Fujitsu Lifebook in size only. The guts of the system sports a healthy 1Gb of RAM and a 160GB hard drive. The processor is an Intel Atom at 1.67Ghz.
Pro’s
Despite its diminutive size, this is no toy computer for the kids. It easily handles multiple open applications with very fluid response times. The screen is crisp and clear. There are three USB 2.0 ports and a multi-card reader as well as WIFI, and RJ45 jack and monitor out. At 2.2lbs, this is an easy alternative to taking the 17″ laptop on a trip.
Con’s
The keyboard is a little cramped but that’s the price you pay for small. It can be gotten used to.
I found that the WIFI can sometimes be slow to respond but maybe it’s just me because when I plug it in on AC power, everything speeds up fine.
The battery is the biggest bummer. It comes standard with the 3 cell LiOn. Shop around and get the 6 cell. This will give your new machine the staying power of the big boys.
This is one of the best buys I’ve ever made.
+2