Acer's Win 7 and Android netbook: One Happy Happy Joy Joy?

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 08 November 2010 17:08

Your IT - Mobility

Acer's dual-core Atom powered netbook also sports dual operating systems, the now duelling Windows 7 Starter and Android OS 2.1, both vying for your attention with an easy way to go from Android to Win 7 without rebooting, an extra boost from DDR3 capability, restored mouse buttons and more, all to make you one happy Acer netbook user.

Acer's new 'Acer One Happy' netbook has landed in Australian stores from AUD $499, coming with the option to dual boot between Windows 7 Starter and Android OS 2.1.

Neither the emailed announcement nor Acer's 'One Happy' product page, which also includes full technical specifications, explains which version of Android has been installed, simply listing 'Android', but from the October 11 article on the UK launch of the same netbook, Pocket-Link claims it is Android 2.1, with Engadget doing the same in its Oct 12 article of the US launch.

Acer's technical specifications (click tech specs button) list OS choices as Windows 7 Starter, Linpus Linux and Android, with Win 7 and Android being the promoted choice - far more people have heard of Android than have ever heard of the curiously named Linpus, which almost sounds like it's some kind of infection.

No wonder Google's Android, based on Linux, is so much more popular and effective, even if it's no longer truly open anymore but now 'Google's version of open'.

Anyway. A few weeks after release overseas, the Happy One is here in the four 'fun' and 'vibrant' colours of blue, green, pink and purple (seen below more creatively titled), and comes with the headline feature of the latest Intel Atom N550 dual-core CPU and the two operating systems.

While no mention of the amount or type of RAM is included in the announcement, the tech specs show that DDR3 RAM is supported, which is installed would result in faster operation, especially combined with the dual-core processor.

The keyboard is 93% of full size keys, and happily, Acer has finally restored the mouse buttons to a position that is underneath the mouse pad, rather than to the left and right hand side of it.

Acer's announcement says that 'Colours have an amazing ability to bring happiness to our lives, pick us up when we are down, and can also offer soothing, relaxing and energizing vibes', and that 'Acer's new Aspire One Happy comes in four delightful colours that will brighten up your life. The 4 hip colours available - Candy Pink, Lavender Purple, Lime Green and Hawaii Blue ensure your netbook will be the ultimate fashion statement.'

Specs and more continue on page two, please read on!