Photos: Acer Aspire One is quite literally 'the one'

By Rory Reid on 03 June 2008, 4:31pm

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Earlier we brought you details on the Aspire One -- Acer's rival to the Eee PC 900. While you've been reading that, we've been hanging with our chums at Acer, getting a proper hands-on, and taking pictures. Lots of pictures.

Feel free to click through to the images now, but you might want to stick around for some details. Specs-wise, Acer's supplying both Linux and Windows XP versions of the One. Both models will use an 8.9-inch 1,024x600-pixel screen, the same 1.6GHz N270 Intel Atom CPU that you'll find in the MSI Wind, and a 0.3-megapixel webcam.

The Linux model will get 512MB of RAM and an 8GB solid-state hard drive, while the Windows XP model will get 1GB of RAM and an 80GB mechanical hard drive. The Linux flavour will set you back a ridiculously inexpensive £199, while the Windows model is set to cost £299. Mechanical hard drives are an option in the Linux variant, but pricing on this is still unconfirmed.

The One will come with Wi-Fi as standard, but UK consumers will also benefit from optional integrated HSDPA -- which means you'll be able to get online anywhere you damn well please. Those lucky Americans will get a WiMax option.

As for build quality and design, Acer seems to have got most of it right. The keyboard is fantastic to use, as is its non-glossy screen. The only slight problems are that the mouse selector buttons are in the wrong place, you only get a year's warranty, and the standard battery is just 2200mAh instead of the 4400mAh unit you get as standard on UK Eee 900. Despite this, Acer reckons the One will deliver about 3 hours of battery life -- although we'll reserve judgement until we test it ourselves.

All in all, the Acer Aspire One is, quite literally, the One. On the surface of things it's better than an Eee 900, and might even have the upper hand on the the MSI Wind. Watch for a full preview and review shortly, but in the meantime click Next Photo for more pics and deets. -Rory Reid

Update: Read our full Acer Aspire One review.