Get a loaded Acer Aspire notebook for $399.99

(Credit: Best Buy)

In the market for a new notebook (by which I mean one that's actually new, not a refurb)? Best Buy has a pretty nicely equipped Acer Aspire for just $399.99 (plus sales tax in most states). Shipping will run you about $20, unless you live near a Best Buy store and can just pick it up.

The Aspire features a 2GHz dual-core Pentium processor, 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and a 15.6-inch wide-screen LCD. It also has a multiformat DVD burner, but I think its most impressive asset is 802.11n Wi-Fi (which also supports b and g, natch). That's a rarity in a budget-level notebook.

The Aspire weighs about six pounds and measures 1.5 inches thick, so it's reasonably travel-friendly. As for horsepower, I think it has more than enough for everyday computing--and way more than your basic Netbook, which costs about the same (if not more). I haven't used this particular model, but I've reviewed several Acers in the past year, and they were all very solid. Like most, this one has a one-year warranty. Great buy, IMHO.

[mjw149]

" I think it has more than enough for everyday computing--and way more than your basic netbook, which costs about the same (if not more). "

Yes, but it's waaaay too big. Give me the netbook.

[unwritten_law9]

Anyone know of any good printer deals going on? Preferably wireless, somewhat mac friendly, and small enough to fit in my dorm.

[MakaiOokami]

This is more of a gaming notebook for reasonably resource friendly games. The netbooks are for students and people that need something small, light, and extremely travel friendly. Learn what the difference is in those 2 markets and you won't be making comparisons like that anymore.

I mean seriously comparing a netbook and a notebook is like comparing the first gen iphones and a blackberry. 1 is for work, the other is for play. VERY important differences but it's not like they are mutually exclusive differences either. They can go both ways but some people require 1 and others will require the other version.

[rickbroida]

I would disagree: This is not a notebook for gaming, as it has fairly low-end onboard graphics. Sure, it can handle Web-based games and perhaps some commercial stuff that's a few years old, but a "gaming notebook" this is not. It's best for mainstream computing tasks: e-mail, Web, word processing, Quicken, etc.

[kerkar]

Thanks for the advice. Just bought one at Best Buy. A steal at this price. Even Costco price was $300 higher - albeit with minor add-ons like webcam.

[mister scoop]

I have not yet bought this laptop.

Can Bluetooth be added inside the laptop? Without HDMI, can it still connect to a TV or external monitor?

[iceman721]

I am typing this on the Acer Aspire notebook that I just picked up for my daughter's 15th birthday. I just removed a couple of pre-installed programs, added Firefox & Itunes for her and installed all the windows updates and anti-virus software. After typing this and fully charging the battery she will have a laptop that should last her through high school. This is a great deal! I went to one Best Buy in the metro Detroit area that was sold out. I asked the rep to check other stores inventory which he was more than happy to do. He soon located a store with 24 within 10 miles of where we were. I drove right over only to have another rep who was pretty dumb tell me they didn't have any.

I of course asked him to go check the back and guess what he came back with. Yep you guessed it my daughter's new laptop. Her birthday will be a lot better after Cnet saved Dad about 300.00 dollars.

Nice job CNET!!!

[rickbroida]

Glad you were able to find one, fellow metro-Detroiter! :)

[singleb]

just checked, and the price has risen to $499.99. Still looks like a good deal though.

[rrobertrobert]

Yeah , I would love to get loaded with this.......

[rrobertrobert]

I really like acer series laptops and I also like the new <a href="http://www.decalskin.com/">acer notebook skins</a> that are available to make my laptop prettier