Acer Aspire One Netbook - Performance
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The Linux-based system won't be able to run the usual suite of benchmarks, such as Windows and Mac applications, (i.e. iTunes, Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop), but even the light Linux OS felt sluggish from time to time. This is probably due to the fact that Acer's Aspire One only comes equipped with 512 MB of RAM. That being said, users will find that when using the preinstalled Open Office suite of productivity software, Web surfing will generally be trouble-free. For everyday use, the Aspire One truly does offer a faster, smoother experience than other netbooks in the same price range.
Those wise enough to purchase Acer's new Aspire One will also find the build of the small machine to be very good, and given the size, thescreen quality is above par as well. The size of netbooks often hinders the quality of some of the machine's most basic functions. Often consumers are willing to look past these small annoyances because, after all, netbooks aren't "real" laptops. Thankfully, that's not the case with Acer's new Aspire One netbook. Users will find even the most mundane aspects of the machine, such as the speakers, to work exceptionally well. As a matter of fact, the Aspire One's speakers are quite loud and clear.
Overall, consumers are sure to find the size and weight of the Aspire One to be just right for travel, and essentially, it can comfortably be taken everywhere you go. How many expensive, yet bulky, laptops can boast that kind of mobility?
As stated previously, the battery life of the Aspire One with its 3-cell default battery is a little over two hours on a bad day. Technically that's not too bad, given the machine's weight, but for a netbook as mobile as Acer's, it's a rather unfortunate setback.Acer offers a 6-cell battery that can be purchased online for $119, which seems like a ridiculously large premium for such an inexpensive laptop.
In terms of the sleep mode, the feature works as to be expected, though some have complained of the time it takes to "wake up." As a side note, the Aspire One drains about 30 percent of its battery each day while in sleep mode, so users may want to keep an eye on that.
Conclusion
Sure,Acer's Aspire Onehas a few shortcomings, like its shortage of RAM and less than stellar battery life, but it's also more attractive and performs exceptionally better than other netbooks in its price range. Given all the technology that's currently out there and all that actual laptops are capable of performing, it's a wonder that creating an ultra portable netbook has proven to be such a difficult task for many electronics companies.
Initial aesthetic impressions aside -- because let's face it, the Aspire Onereallyis a looker -- the technical aspects of this particular netbook really do put it in a class of its own. The keyboard alone is reason enough to purchase it without giving any thought to other models.The keyboard is where most netbooks get it wrong. They shrink it down too much or not enough. They make the keys a little bit smooshy or they over compensate, creating a satisfying and solid feel that unfortunately drives the price up. The Acer though is different. The keyboard is decently sized, firm and easy to use -- and that's just one of its major advantages. If you're in the market for a netbook, rest assured that Acer's Aspire Oneis the one.
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