Acer Aspire one UMPC launches in US

Acer today announced its Aspire one ultraportable notebook has shipped to the US market. Meant to compete with ASUS' Eee PC, the Aspire one uses Intel's 1.6GHz Atom CPU in all of its variations, along with an 8.9-inch, 1024x600 (WSVGA) display with integrated webcam and Intel's Media Accelerator 950 graphics. While information and specs on the basic system were already known, Acer has revealed two other variations of its first mini laptop.

The basic one comes with 512MB of RAM memory and an 8GB solid-state drive. The flash drive's storage space is expandable via an SD card reader. A 4-in-1 card reader lets users transfer large files to and from the nearly 2.2-pound UMPC. To keep the price low, the OS is Linpus Linux Lite, and a three-cell, roughly three-hour battery is in place. Accessories connect to the mini notebook via three USB 2.0 ports.

The next step up gives users all of the above but adds another 512MB of RAM memory for a total of 1GB, swaps out the 8GB flash drive for a 120GB 2.5-inch rotating hard disk, and replaces the Linux OS with Windows XP Home.

The premium version goes back to the flash drive and Linux, but retains the 1GB of RAM and adds a six-cell battery that is said to extend life to seven hours.

The new ultraportable notebook is available in blue or white now in Best Buy, Circuit City and CDW stores as well as directly from Acer. Prices start at $379 for the basic version, $399 for the HDD version with Windows, and $449 for the top-end flash model. Brown and black colors will arrive later this year, Acer promises.