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Fuzzy Logic Aspire One: the netbook Eee PC killer from Acer?
Fuzzy Logic Aspire One: the netbook Eee PC killer from Acer? | Aspire One: the netbook Eee PC killer from Acer? |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Friday, 04 July 2008 | |
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Page 1 of 3 Other manufacturers such as Pioneer Computers also have similar devices, and Dell’s upcoming “E” subnotebook will also be a challenger. But the Aspire One, at AUD $599 for the Linux version, with a $99 cashback via redemption through Acer making it only AUD $500, and AUD $699 for the Windows XP version, also with a $99 cash back, making it $600, puts additional pressure on the Asus Eee PC. The Aspire One is definitely a contender, coming with the Linpus version of Linux and enhanced with a friendly interface that looks graphically nicer than that which comes with the Xandros powered version of Linux on the Asus Eee PC. Acer says it has “worked hard on improving the user interface” and gives an example of the OneMail application which “integrates up to five email accounts into one central inbox,” while users can similarly “have multiple instant messenger accounts via a single point of access.” Now Acer are claiming to be the world’s first manufacturer to ship an Intel Atom-powered ‘netbook’ computer, a claim I have questioned considering the Atom-powered Asus Eee PC 901 was on sale, at least in Australia, before the Aspire One hit store shelves. Perhaps Acer means in Taiwan, or perhaps worldwide, but if the claim is true, it couldn’t have been first for very long, and what difference does it truly make anyway when it has only come on sale from today in Australia? I’ve asked Acer to clarify and am awaiting a response. More detailed specs are on page 3, but with the standard 3-cell battery the Aspire One weighs less than 1 kilogram for the Linux version (but 1.1kg for the XP model), comes with an 8.9-inch LED blacklit screen at a resolution of 1024x600 (like the Asus Eee PC). It also has a webcam, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, a 5-in1 memory card reader, an Intel Atom 1.6Ghz processor, 8GB (Linux) or 120GB (XP) of storage and 512MB (Linux) or 1.5GB (XP) of memory and other features besides. There’s plenty more – what about the size of the keyboard? The battery options, lifespan and pricing? An optional 3.5G module, and more? Please read on to page 2. |
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