First hand in comparison to the Acer Aspire One

By Michael Morgan (The Last Hometown)

This review is for: ASUS Eee PC 900HA

I have the Acer Aspire One and the Asus 900HA and have installed, memory upgrades on both. Although they are very similar (Atom processor, 160 GB HD, 8.9" display, 1GB of RAM installed, Windows XP Home, etc), there are important differences to note.

(1) Size and weight: Asus wins here. 4-cell Asus is about 1" narrower in width and height and a little lighter than the 6-cell Acer (the 1" height difference is the battery protruding from the back of Acer). Thickness is about the same.

(2) Screen Brightness: Acer wins here. Although LCD panels have the same size and the same native resolution of the Acer screen is much brighter and sharper appear at max. The default Windows icons are much larger on the Asus (Icon size can be set under Windows).

(3) Update: Asus wins big here. Removing a base plate with two screws from the Asus and it's easy to swap single 1GB memory module for a 2GB module, which costs about $ 30. You can even swap the 160GB hard drive for an even bigger one. The Acer is a different story. There is a total disassembly and reassembly requires carefully (several videos and visual instructions on the Internet) to replace the 512-module ended with a max 1GB module. This procedure also negates the warranty - how clever! Some genius decided Acer, 512 soldered on the motherboard, making the max memory to 1.5GB. To add insult to injury, the Acer design team also placed a removable panel at the bottom, which opens into an open cavity. The panel can be moved or expanded in size for easy storage and disk access.

(4) Keyboard and Touchpad: Acer wins big here. The cause for the Acer is about 1" wider on a larger keyboard. The buttons are not only bigger on the Acer but they seem more tactile feedback have. The keyboard Asus also has a small shift, the register is not often unless tapped near the center. 904HA Asus just has a wider keyboard, which provides (and broader computer) but uses the same 8.9-inch screen presented. The Acer touchpad is incredibly soft, smooth, even though the buttons on the sides (so that are bigger keyboard). The Asus touchpad is a little bigger, but a rough surface with conventional locations below the key pads.

(5) Battery life: 6-cell large negative Acer, Asus smaller 4-cell, but the brighter screen on the Acer is possible that some advantage. I have not run on the battery to compare to this.

(6) Fit and Finish: The Acer seems slightly better to me with stunning quality external fit and finish. The Asus is cheaper seek power and mouse buttons, but a nice glossy black finish outside.

Summary: Asus offers a nice custom fit carrying case, while Acer you can buy your own from a third party (they only do a large size case).