Netbook Choice » aspire one

Acer’s ION 2 Aspire 532G 10” netbook cancelled?

Jet Sun — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:33:17 +0000

Acer’s first 10-inch netbook the Aspire 532G has reportedly been cancelled according to Pierre from Blogeee. Apparently, technical problems meant that the Acer and Nvidia teams could not deliver on the performance front and hence cancelled the netbook. To be honest, this all sounds a bit too vague. Surely, other manufacturers are prepping 10-inch netbooks so why is Acer having difficulty?

If true, it would be a big blow to Acer and leave the ION netbook market pretty much to Asus. It’s not clear whether this cancellation is on a global basis, although if those technical issues are true, then I don’t see why region would make a difference.

Acer Aspire One 533: DDR3 packing 10.1-inch netbook outed

Jet Sun — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:39:30 +0000

Acer is set to launch its own DDR3 10.1-inch netbook called the Aspire One 533. It will be powered by the upcoming DDR3-enabled N455 and N475 Atom processors. The benefits of DDR3 memory is that it needs only 1.5V, which is 0.3v less than DDR2 memory. This should in theory result in longer runtimes.

macles says that the battery life of the AO533 will be 10 hours and it will come with optional Bluetooth 3.0 support. There are a few design differences too, including a touchpad that rests in a chrome bed. Hard specs aren’t known right now, but don’t expect anything different over the current norm (1GB RAM, 250GB HDD and Windows 7 Starter). We’re likely to hear more on availability and pricing at next week’s Computex show in Taipei. Click through for a number of photos.

Acer Aspire One 360: 10-inch Atom netbook unveiled

Jet Sun — Sat, 22 May 2010 15:37:03 +0000

Acer has revealed a new 10.1-inch netbook called the Aspire One 360. It appears to be the Intel variant of the Aspire One 521. The name purposely hints at a 360 degree design, although I haven’t noticed any changes to the typical netbook design.

Specifications for the AAO 360 haven’t been revealed although we know it will come in four colours (Onyx Black, Think Pink, Moon Shadow and Cool Purple). There doesn’t appear to be any access panels and the battery panel is flush. Check out a promo video of the Aspire One 360 after the jump.

Via nDevil.

Acer’s AMD-powered Aspire One 521 netbook in HD video test

Jet Sun — Sat, 15 May 2010 17:33:19 +0000

Acer officially revealed a new line-up of AMD-powered 10-inch and 11.6-inch netbooks earlier this week. The AAO 521 has a 10-inch display and comes with a 1.2GHz single-core AMD V105 processor along with ATI Radeon HD 4225 graphics with HDMI out. The latter highlights the confidence in its ability to handle HD video, even though the screen only has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels.

A couple of videos have appeared from Notebook Journal.de and nDevil that give an idea of how well it plays HD video content. As you’ll see HD content seemed to play ok, although the same can’t be said for YouTube HD that seemed to stutter. This could be a driver issue so I wouldn’t get too disheartened if you were eyeing the AAO 521. Check out the videos after the jump.

Acer reveals Aspire 521, 721 1551 AMD-powered netbooks [Video]

Jet Sun — Wed, 12 May 2010 07:27:03 +0000

Acer has revealed a new line-up of AMD-powered netbooks at an event in Cannes. This includes a 10-inch model (AAO 521) and two 11.6-inch models (Acer Aspire 721 and 1551). Subsidiary Packard Bell also announced the dot.a, a rebranded version of the 11.6-inch models above.

The Acer Aspire One 521 has a single-core 1.2GHz AMD V105 processor, DDR3 support, ATI Radeon HD 4225 graphics and a HDMI output. You’ll still only get a 10.1-inch (1024 x 600) display though. It comes with 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD and a 7-hour battery life.

The Acer Aspire 721 features the dual-core AMD Athlon Neo K325 processor and an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display. This model also sports Radeon HD 4225 graphics and has an HDMI out. It also comes with a 5600mAh battery, three USB ports, Bluetooth and optional 3G.

The Acer Aspire 1551 is similar to the 721, it features an AMD Turion II Neo dual core processor and Radeon HD 4225 graphics. It has an 11.6-inch display with 1366 x 768 resolution. It comes with a HDMI port, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Windows 7 Home Premium.

Packard Bell has also launched the dot.a netbook that is a rebranded of the above 11.6-inch Acer models running the 1.7GHz single-core AMD Athlon II Neo K125 processor.

Via NetbookNews.de.

Acer Aspire One 521: AMD powered 10” netbook with HDMI

Jet Sun — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:31:21 +0000

Acer has a new AMD-powered netbook on the horizon called the Aspire One 521. Trusted source macles has come up with the details who says that this 10-inch model will feature the AMD V105 processor. This CPU will not be formally announced until May, but we know that it is the slowest single-core of the “Nile” platform. It is clocked at 1.2GHz and comes with 512KB L2 Cache, a TDP of 9W and DDR3 support.

The AMD V105 CPU is paired with the AMD M880G chipset. The AAO 521 will also come with the as yet unannounced ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4225 graphics core that has 384MB of dedicated video memory. Performance is unknown although I wouldn’t expect ION levels of graphical fidelity, however a HDMI port will be included.

The design is a departure from previous Aspire One netbooks too. The lid comes with a huge chrome-plated logo, proudly displayed for all to see. Battery life should be around the 7-hour mark and you will also be able to get optional Bluetooth 3.0. It will also come with a new compact power adaptor with interchangeable plugs called MiniGo. Pricing and availability are unknown for now, expect an announcement during Computex in early June.

Acer Aspire One D260: Android Pine Trail netbook in the works

Jet Sun — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:18:06 +0000

Acer is preparing to launch a Pine Trail update to last years Aspire One D250 dual-booting netbook. The AAO D260 will also dual-boot Android with Windows. Little other details are known right now, although Acer’s mobile product manager, Martino Mombrini, apparently revealed that the chassis will be getting a redesign.

Mombrini also confirmed that Acer will be launching a Google Chrome OS netbook during Q3 and that they are working closely “with the guys at Google”. We’ll keep you posted on any further details.

Via Electric Pig.

Acer Aspire One 752 ultra-thin gets European pricing

Jet Sun — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:56:54 +0000

Pricing details for the Acer Aspire One 752 CULV-based ultra-thin are starting to come through. Notebook Italia is reporting that there will be two configurations using the 1.3GHz Intel Celeron 743 processor. The AAO 752-742w in white costs €449, whilst the black AAO 752-742Gk will cost €549 but comes with integrated 3G.

The AAO 752 has an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) ultra-thin device supporting up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM and a 320GB HDD. It measures just 22m in thickness and weighs 1.40kg. It comes with a full-size Acer FineTip keyboard and multi-gesture touchpad. You’ll also find a HDMI and VGA/LAN ports that are placed in the back corners of the body. Other features include Wi-Fi, webcam, Dolby-optimised audio and optional Bluetooth 2.1/integrated 3G. The battery is quoted to last for around 5 hours. Check out the full specs of both SKUs after the break.

Aspire One 752-742w Technical Specifications:

Processor: Intel Celeron 743 to 1.3GHz
Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium
Screen: 11,6 inches WXGA HD LED BackLight CineCrystal (1366×768)
Memory: 2GB DDR2
Hard disk: 250GB to 5400rpm
Diagram: Intel GMA X4500M HD
Audio: 2 loudspeakers Dolby Sound Room
Networking: Wi-Fi b/g, Ethernet Gigabit, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Interfaces: reader of cards 5in1, HDMI, VGA, jack audio, 3 USB 2.0
Battery: 4 cells Them
Dimensions: 295 x 22mm
Weight: 1.4Kg
Other: webcam from 0.3 megapixel CrystalEye with microphone
Colour: White&Silver
Guarantee: 1 year

Aspire One 752-742Gk Technical Specifications:

Processor: Intel Celeron 743 to 1.3GHz
Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium
Screen: 11,6 inches WXGA HD LED BackLight CineCrystal (1366×768)
Memory: 2GB DDR2
Hard disk: 320GB to 5400rpm
Diagram: Intel GMA X4500M HD
Audio: 2 loudspeakers Dolby Sound Room
Networking: Wi-Fi b/g, Ethernet Gigabit, modem 3G, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Interfaces: reader of cards 5in1, HDMI, VGA, jack audio, 3 USB 2.0
Battery: 4 cells Them
Dimensions: 295 x 22mm
Weight: 1.4Kg
Other: webcam from 0.3 megapixel CrystalEye with microphone
Colour: Diamond Black
Guarantee: 1 year

Thanks Marco!

Acer Aspire One 752 announced: 11.6-inch CULV ultra-thin

Jet Sun — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:43:52 +0000

Acer has revealed the Aspire One 752 ultra-thin notebook. The Aspire One 752 is the update to the AAO 751 and as you can guess by the minor model change, there’s not too much different. The AAO 752 is an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) ultra-thin device powered by the Intel Celeron 743 ULV processor, GS45 Express Chipset and GMA 4500MHD graphics. It will support up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM and a 320GB HDD.

It certainly lives up to its ‘ultra-thin’ category name, measuring just 22m in thickness and weighing 1.40kg. It comes with a full-size Acer FineTip keyboard and multi-gesture touchpad. You’ll also find a HDMI and VGA/LAN ports that are placed in the back corners of the body. Other features include Wi-Fi, webcam, Dolby-optimised audio and optional Bluetooth 2.1/integrated 3G. The battery is quoted to last for around 5 hours.

The AAO 752 will be available in four colours (Diamond Black, Ruby Red, Seashell White and Sapphire Blue) when it releases. There is no pricing or availability details right now.

Update: Notebook Italia has a hands-on video of the Aspire One 752 that you can check out below.

Nvidia Optimus tech demoed on Acer Aspire One 532G ION netbook

Tej — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:31:54 +0000

The Acer Aspire One 532G is the world’s first 10-inch netbook to be armed with next generation Nvidia ION graphics. It was announced last week at the MWC show in Barcelona and we managed to get hands on with the device at a press event in London earlier this week.

The AAO 532G is expected to launch in late April/early May and will come in two configurations. The 1GB RAM/160GB HDD combo will cost £349, whilst a 2GB RAM/320GB HDD combo will cost £399. These prices are not set in stone and depending on exchange rates may end up costing another £30 more. However, Acer is keen not to price the higher end SKU above £400 if they can help it.

Both models will be powered by a 1.66GHz N450 Atom processor and sport a high resolution LED backlit display, HDMI-out and 10-hour battery life. The Aspire One 532G is only 1-inch in thickness and weighs around 1kg (including the 6-cell 5600mAh battery). It will be available in three colours on launch (Sapphire Blue, Ruby Red and Pearl Silver).

Whilst details of the next generation ION will not be announced until next week, we already know that one of its stand out features will be Nvidia’s power saving Optimus technology. Think of Optimus as automatic switchable graphics. If a task needs the extra grunt, such as gaming or Flash video, then the Nvidia GPU will switch on. As soon as you stop, the GPU will automatically switch off again.

We had already been impressed reading up on the technology but got a hands on demonstration of it in action. A Nvidia test tool shows when the GPU is switched on/off, this piece of software won’t ship with final products but shows how effectively Optimus works. The result should be a sharp improvement in battery life for ION netbooks, further enhancing its already compelling proposition. Check out a video demo of Optimus in action below.