The long talked about dual boot Android, Windows XP Acer netbook is ready to come out of hiding and you can snatch one up now (with a six-cell battery) for $350. But will you ever use the Android?
Android on the Aspire One AOD250 functions like Splashtop or any instant-on operating system. It will boot into Android in 20 seconds (says Frandroid) and when you have had your fill, you can then enter Windows XP.
The model I saw demoed a few weeks back, had the standard Android home screen with the drawer of applications. Frandroid reports that there was no access to the Android Marketplace , but there were lots of pre-installed apps. The other good news is that there is full Flash support in the browser. But, as I have found with netbooks with instant-on operating systems I never end up staying in the pre-boot environment for too long. I end up wanting to run programs and save to the hard drive, etc. Maybe, this is why I am so excited for Google's Chrome OS; it will be a full, yet lightweight OS that, I presume, will boot quickly and have all the things I need.
Beyond Android, the 10.1-inch Aspire One AOD250 has a similar chassis to the other Aspire Ones (frankly, I have always thought the trackpad and keyboard were too cramped for a 10-incher). It has a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 processor, 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive. I know I have to wait until next year for some Chrome OS, so in the meantime I conclude that the Aspire One AOD250 is a good value if you want some Google operating system loving on a netbook. [Acer]
Acer Expands Popular Line of Aspire One Netbooks to Include Unique Dual-Boot Option with Android and Windows XP Operating Systems
Fast Android boot option allows "instant on" Internet access complimented by the full functionality of the Windows XP environment
SAN JOSE, Calif., October 15, 2009 – Acer America, the world's second largest notebook PC vendor and third largest PC vendor Source: Gartner data, FY 2008, today announced U.S. availability of the Aspire One AOD250 netbook featuring a dual-boot operating system including Android™ and Windows XP® Home. The innovative and open design of Android gives Aspire One users faster connections to the Internet and increased access to productivity and entertainment applications. Continuing to push the envelope on mobile computing solutions, Acer is offering the 10.1-inch Aspire One AOD250 with Android and Windows XP to U.S. customers with prices beginning at $349.99.
The Aspire One AOD250 netbook includes a dual-boot feature allowing users to switch between Android and Windows XP Home operating systems with just a click of a mouse. Designed specifically for mobile devices and applications, Android allows the Aspire One netbook to boot up and shut down quickly with "instant on" Internet connectivity, saving time and boosting productivity. Android is a free and open mobile platform, giving users access to leading-edge innovative applications that are user-friendly, affordable and often free. Aspire One users can download fun games, productivity titles, multimedia apps and cool widgets, created through an open source.
"The Android operating system and the Aspire One netbook is an ideal combination for end users that require a highly mobile device for data consumption," said Sumit Agnihotry, vice president of product management for Acer America. "The unique dual-boot OS on the new Aspire One ensures users fast connections, the familiarity of Windows, and the added convenience of open source mobile platforms and applications."
Combining ultra-portability and design
The Aspire One netbook is a simple and reliable mobile computing solution. Engineered for extreme mobility and weighing less than three pounds, the Aspire One utilizes the energy-efficient Intel® Atom™ Processor N280 to keep users connected while on-the-go. The Aspire One comes with a high-density, six-cell, 5800 mAh battery, 1GB of memory, integrated 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi network connectivity, and a generous 160GB internal hard drive to store plenty of digital albums, music and documents. The Aspire One utilizes a Multi-Gesture Touchpad, allowing users to pinch, flick and swirl their fingers across the touchpad for intuitive navigation. It also allows users to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.The Aspire One has a 10.1-inch CrystalBrite™ LED-backlit display, offering a broader viewing area for Web page navigation and data input. For communication needs, the netbook is equipped with the Acer Crystal Eye webcam, delivering smooth video streaming and high quality images for online chats and business video conferences, even in low-light situations. A built-in digital microphone conveys superior voice quality, keeping background noise levels low and minimizing echoes. Bluetooth® 2.1 allows the Aspire One easy connectivity to enabled wireless devices, such as phones, printers and PDAs.
Acer Aspire One AOD250 with Android™ Specifications
* Intel® Atom™ Processor N280 (1.66GHz, 512KB L2 cache, 667MHz FSB)
* Dual-Boot Operating System, choose between Android™ and Windows® XP Home operating systems
* 10.1" WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite™ LED-backlit Display
* Mobile Intel® 945GSE Express Chipset
* Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
* 1024MB DDR2 667MHz Memory
* 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
* Acer InviLink™ 802.11b/g Wi-Fi CERTIFIED®
* Bluetooth® 2.1
* Integrated Acer Crystal Eye Webcam
* Two Built-in Stereo Speakers
* Dolby® Headphone Technology
* Multi-Gesture Touchpad
* 3 - USB 2.0 Ports
* 6-cell Li-ion Battery (5800 mAh)
* 2.79 lbs. | 1.27 kg
* 10.2" (W) x 8.4" (D) x 1.0" (H)
* MSRP: $349.99
* Four stylish colors: Ruby Red, Diamond Black, Sapphire Blue and Seashell WhitePricing and Availability
The Aspire One AOD250 netbook is available now via Acer's authorized resellers and at major retailers nationwide, with prices beginning at $349.99. The Aspire One comes with a one-year limited warranty.