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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.

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.

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

Still semijetlagged from Las Vegas, one of the very first items on our to-do list was to install the now widely available Windows 7 beta on a Netbook.

From off-the-record conversations with PC makers during CES, we heard that Windows 7 played well with systems powered by Intel's Atom CPU--which is something we generally can't say about Vista. (Although it's also worth noting that Vista, while making for a somewhat sluggish user experience, actually performed reasonably well in benchmark testing on Sony's new Vaio Lifestyle PC minilaptop, which combines an Atom with a more appropriate 2GB of RAM.)

We quickly installed the 32-bit version of Windows 7 on a typical Netbook. The installation went smoothly, and the OS seemed to run well at first glance, but our wireless card wasn't detected initially. We eventually got that sorted out, and ran our iTunes benchmark test for a quick speed comparison (our test system had an Intel Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM, and an 80GB 5,400rpm HDD).

As the iTunes test is CPU focused, we weren't totally surprised to find similar scores, with XP completing the test in 743 seconds, and both Vista (with graphics options set for Vista Basic) and the Windows 7 beta hitting 760 seconds. (Note: lower scores indicate better results.)

While our quick benchmark testing did not show a Win 7 advantage, we can say that in anecdotal use, the Windows 7 interface responded quicker and hung less frequently than Vista, where just opening the Start Menu or My Documents folder can be a slog. We're cooking up some additional tests right now, and will report their results shortly.

It remains to be seen if Windows 7 is really a viable candidate for Netbooks (although Microsoft is purportedly working on a Netbook-specific build of the new OS), but if it is, this may finally give Microsoft the excuse it needs to retire the long-serving XP operating system. In the slide show below, you can see some photos of Windows 7 up and running on our test Netbook.

Test drive: Windows 7 on a Netbook

We normally don't give budget desktop computers less than a three-star rating, mostly because the majority of them contain similar components, so it comes down to a question of pricing and overall value. Unfortunately, the eMachines EL1200-05w just doesn't make the grade and successfully garners one of the lowest ratings we've given to a budget system in a long time.

The problems begin with a subpar collection of internal components. The $298 price tag nets you a single-core 1.6GHz AMD processor, a measly 1GB of RAM, and Windows XP. Chances are, if you're shopping for a desktop at this price bracket, you most likely won't be popping off the side panel, but adventurous types will be disappointed by the cramped interior and meager opportunity for future upgrades. eMachines gives you a slimtower chassis and a handful of port cutouts in the back for aftermarket sound and video cards, but you'll be pulling your hair out trying to perform a simple memory upgrade.

If you're on a strict sub-$300 budget, the eMachines EL1200-05w will barely get you through baseline applications, but don't expect to run any kind of graphics editing software. We recommend saving a little extra for the Acer Aspire AX3200 or the HP Compaq Presario SR5610f.

The One Laptop Per Child project is bringing back its two-for-one deal on its low-cost laptop.

It has tapped Amazon.com to handle its Give One, Get One program, launched initially last year. Through the program, anyone can pay for two XO laptops; one is shipped to the buyer, and the other is sent to a school kid in a developing nation. It will run from late November to late December this year.

(Credit: OLPC)

An OLPC official told PC World the group is working with Amazon because the nonprofit just doesn't have enough manpower to handle the program.

In other OLPC news, the nonprofit also said that the delayed dual-boot version of the XO should arrive next month. Originally expected in August or September, the delivery date was pushed back.

The device will come loaded with both Windows XP and the Linux-based Sugar operating system created for the XO. The inclusion of XP stemmed from pushback that OLPC got from developing nations that wouldn't buy the laptops for its classrooms without the world's dominant OS on it.

Looking ahead, the XO maker has also said that the next version of the low-cost laptop, the XO-2, will be available beginning in the second quarter of next year. The XO-2 will have a two touch screens, and no keyboard.