Atom-based Acer Aspire One makes its American debut
Acer today officially launched US sales for the Aspire One, its stylish, ultra-lightweight notebook with Intel's newest Atom processor built-in, and whose hard drive...is optional.
The US market will see three Aspire One models available, with base prices ranging from $379 to $449. The ultraportables are available in white or blue, with brown and black expected to be available for the holidays.
All Aspire One models measure 9.8" x 6.7" x 1.14", and the low-end model weighs only 2.17 pounds. They each feature an Intel Atom N270 processor running at 1.6 GHz, 8.9-in. 1024 x 600 LED display, and run either Microsoft Windows XP or Linpus Linux Lite. Each model also has support for five different memory cards, 80.11b/g wireless, and two built-in stereo speakers.
The cheapest model, available for $379, offers an 8 GB solid-state drive (actually a built-in NAND flash component), 512 MB DRAM, and three-cell battery that Acer promises will last three hours. The next model up at $399 has 1GB of DRAM. a 120GB HDD, and replaces Linux with Windows XP Home. The most expensive model, available for $449, has 1 GB DRAM, 8GB SSD, Linux, and a 6-cell battery that promises seven hours of life.
Linpus Linux Lite is designed for UMPCs and other mobile notebooks, and features Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird, instant messaging, webcam support, photo management, music management, a media player, and a built-in networking suite for Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and Ethernet.
Due to the still high demand for 6-cell batteries, resellers such as Best Buy, Circuit City and CDW indicates only the $379 and $399 models are in-stock. Retailers have not said when they'd have the most expensive models in high quantity.
By comparison, the Asus Eee PC 901 costs $599, with the MSI Wind coming in at $479, and the Aspire One is several ounces lighter than both products.
Consumers who purchase ultraportable notebooks often times are willing to sacrifice speed for portability and size, though Acer says the Aspire One is able to mix both portability with speed with little negative impact.