Acer Aspire one Officially Arrives In The US

Acer is announcing U.S. availability of the Acer Aspire one, an ultra-lightweight mobile Internet device (mini notebook) with prices starting at just $379. The Aspire one provides easy-to-use access to the Internet in a stylish and ultra-compact platform. It's designed to be an affordable and simple solution for web browsing, checking email, instant messaging, VOIP calls, streaming video, viewing photos and listening to music.

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The Next Evolution of Mini Notebook Internet Devices

Weighing just 2.17 pounds and measuring 9.8 x 6.7 x 1.14-inches, Aspire one is lightweightand compact for easy travel. Initially offered in either sapphire blue or seashell white, Aspire one will also be available in golden brown and diamond black later this year.

The Aspire one features an 8.9-inch CrystalBrite WSVGA LED backlit display with a resolution of 1024x600 pixels. Integrated in the screen is an Acer Crystal Eye webcam featuring Acer PrimaLite technology for live video streaming, video chats and conferences even in low-light environments.

The Aspire one comes with a standard 3-cell battery that provides up to 3 hours of battery life. The optional 6-cell battery and the Linpus Linux Lite version of Aspire one offers up to 7 hours of battery life.

There are two options for data storage: a NAND flash module of 8GB with an additional SD card slot for smart storage expansion or a 120GB internal hard drive. The additional SD card slot seamlessly integrates with the internal NAND flash module as an added storage device. The ability to have both a 5-in-1 card reader and a SD card reader at the same time, allows users to download photos from the "multi-in-1" to share with others and store to the SD card as an internal storage device simultaneously.

The Aspire one comes with two built-in stereo speakers and offers high-definition audio support. The system also comes standard with 802.11b/g Wi-Fi.

Simple, Easy to Use Software

The Aspire one is offered in several models based on either Linpus Linux Lite or Windows XP Home operating system.

The Linux interface clearly organizes everything in a task-centric manner. The pre-installed software is separated by use in four distinct areas on the screen: Connect, Works, Fun and Files ... making it easy for novice computer users. A click of the home key brings users back to the home page at any time.

This new mini notebook comes with the Aspire one mail software suite that lets users manage up to six email accounts with a single application interface. A small icon to the right of the message quickly and clearly shows the appropriate mail account. The system also provides Messenger for Instant Messaging with a single sign-in to manage multiple messenger accounts, which allows users to simultaneously access Google Talk, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Microsoft Windows Live Messenger and various other instant messaging services. The software can be used with the integrated video camera for instant file sharing, voice chats and video conferences.

Additional software such as Acer eRecovery Management, McAfeeInternet Security Suite, Microsoft Office Trial 2007 and AdobeReader are also installed on the Microsoft XP Home version.

Specifications, Pricing and Availability

The Acer Aspire one is available now via Acer's authorized resellers including BestBuy, Circuit City and CDW. Prices range from a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $379 to $499 depending on configuration. All models come with a one-year limited warranty. The available models include:

Acer Aspire one AOA110-1722 ($379):

• Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.60GHz, 533MHz FSB, 512KB L2 Cache)
• 512MB Memory
• 8GB SSD NAND Flash Module
• 8.9-inch WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite 1024 x 600
• IntelGraphics Media Accelerator 950
• Acer Crystal Eye Web Camera
• 10/100 Mbps LAN
• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Certified WLAN
• 3-Cell battery
• Multi-in-1 Media Card Reader
• SD Storage Expansion Card Reader
• Linpus Linux Lite
• 3 USB 2.0 Ports
  

Acer Aspire one AOA150-1570 ($399):

• Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.60GHz, 533MHz FSB, 512KB L2 Cache)
• 1GB Memory (512MB On-board)
• 120GB Internal Hard Drive
• 8.9-inch WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite1024 x 600
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Acer Crystal Eye Web Camera
• 10/100 Mbps LAN
• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Certified WLAN
• 3-Cell Battery
• Multi-in-1 Media Card Reader
• SD Card Reader
• Windows XP Home
• 3 USB 2.0 Ports

Acer Aspire one AOA110-1566 ($449):

• IntelAtom Processor N270 (1.60GHz, 533MHz FSB, 512KB L2 Cache)
• 1GB Memory
• 8GB SSD NAND Flash Module
• 8.9-inch WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite 1024 x 600
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Acer Crystal Eye Web Camera
• 10/100 Mbps LAN
• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Certified WLAN
• 6-Cell Battery
• Multi-in-1 Media Card Reader
• SD Card Reader
• Linpus Linux Lite
• 3 USB 2.0 Ports

 

It's been available here north of the border for about 2 weeks now, so far been decent feedback. Decent build quality, good keyboard, but with the standard 3 cell, it gets a bit under 2 hours and the slowish SSD/SD combo were big negatives.

The two SD card slot is very interesting though, especially how it adds into the hard drive.

I also forgot to add that some base AspireOne's (AOA110-1722 ($370 MSRP)) come with 1gb of RAM instead of 512mb, it seems to be selectively random. As well, to upgrade the RAM, users will need to dissemble the unit, as the RAM slot is at the bottom and there are no open covers on the bottom that exist for the RAM slot, you'll need to take it apart.

 

interesting i just hold out a little longer and see what else is comming since i dont really need one of these but i just want to have one

 

It looks decent, though ugh, battery life. If you could get 6 or 7 hours' life out of these netbooks, I think they'd really start to shine.

I wonder if the custom linux distro allows for installing your own programs.

 

I can't find it on any of those websites. Where can I buy it? I'm tired of waiting for the wind.

 

The Acer press release was issued early this morning, and Best Buy, CDW and Circuit City are all supposed to have product pages up within the next 24 hours. If not, blame Best Buy, Circuit City, and CDW. Acer confirmed that the Aspire one is in stock and available through these retailers today but it's up to the retailers to get them into the hands of consumers.

 

wow, an acer that is ment to be cheap... YIKES!

 

Nice. Now the real question is whether to buy this or some of the competing models. I might actually have to visit a physical store to check this out.

 

I just called my local best buy and circuit city and neither have it :/

 

Newegg has it for 379.00: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115489

 

Both the Aspire One and MSI Wind are interesting, and seem to be superior than the EEE 901. One thing which bothers me about the AspireOne though, is that it does not have a fan, whereas the MSI Wind has a fan which runs constantly. I don't know which is more of a problem, a fan that breaks due to overuse, or a netbook which experiences heat issues with overuse.

but at $379 locally, the Aspire One certainly wins over on price, compared to the $549 price for the MSI Wind.

 

Anyone found the $399.00 version with XP and larger hard drive for sale yet?

 

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=31469&vpn=LU.S040B.109&manufacture=Acer

Local seller here in Vancouver, Canada, but they will ship abroad.

 

What exactly is the screen size for an 8.9" Widescreen? Are we talking about something that is a tad bigger than a 4" x 6" picture?

 

"ETA Mid-August"

Better off waiting.

 

Now how about a XP version with a 6 cell battery.

 

Anyone have feedback on ownership experience with the Aspire One?

 

http://asia.cnet.com/digitalliving/smackdown/0,3800004923,62044078,00.htm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115489
read the userreviews, their pretty nice

 

for the same price... would you guys go for Wind or Aspire One ? do they both have almost full keyboards ? anyone know the exact keyboard dimensions for each ?