the Acer AspireOne

[h0ughy (David)]

About a week or so ago I bought a brand new Acer AspireOne from officeworks for $645 and there was a $99 cashback available on the item
The specifications are as laid out below
Specifications
Processor and Chipset
Intel® Atom™ processor N270
(1.60GHz, 533MHz, 512KB L2 Cache)
Mobile Intel 945GSE Chipset (DDR2 400/533MHz)
Operating System
Linpus™ Linux®,
Genuine Microsoft® Windows XP® Home

LCD Type & Size
8.9" WSVGA High-Brightness LED Backlight Widescreen Display, support 1024 x 600 pixel resolution
Memory
Up to 1GB DDR2 533MHz SDRAM
Storage
8GB Flash Drive (Linpus™ Linux®)
120GB Hard Drive (Microsoft® Windows XP® Home)
Storage Bay
Dedicated SD™ Carder reader for storage expansion
I/O Interfaces
1 x 5-in-1 card reader (SD™, MMC, MS, MS PRO, xD)
3 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x External display (VGA) port
1 x Headphone/speaker/line-out jack
1 x Microphone-in jack
1 x Ethernet (RJ-45) port
1 x DC-in jack for AC adapter
Audio
High-definition audio support, two built-in stero speakers, MS-Sound compatible, built-in microphone
System Power
Battery Type: 24W 2000 mAh 3-cell Li-ion battery pack
Battery Life:Up to 3 with a 3 Cell Li-ion battery**
AC Adapter:3-pin 30W AC adapter
Weight and Dimensions
249 (W) x 170 (D) x 29 (H) mm
985 g
Compliance
C-Tick (AS/NZS 60950)
Standard Warranty
Australia - 1 Year Courier Pickup and Return Standard Warranty
New Zealand - 1 Year Return to Base Standard Warranty


Well I opted for the extended warranty instead of the cash back. At the time I bought mine there was only the standard 3 cell battery with bugger all battery life – 1.5 hours at best. They quickly made available a 6 cell Li battery which I bought for 99 dollars – I now have well over 3.5-4 hours of lappy life. I am not much of a fan of the touchpads, this one is no different – I simply don’t like it. The wireless network is brilliant – works well but only at 54Mbs max so if you want more speed use a USB 108 or greater wireless device.

It is no speed machine but it is ultra portable, has a brilliant screen. One drawback is the memory – only 1 gig, but it is running windows XP home – so there is plenty in the tank. The 120 gig hdd is ample and allows me to load on most of the astroware I like – and runs it ok. The graphics in the machine is only a meagre 8 megs but it is sufficient to run everything I need. It looks great, easy to transport and carry, has a heap of potential and has the ability to guide the scope in a remote location for a few hours.

I rate it 8 out of 10 for what it is – an ultra portable laptop – or as the marketing department of Acer call it a netbook


anyway if interested check it out online at www.acer.com.au or go and have a look at them - they are cute

[RB (Andrew)]

Nice one Houghy but geez you're a tease.
They do look good though.

I'm very tempted....

[gmbfilter (Geoff)]

Thanks for that info I'm looking for something similar myself

Will it run starry night pro 6 and drive heq5pro?

What scope driving software will it run?

[acropolite (Phil)]

The ASUS eePC has recently been updated as well with more memory Atom processor and a HDD, I'm not sure how it compares to the Acer.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by gmbfilter

Thanks for that info I'm looking for something similar myself

Will it run starry night pro 6 and drive heq5pro?

What scope driving software will it run?

ok here is a screen shot with Starry night pro 4.5 , PHD guideing and andy shotglass guide reticle and photoshop all being opoened at the same time.

i hope that does ease you a little bit? i am actually on the net via a connection point atm with the acer aspire one(working of course)

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by acropolite

The ASUS eePC has recently been updated as well with more memory Atom processor and a HDD, I'm not sure how it compares to the Acer.

bigger screen, smaller HDD, not sure aboutthe memory dept?

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by RB

Nice one Houghy but geez you're a tease.
They do look good though.

I'm very tempted....

but RB you have the HP version - just get a bigger battery

Part number 482263-001 is used in the product models listed below.

Select a model number to view a product diagram with your part.

Product Model
2133 Mini-Note PC AM784US, AM822US, AM823US, AN041US, AN042US, AN043US http://h20141.www2.hp.com/hpparts/Pa...ria=482263-001

[erick (Eric)]

No RS-232 port - take it back?

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by erick

No RS-232 port - take it back?

that is what a targus replicator port is for

[gmbfilter (Geoff)]

Thanks David, just what I need

[Chippy (Nick)]

This months APC reviews about 5 or 6 similar devices including the Acer, Asus, HP, etc. The Acer actually scored low in their review - although your report sounds much more promising. Might be worth a read for others interested in purchasing though.

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

but RB you have the HP version - just get a bigger battery

Part number 482263-001 is used in the product models listed below.

Select a model number to view a product diagram with your part.

Product Model
2133 Mini-Note PC AM784US, AM822US, AM823US, AN041US, AN042US, AN043US http://h20141.www2.hp.com/hpparts/Pa...ria=482263-001

Thanks for the info Houghy, you're a legend !
I'll check it out.
Yep I'm very happy with the mini-HP (running Vist-ahhh ) but this little Acer (Which I told you about !) looks great too and it's XP

[snowyskiesau]

Dell have recently announced their entry in to the netbook/subnotebook market with the Inspiron Mini 9.
It does have wireless but as an option, as is bluetooth.
Don't know when this will be available locally.

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Dell have recently announced their entry in to the netbook/subnotebook market with the Inspiron Mini 9.
It does have wireless but as an option, as is bluetooth.
Don't know when this will be available locally.

Thanks for the info Geoff, I couldn't get the link to work but found this one instead.

Cheers

[snowyskiesau]

Hmm original link seems to have died, thanks RB.

I think this may be that Dell try to route you to the local website (AP) instead of the one you really want to go to ...
Here's a direct link to the US site - US pricing.

[RB (Andrew)]

I'm trying to find the HD capacity on the Dell, seems like it's 16Gb, is that right?
Both Houghy's Acer and my HP have 120GB.

[h0ughy (David)]

ok looking at the Dell - its components are basically the same as the first versions of the ACER and they do not have a HDD version yet. The keypad does look better than the ACER or the HP - and probbly works better, but as for the rest of the features - they are identical to the Acer. in my mind the acer is still the value for money at the moment - they all share the same screens and have the same basic features. the dell does come with a bigger 4 cell battery than the HP or the ACER - but as i said earlier i got a bigger 6 cell battery for 99 dollars which fixed up that short coming. The EEEPC is on par with this entry level from Dell. Gee i even bet they source the same components from the same factory in china!!

[h0ughy (David)]

OK now fr a size comparison - I have set up my Hp DV9000 17" laptop, my wife's new Acer 15.4" Aspire 5720Z (i just blew away vista home premium and loaded XP pro) and the Acer AspireOne with its quaint 8.9" screen.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

Specifications
Processor and Chipset
Intel® Atom™ processor N270
(1.60GHz, 533MHz, 512KB L2 Cache)
Mobile Intel 945GSE Chipset (DDR2 400/533MHz)
Operating System
Linpus™ Linux®,
Genuine Microsoft® Windows XP® Home

LCD Type & Size
8.9" WSVGA High-Brightness LED Backlight Widescreen Display, support 1024 x 600 pixel resolution
Memory
Up to 1GB DDR2 533MHz SDRAM
Storage
8GB Flash Drive (Linpus™ Linux®)
120GB Hard Drive (Microsoft® Windows XP® Home)
Storage Bay
Dedicated SD™ Carder reader for storage expansion
I/O Interfaces
1 x 5-in-1 card reader (SD™, MMC, MS, MS PRO, xD)
3 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x External display (VGA) port
1 x Headphone/speaker/line-out jack
1 x Microphone-in jack
1 x Ethernet (RJ-45) port
1 x DC-in jack for AC adapter
Audio
High-definition audio support, two built-in stero speakers, MS-Sound compatible, built-in microphone
System Power
Battery Type: 24W 2000 mAh 3-cell Li-ion battery pack
Battery Life:Up to 3 with a 3 Cell Li-ion battery**
AC Adapter:3-pin 30W AC adapter
Weight and Dimensions
249 (W) x 170 (D) x 29 (H) mm
985 g
Compliance
C-Tick (AS/NZS 60950)
Standard Warranty
Australia - 1 Year Courier Pickup and Return Standard Warranty
New Zealand - 1 Year Return to Base Standard Warranty

now compare with the dell specs below - -they are the same with exception to the keyboard (i think the ACER is better as the function keys are there, not having to hit another key to get)

Processors
Intel® AtomTM Processor (1.6GHz, 512KB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)


Operating System
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition SP3


Memory
Up to 1GB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM.

Chipset
Intel® 965PM / GM Express Chipset


Graphics
Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 950


LCD Display
Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024X600)

Colour
Obsidian Black Colour with Gloss Finish

Audio and Speakers
One external speaker

Hard Drives
Up to 16GB configured with a Solid State hard drive.


Optical Drives
None

Ports
USB 2.0 (3)
Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
15-pin VGA video connector
Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 mic-in)
4-in-1 Media Card Reader
AC adapter connector

Power
4-cell Primary Battery

Camera
1.3MP webcams

Wireless
Wi-Fi Options:
802.11g mini-card


Bluetooth Options:
Bluetooth® Internal (2.0) mini-card

Ports, Slots, Chassis
Externally Accessible
USB 2.0 (3)
Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
15-pin VGA video connector
Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 Mic-in)
3-in-1 Media Card Reader
AC adapter connector Dimensions & Weight
Width: 9.13" (232mm)
Height: 0.66" (16.8mm) front / 1.25" (31.7mm) back
Depth: 6.77" (172mm)
Weight: Starting weight of 2.28 lbs. (1.035 kg)1(8.9" display, 4 cell battery). Weights will vary depending on configurations and manufacturing variability.

[gmbfilter (Geoff)]

Just purchased 1 off Acer Aspireone nice
BUT

Can't get starry night pro 6 to drive my heq5pro

I'm using the same serial to usb that worked on my big computer
on the Acer I cant find where to assign a coms port (ie there is no listing of coms ports in device manager

Any help will be appreciated
Thanks