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10-inch Acer Aspire One now official in the US
You've read the specs, gawked at the pics, and pored over the reviews -- and now Acer will officially accept your hard-earned United States currency and ship you a 10-inch Acer Aspire One D150. Yep, it's here, and although we've more or less moved on to waiting for the next generation of netbooks based on Ion or at least the Atom N280 with the GN40 chipset, the D150 is basically as good as the current crop of 1.6GHz Atom N270 machines gets for $350 -- just make sure you score the good battery. So, anyone gonna shell out, or are we all waiting for round two together?[Via iTech News]
Acer Aspire One D150 reviewed, AT&T 3G deal 'only the beginning'
At last, after seeing it unboxed and fiddled with on camera last week, we've got out first in-depth review of the 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One D150, courtesy of Laptop. How does the Intel Atom N270-based machine fare? Excellent for its $350 price tag, although the keyboard and touchpad don't compare favorably with the pricier Eee PC 1000HE or Samsung NC10. As for battery life, the 5800mAh-rated 6-cell had a very impressive 7 hour and 57 minute runtime, which is 49 minutes longer than the 1000HE and 38 minutes over HP's Mini 2140. Of course, seeing as most consumers will end up with the 4400mAh batteries, a more likely estimate is 5 hours per charge. Additionally, the site had a Q&A session with Acer VP of Product Marketing Sumit Agnihotry, who said that $100 Aspire One with AT&T 3G deal is "only the beginning" and they're developing a plan to offer discounted laptops with an hourly-use program. There's also talk of incorporating NVIDIA's Ion platform into future computers. Hit up the read links below for the full review and more deets from Agnihotry.Read - ReviewRead - Q&A with Agnihotry
10-inch Aspire One's battery downgraded after reviewers have their fill
In most industries there's a long and sordid history of manufacturers giving cars, motorcycles, computers, and just about any other consumer product a little something extra to make sure they perform well for the media. Asus seemingly got caught doing just that to its Eee PC 900 last year, installing batteries with additional oomph for reviewers, and now we seemingly have a case of Acer following its competition's tracks straight into a bad PR situation, saying that it "inadvertently" shipped the first batch of 10-inch Aspire One netbooks (the ones sent to reviewers) with six-cell batteries rated at 5800mAh. Most consumers, however, will receive packs rated at just 4400mAh, which should shave two or three hours from its overall battery life. Those who've pre-ordered may get lucky and get the larger batt, but, like some lithium-laced Cracker Jack box, there's no way to tell what's inside until you open the package and have a look-see. Best of luck.
Video: HP's MIE Linux distro runs just fine on Acer's Aspire One
Just last Friday HP finally released the installer for MIE, its clever and clean version of Ubuntu, and, though we warned about running it on anything but a Mini 1000, Dan from Dan's Web threw caution (and whatever was currently installed on his netbook) to the wind and tried it on an Aspire One. Straight out of the box the OS and UI overlay seem to work quite well, as shown on the video below, missing only an audio driver but having WiFi and even Bluetooth. He suspects things will function just as well on other netbooks (since there's so much hardware overlap between them), but as always your compatibility may vary. To get in on the action you'll need the 900KB installer from HP, the 900MB image the installer will download, and a 2GB thumb drive to boot. If you have the necessary bytes, bits, and bravado, be our guest and let us know how it goes.
Acer Aspire One D150 with N270 previewed, now available for US pre-order
The 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One D150 has found its way onto Amazon and J&R's websites and is now available for pre-order in blue and black color options, respectively. This version's got the 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor and 6-cell battery, with no word on the 3-cell or 1.66GHz N280 variants. Asking price is three Benjamins and an Ulysses S. Grant, or $350 if you're not into presidential pricing nomenclature. Additionally, the fine folks at netbooknews.de that gave us unboxing photos this week have a video hands-on of the laptop. High expectations from the market leader apparently turned into low marks for the glossy display, small trackpad, and a keyboard that's "separated by universes" -- and not in a good way -- when compared to the Samsung NC10. Further testing is expected later this week, check out the video after the break.[Via iTech News]Read - Amazon product pageRead - J&R product pageRead - Netbooknews.de video hands-on
Intel ships Atom N280 for 720p netbooks -- NVIDIA's Ion points, laughs
With ASUS' Eee PC 1000HE up for pre-order, it's clear that netbooks are ready to make the jump from Intel's lowly 1.6GHz Atom N270 to the suped-up 1.66GHz N280. In fact, Intel just confirmed shipments of its new Atom processor to PC makers. Now don't let us hear you bellyaching about that being a meager 0.06GHz jump -- the magic isn't in the clock but in the faster 667MHz (up from 533MHz) front-side bus and new GN40 chipset with hardware-based 720p video decoder. That easily bests the Atom N270 pairing with the customary 945GSE chipset without any increase in power consumption. Think about that when trying to make a 10-inch netbook choice between ASUS' Eee PC 1000HE (with new N280 proc and GN40 chipset) and Acer's new N270-based Aspire One. Then again, maybe you're waiting for the first netbook to ship with NVIDIA's Atom-based Ion platform with full 1080p playback? Might as well, who knows, maybe you'll land a production version of Windows 7, a swiveling touchscreen, and a finger-optimized UI in reward for your patience.Update: Looks like the Eee 1000HE doesn't have all the new bits -- Laptop did some digging and found that it's still got the same old 945GSE to go with that new proc, although it is still capable of doing 720p video playback. Boring, we'll wait for the real GN40 machines to show up soon.
Acer's 10.1-inch Aspire One netbook trickles out
First shipments of Acer's 10.1-inch Aspire One netbooks are now underway in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Large volume shipments are on schedule for the rest-of-world beginning mid-February according to the DigiTimes' typically reliable Acer sources. And after watching the 8.9-inch Aspire One steal the crown of world's best selling netbook away from ASUS, we thought you'd like to know that Acer's version of the 1.6GHz Atom N270 netbook with 1GB of RAM, SDHC card slot, 3x USB, and optional 3G was nearly here. Still no pricing unless "aggresive" means something specific to you.Update: Acer just announced a February 20th launch in Japan and the first 10-inch Aspire One was spotted by HKEPC on a shelf in Hong Kong.
10-inch Aspire One does a little government work at the FCC
It looks like Acer's 10-inch Aspire One D150 is getting set for a US debut, as it just popped up in the FCC's all-knowing database. Nothing here we didn't know or couldn't guess -- Acer's own list of changes from the 8.9-inch Aspire One consists of the screen size and a new Bluetooth module -- but it's nice to see Uncle Sam giving this bad boy the once over before it starts beaming its WiFi terror rays into our homes. Or, you know, running XP to browse Facebook, whatever.[Via mini-notebook-laptop]
Acer confirms plans for Linux, SSD-equipped 10-inch Aspire One netbooks
It wasn't making any promises on launch day, but Acer has reportedly now confirmed that it will indeed be offering both Linux and SSD options on its new 10-inch Aspire One netbook, though you won't be able to get either option right out of the gate. Expectedly, the Linux distribution on tap is Linpus Linux, and it looks like the only SSD option will be a 16GB drive -- no word on pricing for either, unfortunately. There's also no firm word on a released date, though it'll apparently be some time after the mid-February roll out of the Windows XP-equipped model.
Rumor: 10-inch Acer Aspire One to replace 8.9-incher
We're hearing some murmurings today that Acer's planning on replacing its current, 8.9-inch Aspire One with the previously seen 10.1-inch Aspire One (the 103), phasing out the former. The new model will pack a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, and 1GB of RAM, optional 3G, SDHC card slot, and 3 USB ports -- relatively standard fare, to be sure -- though it's going to come in a few sexy colors we sure do like the looks of Sure, Digitimes (the source of this rumor) isn't necessarily the most reliable paper we read in the morning with our coffee, but this particular tidbit doesn't strike us as terribly far-fetched. We'll have to (reportedly) wait until sometime in the second quarter to find out for sure, though. In the meantime: calm down.Update: This worst-kept secret is now official, with Acer confirming plans to release its rumored 10-incher, but not saying just when or for how much. The confirmed specs are exactly what we expected -- go figure.[Via Electronista]
The 10-inch Acer Aspire One takes some beauty shots
Sure, the 10-inch Acer Aspire One isn't what you'd call classified material, but most of the leaked pictures we've seen so far have been pretty low-rent -- so this latest batch of leaked photos showing the Atom-powered netbook all gussied up for the camera might stir some deeper feelings in that cold heart of yours. It looks like we'll be getting multiple colors in addition to that new non-stupid trackpad button layout, so that's fun -- we're quite taken with the red model here. Now if Acer would just hurry up and tell us what we already know. More shots at the read link.
Acer's 10-inch Aspire One 103 in photos
Acer's 10-inch Aspire One isn't exactly a secret, but we haven't seen straight-on pictures of it yet -- and glory be, it looks like the rumors of a revised trackpad button layout were true. Not only that, but it's a multitouch model, so you'll be ready for the Windows 7 party. Nothing spectacular other than that -- you're looking at a pretty standard 1.6GHz Atom, 1GB of RAM, optional 3G, SDHC card slot, and 3 USB ports. More pics at the read link.[Via jkkmobile]
More 10-inch Acer Aspire One rumors trickle out
We'd already gotten a solid word from Acer Taiwan president Scott Lin that there would indeed be a 10-inch Aspire One in early 2009, and now we've got some purported pictures and informations to chew on. According to the Aspire One fan-blog macles*, the upcoming revision will come in white, black and red flavors, with a 10.1-inch screen (at the same 1024 x 600 resolution of the existing model) and options for 3G and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. Perhaps most exciting -- to us non-mutants, anyways -- is the removal of those pesky trackpad-flanking mouse buttons, with a regular-looking button below the trackpad instead doing the honors. Less exciting, however, is the purported lack of Linux and SSD SKUs. The laptop also dropped its Storage Expansion slot in lieu of a good old-fashioned multi-card reader. All-in-all, it sounds like some very mainstream tweaks to an already ultra-popular netbook, and we can't fault Acer for that. Word is the new Aspire One will be landing in February, no mention of price just yet.[Via jkkmobile]
Acer Aspire One goes official on AT&T's 3G network
Hey, remember that Acer Aspire One equipped with on-board 3G we spied in a Radio Shack ad the other day? Well guess what? It's real -- and we've got the PR to prove it. Just as expected, the netbook is being offered for the teensy price of $99.99 (coupled with a lengthy and expensive contract with AT&T). The diminutive laptop comes equipped with a single mind-blowing gigabyte of memory and a decently sizeable 160GB hard drive. Besides doing its mobile broadband thing, it also sports 802.11b/g, weighs in at 2.44 lbs., and will never, ever seem worth it in the long run.
Gateway goes netbook in Singapore with the LT1001G, an Acer rebadge
Now that Acer's Aspire One is on top, there's really little shame in rebadging the popular netbook with everyone's favorite cow-themed computer brand and shipping it on over to Singapore, which is what Acer-owned Gateway has apparently done with the LT1001G. Details are slim, but specs are pretty standard, with a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM and a 160GB HDD. It'll retail for $688 Singapore dollars (about $458 US), and is accompanied by a few other low and high-end laptops to help mark the company's re-emergence in Singapore after splitting nearly eight years ago -- we'd say we're looking forward to seeing the netbook in the rest of the world, but we pretty much already have.[Via Netbook Era]
Acer takes the "most netbooks sold" crown from ASUS
The hotter-than-ever netbook market -- which has seemingly been headed Acer's way for a while now -- has seen its numbers for the third quarter of 2008 arrive, and the Aspire One has indeed overtaken ASUS Eee PC as top dog in units moved. Acer's captured 38.3 percent of the market share, selling 2.15 million netbooks, while ASUS sold about 1.7 million, or 30.3 percent. Possibly adding insult to injury, we hear that an XP-loaded Aspire One can be yours for $299 today at Best Buy. We doubt ASUS will be taking its toys and going home any time soon, but we might've heard a few sniffles coming from its corner during recess.[Via Laptop]Read - Best BuyRead - Strong netbook shipments buoy notebook PC market in Q3 '08
Contract-laden 3G Acer Aspire One hitting US at just $99?
These days most people wouldn't think of buying a new phone without getting a couple hundies off in exchange for their wireless free will. But netbooks? Internationally such deals aren't altogether uncommon, but we haven't seen one here yet. That changes next week if the above image turns out to be legit (and we kinda think it is), with Radio Shack set to offer an Acer Aspire One for just $99 so long as you sign up for a $60/month (or more) data plan through AT&T. (If you squint you can see it's a rather less enticing $499 without.) That comes to something north of $1,500 over the life of the contract, which is hardly a steal -- but then again your average sub-$200 smartphone doesn't seem like such a bargain after two years of $35/month, either.[Thanks, A RadioShack Guy]
Acer readies 10-inch Aspire One for Q1 launch
Acer's top-selling Aspire One is set to break into 10-inch territory as early as February or March. This according to Scott Lin, Acer Taiwan president. Also on the books are 12.1-, 13.3-, and 15.6-inch LED-backlit laptops for 2009 -- a 14.1-incher should hit this year with a price of NT$40,000 or about $1,200 of the green, presidential stuff.
Acer's Aspire One A110X "Black Edition" hits the streets of Germany
The Aspire One is selling really well, in spite of the fact that it kind of gets lost in the overwhelming wilderness of more exciting (cooler, if you will) netbooks, so it's not necessarily surprising to see it appearing in new and zany colors... like black. Sure, it's exactly the same as every other Aspire One 110 we've ever seen, but this one is... all black. In fact, it's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black. The special "Black Edition" has touched down in Germany for €400 (or about $500), which is a bit more than we're used to paying for the old 110, but it seems worth it to express so much with so little effort.
Touch-screen kit for Aspire One and Eee PC 900/901 hits eBay, no soldering required
You know you've made it when your little-laptops-that-could sit atop a market-share big enough to support third-party device-hackery like this. It's "easy," it's "fun," it's a solder-less DIY touch-screen kit made specifically for the Acer Aspire One and Eee PC 900/901 netbooks. The 4-wire, resistive panel display with Mac, Linux, and Windows drivers sure looks easy enough to install. But we'll wait for the reviews to see just how well the $96 panel (a cool 25% of the netbook's price) performs under day-to-day use, thankyouverymuch. We've got our Windows 7 pre-beta ready just in case.[Thanks, Joe L.]