Acer Aspire One D250 resembles the D150: It has the same keyboard, the same glossy black bezel surrounding a glossy 10.1-inch screen, and it’s even a similar shade of blue on the lid and the keyboard deck. It doesn’t have the metallic flecks of the D150, and the blue is more purple in tone, just enough for a noticeable difference. This netbook will also be available in black, white, and red.

At 10.2 x 7.2 x 1 inches and 2.2 pounds, it’s 0.8 inches narrower, 0.3 inches thinner, and more than half a pound lighter than the D150. In fact, with its charger, the AOD250 weighs just 2.8 pounds, the same as the D150 alone. Remarkably, it’s almost identical in thickness and weight to the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA, but, because it doesn’t have tapered sides, it looks larger at first glance.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The D250’s keyboard, unchanged from the D150, is firm and easy to type on; we had no problems typing this review in Microsoft Word. But there’s still a quarter inch of chassis on either side of the keyboard; a missed opportunity for Acer to install a larger, edge-to-edge keyboard, along the lines of the HP Mini 110 or Eee PC 1008HA.

The touchpad is comfortable to use, and offers very little friction, but at 2.0 x 1.5 inches, could be a little wider. The mouse button below is a single bar, lacking a divot to separate the two sides.

Performance

Like every other netbook with a 1.6-GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, the D250 provided fairly decent performance. Its PCMark05 score of 1,492 is about 100 points higher than the netbook average, but not quite as robust as the ASUS Eee PC 1008HA (1,584), which has the slightly zippier 1.66-GHz Intel Atom N280 processor. Similarly, when we transcoded a 114MB video file from MPG4 to AVI using Handbrake, the D250 took 28:51 to complete the task, which is about 30 seconds faster than the netbook average and on a par with the HP Mini 110, but about 90 seconds slower than the Eee PC 1008HA.

The 160GB, 5,400-rpm hard drive booted Windows XP Home in a decent 49 seconds, almost the same time as the D150. On the LAPTOP Transfer Test (duplicating a 4.97GB folder of mixed media), however, the drive was marginally slower, taking 5 minutes 9 seconds to complete, at a rate of 16.5 MBps. That’s about 2 MBps faster than the netbook average, but about 1 MBps slower than the AOD150.

The D250 was capable when it came to our graphics benchmarks, however. The Intel GMA 945 GPU notched a score of 741 in 3DMark03, more than 100 points above average, and its score of 123 in 3DMark06 was about 30 points above average. We had no problems streaming videos and playing movies off the hard drive. While it took a few seconds to render the Grand Canyon in Google Earth, we were able to fly around the southwest U.S. fairly smoothly. Still, zooming in and out of lower Manhattan with 3D buildings enabled proved choppy.

Software

The Acer Aspire One D250 comes preloaded with a fair amount of software, including a 30-day trial of Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Works (which seems a bit redundant), Acer GameZone, Google Desktop, Carbonite Online Backup, and a 60-day trial of McAfee Security Center. It also comes with the Acer eRecovery Management application.

Battery Life

The 3-cell battery achieved a runtime of 3 hours and 4 minutes, which is about 15 minutes longer than the average 3-cell netbook battery. Acer will also offer a 6-cell battery which, if the battery on the D150’s past performance is any indication, should provide about 6 hours of battery life. Unlike the 6-cell battery on the D150 (4400 mAh), the 6-cell battery being offered with the AOD250 will be a 5200-mAh, which should provide even more runtime.

The 15.4-inch screen, diagonally measured, offers ample size for long periods of usage without undue eye fatigue. The anti-glare finish that is incorporated into the display makes it very usable under varying lighting conditions and, for the most part, eliminates the glare that is common to most laptop computers under bright lights.

There’s an Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor at the heart of the computer running at 2.40 GHz clock speed with a 3MB L2 cache and 1066 MHz front side bus speed. While that’s likely adequate for most business users, there are four upgrades available up to an Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 running at 2.80 GHz, a 6 MB L2 cache and the same 1066 MHz front side bus speed. Though most users will be best served by maximizing processor speed, there are also a couple of downgrades available that still offer pretty snappy performance for most needs while saving some money.

Going hand in hand with the processor to define the computer’s performance is the memory. The 6730b comes standard with 2 GB of DDR2 RAM which is upgradeable to 8 MB. A 320 GB hard drive is included in the package price. That can be increased to 500 GB for a reasonable price or reduced to 160 GB for those who prefer to economize a bit.

We mentioned earlier that connectivity is among the HP Compaq 6730b’s strong points. Here are some details. The computer comes ready for wireless networking with built in Wi-Fi supporting the 802.11a/b/g and draft-n standards. Additionally, wireless broadband can be included from AT&T, Sprint or Verizon Wireless. This is, of course, and option and the preferred carrier must be specified at the time of ordering. Use of this service requires activation of wireless broadband service from the selected carrier. For additional information about the carriers, take a look at our side-by-side comparison of Mobile Broadband services. Recognizing that wireless internet connections aren’t always available, this computer is outfitted with a 56K dial-up modem for yet another means of staying in touch.

Sensitive business information can be protected by a couple of options for relatively low cost. A fingerprint reader can be added to the device as can a smart card reader. The HP Compaq 6730b comes equipped with a CD/DVD reader/burner including LightScribe disc labeling which allows you to burn labels onto the created discs. A second 250 GB hard drive can be substituted for the CD/DVD drive. Also optional is an integrated VGA webcam.

Connectivity to Bluetooth wireless devices is available with the HP Compaq 6730b but there’s a rather odd relationship between this option and the available warranty. If you want Bluetooth, you have to opt for the three year warranty. Without Bluetooth, only the one year warranty is available. We fail to see the connection but suspect that marketing has more to do with it than technical necessity.

Up to about six hours of battery life can be expected from the 6-cell, 55WHr battery but that depends in great measure what’s being done with the computer. As always, using features like Bluetooth and wireless broadband will quickly reduce the time that you can operate without plugging into an AC outlet. Microsoft Windows 7 Professional is the standard operating system for this computer. For those who prefer, it can be downgraded to Windows XP or Windows Vista, though we can’t quite imagine why anyone would want to do that, especially regarding Vista.

Design
Toshiba trimmed down its netbook where it could: instead of the frame being uniform in thickness, as on the NB205, it tapers from 1.4 inches in the rear to approximately 0.5 inches in front, resulting in a svelte look. The front edge is also more beveled, so the system looks more rounded than before. The new screen bezel sports tapered edges; while it’s the same thickness as on the NB205, it doesn’t look as clunky. The major aesthetic change from the NB205 and the NB305 is the battery. The former battery jutted out from the rear, but now it’s tucked in underneath, trimming nearly an inch off the system (although the weight remains constant, at 2.8 pounds). The new position of the battery also adds the effect of slanting the keyboard towards the user; while this is supposedly more ergonomic, the change in angle is so slight that it’s practically nonexistent. Apparently pink wasn’t a big seller, as Toshiba is no longer offering its mini in that color. The NB305 comes in blue, brown, or white.

Keyboard & Touchpad
Under the lid, the NB305 still has one of the best netbook keyboards out there. The chiclet layout works extremely well, and the silver keys are coated in something that makes them feel soft on our fingertips — there’s a $350 version of the NB305 that has a flush matte keyboard. Our one complaint lies with the volume controls, which are located on the number keys; no on-screen rocker appears when you adjust them. Speaking of sound, the speakers on the NB305 seem louder than that on the NB205, but they’re still weak compared to the 532h’s. We appreciate that the touchpad is larger than most, and features dedicated right and left mouse buttons instead of a cramped rocker, but the multitouch pad is too sensitive and we were constantly zooming in on pages. We’ve become quite speedy at switching off this function in the Synaptics menu — a skill that we’re rather proud of.

Dislay
The 10.1-inch glossy LED-backlit screen on the Mini NB305-N410 has a 1,024×600-pixel native resolution. Though this lower-than-HD-resolution screen is common, there are plenty of Netbooks with 1,366×768-pixel resolution displays, including the Sony Vaio W series. Colors and icons are crisp and bright, offering a better-than-average experience once resolution is forgiven. The NB305′s audio has received a welcome bump up from the NB205 series, adding a second speaker for stereo sound. The speakers still lean toward tinny and soft, but they are significantly louder than they were before.

Port
Around the netbook are the standard ports: three USBs, VGA, Ethernet, an SD card reader, and mic and headphone jacks. Many have been asking about the lack of HDMI ports on these new netbooks, and while we’d welcome the additional port for easily hooking up to a larger monitor or HDTV, it’s obvious Atom alone can’t handle even 720p videos, and thus it’s been left off the list.

Performance
Like most newer netbooks, the NB305 utilizes Intel’s new Pine Trail CPU, the 1.66-GHz Atom N450, which offers better power efficiency and a modest increase in performance over the NB205. On PCMark05, the difference was negligible: 1,383 vs. 1,341, respectively—and both scores are about 140 points south of the netbook average. There was more of a gap with Geekbench: The NB305 scored 925, 85 points higher than average, but the NB205-N330BL model reached just 805. Other Pine Trail systems were in the same ballpark: the HP Mini 5102 got 1,408 in PCMark05 and 896 in Geekbench, and the ASUS Eee PC 1005PE-P scored 1,410 and 918 on those same two tests, respectively. The NB305’s 5,400-rpm, 250GB hard drive performed well, copying a 4.97GB folder of multimedia files at a rate of 20.6 MBps, 4.8 MBps faster than average. It booted into Windows 7 Starter Edition in 1 minute and 9 seconds, which is 10 seconds longer than average. When converting a 114MB, 5-minute-and-5-second MPEG-4 video into AVI using HandBrake, the NB305 took 28 minutes and 26 seconds, about 1 minute faster than average, and approximately 2 minutes faster than the NB205. However, when performing the same task using Oxelon Media Converter, the NB305 took 6:03, about 15 seconds longer than the NB205.

We also saw a greater difference between the two systems when it came to graphics tests. While its 3DMark06 score of 159 is about 70 points below the netbook average, it’s still about 50 points greater than the NB205-N330BL. Still, this system is unsuited for gaming. When playing World of Warcraft with the resolution at 800 x 600 and the effects set to default, we only averaged 19 frames per second. If you want to game on a netbook, you’re better off buying an Ion-based system, such as the HP Mini 311, which saw 35 fps at a resolution of 1024 x 768.

Design

The N5′s elongated form factor and incredibly rounded corners certainly have a pocketbook-look, but it’s also very clean and stylish. But you’ll forget about how it looks the moment you discover how it feels. The entire outer casing of the N5 has the softest, smoothest rubber-like finish of any device I’ve ever come across. It’s a texture that you can’t help but stroke/pet; if you let someone else hold it, good luck getting it back! Even when I hold the N5 in both hands to thumb type, I still find myself rubbing the back with my fingers. I hate to use the expression “softer than a baby’s bottom,” but it really is that silky and smooth (my 7-month-old baby girl will be thrilled by this public reference when she gets older, I’m sure).

Complementing the device’s amazing finish is its superb build quality. Viliv products are solid. Period. Everything is sturdy and strong; no creaks, warping, or flexing. It’s very nicely put together. One of the design elements that makes the N5 more unique than other handheld clamshells is that it has the kind of hinge that lets the bottom edge of the screen appear as though it’s underneath the lower half of the unit. The hinges themselves are strong and tight; the device literally snaps shut.

Keyboard and Touchpad

Despite its diminuitive size, the N5 sports a full QWERTY keyboard with fairly large keys (for its size) that provide tactile feedback that reminded us of our favorite ThinkPad keyboards. Don’t expect to do a lot of touch typing, though, because the entire device is just too narrow for an adult (or even a large child) to place one’s hands on the home row.

However, with the N5 sitting on our desktop, we were able to achieve a score of 32 words per minute on the Ten Thumbs Typing test, which is a far cry from our typical 80 word-per-minute rate, but much better than we’d do on most smart phones. Because the keys were so responsive, we had little difficulty typing when holding the N5 aloft, though our words-per-minute were in the mid-twenties when we tried the typing test in that position.

For the most part, keys appear in their typical positions, but to make them this large on a device this small, Viliv had to make a couple of compromises. The most awkward of these involve the placement of the colon/semicolon key, the bracket/braces keys, the hyphen key, the +/= key, and the question mark/slash key. The colon/semicolon characters, which normally sit to the right of the L key, share a button with the single/double quote characters. That means you have to hit the Fn key + quote to get the semicolon and Shift+Fn + quote to get the colon character. The brackets and braces characters, which normally have their own keys to the right of the P key, are available by hitting the Fn key + V, B, N, or M. The hyphen character, the +/= characters, and question mark/slash characters all have their own dedicated keys, but these are located to the right of the space bar, rather than in their typical QWERTY positions.

Display

Like the Viliv S5 Premium, the N5 is outfitted with a 4.8-inch WSVGA display. It isn’t remarkably bright, but it’s a great screen with crisp text, excellent clarity, and accurate colors. We’ve seen this screen size and resolution combination on many MIDs/UMPCs in the past, so there’s nothing new or unusual to report here. If icons and text are too small for your comfort, you can boost the size of them through Control Panel -> Appearance -> Display -> “Make it easier to read what’s on your screen.” You can also adjust the DPI through the “Set custom text size” option in the Display sidebar in the Control Panel.

Ports and Webcam

On a chassis this small, one can’t reasonably expect a lot of ports, and the N5 is notably sparse, offering only a single USB port, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack. If the N5 had a way to output VGA or HDMI, it would make a great mobile presentation device, but as it stands the lack of video-out options is a huge missed opportunity. The N5 has a 1.3-megapixel webcam, but we were unable to produce an image larger than 320 x 240 either when shooting stills or videos. Worse still, the camera had real trouble handling florescent and low lighting. The low-light image we took at our cubicle looked really washed out, but when we moved next to a window with the sun shining through it, the picture quality improved a great deal.

Performance

The 1.33GHz Intel Atom CPU + 1GB RAM duo housed inside the Viliv N5 isn’t new. We’ve seen it used for the past two years, since Menlow-based UMPCs were first released, with varying degrees of success depending on the operating system that went along with it. Windows 7 isn’t as trim as XP, but I think it’s a good choice for a mobile computer. Windows XP is almost 9 years old . . . and it looks it. Vista, on the other hand, looks incredibly dolled up in comparison . . . but it’s too slow. Windows 7 is the best of both words and it performs well on the N5. It’s obviously not well suited for heavy video editing or extensive multi-tasking, but for the kinds of things that most people do (web, email, Skype, video/music, casual games), it performs well. Faster processor options would certainly have been welcomed, especially since last year’s Viliv S5 shares most of the same specs, but the Z520 has a good power:battery life ratio and doesn’t cause the unit to overheat.

Improving: Help techs report that the the majority of troublesome notebook elements will be the hard drive, screen, and also keyboard. When you probably won’t desire to substitute an expensive laptop computer screen, you aren’t the right tools and even any slight physical inclination could change the hard drive, keyboard, along with other parts, by incorporating affected person tinkering.

Starting your own notebook case may void the actual warranty, therefore if your digestive system is still below warrantee, allow producer cope with maintenance. Notebooks are usually delicate, therefore never force something. Vince Dougherty, that has restored countless laptops for Wine Country Computers inside Healdsburg, California, says the most typical blunder is actually while using the wrong-size screwdriver. A single slide plus your motherboard is actually ruined. Prior to doing other things, remove the notebook’s battery and detach the cord. Make sure to ground yourself before you decide to open the particular case, both having a grounding strap (the most dependable approach), or perhaps simply by pressing an item of grounded metal (a light or even normal water pipe is going to do), whilst pressing metallic component for the case’s outside.

Replace your hard drive: Incorporating a new hard drive to some notebook is usually less difficult as compared to doing the same thing over a desktop Personal computer: You just remove several anchoring screws from the base from the case, go or raise the particular hard drive assembly out of the system, and also exchange a brand new generate in to the set up (always deal with drives through the sides). Many laptop Computers work with a standard a couple of.5-inch hard drive, but ultralights along with other diminutive techniques may use a scaled-down 1.8-inch generate. Drives are also made of different heights; the most common tend to be 12.a few millimeters and nine.five millimeters. Check your laptop’s documentation, or perhaps go to the vendor’s Web site to ascertain the actual drive size compatible with your own machine. The 2.5-inch, 100GB travel less expensive than $200. Third-party vendors such as Drive Solutions and NewEgg.com frequently cost less than notebook producers. Talk with your laptop dealer to learn whether you’ll need a SATA or perhaps parallel ATA product. Buy just through vendors that provide a money-back guarantee–any reliable vendor will give you a single long lasting a minimum of 1 month.

Increase your own RAM: Most laptops come with only a couple of memory sockets, that might abandon absolutely no open slots for updates. Adding memory may well demand that you simply throw out a minumum of one current memory module. The RAM about most notebooks chilling out guiding any detachable cell. The particular modules slide right into a slot and therefore are secured at the comes to an end through clips or even retainers. Crucial and also Kingston will advise you the kind of RAM your laptop requirements. The high-quality adventures they promote are worth the tiny, extra expense over no-name RAM.

Keyboard: Installing a new keyboard usually demands disassembling the laptop’s case, however in other areas it’s simple: Very first snap the old keyboard away, and snap the particular replacement keyboard within. You could expect to pay $50 to $100 for a brand new laptop keyboard. Suitable substitute keyboards might be obtainable just from the notebook’s vendor.

Touchpad: Whenever I am in severe work mode, my personal netbook’s touch pad will not be as simple will be able to use being a mouse. The miniature USB vacation mouse with retracting cord is cheaper compared to $30 from all of these and other suppliers, plus a instant variation (Bluetooth or infrared) expenses somewhat a lot more. I propose the born mouse regarding hectic travelers; there aren’t any power packs to concern yourself with, no tiny Bluetooth or RF transmitter to lose.

Ports: In case your laptop provides only a couple of USB ports, a tiny four-port USB hub is important allowing you to connect more products. Portable printers, scanners, along with other power-hungry USB peripherals may require a self-powered hub just like APC’s $35 4-Port Travel Hub, that is sold with the very own power adapter. To connect a mouse, keyboard, or perhaps thumb drive, the nonpowered USB hub will be all you need.

Hub: A little wireless router enables you to move hotels, an office, or even elsewhere with a set, high-speed World wide web connection. The $60 AirPlus G DWL-G730AP Instant Pants pocket Modem coming from D-Link corresponds a tiny transporting case.

Firewall: Anyone moving from one accommodation or instant hotspot to another requirements firewall defense, and also the firewall built into Windows XP Service Pack 2 simply won’t perform. If your This department prohibits one to set up firewall computer software on your own company laptop, Kensington’s $40 Private Firewall device are able to keep your digestive system safe from criminals although you’re traveling. Merely put the particular thumb drive into a wide open USB interface, perform a fast configuration, and your shields are usually upwards.

Directed: Employing a notebook computer in the darkened airliner or some other light-challenged space can be difficult since you cannot see the keyboard (unless of course it can be backlit). As opposed to squinting from the light from the netbook’s Lcd, test Kensington’s $25 Flylight 3. These devices comes with an Led light on one side of its flexible neck of the guitar, plus a USB connection at the other. The Flylight is smaller than average light enough to adopt anywhere, this means you will illuminate any notebook work area without having disturbing others.

Screen: About extended, boring flights, handful of seatmates may resist sneaking any look or a couple of at your notebook screen. 3M’s Laptop Privateness Computer Filtration slides over the notebook’s screen, and easy-to-attach clips maintain that in position to stop the actual snoop seated alongside you from kibitzing your bet on Solitaire. The screen will be costly, beginning with $45 for a twelve.1-inch design, nonetheless it help keep your own matters private.

Power Adapter: In case you are sick and tired of carrying the stack regarding power stones wherever you go, you will want to industry ‘em in for the one that perseverence almost all your own products? APC, Belkin, Kensington, and also Targus help to make cellular general power adapters with connector tips for laptops, mobile phones, Pdas, as well as other units. Their costs cover anything from $70 to be able to $130, determined by electrical power and also accessories. Tip choice may differ from merchant to vendor, therefore look into the match ups checklist on the businesses Website for each of your electronic units before you decide to lay down your own environmentally friendly.

Dock and cover: A docking station allows you to link a monitor, keyboard, mouse, sound system, USB units, as well as network link to be able to your laptop computer in just seconds. The majority of laptop distributors provide customized docking stations for some designs, but these have a tendency to expense 100′s of dollars. Targus’s $130 Universal Notebook Docking Station With Video clip links to be able to any kind of laptop via USB a couple of.. The only capture: The USB a couple of. link can not match up the speed of a immediate VGA monitor link, so that it may produce a bandwith bottleneck when running fast-moving games or even additional graphics-intensive applications.

Peripherals: Should you continually switch among your own desktop and also laptop Pcs, work with a keyboard-video-mouse change to work possibly Computer through a single keyboard, monitor, and also mouse. Numerous suppliers promote KVM switches that need a lot of converter cables and internet connections, yet Kavoom KVM) is a computer software “switch” in which works more than a network link. An easy simply click lets you toggle in between computers. The program expenses $30 for just two Personal computers, and another $10 for each extra Pc.

Keep your processor working at a walking pace
Most notebooks offer power regulation software, and almost all have the ability to change profiles using the Vista power manager. Click on that battery icon on the bottom of your screen, and make sure your notebook is set to Balanced or Power Saver. High Performance is great if you are encoding video or playing games, but it makes your processor work harder than it has to, using more power and throwing out more heat.

Tune your radio dial
Keep an eye on your wireless devices, and disable them if they are not in use. If you have your Bluetooth or WiFi device running at all times, you are using chopping off useful battery life that could have been used doing something else.
Change your viewing habits
The biggest power draw on your notebook, especially if it is a large one, is the screen backlight. While it may look big, beautiful, and shiny, you are really hurting your battery performance with the backlight at a high level. Start by putting the backlight to the lowest setting, and increase it slowly until you find the lowest setting your find bearable. Remember that this will vary depending on the room you are in, meaning you might have it set brighter in an office setting, but much lower at home at night.

Don’t be tempted by movies
If at all possible, stay away from using DVD’s or CD’s in your laptop while using battery power. The drive creates a huge power draw on the system while running. On top of the drive, your processor is also working hard to decode the audio and video, sometimes knocking off close to 30% of your overall battery life. If you must watch movies, try to stick with digital content that you download or stream online. iTunes and Hulu.com are excellent alternatives to the evil discs.

Kill unwanted background activities
Right out of the box, almost all notebooks have the following processes running in the background, which eat up precious CPU cycles and trash your hard drive.
Automatic Updates: While keeping your system up to date is a good thing, this should be optional to have done at your own leisure.To disable this activity, go into your control panel and click on ‘Windows Update”. In the next window click on “change settings” on the left side, and make your way to the next screen. Now change your selection to “Never check for updates”, and click OK. Please note that this may make your system vulnerable if you don’t manually check for updates on a regular basis.

Windows Indexing: Windows disk indexing helps to reduce search times when trying to find a particular file on your hard drive, but will wreak havoc on your battery life in the process. To disable indexing, open “My Computer” and right click on your hard drive. On the first screen that shows up, uncheck “Index this drive for faster searching”. You will need to proceed through a few prompts, as well as clicking “ignore all” if prompted. This may take quite a bit of time depending on how full your drive is.

Anti-Virus Software: AV software is a huge performance hog, but also a life saver depending on what type of sites your visit or what sorts of files you encounter. I am relatively savvy enough to steer clear of harmful items in my daily activities, and have yet to need any AV software for years. Not only can they be a huge resource hog and bog your machine down, they sap away a lot of battery life if they start scanning in the background. Be warned that removing AV software from your system can be risky, and should be done at your own discretion. If need more than one hand to count the number of virus problems you have had in the past, don’t follow this suggestion.
The next step of this guide requires you to use the Task Scheduler, and disable a few services that your computer queues up at various times while you are using your computer. This can be accessed by going into your program list, then Accessories, then System Tools, finally clicking Task Scheduler.

In the list of Active Tasks, the following items cause the most unwanted activity in the background. To disable any of these items, double click the selection which will take you to another screen listing more details on that activity. Now all you need to do is right click the item, and click disable to stop it from bothering you in the future.

Consolidator: Runs in the background for the Customer Improvement Program.

Scheduled Defrag: Defragments your hard drive, and will bog down your system in the process.