Product Review
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I have the Acer Aspire One and the Asus 900HA and have installed memory upgrades on both. Although they are very similar (Atom processor, 160GB HD, 8.9" screen, 1GB RAM installed, Windows XP Home, etc) there are important differences worth mentioning.
(1) Size and weight: Asus wins here. 4-cell Asus is about 1" narrower in both width and depth and a little lighter than the 6-cell Acer (the 1" depth difference is due to the protruding battery from the back of the Acer). Thickness is about the same.
(2) Screen brightness: Acer wins here. Although the LCD panels are the same size and have the same native resolution the Acer screen is much brighter at max and appears crisper. Also the default Windows icons are way too large on the Asus (however, icon size can be adjusted using Windows).
(3) Upgrading: Asus wins big here. Remove a bottom panel with two screws from the Asus and you can easily swap out the single 1GB memory module for a 2GB module that costs about $30. You can even swap out the 160GB hard drive for a still larger one. The Acer is another story. It requires total disassembly and careful reassembly (numerous videos and pictorial instructions available on the web) to replace the socketed 512MB module with a 1GB max module. This procedure also negates the warranty - how clever! Some genius at Acer decided to solder 512MB onto the motherboard, thus limiting the max memory to 1.5GB. To add insult to injury, the Acer design team also placed a removable panel on the bottom which opens into an unused cavity. That panel could have been moved or expanded in size to allow easy memory and hard drive access.
(4) Keyboard and touch pad: Acer wins big here. The reason the Acer is about 1" wider is due to a wider keyboard. The keys are not only larger on the Acer but they seem to have more tactile feedback. The Asus keyboard also has a tiny shift key which often fails to register unless tapped near the center. Asus has just introduced the 904HA which provides a wider keyboard (and wider computer) but uses the same 8.9" screen. The Acer touchpad is unbelievably smooth to the touch although the buttons are located to the sides (allowing larger keyboard). The Asus touchpad is a little larger but rougher finish with conventional button locations below the pad.
(5) Battery life: Acer big 6 cell, Asus smaller 4 cell but the brighter screen on the Acer may negate some of that advantage. I have not run them down on the battery to compare this.
(6) Fit and Finish: The Acer appears slightly better to me with stunning quality external fit and finish (every bit as good as my $2000 Sony Viao). The Asus has cheaper looking power and mouse buttons but a nice glossy black external finish.
Summary: Acer wins in quality of screen, keyboard, touch pad and fit and finish. Asus wins in smaller size and lighter weight and wins big in ease to upgrade memory or hard drive. One more thing: Asus provides a nice custom fit carrying pouch while Acer lets you buy your own from a third party (they only make a large size case).
(1) Size and weight: Asus wins here. 4-cell Asus is about 1" narrower in both width and depth and a little lighter than the 6-cell Acer (the 1" depth difference is due to the protruding battery from the back of the Acer). Thickness is about the same.
(2) Screen brightness: Acer wins here. Although the LCD panels are the same size and have the same native resolution the Acer screen is much brighter at max and appears crisper. Also the default Windows icons are way too large on the Asus (however, icon size can be adjusted using Windows).
(3) Upgrading: Asus wins big here. Remove a bottom panel with two screws from the Asus and you can easily swap out the single 1GB memory module for a 2GB module that costs about $30. You can even swap out the 160GB hard drive for a still larger one. The Acer is another story. It requires total disassembly and careful reassembly (numerous videos and pictorial instructions available on the web) to replace the socketed 512MB module with a 1GB max module. This procedure also negates the warranty - how clever! Some genius at Acer decided to solder 512MB onto the motherboard, thus limiting the max memory to 1.5GB. To add insult to injury, the Acer design team also placed a removable panel on the bottom which opens into an unused cavity. That panel could have been moved or expanded in size to allow easy memory and hard drive access.
(4) Keyboard and touch pad: Acer wins big here. The reason the Acer is about 1" wider is due to a wider keyboard. The keys are not only larger on the Acer but they seem to have more tactile feedback. The Asus keyboard also has a tiny shift key which often fails to register unless tapped near the center. Asus has just introduced the 904HA which provides a wider keyboard (and wider computer) but uses the same 8.9" screen. The Acer touchpad is unbelievably smooth to the touch although the buttons are located to the sides (allowing larger keyboard). The Asus touchpad is a little larger but rougher finish with conventional button locations below the pad.
(5) Battery life: Acer big 6 cell, Asus smaller 4 cell but the brighter screen on the Acer may negate some of that advantage. I have not run them down on the battery to compare this.
(6) Fit and Finish: The Acer appears slightly better to me with stunning quality external fit and finish (every bit as good as my $2000 Sony Viao). The Asus has cheaper looking power and mouse buttons but a nice glossy black external finish.
Summary: Acer wins in quality of screen, keyboard, touch pad and fit and finish. Asus wins in smaller size and lighter weight and wins big in ease to upgrade memory or hard drive. One more thing: Asus provides a nice custom fit carrying pouch while Acer lets you buy your own from a third party (they only make a large size case).
Product Review:
First Hand Comparison to Asus 900HA
Posted on Feb 5, 2009 12:32 pm
Posted on Feb 5, 2009 12:32 pm
Thank you so much for your comparison. It helped me make a decision in which one of these to buy.
