Acer Aspire One A150-Aw Netbook, Linpus Linux Lite version, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 120GB HD (Seashell White)

I ordered one of these for my mum's birthday, going for the Linux version over Windows XP purely for the difference in price (I can always install XP later, a fairly simple task for me). The machine was booted up and on the internet within about 3 minutes, which is the fastest out of the box set up I've ever seen.

As far as software goes, it has almost everything you need for web browsing, msn, email, documents etc, and the interface is easy to use. I would say that it needs Skype and a different media player installed (the pre loaded one can't play DivX encoded video). This is where the choice of operating system is important - if you are NOT technically minded, familiar with Linux, or don't have someone who can install new stuff for you, GET THE XP VERSION. Installing new software on the Linpus Linux is a pain, generally requiring use of the command line, and I would say that the version installed by Acer is aimed at people who don't want to do much more than what the present applications cater for.

The hardware is lightweight but feels fairly sturdy, and looks really nice too. The keyboard is fine for every day use, but the trackpad may take a little getting used to as the buttons are situated at either side rather than underneath. The screen is crisp and clear, no dead pixels, and the VGA output still looks decent on my 32" TV. The built in camera and mic work great (tested with Skype), and the speaker sound quality is fine for general use although a little lacking in bass (remember, it's a netbook!!). My only real gripe would be battery life - the 3 cell battery provided only lasts for 2-2.5 hours, but it also charges up pretty quickly.

Overall I'd say its a great little machine, very cute and dinky looking, incredibly light weigh, easy to use and definitely suited to its purpose.

I decided I wanted a smaller lighter laptop than the one I had already and was debating whether to go for Linux version or XP which I was more familiar with.
Decided to take a chance and have been well impressed with the simplicity of Linux interface. Very easy to configure wireless network and email accounts which were my biggest concern! It comes fully loaded with all the basic applications - I'm a new convert to OpenOffice after using it on the Acer Aspire One. Its fab, does everything I need it for and even fits in my handbag! A great peace of kit - Would highly recommend!

So it looks like Paul "VideoNerd's" review was about Linux and not The A150. This is the problem these days where people are too quick to complain, I mean 1 star?
The Linux version of this Netbook is not so hot unless you A) Know about and have the patience to use it, B) You want to save a bit of money.
Paul mentions poor battery life at around 1hr, doesn't give the whole picture and the machine locking up often. I'm not sure about the Linux version but under XP you get around 2 hrs of internet browsing. As for the screen, you knew about the resolution before you purchased it right? So don't complain about it. A 1024x600 screen won't show you a full web page so you will have to scroll. If you thought different then you shouldn't have a computer at all. By the way, I hooked mines up to my 42" HDTV and played Need For Speed smoothly at full 1920x1080 which I was NOT expecting. So far mines has not locked up, maybe that's due to me using the more reliable and more stable XP. I don't know what he means about the recovery disc, one comes bundled with it and even to make one you don't need another computer.

Let's move on to D.E. Smyth. You can't download on it, are you sure? Maybe YOU can't download on it but I can. Maybe by download you mean there's no optical drive to install anything. Do people not research things before they buy them? Get an external DVD player. You all seem to forget that this is a cut-down laptop, anything missing is intentional although the only thing missing IS a DVD drive. It's for carrying around easily when out or on holiday. You can use it to connect to people back home, finish your documents or use it for whatever. If you need to install stuff, do that at home. If you can't download on it then there's something wrong with YOU!
R. Revell has screen problems, yeah your son broke it but you gave the A150 1 star because your son is accident prone. Don't buy another Acer, move on to something else to moan about.

Why not tell people about it's performance and what it DOES have. For what it is, it's actually quite a performer. It's no powerhorse but is more than capable of doing the tasks it was designed for hence the name "Netbook". If you are trying to compare it with other laptops or moan about what it can't do then you're the mugs for buying it. I can play games on mine that won't play on my 2yr old £700 laptop. Games like return to castle wolfenstein, need for speed underground and red faction. Granted they are a bit old but it is only a Netbook innit? So you can play games, browse the internet, perform video calling, work on documents, send email and use skype, all without extra hardware or wires. I installed the beta version of Windows 7 on mine just to check and it worked just fine. I'll bet Windows 7 won't even install on my other laptop.
Listen people don't listen to the ones who only give 1 or 2 stars, they don't know what they're talking about. you can't fault the brand if you have a broken one or if you don't know how to use it right or if you didn't research before buying. The A150 is perfect for it's intented use and beyond so don't buy it if you expect it to perform like your desktop. Buy it if you need something ultra portable that can keep you connected and hold your work.
Connections:
1 Internal wirless card
3 Usb 2.0
1 Multi-card reader
1 SD card memory expansion port ( more suitable for the solid state HDD version)
1 Ethernet port
1 mic input
1 earphone/speaker output
1 VGA out

1GB DDR2 expandable to 1.5GB
120GB HDD
Intel Atom N270 1.60GHZ
Intel 945 Express Graphics D3D compatible (up to 220mb shared)
High Definition Audio

The specs above are also present in more expensive Netbooks so why pay more for the same? You will only be disappointed with this Netbook for two reasons. 1) You get a faulty one. 2) You're just a moaner anyway.
OK, I've said enough. :)