Friday, November 4, 2011

Is the Acer Aspire One is the Right Notebook for You?

By Brian Mossberg


The Acer Aspire One Notebook was created for people seeking a low cost and lightweight notebook computer that has all of the features necessary for everyday use. In most regards, Acer has succeeded in meeting the needs of this market. This computer is very convenient for taking with you to school, work or the neighborhood cafe. In some ways, it doesn't pack the same punch as higher priced models, but you can't have everything in a computer that's priced at under $300.

How comfortable you find the Aspire One's keyboard will depend on what you're used to. If you're accustomed to a normal sized laptop, or even a desktop, you'll probably think the keyboard is small and cramped. However, this isn't really the case, as this little notebook actually has a very spacious keyboard for a machine of its size. If you're not used to a notebook computer, you'll just have to get used to typing on this one.

On the other hand, if you're adept at texting on a smart phone, or even another notebook computer, you shouldn't have any problem at all. The Aspire One has made the most out of its limited size, so the keyboard is really one of its best features.

Acer One also has a brother and sister models that sport more techy options that might be attractive to many people.

The Aspire One Happy Notebook is a dual operating system computer that uses both Windows 7 and Android, which is actually a system designed for mobile phones. The Android eReader is great. The Happy line of Acer notebooks has a shiny new look, and is made in various glossy colors. The price tag is also higher; whereas the original Aspire One models can be found for around $250, you'll have to pay about twice that for an Aspire One Happy. One drawback of this model is that the Android OS was really made for a phone rather than a computer and doesn't function that well. So you may want to wait for Acer to release it's next update before investing in this line.

When you look at the Aspire One as a whole, considering the design, features and cost, it's a good value. If there's one serious drawback to this computer, it's the limited battery life. The three cell battery that comes with this model is quite a bit weaker than that found in many other computers, including other Acer models. Whereas a longer lasting battery can last up to nine hours, this one is more likely to last you three. If you only need to use it for short sessions, or if you can use an AC adapter to plug in the computer while you're using it, this won't be a problem for you.

For the price, and all of the included features and benefits, the Acer Aspire One is hard to beat. Despite the small size of the keyboard itself, this compact unit is full-featured and light weight; it is the perfect portable computer. Although the battery life is not that long, you can use it while plugged in to the wall at many locations. If you're looking for versatility, at an affordable price, the Acer Aspire One is definitely the computer for you.




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