Score an Aspire One Netbook for $239.99 shipped

It's not quite as compelling as the $178 Dell Mini 9 from last week, but it's definitely a better deal overall: Newegg has the Acer Aspire One Netbook for $239.99 shipped. It's new, not a refurb, and there are no rebates.

The Aspire One is widely regarded as one of the best Netbooks on the market. My experience with it bears this out; check out my Netbook Diaries, if you haven't already.

This particular model comes with the 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 16GB solid-state drive, a Webcam, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connectivity, and the Linpus Linux Lite operating system.

Need more storage? Double up with a memory card: Newegg conveniently sells a 16GB SD card for just $24.99.

Because this is a new machine, it comes with a full, one-year warranty. And at this price, the Aspire One is venturing dangerously close to impulse buy territory. Agree? Disagree? I'll hear arguments in the Comments section below.

Meanwhile, act fast: I'm betting that these will sell out before the day, if not the morning, is over.

[DetJMunch]

Can you install Windows XP on one these guys? Is it hard?

[Zacm05]

Why would you want to run Windows? Linux runs so much faster with less problems, and it's free, including all the software you can get for it.

[Apone007]

Yes, it is easy. Plug in an external USB DVD Drive. In fact I went to Vista Ultimate. To my own amazement, Vista runs well on it.
Windows Experience Index Scores:
Processor: 3.0
Memory: 4.4
Graphics: 4.1
Gaming Graphics: 2.7
Primary hard disk: 5.2

Very smooth Aero experience. One note to mention, the Vista upgrade path demands the 120 or 160 GB hard drive. A 16 SSD is not even big enough to hold the OS. XP can be trimmed down to a paltry 2-3GB with system restore off.
I have had mine since July and these things are durable.

[quietrunner]

This is a linux machine. I've read that the majority of returned netbooks are linux, and your diary is about an XP machine.

Is this really a good deal?

[rickbroida]

I suspect that many people buy netbooks without realizing they come with Linux -- hence the returns. That said, the Linux OS can do everything Windows can (e-mail, Web, office apps, etc.), so for a secondary/travel system, it's absolutely fine.

[chrisx1]

Many people find Linuz Netbooks confusing for web browsing. Rge buyers return the Linux machines when they learn they have a critical need to go to web sites that require Microsoft Silverlight and Windows Media Player.
They also may need to install additional browser tool bars, cursors and various Windows-only desktop weather widgets that bomb out when they try to install it on their Linux netbook.

[jacobk397]

@chrisx1
Sliverlight works just fine on Linux, google "moonlight linux" and you'll know what I mean. I also highly doubt that "weather widgets" are causing people to return their netbooks, I actually prefer conky over Windows gadgets or anything else available for the platform. Overall, Linux is a superior OS, most people are just to lazy to learn how to use it.

[debzeppeliniv]

I just recceived the new Gateway net book Lseries, so far so good, not the deal offered at new Egg, but the deal I got came with bells and whistles. After research, I learned that Acer owns Gateway so I am pretty safe in assuming it is the same computer, all though the Gateway may be a little fanicier. What counts most are the components, which are the same. Mine however, has Windows Xp home premium, 160 g hd. All the rest the same. My reason for buying? To have backup for my Dell lappie, which after not even 2 yrs use the hd has failed, it needs a new keyboard, let's just say I have some work to do. So I thought since I am not a pc repairman, I need the ''baby pc'' to watch the how to vids on youtube, problems solved!! Fingers crossed. The Gateway is a tiny little thng, very convinient, do not get the 3 cell battery, I did and do not like it at all, it seems 3 hrs just goes by too fast.
My summation is, this is a great tool, for a student, perfect, light as a feather, for business, great too, very portablle I got it as a backup, luxury item, perhaps but if you can afford one, do by all means get one. One thing, I don't think it would be suitable for the fat fingered large man market, the keys are tiny, It fits me well with tiny hands it works great.

[rufustel]

As much as I like the idea of an SSD, a 16GB drive is a dealbreaker; I just got done with a 20GB computer and found that the space gets filled up to quickly nowadays. (And I'd prefer not falling back on an SD card to start.) Until SSD prices come down, I'd prefer to fall back on a hefty 160GB hard drive.

[Zacm05]

Well the idea of a netbook is to NOT put you whole life on it. You should not use it as your primary, just as a travel computer for basic things, such as e-mail, internet, documents, etc.

[flemeister]

@Zacm05

True, but it's certainly nice to have the option of doing so if desired. Hopefully 64/128GB SSDs come down in price within the next 12-18 months, and we won't have to commit ourselves to making this choice.

[ha.willie]

@flemeister

that is also true, having the option, but really, who is so cheap as to dump their whole computing life on a netbook?

[unwritten_law9]

I really want to pull the trigger on this. I can't seem to decide when to get a netbook. I think when battery life increases a bit, specs get a little better, I find another good deal, like the two you've posted about rick. Also they just releases a new Atom update which bumps it up from 1.6 to 1.66, which is nowhere near noticeable, but they made it to handle graphics a bit better. I'm going to stick it out a little while longer. Probably next school year. I think I am going to build a pc this spring though. My Pentium 4 isn't cutting it anymore.

[ubpfc]

I bought a 6 cell battery for the XP version ($75) and get 8-9 hours from it. It also handles my slingbox and netflix downloads just fine.

[CliffK2]

I am thinking of getting a netbook to use at home, for example, when watching television. I often watch television in the dark, and so need a back-lit screen. Any of the notebooks have such a keyboard?

[Zacm05]

I think you meant back-lit keyboard instead of "back-lit screen", just FYI. But as far as I know, I don't think anybody makes a netbook with a backlit keyboard yet. I haven't seen one in passing.

[ha.willie]

if you really need a back lit keyboard, you could get an eee and just mod it. I read that it was really easy and would only cost like 20$

[CliffK2]

I did indeed mean a back-lit keyboard. As for modding a netbook - not for me. I wan tot buy something off the shelf that fits my needs. Perhaps the next generation will have what I want.

[Moores_law]

You can get a deal on a real mini-laptop, similar size as the netbooks, for $169.99 any day at Geeks.com, when they are not sold out, that is.

These $169.95 mini-laptops -- the All-China 400s -- are going to begin replacing pricey netbooks as netbooks are not replacing notebooks.

People don't need as much computing power as they think, --or want to think -- they do. Most of the power hunger is just computer snobbery by people who really just have ordinary computer needs. So check out Geeks.com and http://www.alpha-400.com

[AppleSuxLeo]

The Ackster looks to have a "skirted eggshell" in his future.

[shawn1313]

looks like a great deal. thanks again!

[kuruption84]

I picked up one of these at Circuit City last week for around the same price. It's comes with XP preloaded and it works ok, it's not spectacular performance, but I just needed it for internet access when I travel.

[ha.willie]

phail, circuit city fails

[DSTAR4]

You can also get memory cards here for less!
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[Zacm05]

I personally use an Apple PowerBook G4 12" in lieu of a netbook, which even at 4 years old, is plenty powerful, secure, and compatible for what I need. Hey, no viruses! But as for a netbook, the best one I've seen yet is the Dell Mini 9 and 12. I am really not a fan of Dell at all, not by a long shot, but they did make a really nice netbook. It's full of features while still being very affordable. You also have an option of Linux or windows, which is nice. Personally, I think Linux is a better choice for a netbook. Just my 2 cents.

[ha.willie]

I got it, and I am completely content with it. Got a 16GB sdhc card for it too.
Um... didn't really like default linux distro, so I installed 8.10.

[yottabyte21]

I agree, I almost clicked the link to buy this impulsively until I read it runs Linux. I would have preferred if it were the XP version with a 6 cell battery.

[JWilliams06]

I saw this on NewEgg on Saturday, seems to be a great deal. I don't think it's going to "Sell Out" all that fast, as in my opinon Netbooks are still a bit of a niche device.

I think it's a great price, but I haven't purchased the AAO, as the Asus 1000HA seems to be a better bang for the buck with the 160gb HDD and Windows XP and the larger screen; not to mention the easy to upgrade option.

For those that just want to use this strictly for internet browsing & editing some documents, it should be fine. I love how these little guys get cheaper & cheaper.

[the_iceman]

good price, however very small screen & limited HD space. Pass.