A Quick Look at the Acer Aspire One D260.

Some have declared that the netbook is old news now that tablets have hit the market in large numbers. However, the popularity of small, lightweight notebook PCs hasn't been hurt nearly as much as the mainstream tech media would have you believe.

The future of notebooks seems to be headed in the direction of more expensive "ultrabooks", which are slim but pricey. As such, budget netbooks are still a worthwhile purchase for those looking to get a functional laptop model without breaking the bank. One model in particular that I've found to be a tremendous value is the Acer Aspire One D260.

Hardware and Features Like many netbooks, the Aspire One D260 comes equipped with an Intel Atom N550 clocked at 1.5 GHz. In addition, it boasts 2 GB of RAM, a 5,400 RPM hard drive with 320 GB of storage space, and a 10.1” display with 1024x600 resolution. Acer also included three full-sized USB ports and a 5-in-1 media card reader for peripheral expansion and data transfer. In terms of its physical dimensions, the D260 measures a mere 0.95” thick and weighs only 2.6 pounds. One nice touch is the bottom panel, which conveniently pops off in one full section.

Software, Performance, and More

By default, the D260 comes with the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium. Though the Intel Atom line isn't exactly a powerhouse, it manages decent performance while running Windows 7. Though it's a personal preference, I like to install a leaner operating system like Ubuntu Linux to get the most out of the available hardware. The keyboard of the D260 is a chiclet-style unit which is slightly smaller than a full keyboard, but it won't really feel cramped unless you're an NFL linebacker or Andre the Giant. When it comes to battery life, you should be able to squeeze about 7 hours out of the D260 under normal usage.

The Last Word

All things considered, the Acer Aspire One is one of the most well-rounded budget notebooks you can find anywhere. It's truly the perfect mix of economy and features in a sturdy and compact package. Though it has a few minor drawbacks like underpowered speakers and a somewhat bizarre, aqua blue cover, they're not enough to dissuade most buyers from seeing the overall value of this particular netbook. If you're unsure of which netbook to buy, save yourself some time scouring the online PC forums and opt for the Acer Aspire One D260.