Acer Aspire One 531

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In a recent press conference, Acer has confirmed the success of its Aspire One Netbook Series proposing some important objectives: The new Netbook segment is estimated globally at 25-30 million units in 2009 and Acer wants to sell more or less the half. For the years to follow however there is a growing phenomenon .

Even in this new sector of the market to see a head to head between Acer and HP both producers who turns one of the leaders in the IT world has promised several new product. Offering Netbook Acer has so far been limited to only two products Aspire One A and D150 but recently confirm that soon Aspire One will be a real family.

We move from words to deeds and at a recent event held in New York, Acer has unveiled its plans, not only at the level of Netbook. A few hours ago has been shown Acer Revo, solution based on Nvidia ION platform . The Taiwanese manufacturer has also unveiled a new range of notebook Acer Aspire Timeline, the Aspire One Netbook from 11.6 with Intel Menlow platform, and the new Aspire One 531.

In recent weeks we have had available a Aspire One D531, one of the new models presented in a preproduction sample. The product leaving a possible deepening when there will be a final version of the product.

The Netbook was originally proposed as a consumer product dedicated to users a small, compact, offering a good mobility, and detail essential to the success and economic fields. Soon, however, the professional user has shown interest in these new products is to use for a "travel" and without too many pretensions a Netbook can be a good solution.

In this new area, which intends to propose the Acer Aspire One 531 and other models of the same family. Here are the characteristics of the synthetic product

Specifications

• Model :Acer Aspire One 531
  
• Intel: Intel Atom N270
  
• Chipset :Intel 945GSE
  
• memory :1GB DDR2
  
• Display :10.1-inch 1024x600pixel
  
• Hard Disk: 160 GB 5.400rpm
  
• Interface: I / O 3 usb 2.0, Mini D-sub 15-pin
  
• Ethernet connectivity : Wi-Fi 802.11b-g
  
• Weight :1Kg
  
• Battery :2200mAh

As provided by various rumors circulated in recent weeks, both hardware Aspire One the new D531 does not offer anything new the chipset and cpu choice choices are now well established, in other words to analyze the new Intel chipset GN40 must await further time. New Acer Netbook in the news are to be searched elsewhere, especially in its aesthetic and budget.

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Design and details

Aspire One 531 differs heavily from previous versions in many details and the aesthetic image below puts it well in the exhibition. The finish is matt plastic, the Netbook is very thin and some details specific to the earlier versions have been abandoned, not least with the particular drip inserted near the hinges. The weight stood at around 1Kg for the sample we tested with a 3-cell battery and is growing at 1.15 kg for the model with 6-cell battery

The keyboard of the new Aspire One has been well kept and compared to many other Netbook on the market offers good usability. no bends in the middle, offering a precise touch, it is not too heavy, the symbols on the individual elements have a good contrast and are clearly visible. For the touchpad has been obtained that a large sensitive area, however, because the absence of a proper frame, there appears to be well demarcated from the rest .

The selection keys are derived from a single element to balance while the scroll is a planned area of the touchpad. Acer in the documentation circulated in recent the implementation of some multi-gesture "for the management of the zoom or browse albums or similar transactions.

The Netbook of this display has a resolution equal to 10.1 inches with a resolution of 1024x600 pixels. The panel is backlit with white LEDs, and this feature allows a significant savings to the benefit of autonomy of operation. At the top of the display is included the usual 1.3-Mpixel camera while at the bottom of the frame is inserted the microphone

The profile view of Netbook Acer highlights his work in terms of design and optimization of space. If you make two pictures in particular. the maximum dimensions of the base of the notebook is dictated by reducing the RJ45 connector and / VGA. These connectors were placed on both sides of the Netbook near the hinges.

Acer Aspire One 531 comes with 3 USB 2.0 ports and an easy reader for memory cards that can support the most popular standard. On the front side of the Netbook there is no connector on the back as well. The arrangement of the expansion ports is very rational

Near the right hinge is placed the power button on very small and illuminated by a dedicated LED. In the former, can also assess the slightly oblique position of the RJ45 connector and the glossy frame that surrounds both sides of the Netbook.

On the front two mechanical switches through which control the wireless functionality of the Netbook. This solution appeared to be effective in several aspects, it is not necessary to use shortcut keys, the user has an immediate position on the connector and the two controls are placed in easy reach of a Netbook

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Performance

The new Netbook Acer Aspire One 531 we tested is equipped with several wireless options, the model we tested alongside the now inevitable Forms Wi-Fi and Bluetooth also an integrated 3G modem. From the information currently available, the version provided for our country will not have that option, which initially will be paid, probably, the distribution channel of the telephone operators.

In the following is clearly visible slot on the integration of SIM phone to access the 3G functionality. This detail is placed inside the battery compartment that takes up almost the entire rear of the Netbook. In the sample we tested the battery was a 3-cells 2200mAh @ XXVth but the configuration planned for our country provides for a 6-cell battery from 4400mAh @ 14.8 V, the producer says 7 hours of battery life.

In tests we found a value of 125 minutes of battery life after a trial continuous execution of a WMV video with Wi-Fi enabled, power management settings enabled and brightness to the second step available. It should be noted that the capacity of the battery on the sample that we tested has features far smaller than that present in the solution on the market and, assuming a linear trend, autonomy with 6-cell battery should be about 250 minutes, of course under the same conditions test. It should be noted that the product we have is a preproduction sample, therefore, the final and Netbook on the market could offer superior performance. However, the data found is perfectly aligned with the measured on similar products.

The hardware components integrated into the model includes a cpu Intel Atom N270 in combination with the Intel chipset 945GSE Express. Some models currently on the market offer a cpu Intel Atom N280 whose characteristics, in combination with the Intel chipset 945GSE are virtually identical with respect to the processor selected by Acer. Performance speed, and not only should improve significantly in conjunction with the Intel chipset GN40 but when you do not have sufficient detail on the actual availability on the market, although some proposals to this competition in markets away from our beginning to show that component of the technical characteristics.

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Conclusion

One of the key features of the Netbook from their initial presentation on the market economy and Acer on this aspect is not easy . the new 531 Aspire One with a completely new design, with a thickness thinner than the previous versions is proposed at a price of € 349.00

Acer ranks this new offer so aligned with respect to the model presented D150 a few weeks ago. Moreover, the hardware characteristics of the two models are almost identical and the differences are only cosmetic in nature or mechanics. that is given wide autonomy to choose the user who can choose what works best for your needs without being conditioned only by the price parameter.

The price quoted here has an indicative value as outdoor products like the Aspire One are often the subject of promotions and other initiatives. We currently have no information on the availability of the new D530 on the channel of telephone operators, although some hardware features shown in the preceding pages make it plausible.

The work done by the development of Acer Netbook in recent months is remarkable the catalog has grown considerably and now offers a wide range of proposals that differ in characteristics and hardware. The last 531 Aspire One from Acer is proposed to an audience looking for a cheap but at the same time design great, and potentiality a similar solution for the professional segment are considerable.