Is this Acer, with XP, capable of supporting the Microsoft Siverlight 2 video format, such as NCAA/CBS is using for its advanced media player currently in use for the NCAA mens basketball tournament? Thanks.

I've had an Aspire one-XP for about 2 months now. A few comments
1. Video: streaming/YouTube and hard drive/iTunes ripped video play fine on the XP version, No pauses over WiFi if you have a good connection
2. WiFi connection is generally good but doesn't seem as strong as my full size Sony laptop.
3. Essential upgrade: I'd definitely recommend getting a wireless notebook mouse. My hands are big and using the track pad is just OK but using the buttons is very awkward. Logitech makes a wireless mouse with a low profile USB plug. I went a different route and got a low profile Bluetooth plug for the USB port and then bought a Bluetooth notebook mouse which has a few more features (forward/back buttons on the side, click wheel). I thought this might also allow me to connect to my Bluetooth enabled cell for internet access but I haven't tried it yet.
4. Loading software: I bought an external CD ROM but haven't used it too much. I copied the Bluetooth driver files onto a USB flash drive from the CD using my laptop and plugged it into the Aspire One where it ran fine.
5. Keyboard: I can definitely touch type on the keyboard without many mistakes. It probably took me a half day to get used to it. Very nice feel.
6. Overall excellent netbook. After using it for a month, I went out and bought my daughter one for her birthday. Costco had the 160GB XP version on sale for $349 at XMas but I think they're all gone.

Yes, thanks for the review.

I bought the 160 Gb version with Windows XP from amazon and am very happy with it. The only thing that sucks is the track pad button placement. I am used to using a laptop trackpad with one hand (index finger on the pad and thumb on the buttons.) This is pretty much impossible with the Aspire One. But for the price and specs I am willing to over look this little fault. Heck some guy even took the thing hangliding - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfxlNM4286E

I bought an Acer Aspire One (AAO) this fall and within weeks the screen blacked out upon booting. Rather than replacing my AAO , Acer referred me to a technical repair depot. After 6 weeks still no word - then two weeks ago after calling Acer they said they would send me a new one on “ back-order” - still no sight of it. Today when i called they said they have no idea when the “back-order” will be filled. Just wonderful customer support - not! Wish i had bought a MacBook now…..

Is that another SD-card slot in the battery bay (from the picture with the 3G/WWAN slot cover removed)?

Does that one also merge into the filespace, seems a good place to boost internal memory: no easy eject and out of the way.

$30/month unlimited 3G data plan

Geez, how can I get something like that? I'm already paying $60/mo for an ATT 3G unlimited connection. I'd LOVE to save $30/mo for the same service!

nice review. i like the full-sized right shift, but i dislike the touchpad's button placements.

additionally, it was nice getting the zoned temperatures from the system; how were those measured?

That / button to the right of the left shift key is supremely aggravating. I have no idea what it's doing there. Is that the supposed "French" layout? It's terrible.

Can we get a 'lspci -v' and a 'lsusb' on this guy? What hardware is in there? It's probalby all the same 945 chipset stuff that's in all other Atom based machines. Once they get a decent energy efficient chipset in one of these boxes, they'll be impressive. Until then, they're not all that interesting.

It would be nice for those scale shots to just stick your hand in there instead of or maybe along side of a coin or dvd case.

This review reminds me of Matrix, since this netbook is "The One".

New author? I can't seem to find Mr. Longinotti anywhere else on the site.
Nice article.

Plus, just think of all those old 2D role-playing and real-time strategy games you'll be able to revisit on a device like the Aspire One.

I was just thinking "I bet Civ 2 would work great on this thing"

Nice article.. great pictures too.

Anybody else notice the "launcher" screen is colored exactly like the Windows logo turned 90°?

Well, get the Linupus 1GB RAM version with the 120GB hard disk and a 6 cell battery, then replace Linpus with Ubuntu and I think this is just about the ideal netbook imho. Maybe the 8GB SSD version with an extra flash card maybe even better.

It certainly beats my 486DX4-75 with 32MB RAM laptop which is the closest I have at the moment to these netbooks and I use it quite often for light duties because it's fits into small places.

It will be very interesting to see if there are any Nano based netbooks in this price range when it's released as imho it is a better processor for this purpose.

1. Another 3-cheer round for the hotspot readings.

2. Already ordered my XP A-One last night, which comes with the full Gig of RAM and a 120GB (mechanical) disk. It just hit $399 on Amazon (supplied through TigerDirect, so $9 of unavoidable S&H, but I'll live).

Edit: I'm going to start calling this thing "Steak Sauce". Join me, won't you?

and some enterprising One owners have even crammed OS X 10.5 onto the system.

What?! No! Links, or it didn't happen!!

C'mon Apple, even this measly thing has more USB ports than the Macbook! I'm sick and tired of having to plug my devices only on the left side of the machine!!!

Does the SD slot support SD cards >2gb?

Minor and not really a big deal... but the picture on the first page wit the power adapter setting on a console game. The caption says that it is a PS2 game, yet the picture shows a PS3 game.

The XP version of this is probably the best bang-for-buck netbook, especially the ones equipped with 1 GiB of RAM and the 2.5" 120 GB drive. I'd consider a 6-cell battery essential, though.

Thanks for the review.

This system got the right shift and cursor keys right. Other manufacturers please listen!

And a full sized return key, hurrah!

Hope the Linux community gets off its arse and sorts out their media playing systems. Did you try installing VLC, btw?

The 120GB XP version is good for school (gotta put the music and omglolz videos somewhere), but the 8GB Linux is a good toy for around the house and garden, and to sling in the bag for work, travel, holidays, etc. Nice to be able to add a big SD card to increase on-board storage transparently too.

I don't like the enter button. I'd rather it twice as wide than twice as tall.