Translator
By N2H
MobileComputer has a hands on with the Aspire One, they also have a good video of the Aspire One’s Linpus Linux Lite OS running.
“We didn’t get to spend long with the Aspire One and we should get a one in for full review some time next week. First impressions were good though, and the laptop feels solid and well put-together. The LED backlit screen is clear and bright; the keyboard on a par (both in terms of size and quality) with that on the MSI Wind. Good, in other words.
At just under 1kg for the three-cell battery model, the Acer Aspire One weighs about the same as the competition, but size-wise, it sits somewhere between the MSI Wind and Eee PC 900.”
Aspire One sports Intel’s Atom processor, an 8.9in screen and a $99 cashback deal on its $599 (Linux) and $699 (Windows XP) sticker price.
Due to be launched next week, with availability from mid-July for the Linux version and mid-August for Windows XP, the 8.9in laptop joins the Asus EeePC 901 and MSI Wind in being among the first mini-notes built around Intel’s Atom processor – specifically the N270, which clocks at 1.6GHz (with a 533MHz FSB and 512Kb of L2 cache, for those who care about such details).
The $599 Linux version (model AOA110) runs the Fedora-based Linpus Linux Lite, with both tab-based ‘simple mode’ and desktop ‘PC mode’ home screens. This will be paired with 512MB of RAM and an 8GB flash drive.
$699 gets you the Windows build (model AOA150) with XP Home, a relatively meaty 1.5GB of RAM and an 80GB 2.5in hard drive. Acer racks up the extra memory in the XP edition by dropping a 1GB DDR2 module into the Aspire One’s single memory slot to complement the 512MB already mounted directly onto the motherboard, but it remains to be seen if buyers of the Linux model can likewise upgrade their machine without voiding the warranty.
Also in the ‘yet to be confirmed’ box is the Aspire One’s battery. Some Acer material cites this as being a three-cell 2000mAh battery pack that’s good for around three hours on a single charge, while other information also lists a 2600mAh six-cell battery with six hours between recharges. We’re not yet certain if the split will be the three-cell battery for Linux and six-cell for Windows, or if it’s three-cells all around with buyers being able to upgrade to six-cells on order.
Acer is also offering a $99 cashback deal on both the Linux and Windows models, bringing their prices down to a compelling $500 and $600, respectively.
Source: http://apcmag.com
The site now has received 95k hits so far this month since launch which is fantastic result; from a site that has been totally started from scratch, and seems to be picking up really well.
Over the next few days, I’m currently compiling all the Acer Aspire One models and creating a new page on the site, which will list online retailers worldwide where to buy your new Acer AspireOne.
So if you know of any online retailers in your home country selling the Acer Aspire One, please post in the comments below and I will add them to the list.
“If the pricing details on UK site Cclonline are any indication, the Acer Aspire One could be the low-cost 8.9-inch Netbook people are waiting for.
The low-end model with an 8GB SSD, 512MB RAM and Linux OS will retail at £220, while the top-of-the-line configuration with 80GB HDD, 1GB RAM and Windows XP Home Edition is priced at £299.99. Compared with the Eee PC 901, the Acer has a much more comfortable keyboard, though the SSD option is capped at a mere 8GB (the Eee PC has a 40GB SSD).
While we are still awaiting news on the cost and configuration for Asia, our sources indicate that it will be priced very competitively. We can expect the first units to arrive sometime late next month for this region.”
Baza from our forums has pointed out the online shop www.expansys.com has the Acer Aspire One on pre-orders, pricing varies from £234 for the 8GB SSD version with Linux, but the big surprise is that for £244 you can get the 80GB version ???? £10 more for 72GB its a bit of a no-brainier, even if its a tiny bit heavier.
Hopefully these prices are at a premium for early pre-ordering, as the 8GB SSD version should be £199 inc vat.
“Here they are side by side. It’s a matter of taste regarding which looks purdier. Some Cravers like the Eee PC 901’s glossy curves, while others prefer the two-tone design of the Aspire One. The two gangs are organising a fight outside the Tate Modern at lunchtime tomorrow, if you fancy popping down. Bring your own weaponry. ”
Full comparsion here
“The Aspire One is available in a wider range of configurations, including a £220 entry-level model. But here’s how it stacks up against the Eee PC 901, pound for pound: 8.9-inch screen, 1.6GHz Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM, and an 80GB mechanical hard drive — which offers more storage, but is more fragile.”
Acer has set an aggressive sales target for the Acer One – its Eee PC-killer that was announced today at Computex. The world’s third largest PC vendor has forecasted sales of up to seven million units this year and 15 to 20 million next year.
The new-mini laptop will compete with a growing number of rivals in a market jump started by the Asus at last year’s Computex. Asus has only forecast sales of five million Eee PCs this year, and they’ve had a six-month head start over Acer. The new mini-laptop also faces fresh competition from several new models announced at Computex.
Companies believe the market for small laptops that have 7in to 10in screens, weigh less than 1kg and connect wirelessly to the internet is catching fire.
“This segment will be mainstream within the next few years,” said J.T. Wang, chairman of Acer, during a news conference in Taipei. His company believes the Aspire One, can attract a new kind of PC buyer, mainly people who want a low-cost, convenient mobile device they can use to surf the internet from anywhere.
Reviews and previews are coming in thick and fast, this time UK Mag PC Pro.
Mini-notebooks, it seems, come to the PC Pro Labs in twos. Hot on the heels of the Asus Eee PC 901 earlier today, we now have one of Acer’s lovely little Aspire One laptops to paw over, and so far we like what we’ve seen.
Straight away it feels sturdier than the Eee, more like a real laptop in its build quality. The curvy lid has a smooth sheen and uses a slightly different type of hinge - set back like a VAIO to make for a thinner lid. The 8.9in 1,024 x 600 screen matches the Asus, yet the more grown-up styling moves it away from that laptop’s my-first-PC feel.
Read more @ PC Pro
Laptop Mag has a good in-depth review of the Acer Aspire One, even though the system they where using was a pre-production model, it gives a good over sight of the running of the system.
Also on their website, is a hands on video of the Acer Aspire One. Video.
“Early Verdict: Good Value
The Aspire one has the potential to be a very solid mini-notebook at an incredibly competitive price. At $379, this system is cheaper than the Eee PC 900 series ($550 - $600), the MSI Wind (planned at $399 with Linux and $499 with XP), and the HP MiniNote (starts at $499, but most configs are much higher). It even sports a better price than the 7-inch first-gen Eee PC 4G (still $399 in most places), while offering a powerful Atom processor and a 1024×600 screen.
However, in order to get more than three hours of battery life you’ll want to spring for the six-cell battery. Acer will make configurations of the Aspire one available with this battery, as well as offer it as an add-on, but pricing has yet to be determined.
Nevertheless, this mini-notebook is one of the thinnest and lightest we’ve tested, which also offers it a competitive advantage. The customized linux interface is also one of the best we’ve seen, a worthy competitor to ASUS’s customized version of Xandros linux. We look forward to putting the two custom Linuxes head-to-head.”
French review site blogeee.net has got hands on with Acers new Aspire One Linpus operating system; its in French, but you get the idea.
Acer Aspire One Video Linux Linpus
They also have a good amount of pictures of the Acer Aspire One running, viewable here
