Acer Aspire One WiMAX netbook coming in 2009

While Acer had two new laptops on show for the Sprint XOHM launch yesterday, what could be argued is their most interesting device to support WiMAX was hidden from sight.  Laptop Mag grabbed some hands-on time with an Acer Aspire One WiMAX netbook prototype that had been lurking in a nearby Intel van; they weren't sure if it was a proof-of-concept or an upcoming product, but SlashGear can confirm that Acer will be offering a WiMAX option on the Aspire One starting in early 2009.

The WiMAX Aspire One managed speedtest.net results of 6.7 Mbps on the downlink and 2.8 Mbps on the uplink; it also loaded the NY Times homepage in 15 seconds and played smooth streaming video from Hulu in full-screen.  Check out the Laptop Mag link for the video demo of the WiMAX netbook in action. 

As for market availability, our contacts at Acer passed us this European press release for the netbook which confirms that not only integrated 3G but integrated WiMAX are upcoming options.  While the release specifies the Euro/Asian spec 2100MHz HSDPA band, we're told a 3G version suited to the US is certainly on the cards. 

Press Release:

Acer presents the Aspire One

Your New Mobile Internet Device

Global Press Conference – Budapest, 19 September 2008 – Acer, the third largest vendor in the global PC market (source: Gartner data, 1H 2008), today presented the Aspire One, an all-new communication device designed to make your online activities fast, simple and utterly cool.

The Aspire One is a brand new product and, despite its size, it is not just another notebook: it's a stylish all-new digital device designed to deliver continuous access to the internet no matter where you are.

The Aspire One is something that follows you everywhere you go, and opens the door to new and unexplored areas of the online world. For this reason it was important to reduce weight and dimensions.

The result is a masterpiece of technological simplicity with an intuitive and specifically optimized software interface to support connectivity needs. At just 24.9 x 171 cm and weighing less than one kilo2, the Aspire One is not only extremely compact (smaller than an average office diary) but offers numerous connectivity possibilities, a full and easy-to-use software application suite and a battery life of up to 7 hours3.

Let's get connected

Small and smart, the Aspire One takes you wherever you want to be and keeps you connected when you get there. It comes with 802.11b/g WiFi built-in as standard for easy access to available wireless networks and can also be specified with a choice of embedded WiMAX or 3G4 wireless technologies for even greater wireless freedom. The result is always the same: you're online in an instant and can stay there as long as you want.

In addition, Acer Signal Up technology ensures maximum quality and stability to the wireless signal.

Let's get organized

The Aspire One is great for getting things done: whether you're checking your mail, managing your online bank account or chatting with friends, the Aspire One offers either the usual Windows XP Home environment or a simple, intuitive Linux5 interface that clearly organizes everything you need to surf, work or simply have fun. The pre-installed software is separated by functions and presented in 4 distinct areas on the screen – Connect, Work, Fun and Files – that is so simple it's impossible to get confused: the easier it is to get things done, the simpler it is to enjoy life.

Ergonomics and reduced dimensions do not mean the view isn't spectacular: the Aspire One has an 8.9" CrystalBrite LED backlit display with a resolution of 1024x600 pixels. Integrated in the top of the screen is the unique Acer Crystal Eye webcam for live video streaming, video chats and conferences.

Choose your Style

The Aspire One uses color to combine connectivity with inimitable style. Initially available in blue and white, the range of colors available for the Aspire one will be now expanded with three new tones: brown, pink and black6.

The five colors – sapphire blue, seashell white, golden brown, coral pink and diamond black – give the Aspire One an individual and quite distinctive look and feel that matches the style and personality of its lucky owner.

Bits & bytes for data freedom

The Aspire One is equipped with Intel® Atom™ processor, Linpus™ Linux® Lite or Windows XP® Home, and comes with 512MB of RAM memory installed.

There are two alternatives for data storage: a NAND flash module of up to 16GB or an up to 160GB7 internal HDD. In addition the Aspire One reads 5 different types of memory card – Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD-Picture Card – for absolute data freedom.

To increase storage capacity, the Aspire One features the unique Smart File Manager, a simple solution that instantly and seamlessly merges extra storage from any SD card inserted in the 2nd SD card slot into the memory available to the user. Expanding your available storage has never been so easy.

Simple, Sophisticated Software8

Acer has worked hard on improving the user experience by designing a friendly, easy-to-use and comprehensive interface that simplifies interaction between users and the Aspire One by taking a more natural approach to screen layout and functionality.

The Linpus™ Linux® Lite version is the result, guiding and accompanying even novice users through the Internet in an intuitive, "virus-safe" and super-responsive Linux environment.

The Aspire One features the one Mail software suite that lets you manage up to six of your email accounts with a single application interface, including your office accounts. A small icon to the right of the message quickly and clearly shows the appropriate mail account. Nothing could be simpler to replace push e-mail services without using a corporate server.

The Aspire One uses Messenger for Instant Messaging, an application that allows users to simultaneously access to Microsoft Messenger and various other instant messaging services. The software can be used with the integrated video camera for instant video-chats and video conferences.

The Aspire One series comes preinstalled with Linpus™ Linux® Lite version or Windows XP® Home. Furthermore, additional software such as OpenOffice 2.3, Aspire one Mail, and Messenger. Models with Windows XP will come preinstalled with Acer eRecovery Management, Acer Launch Manager, Adobe® Reader®, McAfee® Internet Security Suite, Microsoft® Office Trial 20079.

The Aspire one comes with a 1-year carry in warranty which can be extended to 2 years with Acer Advantage.

Detailed information on Acer products and a catalogue with prices in PDF format are available on Acer's website www.acer.com

About Acer

Since its founding in 1976, Acer has constantly pursued the goal of breaking the barriers between people and technology. Focused on marketing its brand-name IT products around the globe, Acer ranks as the world's No. 3 vendor for total PCs and No. 2 for notebooks, with the fastest growth among the top-five players. A profitable and sustainable Channel Business Model is instrumental to Acer's continued growth, while the successful mergers of Gateway and Packard Bell complete the company's global footprint by strengthening its presence in the U.S., and enhancing its strong position in Europe. Acer Inc. employs 5,000 people worldwide. 2007 revenues reached US$14.07 billion. See www.acer.com for more information.

© 2008 Acer Inc. All rights reserved. Acer, the Acer logo, and Aspire are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Other trademarks, registered trademarks and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the properties of their respective owners.

Aspire one Quick Spec

Model name

Aspire one

Operating system

Linpus™ Linux® Lite version

Windows XP® Home (Service Pack 3)

Platform

Intel® Atom™ processor N270 (1.60 GHz, 533 MHz FSB, 512 KB L2 cache)

Mobile Intel® 945GSE Express Chipset (DDR2 400/533 MHz)

Mobile Intel® 82801GBM Chipset

Acer InviLink™ 802.11b/g Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® network connection, supporting Acer SignalUp™ wireless technology

System memory

Single channel with onboard SDRAM and one soDIMM slot

· DDR2 533 MHz SDRAM memory interface design

· onboard SDRAM: 512 MB

· soDIMM slot: Supports 512 MB/1 GB soDIMMs for total system memory of up to 1.5 GB

Display

8.9" WSVGA high-brightness (typical 180-nit) Acer CrystalBrite™ TFT LCD, 1024 x 600 pixel resolution

· LED backlight

· 262,000 colors supported

Storage

NAND flash module or hard disk drive for internal storage

NAND flash module:

· Up to 16 GB (depending on the model)

Hard disk drive:

· 2.5" 9.5 mm up to 160 GB (depending on the model)

Storage expansion:

· SD™ Card reader

Multi-in-1 card reader:

· Supporting Secure Digital™ (SD) Card, MultiMediaCard (MMC), Reduced-Size Multimedia Card (RS-MMC), Memory Stick® (MS), Memory Stick PRO™ (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card™ (xD)

· Supporting storage cards with adapter: miniSD™, microSD™, Memory Stick Duo™, Memory Stick PRO Duo™

Audio

High-definition audio support

Two built-in stereo speakers

MS-Sound compatible

Built-in digital microphone

Communication

Integrated Acer Crystal Eye webcam, supporting 0.3 megapixel resolution

WLAN: Acer InviLink™ 802.11b/g Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® network connection, supporting Acer SignalUp™ wireless technology

LAN: 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet

WWAN: UMTS/HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access) at 850/1900/2100 MHz and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), upgradeable to 7.2 Mb/s HSDPA and 2 Mb/s HSUPA (for 3G models) supporting receiver diversity and equalizes at 2100 MHz

Dimensions and weight

249 (W) x 170 (D) x 29 (H) mm (9.8 x 6.7 x 1.14 inches) for SKUs with NAND flash module and 3-cell battery pack

249 (W) x 195 (D) x 36 (H) mm (9.8 x 6.7 x 1.42 inches) for SKUs with hard disk drive and 6-cell battery pack

995 g (2.19 lbs.) for SKUs with NAND flash module and 3-cell battery pack

1.26 kg (2.78 lbs.) for SKUs with hard disk drive and 6-cell battery pack

Color choices

Sapphire blue

Seashell white

Golden Brown

Coral Pink

Diamond Black

Power

30 W adapter with power cord

24 W 2200 mAh 3-cell Li-ion battery pack

57 W 2600 mAh 6-cell Li-ion battery pack

3-hour battery life for SKUS with NAND flash module and 3-cell battery pack

7-hour battery life for SKUS with NAND flash module and 6-cell battery pack

2.8-hour battery life for SKUs with HDD and 3-cell battery pack

6.5-hour battery life for SKUs with HDD and 6-cell battery pack

Special keys and controls

84-key keyboard with 1.6 mm (minimum) key travel

Touchpad pointing device with two buttons

12 function keys, four cursor keys, one Windows® key for Windows® XP Home or one Home key for Linpus™ Linux® Lite version, hotkey controls, embedded numeric keypad, international language support

Power button with LED; Easy-access switch with LED: WLAN, WWAN

I/O ports

Multi-in-1 card reader; SD™ Card reader for storage expansion

Three USB 2.0 ports; External display (VGA) port

Headphone/speaker/line-out jack; Microphone-in jack

Ethernet (RJ-45) port; DC-in jack for AC adapter

Software

Linpus™ Linux® Lite version

· OpenOffice 2.3

· Aspire one Mail

· Messenger

Windows XP® Home

· Acer eRecovery Management

· Acer Launch Manager

· Adobe® Reader®

· McAfee® Internet Security Suite

· Microsoft® Office Trial 2007

Accessories

In-box:

· Protective bag (for selected models)

· 3-cell Li-ion battery pack

· 3-pin 30 W AC adapter

Optional:

· Carrying bag

· 3-cell Li-ion battery pack (additional)

· 6-cell Li-ion battery pack

· 3-pin 30 W AC adapter (additional)

· External hard disk drive

· External optical disk drive

Warranty

One-year carry in Warranty, upgradeable to 2 years through Acer Advantage

1 249 (W) x 170 (D) x 29 (H) mm for SKUs with NAND flash module and 3-cell battery pack; 249 (W) x 195 (D) x 36 (H) mm for SKUs with HDD and 6-cell battery pack

2 995 g (2.19 lbs.) for SKUs with NAND flash module and 3-cell battery pack and 1.26 kg (2.78 lbs.) for SKUs with HDD and 6-cell battery pack

3 3-hour battery life for SKUs with NAND flash module and 3-cell battery pack; 2.8-hour battery life for SKUs with HDD and 3-cell battery pack; 7-hour battery life for SKUs with NAND flash module and 6-cell battery pack; 6.5-hour battery life for SKUs with HDD and 6-cell battery pack

4 Coverage depending on network availability. Upon launch the Aspire one will be WiFi enabled only. Embedded 3G will be available in October 2008; embedded WiMax will be available in 2009.

5 only for the Linpus version

6 New colors Black and Brown will be available from late September, Pink in late October 2008

7 Depending on the model

8 System memory and/or bundled software depending on version or installed OS

9 System memory and/or bundled software depending on version or installed OS