$100.00 7 Inch Mini Netbooks?

5/4/10 | Don@vb

[Don@VB]

We have an Acer Aspire One and right now I’m using a an Asus like yours. It runs great but I’m not very familiar with Linux. Haven’t had to yet; but is it difficult to install software or drivers?

[Neidermeyer]

The specs you’re seeing closely resemble the storage , processor and display power of a typical high end automotive GPS unit. I have an acer Aspire 1 which runs XP (and unix) and has a reasonable amount of disk (160gb) ... far more than the $100 machine you’re seeing ... Many auto GPS systems run windows CE and can be reloaded as dual purpose machines ,, my Magellan Maestro 4040 is one such machine ... I would stay away from anything slower than your typical atom powered XP netbook for everyday use.

[backhoe]

Highly recommend the ACER Aspire One with the N450 processor. You can find them at many of the major office chains right now, they run $300, and perform beautifully. Plus they come with Windows 7 Starter installed. (ditch the Anti-virus and other assorted junk, get avira or similar.) If you find you need more oooph later, you can always upgrade the ram, and the 120 gb hard drive likely will outlive any need you'll have.

Right on- almost a year ago, wife Miss Emily's Compaq died in the middle of a convention-- and all the stuff she needed was on it. ( Ow! )

I got an Acer Aspire and while she got the Acer set up, pulled the old Compaq HD-- used a universal drive adaptor to connect it via USB to the Acer.

She got her files, saved the day-- and she uses it exclusively now- it's a nice little machine.

[Don@VB]

Backhoe, MAN! Nothing better than an Aspire One Story with a happy ending, and that’s a great one. My Aspire 1 has the Atom processor but the N450 sounds like a better value.

[max americana]

I will have to agree with the Gateway praise. Darn wished they would sell XP like DEll..

in 2006, I simply asked them to replace the keyboard when I bought brand new. I sent it to them, and they gave me a brand new laptop with more memory. A year ago, I met someone from Gateway at E3 here in L.A. and he told me, they used to do that: replace the entire laptop to avoid time-consuming future warranties or less headaches of shipping and complaints.