Judging by the amount of
mods already
available for Acer's contribution to the netbook world, we'd say there's a fair amount of things folks would like changed on the Aspire One. Of course, that's not to say the machine isn't worthy of praise as-is, but there's nothing wrong with a little dreaming. Would you have preferred a
6-cell battery right out of the box? Is that touchpad a touch too small for your chubby fingertips? Would you rather it run a little less like Zune Guy and more like Usain Bolt? With the sudden surge in competition in this sector, there's really no excuse for a poor showing -- let Acer know exactly what you
really wanted from the tiniest Aspire.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
DBrim @ Sep 5th 2008 6:54PM
Matte screen option.
No bezel.
The only two things keeping me from buying this guy...
gabe @ Sep 5th 2008 8:46PM
we haven't seen this blend yet...
john @ Sep 5th 2008 9:53PM
I like it just the way it is. Wouldn't change a thing.
d00b @ Sep 5th 2008 10:46PM
Extend the model line upward with a 10" screen in the same shell. Charge +$40 for it.
MSI Wind prices are already dropping, albeit through a rebate for now. -$30 for 3-cell SKU, -$35 for 6-cell. Give it another month, and my bet is that the 6-cell will be around $450.
Pook @ Sep 5th 2008 6:54PM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv9rZdjv4Mo
futurepastnow @ Sep 5th 2008 6:55PM
More battery life is always a good thing. The dream of the all-day laptop...
OnlyShawn @ Sep 5th 2008 8:55PM
girls..bum, bum, bum-bum-bum, and all I really want is girls...
Argot @ Sep 6th 2008 4:03PM
Also a slightly bigger and better keyboard. Having a laptop that lasts all day is no fun when you spend hours cursing the heavens because of the cheap and small keyboard.
ScOObyDoo @ Sep 5th 2008 6:55PM
4 things:
1) Mouse buttons where they belong
2) Expresscard slot
3) Bluetooth
4) Easier access to the memory slot
Other than that, this is the best Netbook out there at the moment.
Tim @ Sep 6th 2008 12:49AM
I agree with these 4, and I would also like to see that horrible OS taken off and replaced with something a bit more.... useful. Granted, I'd probably put something other than what came on it on there anyway, so it doesn't really matter.
It's pretty BA as is, though
Jason @ Sep 6th 2008 3:25AM
I have to agree for the most part. Especially the memory access issue...I'm a seasoned PC Builder and I'm already having nightmares about it
Varun @ Sep 6th 2008 7:19AM
I don't think a netbook needs an ExpressCard slot but I agree with the others and add:
1. Access to the RAM slot and harddrive in AOA150 from the underside.
2. Support for more than 1.5gb of RAM.
3. The ability to add a 3G card ala Dell Mini.
4. Better wireless drivers out of the box. The .224 drivers the 150 shipped with were really flaky.
j.d.ripper @ Sep 7th 2008 9:45AM
I don't think this needs an express card slot nor Bluetooth. You're starting to get out of Netbook territory with all that.
absolut1983 @ Sep 11th 2008 1:29PM
No need for ExpressCard, but surely decent trackpad buttons, Bluetooth and an easier way to access the memory slot.
A six cell standard battery is also necessary and a built in 3G modem would be grand.
Pawel Chomicki @ Sep 5th 2008 6:55PM
Well, here in Canada, we're forced to purchase it with a bilingual keyboard, which is the only option available to us. Everyone in the Great White North pretty much hates it
Evan @ Sep 5th 2008 7:04PM
the man has a point.
Curtis @ Sep 5th 2008 7:22PM
I bought mine in Canada without the bilingual option...
tom @ Sep 5th 2008 7:54PM
@curtis, maybe you bought a US model.
The keyboard I saw at bestbuy is bilingual (English/French). Something i wanna ask Acer, you guys have sold laptop many years in Canada, Why make this stupid mistake? English Windows XP on French Keyboard?? pleaseeee.
I mean, would you make a laptop in the states bilingual (English/Spanish)???
The bottom line is, the price just doesn't make me want to get one. I can get a cheapo full size for 450 bucks more w/ 4 cell battery. With fewer plastics and smaller screen, the value just isn't there, really!
Engadget, did you guys get $$$ back from acer for putting up this post?
Peter @ Sep 5th 2008 8:19PM
I'm from Quebec and I find it easier to type in French on a US keyboard, stupid French Canadian keyboard
Mitch @ Sep 6th 2008 9:33AM
I use an english windows vista with a french keyboard... What's wrong with that. It's good to have the choice to use whether language you like. I work mostly in english so I need the english keyboard but the rest of my life is in french.
Jon Lee @ Nov 9th 2008 11:00PM
I strongly agree here. I just got one (in Canada) but am going to return it. The sole reason being the bilingual keyboard layout. When you're working on a small keyboard to begin with, good layout is critical! Unfortunately, the bilingual layout makes it unusable for me.
Perhaps I'll try and pick one up next time I'm in the U.S... Bummer.
It does seem like an odd marketing decision for Acer to make. With a presence in Canada (Acer.ca) you'd think they'd be more in touch with their customers.
KEROLiUKAS @ Sep 5th 2008 6:57PM
Mouse buttons, no bezel, bluetooth, and express card would be nice too. The Lenovo IdeaPad S10 seems to be a better pick for now
sockatume @ Sep 5th 2008 6:57PM
Touchpad. Touchpad, touchpad, touchpad. Touchpad. At this price point, I'll accept the battery life, lack of bluetooth, and the buried memory slot, but for the love of God, fix the touchpad so it's somewhere acceptable. It spoils the true brilliance of that keyboard. It's like getting a fabulous cake with poo on top.
Aside from that, bigger battery. Bluetooth or wwan would be nice, but I'd be willing to put up with the absence of either or both.
giuliop @ Sep 5th 2008 7:57PM
Or even better, stick in a pointing stick. Takes less space, it's much more usable and precise.
sockatume @ Sep 5th 2008 8:21PM
Much as I loathe them for general use, yes, this machine is crying out for one.
Mark @ Sep 5th 2008 10:30PM
+1 for pointing stick - I was hoping that either HP, Dell or Lenovo would have used one as they have them on other laptop lines.
Tony @ Sep 5th 2008 7:01PM
Denser batteries! Why is it that I'm getting less then 2 hours on this thing, or being forced to take a huge battery that sticks out? But otherwise, the thing is great, crappy multilingual keyboards and all.
Nick V @ Sep 5th 2008 7:02PM
Bluetooth and a CTO model to mix and max HD sizes, OS, and other options.
Just ordered one myself though.
Johnny Chimpo @ Sep 5th 2008 7:07PM
1) Proper mouse buttons
2) 1 SD/MS and 1 CF card reader rather than 2 SD readers
3) Matte screen and bezel or 10" matte screen
4) Rubberized or matte finish paint instead of the slickety fingerprint attracting glossy surface (ugh)
5) Active expansion slot under the little door on the bottom rather than just an empty spot to put your weed
6) Easier access to memory and HDD
7) 802.11n
8) Stereo speakers that aren't pointed at my crotch so I can actually hear them
TheRedMonkey @ Sep 5th 2008 7:16PM
So you are the jerk on your laptop at the coffee shop/ airport playing music through the speakers. Use headphones JERK!
/I keed, unless you are that guy.
Zouz @ Sep 5th 2008 7:23PM
Buy an eee 1000h...
CosterMonger @ Sep 5th 2008 8:55PM
agree with all
+ blue tooth
using those damn side mouse buttons is a bigger learning curve (adjustment curve) then using a cramped keyboard
Aidan @ Sep 5th 2008 7:11PM
A matte screen option. No bezel.
That's it. If it had those I'd definitely one. Even just the matte screen.
Yay. @ Sep 5th 2008 7:12PM
1. Hire Apple's design team to correct its fugliness
2. Preload it with OSX
3. Preload it with iPhone syncing software
dhytspam @ Sep 5th 2008 7:14PM
It's just one giant apple in the ass for you aint it?
Pi @ Sep 5th 2008 7:15PM
you mean itunes?
deyanimay @ Sep 5th 2008 7:17PM
But if you did that the price would triple.
drnosleep @ Sep 5th 2008 7:34PM
...and it would be called a macbook.
js @ Sep 5th 2008 7:47PM
... and ironically people would still buy it no matter what.
Pumping_Iron @ Sep 5th 2008 7:48PM
You Sir....FAIL!
Andy TGD @ Sep 5th 2008 8:18PM
4) Put on a mag-safe power lead (so it can burst into flames and incinerate your home).
5) Build it with shoddy materials which crack and discolour under average/light use.
Only then can you truly take it into Starbucks and write your novel - with several other smug-looking guys who had the same idea.
Cybergypsy @ Sep 5th 2008 9:35PM
Agreed!!!!
Jamma @ Sep 6th 2008 6:26AM
This has already been done... Only Apple made the screen too big, took away ALL the ports except one USB one D-sub and a headphone port, and slapped on a £1200 price tag
but it is thinner
shw77 @ Sep 6th 2008 8:24AM
I really like this design. I like it more than my Macbook Air. The Air is too simple - this one is much more Gundam. Cool.
Eugenia Loli-Queru @ Sep 5th 2008 7:15PM
Bluetooth and 3G support.
paul @ Sep 5th 2008 7:15PM
Better SSDs that can actually run Windows XP without chugging everytime something is written to disk.
I DO love this machine, but sometimes the lag pauses make it awfully hard to use.
ryoo818 @ Sep 6th 2008 2:27AM
There's a tutorial on the AspireOne forum that gives details on how to configure XP to run well on SSD.
http://www.aspireoneuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=57
Giroro @ Sep 5th 2008 7:27PM
I'm still trying to find a AOA150-1447... so, making those available would be a good change
BrianM @ Sep 5th 2008 7:32PM
More resolution 720P for an additional $50 and a Bluetooth option for $50 and put the extra space for the 6 cell battery under the unit to give it more of a tilt. Also take a note from Dell, look how accessable the parts are, You should be able to get to the HD, Wireless, RAM Slot, and fan simply by unscrewing the base plate.
I would happily spend $499 on it with those 2 options added including the 6 cell battery.
The HP is the only one with the right resolution, and it has the wrong processor and price.
We will see where things are when the blue 6 cell model becomes more readily available.
jmbridger @ Sep 5th 2008 7:35PM
I agree a Matte screen would be a better option especially viewing videos. After a week of use, the keyboard and mouse pad work well. Wi-Fi could use a little more power, at least distance wise, at least not as strong as my regular notebook. Love the size factor.
I have the XP version with the 120GB HD, overall satisfied user.