Aspire One - Questions and Answers

• The Aspire One is claimed to be ‘instant on’ – how long does it take to boot up, and are there any differences between the Linux and the XP version?
• How long is the battery lifetime of the 3-Cell Battery or optional 6-Cell Battery?
• Do Aspire One netbooks support dual-screen if an external monitor is attached?
• Why does the Aspire One use PATA SSD - and what are its benefits?
• Do the FLASH and HDD versions of Aspire One have the same weight – or is the HDD version heavier?
• 3G connectivity is stated as an ‘optional’ / ‘embedded’ feature on the Aspire One. Can it be upgraded from a ‘non’-3G configuration to 3G connectivity at a later stage?
• What is the maximum card size (memory storage) supported?
• Does the Aspire One support Bluetooth?
• What is the benefit of OpenOffice vs. Microsoft Office or Microsoft Works?
• How can I upgrade the software on the Linux version, e.g. upgrade to a newer version of OpenOffice?
• How can I get a newer firmware / Operating System version for the Aspire One?
• How will I receive patches and security updates/upgrades (e.g. is there something similar to the Microsoft Automatic Update?)?
• What types of mail accounts are supported (i.e. Pop3 / SMTP / IMAP? Webmail like Google mail, Yahoo, etc.)?
• How many email accounts can I set up in one mail?
• How does Smart File Manager work, e.g. Flash Drive of 8GB merges with 4GB SD Card to 12 GB?

 

FUNCTIONALITY/BENEFITS

• Q: The Aspire One is claimed to be ‘instant on’ – how long does it take to boot up, and are there any differences between the Linux and the XP version?
  
  A: On the Linux version, it’s targeted to take just 15 seconds to boot up.
  For the Windows version, standard boot up will take approximately 30 seconds, similar to a conventional notebook.

  Back to Top

• Q: How long is the battery lifetime of the 3-Cell Battery or optional 6-Cell Battery?
  
  A: For the Linux version: Battery life may vary depending on usage. A 3-cell battery used under the “always-on” mode can operate up to 2 hours and 50 minutes. A 6-cell battery in “always-on” mode can deliver up to 5 hours of battery life.
  For the Windows version: A 3-cell offers 2.5 hours of battery life. A 6-cell battery offers 6 hours in XPH version.

Back to Top

HARDWARE

• Q: Do Aspire One netbooks support dual-screen if an external monitor is attached?
  
  A: The Aspire One supports the display switch option only on external LCD monitors and in clone mode. For external projections, it supports dual screen in clone view.

  Back to Top

• Q: Why does the Aspire One use PATA SSD - and what are its benefits?
  
  A: SSD is much lighter than HDD and has no vibration concerns.
  The left SD slot works as an expansion HDD, while the right card slot work as SD card reader.

  Back to Top

• Q: Do the FLASH and HDD versions of Aspire One have the same weight – or is the HDD version heavier?
  
  A: The HDD version is heavier (see specifications).

  Back to Top

• Q: 3G connectivity is stated as an ‘optional’ / ‘embedded’ feature on the Aspire One. Can it be upgraded from a ‘non’-3G configuration to 3G connectivity at a later stage?
  
  A: Embedded 3G is a manufacturing design. Upgrading to 3G from a “non-3G” model is possible via an external USB 3G module with an appropriate Linux-compatible driver* and connection application support that has been adequately tested with the operating system.

  Note: * Linux-compatible driver for Linpus Linux Lite version

  Back to Top

• Q: What is the maximum card size (memory storage) supported?
  
  A: 8G for both SD slots – left and right.

  Back to Top

• Q: Does the Aspire One support Bluetooth?
  
  A: Not at this time.

Back to Top

SOFTWARE

• Q: What is the benefit of OpenOffice vs. Microsoft Office or Microsoft Works?
  
  A: OpenOffice is designed for Linux, while Microsoft Office and Microsoft Works are designed for Microsoft operating systems. However, OpenOffice can support Microsoft Office 2003 compatible file formats.

  Back to Top

• Q: How can I upgrade the software on the Linux version, e.g. upgrade to a newer version of OpenOffice?
  
  A: Select from Settings > Live Update and for automatic updates online via Acer Phone-home web services.

  Back to Top

• Q: How can I get a newer firmware / Operating System version for the Aspire One?
  
  A: Select from Settings > Live Update and for automatic updates online via Acer Phone-home web services.

  Back to Top

• Q: How will I receive patches and security updates/upgrades (e.g. is there something similar to the Microsoft Automatic Update?)?
  
  A: Select from Settings > Live Update and for automatic updates online via Acer Phone-home web services.

  Back to Top

• Q: What types of mail accounts are supported (i.e. Pop3 / SMTP / IMAP? Webmail like Google mail, Yahoo, etc.)?
  

  A: One mail supports:

  POP3/ SMTP/ IMAP
  Lotus Notes web
  Exchange web

  Note: One mail does not support Hotmail at this time, but users can access their Hotmail accounts through web-based services.

  Back to Top

• Q: How many email accounts can I set up in one mail?
  
  A: One mail can support up to 6 personal or professional accounts.

  Back to Top

• Q: How does Smart File Manager work, e.g. Flash Drive of 8GB merges with 4GB SD Card to 12 GB?
  
  A: Smart File Manager smartly merges local NAND Flash SSD with the Expansion Storage SD according to available storage capacity. For example, if the 8GB NAND Flash SSD has 4GB available memory and the user needs to store a file larger than this, a message will automatically pop up recommending the user insert a SD card into the expansion slot. Smart File Manager then automatically merges the available memory capacity on the SD-Card inserted into the extension slot to the total available memory, allowing larger files to be stored without problems.

Back to Top