How would you change the Aspire One?

Another of Engadgets "how would you change" series, today featuring the Aspire One:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/05/how- ... spire-one/

 

I would add "Availability" then hope they add the "close to home" or "free shipping" upgrade. That's how I'd change it anyways.

 

Realistic
-A faster SSD.
-Improved Linux OS. I hate how custom OS for netbooks look and work like they are for a touchscreen smartphone.
-10" inch screen
-Better Speakers
-Larger battery, Faster charging battery

Far-Fetched
-Easier to customized hardware
-Dual Core Atom
-Larger SSD
-Improving the AA1 while keeping the same price

 

only a couple of things would significantly improve my experience:

1. different OS...probably Ubuntu.
2. Larger battery
3. matte-finish display

I think the device is pretty well balanced otherwise. It could do a lot of things, but those things come at a cost...and then the aa1 isn't a cheapo netbook anymore. That's just silly.

Reading that article, I still can't figure out why people are so stuck on the mouse buttons...I hardly ever touch mine. I actually have not ever used the left click since I got the aa1! Are people trackpad challanged? or are they just caught in mouse button dogma?

 

1). Reliability. This was a product that was rushed out too early and Acer needs to convince the public that the have sorted out the problems.
2). Easy memory upgrade (opening in back).
3). Improved SSD (an option for a 16GB or 32GB internal SSD would be nice).

 

New full-desktop linux distribution, improved touchpad and better built-in speakers.
That's all I need, really.

 

I agree with Tavel on the mouse buttons, never touch them: non-issue. Buttons on the side makes the netbook smaller and keyboard bigger. I'm all for it.

The A1 was the first time I have used a glossy screen. Personally I really like it.

Battery life is simply a weight issue, for now anyway. More runtime = bigger and heavier netbook. Having 3 and 6 cell options would seem to keep everyone happy I would think.

Main thing, really, is a faster, more capacious SSD. This would allow XP and the heavier Gnome-based Linux distros to run while keeping the slim dimensions and better battery life of the original Linux model. I'm sure that even the next batch of Intel SSDs will be more than adequate.

And, finally, how about going fanless? It's a thought anyway.

 

Obvious:

- Larger battery (but can be bought separately)
- Easy access to memory expansion
- Bluetooth

My wishes:

- HDMI out
- Express card slot
- Onboard 1GB or none or disable through BIOS (so we can upgrade to 2GB)
- Better keypad and button placement
- Higher resolution webcam
- Atom 330 Dual-Core processor
- More energy efficient chipset
- Change 1 memory slot to CF slot (will make it a perfect companion for photographers)

- All mentioned without making the price higher

 

-Matte screen instead of glossy.
-Better touchpad (The default seems kind of erratic).
-Easier access to RAM upgrade slot.

And I'd like to be able to buy a 6-cell battery for less than 130 freaking dollars. Otherwise, this little thing is great.

 

Firstly I agree with what's already been said about the trackpad I never use the buttons either. I've had the blue A110 and now have the white A150 which is infinitely better imo I really like The One but i feel the following would improve it.

1) Faster larger SSD option

2) Ubuntu or Windows XP option (not Linpus)

3) Something done about the easily scratched bezzel

4) Quiet or fanless

5) Better onboard graphics chipset

6) Better designed 6 Cell battery

7) Blue Tooth

8) Higher res webcam

9) Access to Ram and HD upgrade/replacement

10) Release an all black version

These are just improvements i would make on an alraedy great machine.

 

Hi guys. Have you tried mini BT dongles from ebay - something like that: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mini-USB-2-0-Blue ... 286.c0.m14

This modules fit very well to AA1 and giving full of everything w/o any mods You know - AAA1 is a cheap laptop...

 

Yes... I'm hoping to see one before I decide to buy it. I'm starting to think that will mean it will be months before I buy one...

 

Yeah I have what is suppossed to be the smallest usb dongle you can buy but the actual metal bit protrudes out quite far making it look odd and prone to snagging. I just think the cost of adding blue tooth is very small these days and just about all portable devices have and on a netbook it should be a no-brainer really.

 

Must do:

1, Ram upgrade from a panel on the bottom of the case.
2. A linux distro suited to the 120gb hard disk version that is fully featured, with a full fedora kernel & drivers and sdhc storage expansion operating in normal mode (no one wants the aufs expansion facility from an sdhc card in the 120Gb models)
3. Better speakers (There is room)

Optional:

1. Bigger screen (keeping the overall case size the same) at 1280x1024 max resolution (adjustable down to 1024x768)
2. Celeron option (perhaps with at least 4400mah battery) or Dual-Core Atom
3. Get rid of crappy shareware games, just preload gnome-games
4. Internal bluetooth adapter

 

Battery and bluetooth

 

Had my A150X for a week and it's a great little machune - does pretty much what it was designed for, at the right price.
I am very happy with it. Just a few changes cosmetic really.

1. Bezel should be changed to matte finish
2. Speakers mounted on front -better quality output
3. Touchpad buttons awkward and almost redundant -change
4. Offer more colors and combinations of keybd...if there had been a blue with white keyb I would've bought it!
black with white keyb? great and so on. Since once your satisfied with spec it all comes down to how it looks.

ha..gold plated AA1 or silver..

 

• 3G card pre-installed (hopefully 3G internet cost will be more affordable in all countries)[/*:u28opcll]
• Installation image CD with Ubuntu (so you can plug the USB CD-ROM and install Ubuntu in one go) - That could be community project anyway[/*:u28opcll]
• minimum 1024x768 screen resolution (or better)[/*:u28opcll]
• trackpoint [/*:u28opcll]
• Lowest possible cost so everyone can get one easily.[/*:u28opcll]

This machine should be used by everyone, children's starting PC, housewives with no PC experience, the elderly etc. At this cost and with Linpus things are getting easier but there's much room for improvement. Ideally more Linux based machines should be sold in order to get more people on the Linux wagon.

 

Vista (maybe a shrunken one) instead of XP (cause it got more battery lifetime..)
OR
Ubuntu instead of Linpus

Better cooling.. silent fan

 

I've not got one yet, but I'm going for the A150AB in Sapphire Blue loaded with XP. My plan is to load up a full Fedora Install to dual boot into. The only improvements I would make are -

1/ Better Access to upgrade RAM
2/ User Accessible and switchable internal USB sockets x2 to plug in additional dongles (3G Modem, GPS, Bluetooth, DVB-T etc) whatever you fancy fitting really!
3/ Changeable covers for the back of the screen, to allow customisation. That way you could change the colour or design, to suit your mood or lifestyle. Acer could offer a range of designs to accommodate Male, Female, Old and Young. You could also customise/spray the covers yourself or get Branded versions printed for corporate users.

 

How would I improve the AA1?

10.5" Touchscreen (It can be done, and fit, and work)
Expandable mini PCI slot at bottom (mine has space for one, but nothing to hook up to)
Bigger Finger Track-Pad w/Multi-Touch
1GB onboard memory with 1 expansion slot that is expandable to 2GB or 3GB (1GB or 2GB stick)
360 degree flip top cover like the Fujitsu Lifebook (so can double as a tablet)
Mini CD-DVD slot (the mini cd's, not a small cd slot) **This is a fantasy
USB Ports on rear and sides instead of just sides
Integrated Bluetooth
Integrated 3g
Larger SSD disks (just saw a 60gb SSD for $200 last night)
Bootable SD Card capacity
Intel 950 Graphics or better with at least 32MB video memory
2.2 GHz Atom Processor (for those that think its not possible, look at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverthorne_(CPU) -- then check under "Diamondville processor)


Oh, and by the way, to all of you who said "fanless"? Get real.. something this small will overheat so fast unless more heatpipes are put in, more heatpipes = more heavy copper = more heavy notebook. Now alternatively, they could put in an ultra-quiet blower fan that may do the job better.