My Acer Aspire One review

2008-09-12T10:46:00.016+02:00

Specifications:
-Intel Atom Processor N270
- (1.60GHz. 512KB L2 Cache,533MHz FSB)
- Mobile Intel 945GSE Express Chipset
- Acer Invilink 802.11b/g WiFi Wireless Network Network Connection
-Microsoft Windows XP Home
-1GB Memory (onboard 512MB + 1x 512MB Module)
-8.9" WSVGA TFT CrystalBrite LCD (1024x600 pixel)
-LED Backlight - 262,000 color supported
-120GB SATA HDD (with one storage slot for SD Card for storage expansion)
-Integrated Acer CrystalEye Webcam
-Multi-in-1 Card Reader
-Built-in 10/100 Mbps LAN
-with 89% full size keyboard
-with notebook sleeve
-Weight: 1.26Kg. (2.78lbs.)
-Battery-3 cell
-Warranty- here in Slovenia its 2 years but it can also be only 1 year
-Price here in Slo.-379.99€
-Available colours: pearl white, blue, brown, pink.

(Note: theres also a weaker laptop available with SSD drive and Linux- [url=http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4431]SSD model[/url]

Closer look:

From left: 230V power plug, VGA connection, Ethernet, USB, Storage expansion- this accepts SD cards. I don't see a reason why you would need it since theres a 120GB HDD drive but it comes in handy for the SSD version of this notebook which has only 8GB capacity.

From left: Microphone (note: you don't need to plug one in since the laptop has a built in mic next to the camera), headphone connection, 2 USB ports, Card reader (reads most of the popular cards), Kensington lock.

On the right you can WLAN switch: slide it to the right-WLAN enabled, slide it to the right again- WLAN disabled.

You also get a simple slip cover with it.

The screen is glossy so its a bit hard to work where theres a lot of sun but the image quality is great. Haven' tried HD videos but I've seen some YouTube videos saying it plays them smoothly. Dvix movies look very good and its enjoying to watch them.

I was impressed by the sound. That was my biggest worry. I had to poke a bit with the equalizer and now it sounds really good. A lot better than both of our HP laptops. Sound didn't have enough bass and the speakers are very weak so I recommend using headphones.

My preferred Equalizer settings.

Built in camera works really good, very smooth. I haven't tried it with a web messaging app. so if anyone wants me to do it, I'll do it.
You access the camera by going into My Computer. There you can also take pictures.

Its really easy to connect with WLAN. When I first connected in a ordinary bar (not in a cyber caffe bar) it found 6 wireless connection. I picked the one in the top that had the strongest signal and wasn't secured.

Windows is preloaded on a part of the drive, all you have to do the first time you boot it up is to set up your language options and keyboard layout. It also has McAffe AV installed (full license) but I installed it and the memory usage dropped from 420MB to 270MB and then another tweaking such as disabling visual effect and disabling processes lowered the usage by another 20MBs. InterVideoDVD 5 (full license) is also preinstalled as well as a 60 day trial of MS office 2007.

Comparison:

One vs a 15"HP

Final thoughts:

This sub notebook gives a lot for its price. The sound is very good, lots of HDD capacity and has a good screen. I like its black frame around the screen. Black frame is better for watching movies at night and also its easier to concentrate on the picture than with a white frame. White keyboard allows you to type in a dark room (imagine typing on a black keyboard at night). Keyboard feels very natural for a laptop and its robust. Touchpad works very good, though the placement of the two buttons looks strange but it doesn't bother me since I always use double tapping for confirming. Battery is only 3cell which is enough to use the laptop for 3 hours on "normal" use (low brightness of the screen, no wireless) or on full use- the battery will only suffice for 2 hours. So if you're watching a movie it will last for 3 hours. A 6 cell battery lasts longer but makes the laptop heavier and thicker. So I think 3 cell battery does its job. I must also add that its extremely silent.

Pros:
good sound
good screen
good build quality
very affordable

Cons:
it overheats under the palm rest but not by much.
battery doesn't last very long

Thanks for reading. Hopefully this review will make it easier for you to decide which sub notebook to get. A full size image for the end:

My SuperPI score=10.781s

2008-06-10T20:09:00.019+02:00

CPU: Intel E8400@4320Mhz

Memory: TWIN2X2048-8500C5D-PC2-8500, 2GB Kit, 5-5-5-15, 240pin DIM@1069Mhz

Discussion on BF2s forums:
BF2s SuperPI scores

and here

BF2s SuperPI scores v2

2007-08-14T03:23:00.000+02:00

The next game im going to play is COD4.

New design

2007-07-19T00:54:00.000+02:00

K guys just redesigned my blog, isnt quite finished yet but tell me what you think. I put a lot of effort in it so i expect compliments :p. No, kidding, tell me your honest opinion on what you think about it. Maybe i should change something?...

U-Boot sig

2007-07-12T14:58:00.000+02:00

Ownage of the day

2007-07-10T03:05:00.001+02:00

Today i was owning on the pubs again. Yes, again. :p

The Chinese iPhone out for some time now...

2007-06-29T18:40:00.002+02:00

While iPhone was just released in the USA and people are standing in front of Apple shops all day and night, the Chinese are already selling their iPhone for couple weeks now.

Closer look at the (original) iPhone

2007-06-29T18:25:00.000+02:00

Apple Inc's Phil Schiller shows many features of the iPhone. Apple's latest product will go on sale this June.

Went shoping

2007-06-28T00:18:00.000+02:00

Hi all

This is my first post in my new blog. I hope the words im going to post will be a good and interesting reading. I decided to write in English so people from abroad will taste a bit how life here in Slovenia is. Today i went shopping since the sales already started and bought myself pants, T-shirt and a pair of sandals. A friend went with me and he really has taste for clothes. He is always well dressed and wears brands but i preffer sporty types of clothes. Ok sorry i'll have to finish early cos friends came and i musn't let them wait. Be back in the evening.

Laterz :)

~