Got a new laptop

[Rob]

Just bought an Acer Aspire One and thought I'd show the size comparison with the Thinkpads I have.

I originally bought the X61s for my trip to China, but the Acer is smaller, lighter, has a bigger hard drive, and will do anything I need it to do on travel, but it's lacking battery capacity. Plus it only cost $250 so I won't be so bummed if I lose it. I hope to pick up a 6-cell when I'm in China. Now if only I could get used to that darned touchpad.

But now the question is should I sell my trusty old T43?

[Harryc]

Please let us know how you like it. I am interested in the Linpus™ Linux models.

[Rob]

I like it so far. I have the 120GB WinXP model.

I went with this version because with the large hard drive, I will be offloading pictures from my camera every day during my vacation.

The screen is small, but it is bright and clear and the smaller keyboard takes some getting used to.

My complaints so far are that they didn't include any system restore discs otherwise I would be trying a Linpus install on it without fear of losing my system recovery partition, the 3-prong plug for the adapter (why can't it be ungrounded), and I am getting used to the touchpad. I'm just a much bigger fan of the trackpoint.

Other than that, it's plenty fast for internet browsing and mp3s and it's small and light. Build quality seems good and it actually has a decept keyboard once you get used to the size of it.

I'll take some more pics of it in action.

Rob

[KristianJ]

Please let us know how you like it. I am interested in the Linpus™ Linux models.

As is SaberX/Bill, albeit it's the XP model he's looking at:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=66479

[SaberX]

Thats the same modeli was looking it.The 120 gig XP Home one.
When i was playing around with it , it seemed plenty fast for internet,and basic things.
The only problem is here in Newfoundland Canada that one is $399.99.
For $400.00 or just little more i think i can find a nice T60 or X60.

I cant find any thing on e-bay thats a "good" deal.
I'm still looking tho.But this 500.00 i have is burning a hole in my pocket.LOL

[Rob]

Yes, it is plenty fast for the internet and stuff... basically anything you'd want to do with it. it can play movies and mp3s too.

In the US, the price recently dropped to $349 for the 120GB/XP version as there is a 160GB/XP version with the 6-cell that is going to be $399.

I signed up for an upgraded high speed internet service at Best Buy and they gave me a $100 off laptop/computers coupon which I used... hence $250.

Like I said, I just need to get used the touchpad. But the build quality is better than other Acer laptops I've played with. And the screen is much brighter than the Thinkpads, though it is glossy.

Of course it doesn't have the keyboard drains or the hard drive protection system. And the Home and End keys are in a horrible spot. http://picasaweb.google.com/roberty/Asp ... 2113104370

It also has this strange issue where the screen flickers slightly in the lowest brightness setting. The other complaint people have is that the fan is always on, but there are utilities available to get around that. With the standard 3-cell battery, there is only around 2-2.5 hours of battery life.

So originally the X61s was going to be my travel computer. But for the price of the Acer, plus the smaller size, it's been replaced by the Acer. I just hope I don't have any reliability issues.

Rob

[Rob]

Here are a few more pictures:





Rest of the pics are here including some closeups of the Aspire One: http://picasaweb.google.com/roberty/AspireOne

Also, if you really are having trouble getting one, if you want me to pick on up locally I can. They are $349+tax.

Rob

[Harryc]

I see that they offer a 1.6Ghz Intel Atom N270 or a 1.6Ghz Intel Core Solo. Which is faster? I'd assume that the Atom consumes less power ...

[SaberX]

I see that they offer a 1.6Ghz Intel Atom N270 or a 1.6Ghz Intel Core Solo. Which is faster? I'd assume that the Atom consumes less power ...

I would say the Core Solo.
The N270 Atom has a 533 Bus with only 512Kb cashe.
I belive the Core Solo's has 2meg cashe and a step up(not much) from the Dothan's.

[Harryc]

Thanks Bill. I am seeing that some retailers are calling them Core Solo's and some are calling the CPU in the same model N270 Atom. I suspect there is really only the N270 Atom out there. A trip to Acers website confirms this.

Acer Aspire One

[underclocker]

It looks nice, but with a 6 cell battery, it will weigh more than an X40. With the 3 cell battery, it weighs about 1/2 lb. less. For $400, I'll keep my X40 with a 12.1" LCD, among other benefits.

If it weighed 1 lb. less, then it might make sense.