Review: Acer Aspire One ZG5
Review: Acer Aspire One ZG5 - Convenient Computing and a Little Cute
November 2008 By Grant ClauserThe Aspire One is extremely compact without hitting the impractical level of miniaturization seen in the (one-pound) OQO2 PC . At 2.2 pounds with an 8.9-inch 1024 x 600 LCD screen, it’s comparable to some portable DVD players, yet it’s a full-fledged Windows XP machine (a Linpus Linux version also available) with a 120GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM and an Intel 1.6 GHz Atom processor. There is no built-in optical drive (DVD or CD), but there are three USB ports and two memory card slots—one for SD only and the other supporting SD, MMC and Memory Stick. You also get an integrated Web cam and mic as well as Wi-Fi. This package would be a lot more complete with built-in Bluetooth, but the $399 price tag (more like $350 at many retailers) makes up for that lack.
The One is designed to be a compact mobile companion, and during my evaluation period, I treated it as such by lugging it around in my shoulder bag and using it on daily train commutes. The size and weight make it a perfect joy for weary shoulders compared to larger laptops. Its diminutive nature only became a detraction when I needed to use my knees as a mobile desk--a larger computer can be a bit more comfortable on the lap, but will have more trouble fitting on airplane trays.
I was worried that the small keyboard might be difficult for my hands to get used to, but that didn’t prove to be a problem. In fact, the keyboard feels slightly roomier than other netbooks or UMPCs. The mouse pad was another issue though—while large enough, the mouse buttons are placed on either side of the mouse pad, rather then on top or bottom, making holding and dragging awkward. You get used to it, but it could have been designed better.
The screen, while barely bigger than the screen on a portable DVD player, is bright and sharp. You won’t be comfortable juggling multiple screens at once.
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My AAO works like a charm: Eeebuntu 3, Puppy Linux 4.3.1, Moblin 2.1 --- smooth and stable.
Oh, yes, XP runs also, in case you are wondering.
Love the size and versatility: mobile computing (reading, listening, writing, surfing, etc.) for about 2 years now.
Wherever whenever on the go I was accompanied by it. Changed my way of mobility and accessibility. Has it flaws - like me, yes. But then ... got accustomed to it.
This is essentially a computer for text composition and Web access. It’s not a heavy-duty gaming or imaging machine.
I?ve read articles where they said they are the perfect computer for kids but honestly I find that they are the perfect computer for a blogger.
my home page text is so smallI can't read it.
Acer aspire one laptop ZG5 is showing the problem of NTLDR file is missing. and i boot from the CD and repair but still having same problem. i have only C drive in that i have all my data, and i dont want to format. how can i resolve my issue. please let me know.
mine was bought last nov 28, 2008. i was lucky that the display failed during the warranty period so no cost to repair. However, it is disappointing because I seldom use the unit and it failed how much more if I was using it daily and hardly. another problem I get is it always hangs up when using the media player just for songs take note.
I bought my AcerAspire One with Linpus Lite install as an knock down x dispay model from Comet for £130 real bargain at a grudge, was told by Comet unless I paid over £100for insurance I could not bring it back to them if went wrong because my contract was with Acer. A direct sale of goods illegal claim, had a problem after trying to update when there was a fault due to update gone wrong but restore CD worked well. This was my first Linux experience. Also the reset password was a problem that no one in Linux community could answer but I found it in the bios, since then future updates have gone well and have even managed to get my 3 mobile modem working. This is a little gem for a bargain price, I love the simplicity of Linpus Lite and am now looking into ubunto as dual boot for my desktop. But to everyone out there Linpus Lite is simple, easy and so obvious in its simplicity, even children would love it, it just has everything there at your fingertips. And with the wonderful Acer Aspire One being so light and portable I just love it, especially to carry abroad where you can connect wifi networks in your hotel and other hotspots as its so light to carry much better than a laptop.
I have an Acer Aspire the keeps rebooting randomly. has anyone else experience that and how have you fixed it?
i bought an acer aspire one laptop(ZG5) but my drive c: memory keeps going down badly even when i store smalll documents and i also can't locate the hard drive(HDD) in my computer and anything i add 2 my system keeps going 2 drive c(acer c:)(SSD) and i learnt acer aspire one ZG5 has up 2 120GB on HDD and drive c: 8GB so how do i store things on the hard drive(HDD).cos when i go 2 my computer on my system i only see acer C: and my SD/mmc so where is the HDD yall pls check urs and let me know. pls help me if u can (ejirookogu@yahoo.com)
awesome computer, small and convienient, however there is no mp3 portable player available, so transfering music becomes a nightmare.
The netbook of the year!
I'm having battery problems,batt. wont recharge,go online for help cant get any for this model.Just shows models aoa-110-aoa-150
Okay, now I've done it!! I have a Aspire one ZG5 which kept shutting down on me like approx 30 seconds after turning it on, thought maybe your general functions of F8 could fix it, NOPE it still turned off approx 30 seconds again no matter what, I even tried ALT+F10 (eRecovery) but still it turned off??? WTF! Somebody mentioned that it may be this internal battery (idk) on the motherboard thats bad?? Dont know what to think here ppl, I started it also just using the powercord alone (without the 3-cell battery connected) yet still it shut down??? Where do I start trouble shooting this? To make matters worse, I messed with it from trying to attempt to get it back up and running, now I'm getting "NTLDR is missing" error? Any help about in dilemma would help a lot, I'm getting pissy!!!
I almost love my Aspire One.I have the ZG5 model and have been using it for a month. I need to check the BIOS because I can't get an external monitor to work. Fn F2 doesn't work. I don't know if it is the keys or what. Any ideas?
i formatted my laptop acer aspire one zg5 and i installed all its driver but my sound card doesnt work?what will i do to restore my sounds?i had a hard time playing with out sounds and i cant talk to my parents abroad..i hope you will help me...tnx^^
hey mine had the battery discharge problem.
i fixed it on my own. you got two choices either take it out for a bit 20 mins put it back in (battery).
try to charge over night (may need to repeat a second time for it to start charging),
if it is not charged by morning put the battery in a ziplock and put in freezer for 12-14 hours. take out make sure to remove any condensation. let battery reach room temperature then it should charge. gotta love lithium ion batteries. they just need a lil "reset"
Bought three Aspire One (ZG5 from Walmart) notebook computers. All three have failed dure to battery self-discharge. Leaving computers on the shelf for 3 weeks after initial charge-up allowed all 3 batteries to sag so that charger will not restore them. (Battery status light flashes yellow) Computers will work only when plugged into AC power. New batteries solved problem, but two have failed again due to shelf storage for 3 weeks.
The Aspire 2000 mobile series boasts a huge 15.4" panoramic display and the powerful feature set of Intel Centrino mobile technology. The wide-screen 15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800) display offers improved viewing angles - 130 degrees horizontally and 100 degrees vertically. But the Aspire 2000 is much more than a great way to watch movies while on the go. Viewing multiple files simultaneously is easy on the panoramic display, allowing you to accomplish more in less time. If a big part of your job involves working with Microsoft Excel files, you'll wonder how you ever managed with an ordinary notebook display. The wide screen and high resolution will help to make your job easier. Most remarkable, perhaps, is that the Aspire 2000 packs in so many features yet tips the scales at a modest 6.6 pounds.
Absolutely love it. Order mine Acer Aspire one from this Shop for a price of 289$. Since 10-inch models are out, 8.9'' version is a real bargain.
My Acer Aspire One came with MSN, ISP, however, "MSN Device Missing" stops me from connecting to the server.I'm a first-time buyer of a notebook... Please help..
I have an offer for a Acer Aspire One ZG5 netbook - 8.9in screen, fully-fledged Windows XP with a 120 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM and an Intel 1.6 GHz, and Atom processor. £265 . Is that a good offer. I am at present using an Aver 2303, and use it only for writing or such.Watch movies sometimes. How this fare with me ?