i am looking for a portable unit for my Honey as a Xmas gift ... and by comparison to other units available, i find this one to be outstanding ... I am about to place the order momentarily.
it is to be noted that it is a Portable Unit of smaller dimensions compared to the regular Notebooks, of which I have 3 already (HP, Dell & Sony), yet the capacity is superior to any of the units I already possess in terms of Physical storage Memory.
when I was going through the reviews posted, I note a few points that I think needed addressing, as an IT Specialist.
General Configuration :
when you are buying a NETBOOK, there is one thing to take into consideration. This machine is intended for light duty work, such as online Surfing, Email and IM, as well as Document processing (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). it can be used for Audio and Video PlayBack as well. even thou the screen is a bit small for that, it is still acceptable for shorter duration. the configuration does not provide the horsepower to be able to be used for Heavy Resource Hungry applications such as multimedia production and the like. it is not intended to for that kind of tasks in the first place. if that's what you need, a NETBOOK is NOT the best of options. I suggest that you look into a Desktop or Top Line Laptop for that requirement.
Software Configuration :
a. Operating System : the unit ships with Windows XP, which especially for portable units with limited resources, is superior to the Windows Vista, though being a former release. My Desktop as well as my HP and Dell Laptop runs on Windows XP, which I, by personal experience, feel more comfortable with, i have Windows Vista on my Sony Laptop, which although being a fine product (No Offence) just is not "My cup of tea" if you know the expression. Windows Vista may have its benefits, but the thing that I dislike about it is the 'File management' ie the way it organises the Users Documents. admittedly, i experienced the same in the beginning when I transfered from Win98 to Xp as well, but far from in the same magnitude that it be the case with Windows Vista. I have been a regular user of the Windows OS ever since the 2.0 back in 1989, i may still have the program somewhere in my library. I have utilized every single version since then and I note the Improvements in the development with 3 exemptions. a. Windows 2000, which was NOT for Domestic Usage in the first place, too complicated to configure,
b. Windows ME, which by the way was the WORST product I ever encountered.
c. Windows Vista ...
b. i noticed that the machine is available in a LINUX version too, but I'll suggest that, unless you are Computer Savvy, and know what you are doing, try to avoid that. Nothing against the Linux OS as of such, it is a good OS, very limited Resource requirement and all, but as it is NOT a mainstream OS, it is not always the best of choice. plus the physical configuration of the system is inferior compared to the Windows XP Units.
c. by what i can see from others reviews, McAffee seems to be causing a disruption in the WiFi setup. as a technocrat, i'll say, thou McAffee used to be an outstanding product, it has lately been known to cause configuration problems as it automatically activates the "Firewall" which by default limits the access from the unit in question to any external system on a network, either a local LAN or the internet in general. i haven't tried this unit myself yet, but i know of this situation because i have a domestic network of 7 laptops and 3 desktops set up in my home. my suggestion be ... try see if you can find an alternative to the McAffee, or use a local Anti Virus protection product instead of the Network versions. that should do the trick.
HARDWARE CONFIGURATIONS :
Input / Output Controllers : let everybody remember that it is a tiny unit,
a. < 9 inch display ... not really what you would use in prolonged durations at a time. Maybe it is not fair to say, because most portable Entertainment units have smaller displays than this. but all the same.
b. people seem to have problem using the keyboard, saying it is small, but then the entire unit is. That is a limitation that sort of comes with the concept.
c. as for the trackball, i understand the difficulty that people experience. It is always difficult to use something that's constructed differently compared to what one is used to.
for all three things there is always the option that you can attach an external unit (CTR, Keyboard and/or Mouse). maybe you should consider it, but it sort of kills the entire concept of ULTRA PORTABLE unit.
UPGRADEABILITY : the upgradability of the unit is very Limited ... but that is a general rule when you go for a portable unit, you, by default, sacrifice the Upgradability for the Portability. It comes with 1GB RAM, and I am to understand that it can be upgraded to 1.5GB. but the thing is that the user will have to split the entire system totally just to be able to perform that Upgrade. Now here is the thing. An increase of 50% more RAM is not really going to give any noticeable difference, so it is up to the user to decide if it is really worth the efforts and not to mention the risk factor. Being an electronic device, there is always the probability of something going wrong (Murphy's Law). And given the circumstance that you, by choice, fiddled with the internal configuration of the system, the possibility of the Warranty being voided is very high.
STORAGE MEMORY : this particular Model ships with a 160GB HDD. To my opinion, this is more than enough for any regular user. Lets say 5GB for the Operating System and drivers, another 5GB for the office software, 10GB for misc. 'on the road' products, it still leaves about 120 GB for User Data. (Taken into account that a 160GB HDD when formatted and configured actually only have a capacity of 142GB). Given an average document be of 5MB (one full of pictures and all), there should be room enough to store about 30000 documents on the system without any problem... (almost 10 copies of Encyclopedia Britannica in its full) and to be honest ... how many people actually need to carry that many documents around?. Again, it is possible to upgrade the Hard disk to one with larger capacity, but again, in order to do so, the entire system has to be split into pieces. A decision only the ultimate user can take.
BATTERY : the Battery capacity is advertised to be 6 hrs (actual 3.5 to 5 depending on NATURE of Usage). that is perfect, given it be true. on the road, it is seldom that you be walking on the street and using your computer at the same time... in reality, you use it in your car, or at your local Starbuck... and there is always a way to connect it to a power source at both places ... (at star buck... all you need to do is ask NICELY, and they will let you use an outlet while you consuming your coffee or tea or cappuccino). If your means of transportation is the PUBLIC Transport, i have hard to imagine that your daily commute be more than 5 hours each way.
Air Travel does provide external Power source as well. you just have to get hold of a proper Power Adapter / converter, usually available at any electronics outlets for about $30 to $50.
FAN NOISE : as for the `fan noise' thing, which i notice a lot of people mentioning... you must have a very sensitive hearing sense to be able to notice it. let it be clear that the fan is a physical piece of plastic rotating at high speed, so it is bound to make some noise, there is no way around that fact. the speed of the fan is adjusted automatically by the system based on the temperature of the unit. it will run slower when the unit is cold and the speed will increase with the change in temperature of the unit. just a suggestion be ... check the ventilation of the system, make sure the exhaust vent, normally on the bottom of the unit, is free. if the noise still exhibits to be too high, check the vent for dust abstractions. it is to be noted that the computer does not produce any coolant of its own, but use the air available in the environment to do the cooling. it is just an observation, but the air carries lots of impurities, thou not visible to the bare eye. Over the passage of time, these particles accumulate in the ventilator, causing either obstructions in the fans movement or the exhaust properties thereof. Now the fan has to move harder to keep the unit cold enough. as a thumbs rule, just like you clean everything else that you have now and then, regular clean up of the system could be a good idea as well. it does not require any technical know how, just use a condensed air blower, available all over the place for $5 or less, blow the vent, that should do the trick. and a canister should be able to last for about 6 months. not a bad investment ($1/month) compared to a complete melt down that will render your entire investment of (for this unit) $400 worthless. and make no mistake, no warranty, manufacturer or otherwise, will cover you in that case, because it is what is classified as "Abusive Use" or "Wear & Tear" (both Exemptions from any coverage, specified in the microscopic print on your Insurance/warranty Policies, feel free to check it out).
AUDIO OUTPUT : for the speaker not giving a proper sound. sure enough, as mentioned by other users, what can you expect from speakers in the size of a DIME. then again, it is a Portable unit, meaning you will be using it "on the go" so to speak. my suggestion be USE some headphones instead, it will channel the sound perfectly for your hearing and it will not disturb the people in your surroundings. It will be for the benefit of everyone concerned. Just consider these scenarios : you be traveling down the Hudson in the Metro, you are sitting doing your thing and someone walks up to you and ask you to turn down the volume because the sound is disturbing their chain of thoughts. OR you sitting and are being force to listen to someone else's conversation on the phone or otherwise, merely because their voice is too loud for the environment.
if you have ever experienced either situation, you will know what i am talking about. Common courtesy dictates that you should have consideration for your environment, if for no other reason, then just to avoid the awkward situation of someone else having to tell you so.
i am not saying you should get one of those $1000 'noise cancelation' headphones, the $10 one from your local corner store would be just fine. i can't figure the sense in spending a thousand dollars on customized headphones in the first place, because even if you rip 10 of the regular ones in a year, it is still less than the $1000 for the specials, and trust me, no matter how carefully you treat them, they seldom last you more than a year.
CONCLUSION :
I do realize that it may not be a 'CREM de la Crem' unit. but for the price ... it is a VERY proper unit. People have a tendency to expect more and more for less and less monies. Surely in due time it will be so, but currently, while the concept of Netbook is comparatively NEW, if you desire to be "On the Wagon", so to speak, you will have to sacrifice some of your demands. this is one thing I have noted about the reviews that people post. they always have the idea that they should get more for their monies, and its fair to assume that, but then there is just one thing i don't understand. they want a ultra portable unit with a 50" display and king size Input controllers. that just don't make any sense. the golden rule is "you want more, gonna cost more" or you wait a couple of years, and it be for the current price. i can give you a example. currently, my Palm Lifedrive has 4GB HDD, it cost me $400. It had about 400 times the capacity of my first laptop (10MB) which had cost me bout $4000 at that time. I can elaborate this theory with the following example.
my Dell has 512MB/40 GB, it cost about $ 800 at the time, My HP has 1GB/80GB, but it cost me $1500, and the Sony 1GB/120GB, but with a price tag of $2300. i used to have a Mac back in the days, beautiful unit and outstanding performance. i have to say Mac Computers are the most beautiful units one can come across, but there is one MAJOR drawback with the Mac machines and that's the PRICE TAG. But if the money is no object, get a Mac, you won't regret it. (Well maybe when you want to install a program, cuz it is very limited in availability and hence beautiful Price Tag).
there seem to be a few people who are dissatisfied with their machine. stating that it is DOA or Crash after short time. i will be the first to admit that with electronics, there is always the possibility that something can go wrong. thou the chances are very slim, it does exist. that's what 'Murphy's Law' is all about. This is where i suggest that you get yours from a 'RELIABLE' source. Amazon.com is always a GOOD choice, because they are always willing to help the customer out to their best ability. I have been a customer at Amazon for the last 10+ years. i'll give them a 6 out of 5 stars for their customer service. my experience have proved to me that they attempt their best to satisfy the customer. when it comes to Amazon, thou they not Perfect, one can't expect anyone to be, their customer service, both in response as well as solution of the situation has been noted to be outstanding in terms of Promptness and suggestions.
As far as the source is concerned, I suggest you get it DIRECTLY from Amazon, rather than the additional stores that may be available through Amazon. I'm not saying it always be the case, but third party sellers have so many clauses and hidden terms that if a problem should arise, (Murphy's Law) they frequently comes up with so many different excuses not to help out the customer, (Time span, coverage, advertised terms, general practice etc).
so I say, even if it be a few $$$ more, it is worth it, if for nothing else, then just for the peace of mind.
for the prospective customers, who are in the market for a unit like this, and is yet unsure I would suggest that you take a small trip to your local Electronic store (Circuit City, Best Buy, Walmart, Staples, Target all carry these units, or the smaller model) and try out the unit, just to get the feel of it, so that you can evaluate whether or not it is what you are looking for, and in the process, if you happen to find it for a better NET price, thou I doubt it be the case, by all means get it from there. When I say net price, it be final amount that you pay for the unit, TAX and Shipping included.
Me and my Hon saw the unit at our local Target couple of weeks ago, and she loved it, especially because of the size. She wanted it right there and then. $350 + tax for the 120 GB / 3 cell model. I am getting her the superior model instead. As it is a gift for her, I don't want her to know that I got it for her already. she still think I am just looking. i know she is going to be happy for it. I have even gone to the trouble of acquiring some extra accessories for it, such as a spare battery, 10" bag, auto mount and charger for Honey's Altima, but most likely what she is gonna love the most is the CUSTOMIZED SKIN, with name and picture.
Get more detail about Acer Aspire One AOA150-1126 8.9-Inch Netbook - White.
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