A Small Laptop that's Anything But

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Intel

I was recently sent an Acer Aspire to review along with my family.    I tried so hard not to like this laptop.  I really did.  After all,I have used laptops for years and always tried to buy the most product that I can afford.  I'm really fussy.  My latest is a Sony Vaio - top of the line two years ago - the best thing I could find that wasn't a Mac.  (I'd love a Mac.  We'd also love to eat.)  So, I am really, really fussy about my computers. They have to be smart, fast, stylish, have lots of memory and I need to be able to run every single program I could possibly want. I also need a laptop that runs for a long time on a battery, is lightweight and I'd like it to be attractive.  It's a tall order, I know.

When the Acer arrived, my kids were delighted.  Their desktop computer had died an unexpected, speedy, painful death three days earlier, and we aren't in a position to buy another, so they've been limping rather painfully along on a very small, slow netbook.  Opening the package of the Acer, at first they were disappointed - "It's so small!  I bet it doesn't run any faster than the other one!" - and poof!  They were no longer interested in the computer and left me alone to set it up. Hoping that I'd be able to get it at least partially set up before I had to leave for Thai class, I plugged it in and turned it on.  No lie - I was online and fully functional within 10 minutes. I checked.  It was easy and painless.

We've used it for a week now, and with 7 computer users in the house, that little laptop has taken more abuse than I think it signed up for.  My oldest son, a high school senior (eep!) at 17 is online almost every minute that he's awake and not at work.  He praised the speed and loved that the screen was crisp and bright.  (I noticed that if I set it to a brighter resolution - we like things bright around here - while it was unplugged, the computer would dim the screen after about 30 minutes of use to conserve power.  Keeping it plugged in didn't cause this feature to activate as long as you were using it, but if it idled for more than a few minutes, it dimmed. Unplugging the computer also causes an immediate down shift in power - a good battery saver.

With an Intel Core 2 Duo processor (1.4 GHz and 800 MHz FSB), this computer is speedier than I thought it would be. Videos downloaded quickly and there was very little buffering time. I did notice that a video at full screen lost some of the clarity and was less crisp, but this could have been at least partly due to the video itself. There's a built in webcam and and screen is a comparably generous 13.3 inches, so videos and movies don't feel cramped. We downloaded iTunes, a 74.4 MB file, and it took just over 2 minutes.  The keyboard is spacious and I don't have that annoying "one finger on two keys" feeling that I had on so many of the netbooks. 

One feature that my entire family loved was the built in memory stick drive.  We are avid photographers here and download numerous pictures, but often one of us has forgotten to replace the USB and we have to hunt for it. With the built in slot, the stick pops in and the pictures pop up. No more excuses for not downloading the pictures!

4 GB memory and 500 GB HDD completes the picture of quality with economy.  You could easily upgrade if you needed, but there's plenty there to meet the needs of your average student.  The Aspire is extremely lightweight and I literally tossed it into my purse several times - each time it barely registered.  At just shy of 7 pounds, that's a big difference from my large and heavy Vaio, and one thing that strongly made me rethink my desire to remain a lover of the Larger Laptop. At the lighter weight, you'd imagine that you'd sacrifice battery power, but nothing could be further from the truth. I took this computer with me everywhere for an entire day - I didn't quite get the eight hours that it promised, but I definitely had more than 6 good hours of work.  That was amazing to me - I never needed to charge up. And as an added boost, it's quiet.  Acer advertises that they offer Thermal Efficient Cooling - I never once felt the computer get hot on my lap and never heard the fan on - and we used this computer just about every waking moment.

The only trouble I had with this laptop, and it's a pretty major one for my kids, is the lack of cd drive.  It's easily remedied by using either an external drive or changing to flash drive usage, but there are a lot of games that my kids play that only come on cd. Despite that one missing element, my kids fought over the use of this computer and my son vows to purchase one next year as he departs for college.  I think he's on to something - it's a sweet, sweet deal at well under $1000.

Now, for the good stuff:  Thanks to the generosity of Blogher and Intel, I'm giving one away!  Just in time for back to school!

To enter, leave me a comment below and leave a comment about who knows more about computers – you or your kids? - or you may leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below.  The contest will begin at 9:00 a.m. (PST) August 3, 2009 and will end 5:00 p.m. (PST) August 31, 2009.  Make sure that the e-mail address you leave is correct. 

Rules:

• No duplicate comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
• This giveaway is open to US residents, aged 18 and over
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
• You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
• Please see the Official Rules

Check out the other BlogHer Reviewers here - you've got 9 chances to win!

Visit the Acer Aspire official site to learn more.

Comments

[girlsmama]

Hubby is a computer engineer so I think it's still us. The oldest is only 8, but I'm sure a moment will come when they pass us. They can certainly make a mess of mine if they get to it without my help.

[pixie13]

My son knows more about computers than I do, but I'm catching up!

[Vanessa]

When I did back to school shopping with my parents, it was at one department store and I have to get my clothes n the same place as men's shoes. SO far, my daughter and I have hit about 5 different stores with no stinky men stuff anywhere. Just screaming girls...

[Beth Pendergist]

My kids know definitely more about downloading pictures and videos, but we still have them beat when it comes to processors and memory! Of course, if you had asked about text messaging it would have been no contest!!

[Rita A]

I know more. I have no children but I do spend time with my nephew. He is real good at the xbox and wii but when it comes to computers he gets frustrated. He just wants to turn it on and get the game.

[Rita A]

Tweet http://twitter.com/drala625/status/3136128211

[Beth]

Definitely the kids. But I do type better (maybe because I learned the PROPER way with all 10 fingers:)

[Anna]

My daughter has learned more about computers in the last six months than I have learned in two years!!

[In Due Time]

I know more because I don't have children! LOL

I'm blogging/twittering about this contest tomorrow. (It's set to publish at midnight.)

[Kira]

My kids know more. *sigh*
You should have seen my 14 year old teaching me how to load podcasts on my iPod. I thought his eyes were going to roll right out of his head.

[Maggie]

Hmmm. I don't see my original comment. I said it was a toss-up but I am willing to ask them for help and they will just figure it out for themselves even if I could help.

[Butterfly Mama]

I'm fairly certain that I'm still ahead of my kids on the computer, but they are only four and one! Give them a year or two and they'll probably be better!

[Colleen]

My almost 13-year-old knows more than me, definately, but my husband does have him beat still. He is quickly following in his dad's footsteps, though ;-)

[Cori]

I definitely have the most computer knowledge in my house. The Hubs is learning a lot about hardware so he may overtake me in that department soon. My kids are still young enough that they are still just using the computer for minor surfing and gaming. My oldest is getting into graphic design so she's going to surpass me soon. Thanks for the chance to win. The Hubs and I both have Aspire Ones but there are certainly drawbacks with a netbook.

[Sabz]

My 2-year old thankfully doesn't know more than me - yet. But he knows how to turn it on and off, turn up the volume and take off keys with his tiny fingers.

[Jennifer]

I think I still know more about them then my kiddos, but not for long I am sure!

[Jennifer]

I twittered! http://twitter.com/homeschoolinmom

[Jennifer]

I blogged as well, thank you!

http://pooponastickdotcom.blogspot.com/2009/08/would-you-like-to-win-laptop.html

[Melanie]

I know more, but as a computer/software instructor - I better! I'm also freelance, though, and my PC laptop is old and decrepit. Great giveaway!!

[Kait]

My husband is a tech geek for a living, so I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he knows the most!

[Geri C]

I am the current computer guru in my house and I still have lots to learn! My 10 yr old son is pulling up a close 2nd though and I'm sure he will soon surpass me as the computer man with the plan! I lost my 8 yr old desktop to a virus last year and am relying on a borrowed laptop for now. Would love to win this computer!

[Geri C]

Twittered it!

http://twitter.com/iamboymom/status/3141008859

[shannon]

I am the kid (the 30 year old kid) and I KNOW MORE!!! :)

[Joalyce Carranza]

I definitely have the kids beat on computer knowledge...thank goodness!

[Maureen]

All three of my kids know more than I do, but it's great to have them around when I have questions!

[Katherine]

I tell my children they are DOOMED when it comes to computers. I am a hardware tech - all I do is build/fix/distribute computers and help people with broken software. I know every corner of the hard drive that my kids might try to hide things in. I know where they have been and when and WHO. I have fixed many a problem they have caused and removed file sharing software so many times they have just given up. So yup, it might be my only talent, but I'm up there with the 'ol pc. Sorry kids! Oh, and as far as winning this - oh my gosh... "I just build 'em, I can't afford 'em!" so WOW would that be awesome!

[Katherine]

Tweeted too!
http://twitter.com/shootmenowblog/status/3144184425

[Joanna Orozco]

My 2 1/2 year old can do anything on a PC. She finds things on there that not even if I went on a wild goose chase could I find. She is one smart cookie. (Computer joke) LOL

[Helloheather]

Since my son is still only three years old, I'm ahead of him (for the time being).

[Varinia]

Thus far, I still know more than my kids, who are 8 and 3. However, Hubby is the one that rules the roost an this. I keep having to remind him that at work people actually think I'm quite computer literate. It's only at work that I apparently become a PC moron. So maybe it's not me?? Hmmm? LOL

[Michelle]

I work in the IT department, so it would be me that knows more about computers. I am always surprised that my kids don't know more and ask me things that I think that they should know.

[Amy W]

I only know more because my oldest is only just turned 6. But I am sure that will change very shortly!

Getting ready to twitter this!

[Emily]

Husband and I both work in IT, so I think we are still in the lead, but the little ones are catching up fast!

[Emily]

http://twitter.com/deam/status/3144780260

[LaShawn]

At this point I still know more. However, my three year old can navigate a computer scary well.

[Christy]

Oh, I do for sure. I get paid to know about computers. But my 8 year old is catching up fast. My 4 year old has a bit longer, thank goodness.

[Jackie]

I know more on computers then my kids...but they are catching up.

[Heather W.]

I sure hope I know more than my kids (they are 3 and 1 1/2) Every time I turn around one of them is is on it trying to type. So I'm sure it won't be long before they pass me. But hubby is definitely the computer person in our house.

[Toni]

I know more in my household, definitely. Though, my son immediately took to a pc at 1 1/2 yrs. old - loading up disks, going into "my computer" and running interactive kid's book programs. We were amazed.

3 people + 1 computer = desperate need of a laptop

[Susan]

My husband knows the most, but I am catching on! I think all 3 of my kids are pretty computer literate--you have to be in this day and age. I think my 4 year old has me beat in knowledge by a long shot though!

[Therese]

My almost 4 year old is savvy enough but still believes me when I say my laptop doesn't show youtube videos - only the desktop does. I wonder how long that will last. And I wonder how long my 5 year old laptop will last.

[Beth A.]

At this point, my husband and I know more about computers than our sons. BUT, this is probably only because our sons are 4 years old and 2.5 months old. :) As for who knows more about computers between my hubby and me...that's a toss-up. It depends on what we're doing. He knows all about the wireless system in our house, but I know more about navigating different places. Luckily we balance one another out!

[Jennifer]

It's a close contest still - but only because my kids are still little! Give them a year or two and they'll have me beat, I have no doubt.

[Beth A.]

I also blogged about your giveaway at crunchypenguin.com

[Bill]

Definitely me, and I always will - but only because it's what I love to do. But even though my kids are only 3 and 5, I can tell they're going to be sneaky about that stuff. *laugh*

[Katie]

I know more about computers than my kids, I'm the one who sets up the network, wireless internet, and bluetooth printer (my latest and greatest achievement, lol). And *whispering* my laptop is kinda on its last legs. *whimpers*

[Jessica]

I am so lost without my laptop which died a few months ago. I liek to think that I know more about computers than my son does, but as of lately he is learning about all of the security aspects so he knows more than I do!
Shocked!

[Karen]

I definitely know more about computers than my kid -- but that could change at any moment. Then again, my daughter knows more about finger nail polish and tattoos...

[Billie]

If we are talking about in my household it would have to be me. But if we take into account that my daughter is married and out of our house, than it would be her, hands down! She has a computer endorsement from the University of Indianapolis.

[Sabrina D.]

Currently, it's me but then again my daughter is only 7, however the true computer guru in our house is my husband--he's been taking them apart and putting them back together (and building new systems) since his Apple IIC in the 80's!