8.9" vs 10.1" size comparison

In case you were wondering (as I was) exactly how much bigger the new 10.1" is than the original, here's a little chart I made in Photoshop. I based it on the specs listed at http://macles.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-acer-aspire-one-101.html. The dimensions are exact but I just eyeballed the rounded corners so the shapes might not be perfect.

Dimensions in mm:
AA1 8.9": 249 x 170 x 36
AA1 10.1": 260 x 185 x 34



Bigger version:
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7194/aaosizecomparisonja3.gif

As you can see, the 10.1" model's footprint takes up about 13.6% more area. So it's not a huge difference but it is significant. I was hoping they'd be able to just increase the screen size while keeping the rest the same but I guess that's asking for too much. Interestingly, despite being larger in two dimensions, the 10.1" One is actually 2 mm thinner than the 8.9" (34mm vs 36mm).

 

I'm really disappointed that most companies seem to be replacing the 8.9" netbooks with the 10.1" ones. I have no problem with the 10.1" models being an option, but I don't want to see them replace the 8.9". To me, the reduced weight and size of the 8.9" is preferable to the extra screen real estate.

 

I agree... there is no set rule on this however i think a "netbook" should be what it's supposed to be small and simple!

 

It really doesn't seem like much, but it's enough to make me have no interest in the new model. I never really seriously considered any of the 10" screen netbooks from other makers before I bought my AA1 a month ago. Even though most of 'em (and the new AA1) are barely bigger, they all screamed "If you're gonna get this, just get a full sized laptop" to me.

If the screen actually offered me a higher native resolution, that'd be one thing. But as it stands, I have better than "perfect" eyesight so the 8.9" screen is no problem for me. I've got no desire to move to a larger form factor if I'm not getting any increase in resolution.

When making my decision in January, I cut pieces of foamboard the size of all the netbooks that were in my price range in order to give me a real physical sense of the differences. Wrote all their stats down on one side and left the other blank. I'd lay 'em out with the blank side up and see which one looked most appealing. I'd jumble them up, come back later, and quickly make a choice as to which was "smallest" and most drew my attention. The 8.9" AA1 was the winner every single time. Anything bigger in this sorta device is just too big for me. In fact, I'd like to see the size reduced to just a 1/4" or so bezel around the 8.9" screen. I could deal with an even smaller keyboard to lose inch and a half or so offa the thing.



my $.02

 

I've too been trying to decide. I like that the 8.9 is dropping in price, but how long will it be around to still be purchased in stores is my question. I like that the 10" will have access to ram and hdd from the bottom which is only factor i like about it. For me i'd like the smaller, i too have good eye sight so another inch of screen is no biggie if you can't get a higher resolution.

So i'm still trying to decide, i can't purchase one till may so i'm looking at options still to see which i wanna buy.

 

Works out to around 7 sq in extra. Not enough to convince me to migrate. Especially since the spec for the system generally hasn't changed.

 

hmm, i may just buy the 8.9 when it gets down in price some more. i think i saw it here for like 249.99 some where. If i get the 8.9 i want the one with the hdd i can always swap it out later for a SSD. As for blue tooth i have a mini dongle.

 

I completely agree and it is worth pointing out that there isn't any more screen real estate. The screen is bigger but it is the same resolution so you can't fit any more on it, the pixels are just bigger - totally pointless in my view.

 

Here it says that the resolution is 1200x800...
http://www.dabs.ie/productview.aspx?Qui ... 4294951840

 

Here it says 1024 x 600

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-AOD150-1165- ... 745&sr=1-1

... and so does Acer's Aspire One pages. Very disappointing.

 

Will the new model replace the 8.9" model? I am about to get one here in Canada (8.9" model) at regular price and was just wondering whether it's worth it to wait for this newer model. I actually need it soon because i broke my writing arm during snowboarding so I need a small netbook to assist me in notetaking in class. The biggest problem is that I'm worried about is whether the 10.1" model is going to sell for 400CDN (currently the price for the 8.9" model) or a little bit more expensive, because if they release the new one at that 400 a week or two after I buy the old model then i'm sure I'll be extremely pissed off.

Also, is there a big difference in terms of screen size?

Decisions Decisions :cry:

EDIT: I put the dimensions on sizeasy.com

 

The screen is same resolution as the 8.9". I do like the smaller size of the 8.9 compared to the 10.1". Here in the states the 8.9" is down to 249.99 - 299.99. Price kinda varies, but i've seen the 10.1" for sale at the price of 349.99 for preorder.

I'd like to get the 8.9 before they're all gone and replaced, but not sure if i'll be able to buy one soon or not.

 

Small-Laptops.com has an actual size comparison of the 10.1" and 8.9" Aspire One.

radeonboy, this interview with an Acer executive said both the 8.9" and 10.1" would continue to be produced

http://blog.laptopmag.com/acer-qa-netbo ... martphones

 

That was VERY helpful/ Thanks!

The newer ONE is actually quite a lot bigger, so I'd actually go for the smaller one; however I guess the price will decide which one I should pick.

 

Nice links very helpful on the size comparison too. One thing that does get me is the access doors on the bottom of the 10.1" that makes for easy upgrading. When i looked at the 8.9" it seems that getting the keyboard off is a bit difficult if you plan on upgrading anything in it. Which in my opinion would eventually wear out the little tabs that hold the keyboard on.

As i keep comparing this is one of the major factors in deciding on which i'll get.

 

I find it odd that they were unable to simply replace the 8.9" screen of the existing AAO with a 10" one. The 8.9" AAO already has a huge bezel, leaving plenty of room for a larger screen. Even though the new model features a larger screen, there's still a huge bezel - it looks like the chassis was designed for an 11" or even 12" screen. Why do Netbook manufacturers insist on having a huge black border around the screen? Is there some kind of law that sais netbooks need a huge bezel in order to look unattractive enough to not compete with true ultra-portables?

IMO they got almost everything right with the 8.9" AAO. The 10" model fixes a few issues, but adds new ones of its own. For example, they moved the mouse buttons to a slightly more logical position, but removed the right mouse button...?! The doors for easy upgrading are a plus. You'd typically only need to open it once (to add more RAM), but it's still more convenient than taking the whole machine apart.

 

If you look at the bare TFT panels used in netbooks like the AA1 you can see that there are mounting brackets on the outer edges of the panel. Obviously the bezel has to cover these.

The touchpad on the 10" AA1 has both left and right buttons. It is a "rocker" switch like on the Samsung NC10.

 

Yes all screen obviously have some sort of bezel, but the bezels on most netbooks look unnecessarily wide. The bezel on the AAO is twice as wide as that of my old 14" laptop and it's even slightly wider than the bezel of my 22" desktop monitor. It makes the netbooks look like cheap toys compared to other notebook computers.

 

If they had made the AA1 0.5" - 1" narrower to eliminate the thick vertical borders around the screen I suspect that we would have ended up with a crappy, cramped keyboard layout like that on the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and there may not have been enough material in the bezel/lid to make it sturdy - now that would be cheap!

 

I agree that 8.5 has minor issues over the 10. the biggest being the touchpad. After using the 10's touchpad all day, i can say i dont care for it. it find i use it 2 handed anyways....


I wanted an 8.5, I ordered an 8.5 is saw the 10 was only $20 more and had to think twice.. canceled my order and got the 10.

The removable bottom pannel doors was a big plus for me. I tend to travel quite a bit in long layovers. i wanted the option of swaping out the drive before i leave with my "travel" load (movies messaging, music).

the point of getting the aspier one was to replace the laptop for travel. but it is nice to have that option of putting a 250+ with basic xp and 230+ gigs of movies in a few seconds leaving my work at home.

the real sell point was the battery. the 5800mhz battery looked delicious at that price and a huge need for me. i figgured a 10" with big battery was lighter and more portable then 1 8.5 with 2-3 batteries. i hate carrying extra hardware.

Maybe i made a mistake not getting the 8.5.. but... so far i'm lovin' the 10. I went portable instead of ultra portable. i figgurd what ever one i get, the new ones will go down in price in a few months and i can pick up another one if i see need. my other thought is as the 10's are more available i can get a cheap 8.5 on fleabay... i even have a memory upgrade for it already since i pulled the 1 gig from my 10" after upgrading it to 2gig.