Acer Launches $349 Android/XP Netbook

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 10/15/2009

San Jose, Calif. - Acer's Aspire One netbook, available today at prices starting at $349, lets users boot up in the Google's Android operating system or in the Windows XP Home OS.

The Acer Aspire One features Wi-Fi and a multi-gesture touchpad.

When users click the mouse to choose Android, the netbook boots up and shuts down quickly with "instant on" Internet connectivity via Wi-Fi because Android was designed specifically for mobile devices and applications, the company said. With a Windows boot-up, users get access to the full range of Windows applications.

"The unique dual-boot OS on the new Aspire One ensures users fast connections, the familiarity of Windows, and the added convenience of [Android] open-source mobile platforms and applications, "said Sumit Agnihotry, product management VP for Acer America.

Android first appeared in cellular smartphones and is branching out into other types of mobile devices, including an Android-based mobile Internet device (MID) from Archos at prices from $249 to $499 in capacities from 8GB to 500GB.

Acer's 2.79-pound, 1-inch by 10.2-inch by 8.4-inch netbook features Intel Atom N280 processor, 10.1-inch LED-backlit display, 5800 mAh battery, 1GB of memory, integrated 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, 160GB internal hard drive and Web cam with microphone. A multi-gesture touchpad lets users pinch, flick and swirl a finger on the touchpad to navigate applications and scroll, zoom in and out, and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and the like.

It's available in four colors through Acer resellers and major retailers.