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The dual-boot version of the Acer Aspire One includes XP and Android.

Acer's Aspire One line of Netbooks is adding a dual-boot version that will include both Windows XP and Google's Android operating system. The Aspire One has always been popular for its entry level pricing, and adding Android may be a more practical alternative to the underused quick-launch OS options found on some Netbooks (which many users either don't use, or are unaware they even have installed on their systems).

"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 in a press release. "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."

Other than the Android OS, this new version of the AOD250 seems very similar to the XP-only model we reviewed recently. For $349 (a $50 premium), you trade up to a slightly faster Intel Atom N280 CPU in addition to the dual-boot feature.

Acer says the system is available starting today, but so far we've only seen it on Amazon as a pre-order. We're also surprised it's being touted with an XP/Android combo, with Windows 7 right around the corner. We've asked Acer why they wouldn't just wait a week and release this with Windows 7 (or if it'll switch to Win 7 after 10/22) -- we'll let you know what they say.

Testing a rugged phone like the Sonim XP3 Quest is always fun. It's not every day that you get to throw a handset down the stairs as part of the review. With most phones, a drop to the floor and even a few drops of water can render it useless. But with the XP3, it's all part of the fun.

As the successor to the XP1, the XP3 is also built like a tank, bit it goes a step further by being able to withstand a full dunking. We did just that, and even placed a call to the Sonim while it was taking a dip. Besides the aforementioned fall down the stairs, we also used it to hammer a nail, we tried to hammer a nail in its display, we dropped it onto a concrete floor, and we tried to stomp it into oblivion. We didn't run it over a car or freeze it in ice as other reviewers have, but it survived our torture tests without a scratch. This is one phone that's built to last.

Inside the XP3 isn't as exciting. Feature are pretty minimal--a 2-megapixel camera and GPS are the most notable offerings--and we don't like that it lacks multimedia messaging. Call quality is decent even if we didn't test the call quality while underwater.

For the full story, check out XP3 Review, our photo gallery, and video. As an unlocked phone it is expensive ($399), though it's available at Best Buy.

We recently asked (and answered) the burning question: "Should I buy a new laptop now, or wait for Windows 7?" Much of our answer revolved around the fact that almost anyone buying a new laptop from June 26, 2009 through January 31, 2010 would qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 7. Those upgrades would be delivered via snail-mail sometime after Win 7's October release, and we provided handy brand-by-brand instructions and links for filling out all the required paperwork.

One important exception to the free upgrade fest deserves a closer look -- and that's anyone buying a Netbook with Windows XP (and judging from recent sales numbers, that's a lot of you). The shafting current Netbook buyers take is two-fold.

No easy upgrades for Netbooks
First, you don't get a free Windows 7 upgrade, even to the stripped-down Starter Edition. The only Netbook exceptions are a handful of systems, such as some versions of the Asus Eee PC 1101HA, that run Vista Home Premium.

Second, even if you pony up for a boxed copy of Windows 7, you can't do a direct upgrade (also called an "in-place upgrade") -- a clean install, wiping your hard drive and all its data, is required. That's usually a better way to install a new OS, but those who skipped Vista and its upgrade headaches will face some extra steps in moving their Netbooks up to Windows 7 (the in-place upgrade was an option for going from XP to Vista).

One positive note -- even if you're doing a clean install, you can still use the less-expensive "upgrade" version of Windows 7, rather than a full copy. The installer will check that there's an activated copy of Windows on your system and proceed from there.

Tips for migrating from XP to Win 7
However, Microsoft does offer some help for those who need to save their settings and data before wiping their Netbooks for a Windows 7 install. The User State Migration Tool is a software package that, "captures desktop, and application settings, as well as user accounts and users' files, and then migrates them to a new Windows installation."

That's intended more for IT managers migrating multiple systems, so there's also the more basic Windows Easy Transfer utility. Naturally, your mileage using these tools may vary, and if you get stuck, Microsoft has a handy User State Migration tutorial video here. There are also several third-party solutions available (such as Laplink), some of which are being specifically marketed for the tricky XP-to-Vista move.

Buy now, or wait?
Is this lockout fair to Netbook buyers, who in some ways are providing the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal retail buying environment? And should Microsoft extend more of a helping hand to those purchasing back-to-school Netbooks?

Put more bluntly -- if you're in the market for a Netbook, will you off until after Windows 7 Netbooks start shipping? Sound off in the comments section below.

The XP3 isn't a looker, but it's strong.

(Credit: Sonim)

Last year we reviewed the Sonim XP1, one of the most durable cell phones we've ever had the pleasure of throwing to the floor. As it never made it to a U.S. carrier, the XP1 wasn't widely available in the United States. But thanks to Best Buy's welcome interest in unlocked phones, an XP1 descendant will live in a big box store.

You wouldn't call the Sonim XP3 Quest attractive--the yellow version is particularly ugly--but brawn before beauty is the whole point. Sonim claims the phone can withstand drops to a concrete floor, excessive shock and vibration, punctures and pressure, extreme temperatures, dust and particles, and even a full dunk underwater. Sonim has a nifty video on its Web site showing the phone enduring torture tests. We're expecting a review model so we'll see just what it can handle.

Features include a 2-megapixel camera, a music player, GPS with turn-by-turn directions, Bluetooth, messaging, a music player with an FM radio, a flashlight, and an external memory card slot. At $399 it's not cheap, but you should be able to shoot it out of a cannon.

(Credit: Sony)

A small but vocal group of tech enthusiasts is raising a fuss over Sony's plans to disable the hardware virtualization required to run Microsoft's Windows 7 XP virtualization technology.

Answering reader questions on the official Windows Partner Blog, Sony exec Xavier Lauwaert says security issues are to blame (the explanation comes in the comments section of the post):

Our engineers and QA people were very concerned that enabling VT would expose our systems to malicious code that could go very deep in the Operating System structure of the PC and completely disable the latter.

However, all is not lost, as Lauwaert says that Sony has listened to the complaints and will selectively allow XP virtualization mode to run on future systems -- although no specific details about models and timeframes are mentioned.

However, with the advent of XP Virtualization, there is impetus for us to relook at the situation and I can share with you that we will enable VT on select models.

While some have gone so far as to call for a class-action lawsuit on behalf of Vaio purchasers, this is an issue that's generally confined to the periphery of enthusiast PC users -- which is why the outrage has clearly taken Sony by surprise.

Update (July 30, 2009, 8:50 a.m. PDT): A subsequent report says that Acer's plans for an Android Netbook are allegedly still on track.

Is Acer backing off the idea of an Android-based Netbook?

A new report out of Taiwan, where the PC maker is based, says the production of the previously announced dual-boot Netbook with Windows XP and Android is being delayed.

(Credit: Acer)

The report in Digitimes, says that while Acer had previously planned an earlier launch, "further evaluation has found demand for an Android Netbook is not strong enough, and it has therefore decided to postpone the launch of the model."

Digitimes says it was previously announced for an August release, but that it is being pushed back to November. When asked for confirmation, an Acer spokesperson said only that "Acer has not yet announced timing of a dual-boot Netbook."

But if the Digitimes report is accurate, it means something has shifted at Acer HQ. At Computex in early June, company executives were very excited about the possibilities of Android on Netbooks, even saying that the majority of Acer Netbooks will come with Android as an alternative operating system to Microsoft's Windows.

"Netbooks are designed to be compact in size and easy to connect to the Internet wherever you go," Jim Wong, Acer's president of IT products, said at the time. "The Android operating system offers incredibly fast wireless connection to the Internet; for this reason, Acer has decided to develop Android Netbooks for added convenience to our customers."

The idea of putting Google's Android mobile operating system on Netbooks came into favor earlier this year, with several Netbook manufacturers piping up to say they would offer or at least look into it as an option. But there are several potential problems with putting a relatively unknown operating system on what are intended to be very accessible computers for even the least technically savvy, as my colleague Dan Ackerman noted.

But more importantly, Android wasn't created for Netbooks. And earlier this month Google announced it's actually working on an OS specifically designed for them, Chrome OS. Google also said it is already working with PC makers like Asus, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Toshiba, and Acer, so it would make sense that Acer could be focusing its attention away from Android.

We always want what we can't have, and when Dell canned its Inspiron Mini 9, I beat myself up for not buying one earlier.

But lo and behold, Dell has brought back its itty-bitty Netbook for $199 until July 27. The price gives you bare necessities: the Ubuntu Linux OS, a 4G SSD, a Webcam, and other basic features.

There's also a $269 option that upgrades the Netbook to Windows XP and an 8GB SSD.

"That's it, this is your last chance. Really...I'm leaving this time. Or am I?"

(Credit: Dell)

The Mini 9 had a few words to say regarding her retirement and limited-time return:

A few months ago Anne C. was kind enough to publish a post about my retirement. It was a bittersweet moment for me - being the "eldest" of the Dell Inspiron Mini portfolio, but my siblings the Mini 10 and the Mini 10v have been introduced, and frankly are capable of offering anything I can, plus more.

Imagine my surprise when I got the call to return for a limited engagement. I checked my 401(k) and saw that it really wasn't at the point I needed it to be to support a comfortable retirement, so I have agreed to return.

I am back, for a limited time, and for now can be found as part of a few key limited time promotional deals on dell.com. Both Ubuntu (starting at $199) and XP versions are available, as are a few color options (Obsidian Black and Alpine White are standard, Jade Green and Promise Pink add $40).

Not to sound immodest, but I do want to acknowledge and thank my fan club members who expanded my pre-retirement horizons with various mods and hacks. I hope to renew our acquaintance, even if for a short time and continue our adventures. I do want to assure that this will be my last appearance - I disdain those "final sales" campaigns that seem to go on perpetually. Next time I retire, it will be for good.

A report surfaced on Monday claiming that the new Acer Aspire One Netbook featuring Android will start shipping in August. The price of the Netbook is still unknown.

The computer reportedly will have the Google mobile operating system installed but will be configured as a dual-boot system, also shipping with Microsoft's Windows XP.

In June, just a few days after Acer announced that an Android-based Netbook would hit store shelves, the company told Digitimes that deploying a dual-OS strategy was in its best interest.

"(Acer Chairman) Wang pointed out that the dual-OS strategy is much safer for Acer, since consumer acceptance of the Android platform is unclear for the time being," DigiTimes reported. "Acer will be able to promote Android as a value-added feature, similar to Asustek Computer's Express Gate, to account for any price premium."

It's an interesting decision. To hedge its bets, Acer has decided that consumers wouldn't want an Android-only Netbook. So if you're looking to buy one of these computers, you'll have two operating systems from which to choose. Which OS would you pick?

(Credit: Dan Ackerman/CNET)

While it may not have the same buzz as a new iPhone, Google's announcement of a new computer operating system based on its Chrome Web browser, has certainly set tongues wagging across the Interwebs. It certainly has many of the hallmarks of a hot news story--the bitter fight between Microsoft and Google; the rise of low-cost, low-power computing in Netbooks; free vs. paid software.

But while we're always in favor of more consumer choice and potentially lower prices, it's not quite time for Microsoft to worry about losing its firm hold on the Netbook market.

Microsoft's Windows XP is currently on 96 percent of Netbooks sold in the U.S. by some estimates (up from less than 10 percent in early 2008). When the similar idea of Netbooks running Google's Android operating system was discussed back in April, we said:

The very first Netbooks ran Linux operating systems, usually with a custom front-end to give users easy access to a Web browser and other frequently used apps. But as well-intentioned as that plan was, it wasn't until PC makers added the already archaic Windows XP operating system that the Netbook craze took off.

It wasn't that XP was the perfect solution for small screens and low-power CPUs--it's that consumers searching for a simple, low-cost second or travel laptop value ease of use over almost anything else. XP benefits from looking and feeling familiar to most users.

What we said then is just as true now, even if the OS is called Chrome and built specifically for PCs, rather than the smartphone-based Android. ... Read More