Acer's Netbook line adds dual-boot Android version
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.
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Then it would be the safest web surfing platform ever , as it CAN`T BE WRITTEN TO.
This could be an interesting move on the OEM's part. If MS doesn't offer win7 at cut-rate prices for netbooks, they can just offer Android and XP for as long as they can get away with it, and hope that Android catches on on the low end.
- by igroklinux October 28, 2009 7:37 AM PDT
- I wonder what the leap from Google's Android OS and Google's new OS Chrome is on the netbook front? Google is set to release the core of chrome to the open source development community this fall [hey, it's fall _now_ ;-]. The way they are approaching things takes full advantage of the large community of developers/hackers out there to build on something from the start.
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(3 Comments)I bagged a couple of Acer 11.6" A0751h machines from Costco so I would platforms to play with linux on. The disk and graphics are like difficult children, but I am almost there. Fedora, done. Slackware - almost... Chrome? As soon as Google gives us something to play with... ;-]