Derrick
ლ(ಠ_ಠ )ლ
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2010
- Messages
- 5,085
- Reaction score
- 5
A highly portable micro-computing and communications device.
It seems that not everyone wants a netbook to be as small and cramped as most tend to be. The Acer Aspire One models have been getting progressively larger, though I suspect that this current iteration may well represent where the physical size will stabilise. Why do I say this? Because the keyboard is basically as small as it can be while being composed of full-size keys, and the rest of this netbook’s size is set by that – there is no superfluous space around the keyboard and touchpad.
The keyboard is, in fact, remarkably comfortable to use. It is great to see that, unlike some previous attempts by some manufacturers, the screen occupies as much of the available surface area as possible. So, while this device is certainly compact (and lightweight), the screen is of a decent size, and offers a widescreen resolution of 1,366 x 768, which is more common on full-size notebooks. The screen is backlit by LED, the next evolution in display technology, which reduces power consumption, and delivers great brightness while generating no heat.
Despite its physical attributes, when we look under the hood, we are firmly back in netbook territory. For a notebook, the specs would be rather modest, but they are fairly representative of netbooks. However, pleasantly surprising is the capacious 150GB hard drive. Also very impressive is the unit’s energy efficiency: in a typical usage scenario (though running the extended battery that the review unit is shipped with), I consistently enjoyed eight hours or more (though, of course, if you play movies, listen to music, or use the wireless network heavily, this time will be significantly cut down).
Connectivity options are typical of netbooks. There is Wireless LAN, of course, as well as an Ethernet port. There is also Bluetooth, which is all too often (and inexplicably) omitted from netbook designs. On the left, there are two USB ports and audio in and out jacks. On the right-hand side is another USB port, a VGA output, and a memory card slot. Of course, there is no optical drive – those only appear in full-size notebooks and up. Above the screen, there is a Webcam, which is optimised for video chatting (even in low-light conditions), accompanied by a built-in microphone.
With this system’s respectable specifications, its comfort and ease of use, and its pleasing aesthetics (the exterior is a glossy black – prone to picking up fingerprints, but very nice-looking otherwise, while the ‘interior’ is black and dull silver), this product was an absolute pleasure to use. It fulfils its function (that of a highly portable computing and communications platform) admirably, and the fact that it can go for so many hours between recharges is liberating and empowering.
It seems that not everyone wants a netbook to be as small and cramped as most tend to be. The Acer Aspire One models have been getting progressively larger, though I suspect that this current iteration may well represent where the physical size will stabilise. Why do I say this? Because the keyboard is basically as small as it can be while being composed of full-size keys, and the rest of this netbook’s size is set by that – there is no superfluous space around the keyboard and touchpad.
The keyboard is, in fact, remarkably comfortable to use. It is great to see that, unlike some previous attempts by some manufacturers, the screen occupies as much of the available surface area as possible. So, while this device is certainly compact (and lightweight), the screen is of a decent size, and offers a widescreen resolution of 1,366 x 768, which is more common on full-size notebooks. The screen is backlit by LED, the next evolution in display technology, which reduces power consumption, and delivers great brightness while generating no heat.
Despite its physical attributes, when we look under the hood, we are firmly back in netbook territory. For a notebook, the specs would be rather modest, but they are fairly representative of netbooks. However, pleasantly surprising is the capacious 150GB hard drive. Also very impressive is the unit’s energy efficiency: in a typical usage scenario (though running the extended battery that the review unit is shipped with), I consistently enjoyed eight hours or more (though, of course, if you play movies, listen to music, or use the wireless network heavily, this time will be significantly cut down).
Connectivity options are typical of netbooks. There is Wireless LAN, of course, as well as an Ethernet port. There is also Bluetooth, which is all too often (and inexplicably) omitted from netbook designs. On the left, there are two USB ports and audio in and out jacks. On the right-hand side is another USB port, a VGA output, and a memory card slot. Of course, there is no optical drive – those only appear in full-size notebooks and up. Above the screen, there is a Webcam, which is optimised for video chatting (even in low-light conditions), accompanied by a built-in microphone.
With this system’s respectable specifications, its comfort and ease of use, and its pleasing aesthetics (the exterior is a glossy black – prone to picking up fingerprints, but very nice-looking otherwise, while the ‘interior’ is black and dull silver), this product was an absolute pleasure to use. It fulfils its function (that of a highly portable computing and communications platform) admirably, and the fact that it can go for so many hours between recharges is liberating and empowering.