Cool Stuffs Review

I've had the 10.1" Acer Aspire One Netbook (160 GB HD/Windows XP/1 GB ram) for several months and really like it. I consider it to be my portable media player/surf the web anywhere type computer. It does not replace my desktop computer. I like a full sized keyboard and larger monitor too much.

The Acer Netbook accompanied our family on a 3 week Asian vacation and it was very handy to have along. We connected easily and fast to several wireless networks at relatives and our hotel.

The AC adapter is dual-voltage although I did have to purchase a small "Power Strip" because the 3 pronged plug is not compatible in Asia.

The Acer Netbook was bounced around quite a bit in my Carry-on Bag and it still looks new/the build quality is very good. On our trip I used the Acer to manage the photos off my camera each day and my son and I shared it to watch movies on our flights (ones I'd previously saved to the HD).

I purchased a splitter so two sets of headphones can be plugged in. The external speakers are not placed in a very good spot (underneath) and you have to position the Netbook on something that does not block the sound if you want to hear them/watch a movie without headphones.

The 6 cell battery can last for a solid 6-7 hours of multimedia usage if not longer. I have not been in a situation where I've had to worry about draining the battery yet.

As others have mentioned, you do have to spend some time (couple hours) cleaning all the "junk" programs off the computer. Ask a "techie" friend if you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself (use START-->RUN-->msconfig to clean up the startup programs as well). I'd recommend purchasing or borrowing an external DVD burner so you can create the three restore DVDs.

I expect that I will have to do a clean install every couple of years (given that it is Windows XP) but for now I can run multiple browser Windows, Windows Explorer and at least one MS Office program all at the same time with no noticeable lag. I have no trouble running iTunes or Netflix streaming videos either.

I've never been a "trackpad" fan and I leave a GigaWare wireless mouse permanently connected to the Netbook (the "dongle" only sticks out of the USB port a quarter inch). I am a touch typist and adapted to the Acer keyboard pretty fast. I tried several Netbook keyboards when I was looking and the Acer was one of the best. The dedicated Function keys are nice. The only separate keys that I miss are HOME and END which are placed down by the arrow keys and require you to push FN to use.

I also have a CaseLogic LNEO-10 Netbook neoprene case that has a side pocket that can hold the wireless mouse and AC Adapter. The Netbook went through all Airport security screening in this case with no one asking me to remove it (they do ask you to take out any accessories like the AC Adapter/mouse so I removed those before going through the screening).
Get more detail about Acer Aspire One AOD150-1920 10.1-Inch Ruby Red Netbook - 6.5 Hour Battery Life.