can't get past the brand name, even though I have also heard good things about acer...maybe I am just getting old.....

I was the same way, when i was younger i worked tech support for an ISP and i hated acers and their terrible hardware and integrated crap. I gave them a shot when i needed a notebook pc and it has been great for me, no problems at all.

According to wikipedia article:

Unlike other devices, the RAM socket is not accessible without disassembly. It is necessary to remove the keyboard, top cover, and motherboard to access the memory slot. 512 MB configurations have a free RAM socket which can be used to add additional 512 MB or 1 GB of RAM. The 1 GB configurations use two 512 MB modules, so both sockets are occupied.

glossy screen and bezel, overpriced.

You really want to have at least 1GB of RAM in one of these to get any sort of performance.

i want to know what's the difference between this model and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115489, which is $130 more.

both have 512 MB RAM and 8 GB SSD. newegg lists the same exact specs for both except for the display. this one just says "screen size: 8.9"", just like the other one, but the other one has more details: widescreen, WSVGA, 1024x600, LED backlight, "Acer CrystalBrite Technology" (probably means "glossy screen").

so are we to assume that this one isn't widescreen, 1024x600, LED backlit, or glossy? afaik, acer only makes them one way, so what necessitates the price disparity?

I have a 1yr old Acer Laptop. Within a month, many of the Acer-installed buttons started to fail to respond, after 3 months the power supply fan stopped working, another week later there came a loose rattling noise started inside the case all without it ever leaving my desk. Now, all cooling fans have died, I can't turn off the wifi, and can't turn ON the bluetooth. The screen is horrible (it's like it's bent or something) with terrible light bleed.

But, it was $299 after rebate with a free all-in-one scanner color printer...can't complain.

Never buying Acer again.

It is overpriced for linux.

Skip the Acer. If you want a netbook, but a Lenovo S10. You'll pay more than what's advertised in this topic, but then again, you get what you pay for.

If it had a full hard drive, I would be all over this.

price will drop again after X-mas . There are so many net book out there. Wait

Thanks for the tips - almost bought a couple for the kids, but will look for better options.

not bad for those who like it on the go...but wouldnt use it for home or business use

Acer tends to be better than Dell or HP at the same price point. If you buy cheap crap, blame your budget not who made it. You almost never get what you pay for but if you pay a lot more you will often get rid of the most severe of budgetized design mistakes.

Tough to beat Dell. I've owned several DELLs and they have all lasted at least 4 yrs.

I bet networking linux with XP or Vista would be lots of fun.

I would second the Lenovo S10, or possibly the Samsung NC10. Both look like solid machine for the netbook segment. However they do cost a bit more.

The ram makes this a retarded purchase for its purpose. Most people will probably end up loading pirated copies of XP or Vista, and both OSes run better with more than 512 MB of ram.

Just bought me an MSI Wind for $300 after MIR. Not here yet, and it expired yesterday. Similar specs of course, but 1GB RAM, 120GB HD, 10" screen, and XP. Plan to slap Linux on there and maybe buy a higher capacity battery (has a 3-cell).
This one:
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152081

Glad to see that these are coming down in price. I'm holding out until after Xmas to get mine. These are so awesome!