Acer Aspire One D150 unboxing and first impressions
Posted in: 10-inch, Netbook, acer, aspire one, competitor, tags: 10-inch, AAO, acer, acer aspire one, aspire, aspire d150, first impressions, Netbook, photos, unboxing
I've long waited for a chance to handle the 10-inch Acer Aspire D150. Today, I just had my chance, and for the course of the next few weeks I'm going to be all about it, this post being the first in a series that showcases the device in terms of both hardware and software. I've been a satisfied owner of the original Acer Aspire One, the 9-inch model, so I have somewhat high hopes for this one. Hit the jump to see our little gallery of unboxing photos and read my first impressions on the hardware.
The box contained nothing unusual. Just about everything a user would need--a power brick, cord, 6-cell battery and the 10-inch netbook itself. 'Course, it wouldn't have hurt if Acer included a leather pouch with this model just like they did with the 9-inch Acer Aspire One.
I felt that the Acer Aspire D150 was a great deal heavier than its predecessor. This shouldn't be a surprise since it has a larger screen and theoretically more components (including a higher capacity hard drive and Bluetooth module, among others), but it was quite heavier than I expected it to be.
As for the outer appearance, I'd say I can describe it in just one word: beautiful. the color (red), the brushed metal casing (which is also part of the reason why there's added weight), the rounded edges all compliment each other. To be honest, the design of the 9-inch Acer Aspire One was what first attracted me when I first saw it last year sitting next to stale-looking, generic white-colored Asus Eee PCs. This next-gen model takes the cake yet again. Based on design, I would still get this over the new Eee PC models. I don't know, just personal preference.
All the other usual ports and connectors found on the 9-inch Aspire One, as well as other netbooks, are present. On the left side, there is one USB port, 1 VGA-out port, memory card reader (with a filler), audio in/out jacks, and an Ethernet jack. On the right side, there are two USB ports, the charger port and lock slot.
The Acer Aspire One D150's 6-cell battery evidently bulges out round the back. This is yet another reason why the netbook is heavier overall, since it lugs on a weight of its own, but the benefit of a few extra hours of battery life far outweigh this little inconvenience. I'll see how long exactly the battery lasts on a single full charge and include my findings in my full review.
The next two things I'm going to discuss about the Acer Aspire One D150 are among the biggest improvements. The keyboard is larger, and the trackpad is now done in a standard way where the left and right click buttons are positioned below the actual trackpad. I haven't been able to do any long haul typing on the Aspire One D150's keyboard yet, but from what I've experienced so far, it doesn't differ much from the keyboard of the 9-inch model in terms of tactile feedback and travel.
It's keys are somewhat larger, which makes for better typing, but graduating from the 9-inch model's keyboard to this one won't feel like you've just escaped from prison. As for the improved trackpad, while I like the fact that Acer moved the clickers below the touch panel, it would have been nice if they made it larger overall too. The more space to move my fingers on, the better. Anyway, it's always easier to just use a USB mouse for on-screen navigation, so that's not a problem at all (at least for me).
All Acer Aspire One D150 units come pre-installed with Windows XP Home Edition, and as I booted the device on I noticed that it took a bit longer than my old Aspire One to boot. The fact that it was also pre-installed with a fair amount of bloatware might have something to do with it. I'll discuss more of this in my upcoming full review and comparison with the 9-inch Acer Aspire One.
Well, it doesn't look like the Acer Aspire One D150 will disappoint. Right now, there's no way to know for sure if it satisfies in every aspect or not, but I'd say it's promising so far. Check out the rest of the photos I took while unboxing the unit below.
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Woot! Congrats David. Can’t wait to read your full review.
Hello
I’ve just unpacked this nice gloosy red notebook for my student studies instead of lugging my 17″ laptop everywhere with a house brick for an AC adaptor, but I thought this little neat number (Acer) came with bluetooth, as I loathe the traditional touchpanels and prefer a mouse.
But I for one, so save my life, cannot find anything in my Acer that suggests that I have bluetooth available – I have the exact model and spec that you have but I cannot find the bluetooth to connect my bluetooth mouse.
Could you please help me as I thing in today’s PC and laptops, bluetooth my well be hidden somewhere that I don’t know about or cannot find.
Regards,
Paul A Williams-Petersen
I love mine, with one exception: the fan noise! It’s louder than the fan on my huge, 3 1/2 year old, 17 inch Dell Inspiron.
Just had a chat with my mobile/cellphone suppier who sold me the naotebook and the reason that there is no Bluetooth is because there is no bluetooth on this particular model.
So I just went out an bought the tinest bluetooth dongle available and it’s fine.
Look forward to using mine.
[...] spending a significant amount of time with Acer’s 10-inch Aspire One D150, here now is my full review of the said netbook. The Acer Aspire One, with its 9=inch screen, [...]
good.
I like it.
i bought this computer like two weeks ago the exact same one actually red and everything and i love it its so portable and easy to use .. you dont feel wierd using it because of its size its alot more comfortable .. and when i first seen this netbook i was thinking tht the screen would bother me how small the screen was but i loved it as soon as i started.to use it.. there are some things tht do bother me bout it though is tht u cant see videos all tht well and i know theres a reason for tht and tht mostly all netbooks are.gnna be like tht but its bothers me to wait for it to buffer and all tht .. also the computer gets really hot really fast i can use it for not five minutes and i feel as if im gnna have permenate burn scars on my lap.. maybe im exxagerating a lill but u get wht im saying.. something else tht bothered me haha is how the computer has this big ol’ sticker that says ‘heyy i gottt bluetttooth’ but in really small white letters it says but only on some models.. and aprently none of the aspire one models come with blutooth.. soo i guess im goin to need to hurry and buy me a blutooth adapter soon but truly I love it i treat tht thing as if it were my child haha however wierd tht may sound I do recommend it the pros weigh out the cons (for me at least) ..oh and the reason why my writing is all jacked up is because im typing this from my fone so
buy it
I test drove an Acura 2010 at Gettle Acura, srq and it was the same maroon color as the notebook…friend has new Lexus, its maroon. What is gong on with these designer colours. I am a little late reading the review but it is simple, well written and clear-thats a change from most blogs.. I am sold, but can I run osx 10x on it. I dont use ms xp
This product has so many problems, but the biggest problem of all is Acer’s lack of customer service.