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Topic: Software

Acer plans Linux, SSD version of 10-inch netbook

Summary: Although the initial version of Acer's bigger-screen netbook will be XP-only and loaded with a HDD, the company says a version with Linux and a solid-state drive is coming

David Meyer

By David Meyer |

Acer has confirmed it plans to release a Linux version of its 10-inch Aspire One netbook, even though its initial announcement of the upcoming machine said it would be Windows XP-only.

Acer announced details of the 10-inch Aspire One on Friday, describing a netbook that has Windows XP as the operating system and a 160GB hard disk drive (HDD) for storage. The original Aspire One, which had an 8.9-inch screen, comes with a choice of XP or a Linux distribution called Linpus, and the option of a solid-state drive (SSD) or an HDD.

On Wednesday, an Acer spokesperson told ZDNet UK that the 10-inch Aspire One "will be available with XP or Linux, and HDD or SSD", and confirmed that the Linux distribution would be Linpus. However, buyers will not have these options in the initial release of the netbook, which will launch in mid-February and cost £299 ($425).

The SSD will have a capacity of 16GB. There is, as yet, no launch date or pricing for the Linux flavor of the machine. Unlike the 8.9-inch Aspire One, the 10-inch version will not have a second SD card slot. In the earlier version, the second SD slot was there to hold a flash memory card that would be more-or-less permanently housed in the netbook to augment the 8GB or 16GB SSD. According to Acer's spokesperson, the new version lacks that second slot "due to the increase in standard storage sizes".

Credit: Acer plans Linux, SSD version of 10-inch netbook was originally published on ZDNet.co.uk.

Topics: Software, Hardware, Linux, Microsoft, Mobility, Open Source, Operating Systems, Storage, Windows

David Meyer

About David Meyer

David Meyer is a freelance technology journalist. He fell into journalism when he realised his musical career wouldn't pay the bills. David's main focus is on communications, as well as internet technologies, regulation and mobile devices.

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70 comments
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  • Yeah, yeah, yeah ... throw Linux a bone ...

    Only to advertise along side the Linux netbooks, { <a href="http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/special-offers.workflow:ShowPromo?LandingPage=/All/US/Portals/s10e" target="_blank">Fill in OEM here</a> } recommends Windows for everyday computing.<br>
    <font color=grey>"...according to Gartner. Netbooks are low-cost, low-tech mini-laptops running either free Linux operating systems or Microsoft's older Windows XP operating system. However, sales of <strong><a href="http://reddevnews.com/news/article.aspx?editorialsid=10537" target="_blank">netbooks are "cannibalizing" Microsoft's current Windows Vista operating system sales</a></strong>."</font><br>
    So what's the goal of Linux netbooks, to grind Microsoft's face in the dirt.<br>
    ^o^<br>
    <br.
    n0neXn0ne
    Reply Vote

    • Well, actually it's Linux's face that is being ground in the dirt..

      From initially being the only offering for Netbooks it's share is already going to its rightful 1% spot.

      Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha...
      transposeIT
      Reply Vote

      • linux v xp

        I was quite surprised when I used a ultra portable the other day with linux loaded it compared very favourably to a MS xp advent I am using.For the limited application of this size of portable there is little between the two oporating systems.Although its worth bearing in mind xp will not be supported soon and linux grows better by the quarter its updates are free and frequent.


        The Management consultant
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Acer plans Linux, SSD version of 10-inch netbook

    So if they changed course on their decision then that means there is a significant demand for Linux afterall. It's a matter of time now before the demand moves to other systems. ]:)
    Linux User 147560
    Reply Vote

    • No it doesn't...

      It may just mean they're also interested in incremental insignificant demand...
      Johnny Vegas
      Reply Vote

      • Right...

        so they are going to invest money into something insignificant during a major recession? LOL, you guy's kill me with your blind faith to Microsoft. ]:)
        Linux User 147560
        Reply Vote

        • I can ssy the same to you. oh blind followers of Linux...nt

          nt
          transposeIT
          Reply Vote

        • Or...

          Maybe there's no investment at all, it's free to do.
          Spiritusindomit@...
          Reply Vote

      • For some enlightenment...

        http://royal.pingdom.com/2008/08/21/linux-popularity-across-the-globe/ ]:)
        Linux User 147560
        Reply Vote

        • Pathetic...What a waste of time...nt

          nt.
          transposeIT
          Reply Vote

          • You should really

            stop being so hard on yourself. ]:)
            Linux User 147560
            Reply Vote

        • Accurate data, but useless...

          Search statistics are irrelevant, the only thin that counts in that regard is install base
          Spiritusindomit@...
          Reply Vote

      • You're so wise

        congratulations!
        InAction Man
        Reply Vote

        • Indeed he is...nt

          nt
          transposeIT
          Reply Vote

      • A bit more detail...

        http://blog.ranabahu.org/2007/09/linux-around-world.html
        Linux User 147560
        Reply Vote

        • Wow, that is all? Do you even have any idea how many PCs there are in the

          world?
          transposeIT
          Reply Vote

          • No, that is not all

            that is but the tip of the iceberg. Remember the Titanic was unsinkable... ]:)
            Linux User 147560
            Reply Vote

    • significant linux demand

      As much as I like Linux, I have to disagree... Just because they're offering
      it doesn't mean it's going to sell like hotcakes- (even though it's an
      awesome choice for people who want to save money and just get done
      what they need to get done- web surfing, etc. IMHO)

      Wal-Mart offered Linux machines once upon a time too- and last time I
      looked, I couldn't even find them on the website-

      www.dfwsupergeek.com
      unclefixer@...
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Acer plans Linux, SSD version of 10-inch netbook

    And if they do this the next headline will read "Acer
    to slash jobs, go out of business due to poor sales"
    because no one wants linux. These little netbooks are
    incapable of handling the demands and high system
    resources that is required to run linux. People will
    not want to spend hours searching for source code,
    using cryptic commands to extract it and taking wild
    guesses on how to compile it, looking for whatever
    random directory the source feels like installing to,
    setting permissions on files, then finally getting to
    run it to watch it segfault and kernel panic.

    Acer should read what the current reports are saying
    about linux on the netbook, pay special attention to
    the part where it says linux has a return rate of four
    times higher than that of Microsoft Windows XP.
    Loverock Davidson
    Reply Vote

    • Maybe if they chose BSD

      it would make everything better?
      Roger Ramjet
      Reply Vote
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