Acer Aspire One - would I be happy with one?

[mitt]

I have a 5 year old Dell, 256MB ram (can't add), 40GB HD, 1.6Ghz P4, and XP Pro SP3, laptop that is too slow to enjoy using anymore for web and email. 

Would an Acer Aspire One w/ 1GB ram, 120GB HD, 1.6Ghz Atom, and XP Home be faster enough to make a difference?

Anyone on here have one that can share their experience?  I haven't seen one in person, just on-line, but they get great reviews, and for just over $300, seems like it might work for what I use it for.

There is a Linux Acer Aspire One also, a little cheaper.  Any other ideas for speeding up the old Dell?

mitt

[JEFF_H]

I have a ASUS EEEPC that is similar....
my thoughts-
-it flat rocks for travel...so small you cant even feel it in your bag, cheap enough it wouldnt be a catastrophe if it broke, and i dont have any important data on it if it gets lost/stolen
-9" screen is clear, but small
-I like the linux install that has everything i need (and runs faster than windows)...but if it was a home pc i think i would switch it to XP to work with the photo printer and tivo easier.
-the keyboard is really small (and i have small hands too)
(right now i have it plugged into the stereo @ work streaming XM so i dont have to pay for two subscriptions 

to sum up- i really like it, but i dont think it could be my only pc at home

on your dell...the 256k memory is the primary reason it is slow. which model is it?


review of the acer
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4575

http://notebookreview-cnet.com.com/laptops/acer-aspire-one-linpus/4505-3121_7-33190895.html?subj=fdba&part=notebookreview-cnet&tag=_Laptops

[mitt]

on your dell...the 256k memory is the primary reason it is slow. which model is it?

dell inspiron 2650 - it had 'good' specs when I bought it, but it never lived up to them - it was always doggy from day 1.  Also, the battery is completely shot, and a new one is $100+.  The fit and finish was never that great either.

I saw the Asus also, and it looks interesting.

Travel would be an advantage for me as well, and being able to use on battery.

mitt

mitt

[Oldfisti]

dell inspiron 2650 - it had 'good' specs when I bought it, but it never lived up to them - it was always doggy from day 1.  Also, the battery is completely shot, and a new one is $100+.  The fit and finish was never that great either.

I saw the Asus also, and it looks interesting.

Travel would be an advantage for me as well, and being able to use on battery.

mitt

mitt

You can double your memory for about $20.  The battery can be had for about $60.     

[mitt]

You can double your memory for about $20.  The battery can be had for about $60.     

So, for ~$100, I can upgrade a 5 year old computer to perform slower than a new $300 computer.  To me, I am not sure if that is worth it.

mitt

[JEFF_H]

according to this, the max memory is 512 and an add'l 256 will set you back $18.99
Micron memory, made in beautiful Boise, Idaho 

(here's a link to the new Asus w. 10" screen...dunno if the keyboard is bigger $389)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220443

[Oldfisti]

Oh yeah I forgot...

  Back up all your data to remote storage. Reformat the hard drive and reload the OS & programs. Stick to what you use. Dell loads all kinds of bloat into their machines and has most of them open at startup . This bogs down the machine.

Reformatting will also eliminate 5 years of orphaned files, file fragments, registry errors, process errors, spyware and virus remnants etc.  All of which also serve to slow down the machine.

[mitt]

Oh yeah I forgot...

  Back up all your data to remote storage. Reformat the hard drive and reload the OS & programs. Stick to what you use. Dell loads all kinds of bloat into their machines and has most of them open at startup . This bogs down the machine.

I did this about 2 years ago 

mitt

[mitt]

according to this, the max memory is 512 and an add'l 256 will set you back $18.99
Micron memory, made in beautiful Boise, Idaho 

(here's a link to the new Asus w. 10" screen...dunno if the keyboard is bigger $389)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220443

OK, when the micron page says

"The standard memory is installed in a socket which cannot be accessed by the end user. The second memory socket supports the end user upgrades. In order to reach the maximum you may need to have the standard memory replaced by an authorized service center"

What does that mean?  Is it something I can do with a couple screw drivers and a mixed drink?

mitt

[Oldfisti]

So, for ~$100, I can upgrade a 5 year old computer to perform slower than a new $300 computer.  To me, I am not sure if that is worth it.

mitt

I hear you. Just throwing out the cheapest option. With the memory/reformatting etc. your dell should be freed up quite a bit.

Start with the free stuff. If you're happy with the way it cleans up then decide if you want to drop the $18 on the memory. (which will definitely help)

Worst case scenario you have a back up machine that works better than it does now.

[Oldfisti]

OK, when the micron page says

"The standard memory is installed in a socket which cannot be accessed by the end user. The second memory socket supports the end user upgrades. In order to reach the maximum you may need to have the standard memory replaced by an authorized service center"

What does that mean?  Is it something I can do with a couple screw drivers and a mixed drink?

mitt

Never opened a dell. My gateway wasn't too bad to split open. Just a lot of tiny phillips screws.

[That Nice Guy Beck!]

mitt I have an acer and i have a dell
do not get an acer its a piece of trash.
only had the acer 8 months and the motherboard burnt out ,had to get it replaced.

go with sony, dell or mac

[Oldfisti]

The other memory socket is prolly on the keyboard side of the motherboard. The standard one is most likely behind a trap door on the bottom of the machine.

[He Man]

Those small mini laptops are great for email,web,youtube,internet, typing, watching videos. but thats it. the EEEPC is great, and i really like the HP 10" too.  i think 8" is too small because theres a huge LCD rim and its really annoying.

[il d00d]

Do you plan on running XP or Linux?  I haven't looked at the netbook distros but Linux is faster on equal HW, and scales better than XP, so I tend to think Linux would be a tad faster.

In benchmark tests, the P4 seems to edge out the Atom.
http://laptoping.com/intel-atom-benchmark.html
But, a fresh OS install of either kind, plus more memory, and I would guess that you would notice an improvement.

I was reading this on Engadget the other day - lots of people seem to like the HP 2140.  They are a little bit more, but they can run up to 2G RAM.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/12/ask-engadget-whats-the-best-netbook-out-there-redux/