Best netbook 2010 - reviews and comparisons » Acer

Acer Aspire One Happy – powerful and green

Mike — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:01:20 +0000

There’s a new 10 inch netbook from Acer and unlike all its other predecessors, with names made from numbers and letters, this one actually comes with a cooler and way easier to remember title: Aspire One Happy. I mean, who wouldn’t want a “happy” netbook?

In fact, this device is an Acer D255 with new clothes, offering a nicer case that combines white and lime green colors. And it actually looks very good, although I can’t really tell if that casing is matte or glossy, but my money are on the last one.

There are no details on specs, availability or prices for the Acer Aspire One Happy. Still, if it inherits the D255 as rumors say, it will come with the new Atom N550 processor, 1 GB of memory, decent storage, Windows 7 Starter and some good battery life. And of course, since it’s an Acer, it will be more affordable than the competition.

Acer Aspire One Happy - N550 inside, new looks outside

That’s it for now. Nothing really extraordinary, although i like the new branding a lot and I’m pretty sure this machine will become quite popular. More details will follow, so stay tuned, I’ll update as soon as I Find details on this Acer Aspire One Happy.

New title is a lot better than the previous one (D255)

Via Macles

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Acer to bring 2 touchscreen tablets this year

Mike — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:48:56 +0000

Rumors of more and more producers preparing their own touchscreen tablets this year emerge lately, and this time some reports speak about two devices that guys at Acer will launch by the end of this year, probably in Q4 2010, just in time for the Winter shopping season.

Don’t expect them to be a true rival for the iPad, but if these speculations are true, Acer’s products will for sure offer a great price/features rapport, like most fo their product do.What we now for now is that there are going to be two tablets, a 7 and a 10 inch one, both built on ARM platforms and boosting Android as OS. This can be translated in decent multimedia capabilities, including Flash and 720p video compatibility. Plus, given how many tablets on Android were announced recently, expect more and more useful applications to become available soon, with many of them cheaper than the ones for the iPad, if not free.

I do hope Acer will take better care of details and finishing on these devices than they do on their netbooks, like my 1825PT for example.

Still, there’s only so much you can do with an Android tablet, I was also expecting something Windows based from Acer. But I guess I’ll have to settle for options like the MSI WindPad or one of the Asus EEE Pads, whenever they will become available.

Source: Digitimes

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Acer Aspire One 721 and Gateway LT32 – brother 11.6 inchers

Mike — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:19:19 +0000

More 11.6 inch mini laptops with AMD hardware pop out these days. The Gateway LT32 and Acer Aspire One 721 are two of them. I’m writing about both of them in the same post because they are identical both in terms of looks and features, although there is a small but significant difference between them.

You can get an idea on their looks from the picture below. Solid construction, decent materials, but nothing fancy. It’s nice to have the full-size keyboard I also have on my Acer 1825PT, plus what seems to be a properly sized trackpad.

Acer Aspire One 721

Inside are the goodies. Like I’ve said, both these machines are built on the AMD Nile platform, with the single core Athlon 2 Neo K125 (1.7 GHz), 2 GB of memory, ATI Radeon HD4225 graphics and 250 GB of storage space. Other features include 1.3 MPx webcam, WiFi N but not Bluetooth, card reader, good audio and Windows 7 Home Premium. Plus the 11.6 inch display with 1366 x 768 px resolution.

All these allow the machines to run nearly all your daily applications and handle 1080p HD content well (self stored and Flash from Youtube). There’s HDMI port to output movies on a bigger screen also. Still, don’t expect to run Video editing software or games on these mini laptops, but for everyday tasks, they’ll do just fine.

Gateway LT32

Having AMD inside does sacrifice battery life. The Acer AO 721 comes with a 6 Cell 4400 mAh battery and you’ll only going to squeeze around 5 hours out of it. The Gateway LT21 will probably pack the same one.

Now, for the difference. Acer sells the 721 for $429 right now in the States, with Free Shipping included. A fair price i could say. However, Gateway announced a starting price of $449 for the LT32. It’s not much of a difference, but since these devices are the same, what’s the point? Still, the Gateway is not yet available in stores, so hopefully they’ll come to their senses by the time it will.

All in all, both these machines are good picks. You do have alternatives though, like the HP Pavilion DM1z (also with Intel) or the Toshiba Satellite 210 (with ULV Intel and for sure better keyboard/trackpad, but a little bit more expensive). So better check out all your options before reaching any decision.

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Acer Aspire One D255 to pack dual core Atom processor

Mike — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:49:32 +0000

Many new Acer mini laptops were announced lately and this means the guys at Acer take seriously their position as best netbooks sellers. In order to face the impressive new lines from Asus, they’ve upgraded their products too. Now, it’s time for details about the Acer AOD255 to emerge.

This netbook will be a compact 10 incher with the same new design we’ve seen on the latest Acers. Can’t say for sure whether the casing is glossy or matte, but my hands is on glossy.

In fact, the only difference between the D255 and other Acers like D260 (which will be their mainstream option), is the CPU inside: the new Intel Atom N550 dual-core. A low-consumption processor meant to boost performance on these small notebooks, the D550 is a dual core and packs Hyper-Threading, so we should see noticeable improvements in multitasking. There are no details regarding other specs, but expect 1-2 GB of memory, 250-320 GB hard-drive and Windows 7.

Acer AO D255 - 10 inch netbook with dual-core Atom N550

No details on prices or availability either, but it’s good to see other dual-core powered 10 inchers entering the market, this one joining the much awaited Asus EEE PC 1015N. Hopefully, others will join too.

Photos via Macles

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Acer Aspire One D260 – new mainstream 10 incher on the go

Mike — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:41:20 +0000

Acer is the best selling brand in the world of netbooks. However, their products are not the best, they just compensate with very good prices. That’s why on developed markets from Europe and US they lay beyond competitors from Asus or Toshiba. But on other bigger markets, in Asia or South America, Acer mini laptops sway.

Now the guys at Acer prepare a newcomer in the 10 inch segment, the Acer Aspire One D260. Their current mainstream representative in this class, the Aspire One 532h, lacked some of the features other devices like the Toshiba NB305 or Asus 1005PE have and definitely can’t compete with them in terms of looks and construction quality. However, the new AOD260 promises to change that.

The Acer D260 is in fact the successor of the D250 line, very popular during the second half of last year. Brings a new design and will be a available in a bunch of different colors (Black , Purple, Silver, Pink), however it seems to be still glossy, while other producers turned to matte casing, listening to the pleas of us, users. When opening the lid, there’s the flat keyboard from the Acer 1825PT, but a tad smaller, plus, i hope, a decent sized trackpad.

Inside there are a variety of options. Basic specs looks like this:

10.1 inch display, 1024 x 600 px, glossy or matte (as an option)
Intel N450/N455 CPUs + GMA 3150 graphics
up to 2 GB DDR3 memory
up to 250 GB hard-drives
Wi-fi N + Bluetooth 2.1 (3.0 optional) + 3G/HSPA (optional)
3xUSB ports, VGA, card-reader, webcam
3 Cell or 6 Cell batteries (up to 8 hours of life)
2.76 lbs (with 6 cell battery)
Windows 7 Starter or Android as OS

Now, there’s nothing unseen on this device. However, it’s nice that there are a couple of optional features, so we should expect quite a bunch of different configurations for the D260.

Acer Aspire One D260 - new mainstream netbook in the 10 inch segment

From what we know right now, the Acer AOD260 will first enter the UK market from the beginning of July. It is available in some shops for preorder, for around 280 pounds, which is basically the same price as the 1005PE series now has there. This means that the D260 will come for around $370 in the States? Well, I hope not. A starting price of $300 would be a way smarter option. Because at $370 it rivals with the best devices in the class and i can’t see anyone in their right mind choosing this Acer over a Toshiba NB305, Samsung N150 or Asus 1005PE.

But let’s wait and see. More details about the Acer Aspire One D260 will be available soon, so stay tuned.

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10 inch Acer Aspire One 533 with DDR3 spotted

Mike — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:41:55 +0000

Acer are getting busy this time of the year too, announcing new devices quite often. Just a couple of days ago, early details of the Acer Aspire One 533 emerged and now the product was spotted at Computex in Taipei, where it already got shot on camera.

What you should know about this Acer 533 is that it will come with the new DDR3 capable Atom processors, the single core N455 (1.66GHz)/N475 (1.83 GHz) . Everything else is pretty much standard, although you will have quite lots of customizable features:

10 inch display with standard 10126 x 600 px resolution or HD ready 1280 x 720 px
1-2 GB of memory
up to 250 GB storage space
Wireless N, Bluetooth 3.0, 3G or WiMAX as options
3 or 6 Cell battery

Decent looking Acer Aspire One 533

Nice keyboard and trackpad

In terms of looks, this Acer is quite decent. It comes with a casing available in a couple of different colors (looks to be glossy though), while inside you get the big keyboard available on most Acer netbooks these days, plus a good-sized trackpad with a dimpled design (similar to what current generation Asus mini laptops have to offer). Also, the entire area around the keyboard seems matte, which is great when dealing with scratches and smudges.

Overall, the Aspire One 533 will be a nice addition to the existing 10 inch Acer series. And knowing Acer, it will surely come with a very good price, thus will get quite a few admirers around the world.

Fairly slim and overall good built

Prices and availability are unknown at the moment though, but stay tuned, more info on the Acer Aspire One 533 will be added soon.

Via Netbooked and Macles

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Acer 1825PT – video review and some photos

Mike — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:10:12 +0000

Hey guys, I’ve had a new toy to play with these days, an 11.6 inch Acer 1825PT. I’ve been eager to get one of these ever since I’ve first seen them a couple of months ago and when they became available in my country, i finally did. Of course, i went for the best equipped version, with SU7300 dual core processor, 4 GB of memory, 320 GB hard-drive, 6 Cell battery and Windows 7 Home Premium.

And although I was reluctant to buy an Acer device , the idea of having an 11.6 incher with a capacitive convertible display for a decent price was stronger. In these rows below you’re going to see a couple of pictures of the device (I have the black version, but it’s also available in red), but first take a look at the video mini-review I’ve shot earlier today.

As you’ve seen in the clip, the device is pretty much great for the money, however in terms of aesthetics, finishing and attention to those tiny details that matter so much… well, it remains an Acer. But, although my first impression when i got it out of the box was: “Crap, i can’t believe I’ve bought this”, a couple of hours later I was convinced I made a good choice. And I still am.

For now, also check the pictures below. I’m also working on a more thorough review, should be up in the next days. So if you guys want any particular details about this Acer 1825PT, please leave a comment.

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Quick comparison: Asus T101MT vs Acer 1825PT vs HP TM2

Mike — Sun, 30 May 2010 10:02:23 +0000

Mini laptops with foldable touchscreens seem to catch a lot of ground lately, and for good reason, as they are very cool and can enhance your everyday experience with a computer by quite a lot. Plus, unlike most tablets available these days, they are pretty affordable, with price tags way bellow 1000 bucks.

In the last months I’ve been able to play with a couple of these machines and here’s a quick comparison of some of the most popular models available right now: the 10 inch Asus T101MT, the 11.6 inch Acer 1825PT and the 12.1 inch HP TM2 . Let’s take a look at the specs.

	Asus T101MT	Acer 1825PT	HP TM2
Display	10.1 inch 1024 x 600 px, multitouch resistive	11.6 inch 1366 x 768 px, multitouch capacitive	12.1 inch 1280 x 800 px, multitouch capacitive
Processor	1.6 GHz Intel Atom, single core	1.3 GHz Intel SU7300, dual core	1.2 GHz Intel Core i3-330UM, dual core, HT, Turbo33
Memory	1 GB DDR2 (up to 2)	4 GB DDR3 (up to	4 GB DDR3 (up to
Graphics	Intel GMA 3510, integrated	Intel GMA 4500HD, integrated	Intel HD graphics, integrated
Storage space	160 GB, 5400 rpm HDD	320 GB, 5400 rpm HDD	60 GB, 5400 rpm HDD
Connectivity	Wi-Fi N, Bluetooth 2.1, Gigabit Lan	Wi-Fi N, Bluetooth 2.1, Gigabit Lan, optional 3G	Wi-Fi N, Bluetooth 2.1, Gigabit Lan, optional 3G
Ports	3xUSB, VGA, mic/headphone, LAN	3xUSB, VGA, HDMI, mic/headphone, LAN	3xUSB, VGA, HDMI, mic/headphone, LAN
OS	Windows 7 Starter	Windows 7 Home Premium	Windows 7 Home Premium
Battery life	up to 6 hours	up to 8 hours	up to 9 hours
Weight	2.86 lbs	3.4 lbs	4.2 lbs
Build quality	Solid	Flimsy	Top notch
Price	$480 w/ Free Shipping	$700 (estimated)	$949 w/ Free Shipping

These devices are not really in the same class, but are all mini laptops and can be compared.

In terms of performance, the Atom powered T101MT is noway near the Acer or the HP, which come with dual core CPUs, a lot more memory and better graphics. So, while these two can handle nearly all kind of applications and multimedia content, plus some games (like WOW for instance), the T101MT will even struggle with your basic tasks. The HP comes with the latest generation ULV processor from the Arrandale line and will offer some performance improvements, plus boosts from technologies like HyperThreading and Turbo33 (overclocks CPU by 33% when needed)

: Asus T101MT vs Acer 1825PT vs HP TM2 – from left to right

However, the T101MT is a lot more compact and lighter than the Acer or HP, so could be more practical when traveling. It also comes with a resistive screen, when compared to the other two that offer a capacitive one. This translates in pros (can be used for inking and has an included stylus) and cons (display will be less responsive than the capacitive ones and you’ll need an extra capacitive stylus for taking notes).

In terms of finishing and build quality, the Acer unfortunately pales in front of the others. It looks quite OK, but, because of the glossy exterior and flimsy display hinge, it doesn’t seem quite firm in your hands, especially when used in tablet mode. The Asus and HP on the other hand are top notch, some of the most solid built in their classes. The HP comes with aluminum finish though, while the Asus only offers a matte plastic one.

Last but not least, there’s the price matter. The Asus is obviously cheaper than the others, it runs for around 500 bucks. The HP TM2 on the other hand will cost around 900-1000, but it’s way powerful and versatile. The Acer will fit right in the middle, offering good performances (offers right now the same specs as the HP) but with a price tag probably around $700. This and its more reduced size made it a pick for me. However, I’m not at all satisfied with build quality and especially display’s hinge looks very fragile. Thus, I’m looking forward to see how will it behave in time.

All in all, if I were to choose again, i would go for either the Acer or the HP. If you want something more solid, but somewhat bigger and heavier, the HP TM2 is a perfect choice. But, if you need to save some cash and are prepared to deal with the risk of possible poor reliability, the Acer 1825PT rises with its nice performance/price ratio.

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Acer Aspire 1830T – new 11.6 inch mini laptop ready to impress

Mike — Sat, 01 May 2010 11:43:52 +0000

The bigger a laptop is, the more powerful it can be. That’s a rule we could rely for in the last years, but that doesn’t mean potent hardware could not be found in compact devices. However, that was possible sacrificing the price aspect, but not anymore. Acer just announced their Aspire TimelineX 1830T will enter the market in June, with some power and a competitive price.

First, i have to tell that this mini laptop will come with an 11.6 inch display, thus it will be light and compact enough to carry around. But, unlike most 11.6 inch netbooks available at the moment, it will pack new generation ULV hardware from Intel, one able to allow good performance levels, while not sacrificing battery life and while not cutting and big hole in your budget.

So, let’s see what will the Acer Aspire 1830T offer in terms of specs:

Intel Core i3 or Intel Core i5 (the i5-520UM version, dual core, 1.06 GHz) processor
4 GB DDR3 memory
Intel HM55 Express Chipset and graphics
Wi-Fi N, Bluetooth + EDR, optional 3G
3xUSB, HDMI, Webcam, card-readers, Dolby Sound, etc
Windows 7 Home OS
6-cell battery (up to 8 hours of autonomy)

All these in a device with a nice aspect (although not impressive) that only weighs around 3 pounds.

Acer Aspire 1830T - new 11.6 inch mini laptop with new generation Intel hardware

What we know is that the Acer 1830T will be available in Europe from June with a starting price of 549 euros . Based on previous experiences, this could be translated in around 600 bucks once it reaches the States. That’s more expensive than the current Acer 11.6 inch lines (the 1410 or 1810T), but performances, features and even design and build quality are greatly improved on the new generation.

So stay tuned for more details on the Acer Aspire TimelineX 1830T. This is definitely a device I would keep my eyes on, although I’m not particularly an Acer fan, and you should too if you want a capable mini laptop for good money.

Via Netbooknews.de . Pictures via Macles

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Acer 1825PTZ tablet netbook – available in Europe, now with a hands-on video

Mike — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:00:27 +0000

Remember the Acer 1825PTZ, the 11.6 inch tablet netbook i recently posted a video presentation of? Well, this device is already available in Europe in stores and Johannes from netbooknews.de actually got it and shot a quick unboxing video you can find below.

The Acer 1825PTZ is, like I said, a 11.6 inch mini laptop with a convertible multi-touch display (a capacitive one). Unlike the smaller 10 inch tablet netbooks available right now, this one comes with lots of strong-points, but also some minor disadvantages.

Let’s start with the good parts: it packs more potent hardware, so the entire experience will be greatly improved. Inside you’ll get the SU4100 Intel Dual Core processor (1,3 GHz), 4 GB of memory, 320 GB storage, Wi-fi N/Bluetooth and Windows 7 Home Premium. This allows the device to smoothly run your daily apps and even play HD content, self stored or flash. And although the SU4100 is not the most potent processor out there, it’s definitely a lot better than an ATOM, so using this mini laptop for your daily tasks should be a complete pleasure. Especially since you can fold it into tablet mode. The body is quite slim but the entire device is quite heavy, so don’t expect to be able to comfortably hold it in one hand (Acer will include a 6 Cell battery for the 1825PTZ and this will also add to the total weight).

Acer 1825PTZ - tablet, glossy, nice keyboard, big battery

Below you can find a first unboxing video of the Acer 1825PTZ, from Johaness and netbooknews.de , like i said before. Unfortunately it’s in German so I’m not sure how much will you be able to get from it, but at least you’ll get an idea on how the device looks and what it can offer. Check it out:

I for one noticed the glossy exterior and the fact that in terms of design, this Acer is definitely not a match for the Asus T101MT, for instance. The battery sticks out a little bit on the back, but it’s nice that Acer included a matching protective case in the pack. Also, keyboard seems quite big and comfortable but that trackpad is kind of cramped (but you probably won’t use it too much anyway).

Overall the device seems interesting. The price is around 600 euros in Europe right now, 100 euros more than the 10 inch Asus, a difference surely justified by the way better performance levels. There’s no news on when will this gadget get to US and how much will it cost here, but I’d reckon somewhere around $650 – $700 . So, the Acer 1825PTZ won’t be cheap. Future tests and reviews should prove if it will be actually worth that kind of money and we’ll surely have more info on this model in the near future, so stay tuned.

Source: liliputing.com and netbooknews.de

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