11.6" 1366x768 is the perfect screen size I'm looking for. Now if only they would pair that screen with an Intel su3500 I would jump.

skidude6200 wrote:Does that really say a 0.3 megapixel webcam? I'm not an expert or anything, but it seems like that would take worse video than my old Motorola KRZR phone =[

Off to do a little more research... I've been looking to downgrade my 17 inch HP but didn't like the idea of sacrificing browsing experience or the full keyboard that you get from the 10 inch models.

Might depend on whether or not I can find my XP-Pro CD lying around the house... I hate vista enough as it is, and running it on this little thing would drive me insane >.<

Don't bother with a netbook then, because all netbooks have a .3 webcam. Besides:

1. It does not matter, the video on a web call is fine. You don't need high resolution cameras for web calls.

Set up a Skype account and activate the webcam video call feature. You will see it works fine. You don't need high res video for such calls.

2. High resolution web cams would produce choppy video on the Net since net connections are not geared for high resolution video calls. Moreover, ISPs do not like these little webcams sucking up band width.

This is such a problem that new smartphones, like my T-Mobile Touch Pro2, have the capability of making video calls. But all U. S. models of the Touch Pro2 are made without a camera on the front of the phone, like the European models have.

Carriers told HTC (who makes the TP2) to build the TP2 without a webcam for making calls.

3. Video would also be choppy because netbook processors and graphic cards cannot handle the load of a high resolution webcam.

dlevasseur wrote:11.6" 1366x768 is the perfect screen size I'm looking for. Now if only they would pair that screen with an Intel su3500 I would jump.

http://www.jr.com/acer-computer/pe/ACE_AS14108804/

Only $140 more.

richierich1212 wrote:http://www.jr.com/acer-computer/pe/ACE_AS14108804/

Only $140 more.

Yeah, I've been keeping my eye on those. Amazon has them for $419, but still too pricey.

bookworm656 wrote:Doesn't the fact that it has Vista Home Basic mean it's not eligible for a Windows 7 upgrade?

It won't be a free upgrade, but you can buy the Win 7 upgrade.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=399877&page=30

People overclocking this system. lol.

bcnaugle wrote:what do you guys think about buying this for a 10 year old?

I think it would be a good choice: the screen size is usable and avoids the compromise of the smaller netbooks. Just don't have them bang it around since it is a hard drive, not a solid state drive...

Plush wrote:1.2GHz--isn't this a bit low? I need to run software that requires 1.5 and prefers 1.8--will I be stuck?

The operative word is REQUIRES... if it says it, you definitely want to get that speed at a minimum, and, to be happy, faster. Don't be surprised if those apps run dog slow if you buy below the required speed.

brianmi40 wrote:The operative word is REQUIRES... if it says it, you definitely want to get that speed at a minimum, and, to be happy, faster. Don't be surprised if those apps run dog slow if you buy below the required speed.

Yeah but the thing is with notebook processors you can't always go by their speed ratings. Take for example, every Intel mobile processor after the pentium 4 are way faster than the pentium 4, even if their speed rating is half.

People in here complaining or wishing this netbook had certain things, you are totally forgetting the concept of a netbook.

1. "It's only good for basic functions": Uh, no kidding. The concept of a netbook goes back 12 years. Back then MS and others tried to convince people to buy net appliances, some that worked off your TV.

The concept was to have a machine to check e-mail, surf the net, and other basic functions. If you wanted to do more than that, you could buy a notebook.

The netbook was again made popular by ASUS in 2008. ASUS netbooks took off because they were looked like notebook computers (albeit smaller) and performed similarly.

What really caused sales to soar was the poor economy and making netbooks similar in specs to low end notebooks.

Default specs started to appear: 120 to 160gb hard disk, 1GB RAM (upgradeable to 2GB), two to three USB ports, 9" to 10" display, no optical (DVD) drive, under three pounds, .3 webcam, memory card reader, network, Bluetooth, WiFi, Windows XP Home, $300 to $450 price point, and compact form factor.

2. "It does not have this or that": As time passes specs will obviously improve, as with anything electronic, but for now don't compare netbooks with notebooks. If you want notebooks specs on a netbook (any of the above) then buy a notebook.

If nothing else you have to remember how much you are paying here. Yes, it would be great to get notebook specs in a netbook, at a netbook price (no doubt for $100 to $200), but that is not going to happen.

3. "If it was $200, I'd snap this up": Hmm... anyone would. What I call the "default price" on netbooks is now $300 to $450 ($450 being borderline a deal breaker). For $300 to $350 (average price) you get a lot of machine for so little coin.

Need I remind you that smartphones (that are not even close to doing what a netbook can) are priced at $400 to $600. My T-Mobile Touch Pro2 retails for $550 and I got it for $329 on a one year contract. The Droid, Nokia N900 and other high-end phones are priced way more than netbooks.

So man up, open your wallet and buy the thing. Or go to Best Buy, pull out $500 and buy a notebook.

wonders why you would want to play WoW on this, it would be incredibly small.... must be a Horde player.

purchased a 11.6inch screen Acer notebook for my sister a couple of weeks ago -ran XP. I was impressed with the screen size and its utility. wish my dell mini 10v offered this screen (would show off MacOS better).

The only hassle with AMD64 is running Ubuntu is a bit geeky to achieve and I don't know about Win7. But can't beat price.

how does it compare to something like the Asus Eee pc 1005HA?


http://www.buy.com/prod/asus-eee-pc-seashell-10-1-netbook-intel-atom-n280-1gb-250gb-hdd-802/q/loc/101/212798036.html

I know that thing is $80 but its N280, bluetooth, wireless n. Question really is how do the processors compare? N280 vs the AMD?

ChefRAZ wrote:the webcam is a 3 mp or .3 mp?

.3, that is the same spec most all web cams that are installed on laptops... if you used a better (higher) mp it would trash your bandwidth.... trust me I use a laptop that has .3mp with my wife who is deployed to Stan it it transmits perfect pictures using Yahoo chat. Remember in this case "better" is not always better!

bcnaugle wrote:what do you guys think about buying this for a 10 year old?

An excellent choice.

Not a lot of money in the event he or she breaks it.

Plenty of "power" to learn about computers.

Small enough to where it's "child size."

Don't all 10 year olds now have cell phones and netbooks? If so, better get this quick so the child is not the lone student without these essential electronics.

Sidenote: Make sure to input some parental controls on the browser.

stardot123 wrote:OK..so my credit card on file at Woot was used to buy a college textbook in Kansas, which was shipped to a empty foreclosed home down the road from Woot in Crossroads, TX.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the web, the site textbook.woot.com quietly goes live.

J/K guys. Our credit information is secure at all times.

anyone know what soundcard this uses or can upgrade to?

Naris wrote:Gateway/Acer are the same company, so I'd imagine build quality would be about the same.

Personally I'd get this one if I were looking for a basic notebook. You don't have to go out in the morning, and you can order this Gateway at home in your underwear.

Your deciding factor should be the size. 15.4" v 11.6". The specs are basically the same. The Acer actually a little better specd

blamus wrote:how does it compare to something like the Asus Eee pc 1005HA?


http://www.buy.com/prod/asus-eee-pc-seashell-10-1-netbook-intel-atom-n280-1gb-250gb-hdd-802/q/loc/101/212798036.html

I know that thing is $80 but its N280, bluetooth, wireless n. Question really is how do the processors compare? N280 vs the AMD?

This one has better specs. it hasa a better CPU, more Ram, and a larger screen. Though you my want a smaller one. Remember though, this is refurbished as well.

netcomrade wrote:anyone recommend a good sleeve for this?

Tamrac has some good ones, try a camera store or B&H in NY.

Is the windows vista upgradable to windows 7? I mean free ongoing upgrade provided by MSoft. I know gateway is one of the brands that provides this options but have know idea if all gateway models are upgradable

blamus wrote:how does it compare to something like the Asus Eee pc 1005HA?


http://www.buy.com/prod/asus-eee-pc-seashell-10-1-netbook-intel-atom-n280-1gb-250gb-hdd-802/q/loc/101/212798036.html

I know that thing is $80 but its N280, bluetooth, wireless n. Question really is how do the processors compare? N280 vs the AMD?

Get the Acer 1410 from JR.com - bing cashback if you want to spend that much. Has dual-core.

http://www.jr.com/acer-computer/pe/ACE_AS14102936/

netcomrade wrote:anyone recommend a good sleeve for this?

Since it's just about winter here in the northeast, I would think long sleeves would be warmer....oh that isn't what you wanted.

what are some OS options, will putting 7, xp or some *nix on here be better off than vista?

Three questions:

1. Suitable for spouse who is interested mainly in surfing and editing documents in Word? Too much machine, or too little?

2. I was confused by the software terms. Are the Office products only on a trial period, or was that just a limit on Student 2007?

3. I have no experience with refurbs, or refurbs from this site. If I give this as a Christmas gift, what is the likelihood that it will be a lump of coal?

nosliwnaes wrote:Anyone tried to run WoW on one of these babies?

I can't imagine you being able to run WoW on this. I imagine the video card is integrated, which usually means no.

clydemnestra2 wrote:Three questions:

1. Suitable for spouse who is interested mainly in surfing and editing documents in Word? Too much machine, or too little?

2. I was confused by the software terms. Are the Office products only on a trial period, or was that just a limit on Student 2007?

3. I have no experience with refurbs, or refurbs from this site. If I give this as a Christmas gift, what is the likelihood that it will be a lump of coal?

It's perfect for your spouse. Open Office (free) works great. Check it out. And I'm not sure what kind of packaging this will come in. But from past woots, probably just a brown box.

mtcalpha wrote:anyone know what soundcard this uses or can upgrade to?

I have never popped one of these open, but I can with some certainty say:

Integrated sound (realtek?)
Not upgradable without pulling the wifi out.

Netbooks usually have one micro-pci slot filled with the wifi card. As far as unused expansion slots of any type, you're generally SOL.

This is NOT technically a netbook. Netbooks generally have an atom processor and 1 gig or less of ram.

Also, no netbook is capable of running vista... they all have either XP, Windows 7, or Linux.

mtcalpha wrote:anyone know what soundcard this uses or can upgrade to?

Sound card is generic "High-Definition Audio Support, Built-In speakers, Microphone, Headphone (with Dolby Headphone Technology)/Speaker/Line-Out Jack"

The only way most laptops sound could really be upgraded is with an ExpressCard slot sound card similar to: http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=16642&nav=2

But there is no ExpressCard slot listed in any of the spec sheets, so I think you are out of luck...

zwizer25 wrote:I guess this is a question about netbooks in general, but can you use a smartphone to tether with it?

You can tether most smartphones to any Windows PC with the appropriate software. I have a xv6800 from Verizon Wireless and use June Fabrics PDAnet program to run my laptop at work. (I'm using it for this post in fact...)

Just do your research on the forums like PPCgeeks, XDA-developers or Howards Forums before you splurge (iPhone can't tether, but most other ATT cells can...).

robegarc wrote:If it wasn't a single core AMD...

AMD64 is great but 1.2Mhz not somuch

blamus wrote:how does it compare to something like the Asus Eee pc 1005HA?


http://www.buy.com/prod/asus-eee-pc-seashell-10-1-netbook-intel-atom-n280-1gb-250gb-hdd-802/q/loc/101/212798036.html

I know that thing is $80 but its N280, bluetooth, wireless n. Question really is how do the processors compare? N280 vs the AMD?

Performance-wise, and especially in display quality, the Gateway is far superior/more capable.

If you really must have BT, them just pop in a US 7.00 usb adaptor into one of the USB ports.

Hmmmm. Anybody loaded linux on this?

RWallmow wrote:FAIL, first of all its ATOM, secondly the atom is slow as heck, I would take a mobile Athlon over it any day of the week.

I love AMD's too.

DaHarder wrote:That shouldn't be a factor, and the AMD Athlon™ 64 L110 is quite a bit faster/more capable than the Intel™ ATOM N/Z series running at faster speeds/MHZs.

Anything that will run on an ATOM-based system will run even better on this one.

MHZs simply don't matter that much anymore from a purely numerical standpoint any longer. It's all about CPU architecture.

I Love my AMD

yeawuteva wrote:if I play Hulu videos will this have high def quality?

No - it only plays up to 480P without dropping frames. Also, why would anyone buy this is there is Acer Aspire AS1410-8913 - J&R runs regular promos with it for $369 after Bing. - Has about twice the power and 1.5 times battery life - not to mention Bluetooth, N wireless and WIN 7. No deal here.
Here it is on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-AS1410-8913-11-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B002LF10GA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258049880&sr=1-6

If I'm going to get this I'm going to upgrade it with a TL-50 processor.

ysofman wrote:No - it only plays up to 480P without dropping frames. Also, why would anyone buy this is there is Acer Aspire AS1410-8913 - J&R runs regular promos with it for $369 after Bing. - Has about twice the power and 1.5 times battery life - not to mention Bluetooth, N wireless and WIN 7. No deal here.
Here it is on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-AS1410-8913-11-6-Inch-Laptop/dp/B002LF10GA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258049880&sr=1-6

Yeah that's a really good deal, but $89 more.

escalante wrote:Am I the only one that thinks it is strange what netbooks are turning into? They started out as very small laptops with no Vista (XP was considered an upgrade), no optical drive, no hard drive (they used flash memory to save weight), small 8.9” screens, underpowered Atom processors and were wildly successful.

Now the only thing keeping this a so-called netbook from being a laptop is its lack of the optical drive. I guess the addition of an optical drive will come next month.

Wasn't there always an undeveloped middle ground that this (and others) are just naturally falling into? Maybe we just need a new moniker like "Super Netbook" or "Light Laptop"... Having a netbook, I'm personally regretting that I went that small and will be selling it on the 'bay. I found that applications I'd like to travel with on won't run on the ...x600 resolution (you need 768 vertical for so many). So I'm glad to see the middle ground being filled, and, with prices that compete with the "real" netbooks.