Acer Aspire One Pro could signal a diluting trend
We'd guess that Acer wouldn't intentionally put itself in any sort of contretemps, but its actions are proving otherwise. As ASUS did (and continues to do), it seems that Acer is moving closer and closer to obliterating any semblance of separation between its Aspire netbooks. Shortly after hearing of the 11.6-inch Aspire One comes an ever-so-tweaked variant that reportedly caters to professional and business users. Granted, we're not so sure what suit can sufficiently load those 40 task bar applications on an presumed Atom CPU, but we digress. The always insightful macles has it that the so-called AA1 Pro will sport a more industrial design, a Linux-based OS (Windows optional) and your choice of HDD or SSD. Check the read link for a few more angles, and go ahead and bank on Acer coming clean with the full slate of specs here soon.
























Hurray
yeah, I would defiantly get this thing over a asus eeeeeeeeee piece of crap, this thing looks like an actual computer, not a coupple pieces of crappy plastic
Until your Acer falls apart. O and good luck with the upgradability.
I understand that acer's are not the best, i'll actually stick with my hp mini 2140 and dv6000, but i were to choose differently, i think i'd go for acer just because of how inexpensive they are.
Ironically, I bought an Aspire One after my HP laptop system board failed and my girlfriend's HP laptop system board failed for the second time...all within two weeks. I'm not suggesting that the Acer will definitely be better, I've never seen one go down, unlike almost every other brand out there (granted that could have as much to do with scarcity of the brand as with anything else).
@Jorvay: That particular problem was due to nVidia chipsets. HP only sourced the parts (along with the rest of the world who uses nVidia parts).
Linux based business laptop? That doesn't seem likely. Business-savvy and computer-savvy do not go hand in hand. Otherwise, I'd be out of a job.
That aside, the Acer Aspire One is my favorite netbook. The build quality of the 8.9in is fantastic and the keyboard is the best of the 8.9in-class. The 10.1in AA1 was a real let down with regards to a complete lack of improvement to the keyboard, but I'll bet Acer will nail the "Pro" model.
By the way, 11.6" is not a netbook. It's a craptop.
Is there really any difference between a netbook and "craptop" aside from screen size?
@shanoboy:
nope, thats about it. the low specs are easily tolerable when it comes with extreme portability but not at all tolerable in a bigger heavier unit where you can easily have high spec components in the form factor
My perfect netbook would have:
Intel Atom 330 Dual Core 1.6Ghz
11.6" display (1366x768)
2GB Ram
500GB HDD
EeePC Multitouchpad
Samsung N120 speaker
HP Mini 1000 housing
I have to agree. I'm looking for the same thing. I want the barebones of a netbook with just a slightly larger screen.
Oh, and you can keep the 500 gig drive. I do all my computing in the "cloud". Just need enough disk space to sync my docs up for when I don't have the net access.
Actually Perfect Notebook would be
Dual Core Atom 2Ghz (Releasing soon on notebooks)
10" Display 1280x800 or 1366x768
2GB Ram with Windows 7
Nvidia chip @720p playback + Youtube HD stream
160GB HD with
Wifi-3G-Bluetooth
499$ = Will be sold out for a year at least
DR House Netbook seems to be magically cause thats exactly what want
I'd rather avoid in-order CPUs if possible and stick wth ULV Core 2 or AMD 64.
Atoms are crap adding another core won't make it an out-of-order CPU, go for a dual core celeron it is ALOT more powerful.
Give me the option for a 16gig-or-more ssd with SD-card expansion (like the Aspire One 8.9") and a configuration that doesn't include a microsoft tax (either a linux OS on it or no OS at all) and I'm in.
It's sad to watch all this twitching and tweaking in netbook land. No one knows what to build, what features to add, and users aren't sure either. Apple will come to the rescue soon enough and define once and for all what these manufacturers need to copy and what features users didn't know they needed. Of course 90% of Engadget readers will bitch they can't afford Apple's offering, but at least they will know what to look for in netbooks and craptops going forward.
My IBM ThinkPad 240X from 9 years ago had a 10.3 inch screen and almost the same weight as the Aspire One. It was called an ultra-portable then. If the price was $299 it would have been called a netbook. Which brings me to my point: price defines the word netbook. If it costs the same as a laptop, then it's an ultra-portable.
Countretemps...I see you're not the only one who gets the "Word of the Day" emails....
That's interesting... I just signed up. I know it wasn't a tip, but thanks.
For others: I think it's hosted through dictionary dot com?
I'm sure writers at Engadget know the market better than Acer thats why poor old Acer can't sell any Aspire netbooks LOL
Hinges are ugly. The top bezel is huge. At least they got the arrows kinda right, but no chiclet keyboard.
The netbooks are getting better this summer. At the minimum, the standard features will support HD screen size, variable frame rate playback HD contents, Megapixel photodisplay (good image scaling technology), connection to HDMI HDTV. All for about $200 to $300. Some good amount of mass storage is essential for traveling, & a remote control for use when connect to HDMI HDTV. These types of netbooks are coming in a couple of month.
True but you can always play that game! Although the promises of Ion chipset and dual core Atom may be a bigger spec bump than the last year has seen.
On the other hand, netbook resale value is still very high, most are going for barely less than what they were new, so you could always buy now and sell later to get a newer one. Resale might drop a bit when next-gen ones come along, but not if you sell right away before the general public really knows about it.
This post deserves a gold star for being "special" ::wink:: ::wink::
^ @ BOD