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I recently purchased the Acer Aspire One netbook for $349.00 and I gotta say, three weeks in, it’s been worth every penny. I really love this little portable! It’s tiny (9.8″W x 6.7″D x 1.14″H to be exact), but not to the point of compromising usability; and it comes stock with everything I need, and little I don’t.

Initial Thoughts

The Acer Aspire One is sturdy and well-made, yet ultra compact and light (weighing in at just 2.2 pounds). The 8.9″ screen (though fairly small) boasts a resolution that is is beautiful- crisp, clear and bright owing to the Acer CrystalBrite™ LCD display. It’s also got an easy to use zoom-feature, to make browsing a breeze. The keyboard is surprisingly accommodating for a netbook. In fact, I use mine primarily for word-processing (and browsing the internet) and have had no issues with spending prolonged periods of time typing.

Specs

Though specs vary by model, the AOA150-1570 comes with an Intel® Atom™ N270 processor, 1GB installed memory and a 120GB hard drive (that’s bigger than my desktop!). It’s also got a Multi-in-One card reader, integrated Wi-Fi and even a built-in webcam- perfect for Skyping. The AOA150-1570 also comes with Microsoft Windows XP Home, though I may run Linux gOS which is said to be designed primarily for netbooks. While it doesn’t come with CD or DVD drives (netbooks’ size don’t allow for them) it does have 3 USB ports. CNET editors’ review called Acer Aspire One “the best all-around Netbook… for less than $400.”

Just One Complaint…

My one complaint about the Acer Aspire One is it’s somewhat wimpy battery life. Its 3-cell Li-ion provides a maximum of 2.5 hours before needing to be charged. However, this hasn’t posed a problem for me as I don’t spend much time using it at coffee-shops or on park benches. If you think you’ll need more battery life, there is a 6-cell version available. You can even purchase an admittedly bulky 9-cell battery which will give you a whopping 9:40 hours of cord-free fun.

Portability

Reviewers tout its portability as a major ownership benefit (many say its perfect for tossing in a backpack or purse), and while the Acer Aspire One does come with a small rubber case, I might recommend purchasing a more durable sleeve if you’re really going to be throwing it in a knapsack. Otherwise, you can buy a hard shell carrying-case with handle.

Bottom Line

I love this thing. Check it out. If you’re in the market for a new notebook, but don’t have a huge budget, the Acer Aspire One might be your answer. It’s mine!

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