Staples Netbook- $299 - Good deal?

[sahilz]

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=774700&CatIds=&AffixedCode=WW&=&=

Acer Netbook is going to be on sale for $299 on boxing day. I am hoping it shows up online as well.

Anyway, is that a good deal or no for a netbook? The only requirement I had was a Windows environment.

[dlander]

It's a 3 cell battery
No bluetooth
Not "N" wireless
HD is only 8 GB.
Link you give is for French version.

But for $300 it is decent.

[brule]

I hear the SSD runs xp like ass. So this deal isn't that great.. I am looking for one myself, and would hold off.

[brule]

Stolen from NCIX forums..

There seems to be a serious performance issue with Windows XP and the 8GB SSD drive. I know Windows XP is not offered with with the 8GB SSD but many folks are installing XP on it since Acer provided the drivers on their website.

According to http://www.aspireoneuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=39&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=10, Acer's Sweden response was:

"The slow speed, when using XP, is due to incompatible drivers, thats why we only sell Acer One and XP with a mechanical HDD. SDD and Linux works just great."

[Defunct]

The 8GB machine from Staples comes with XP. It's optimized to have far fewer writes to the disk though, which is the cause of most of the performance issues. Even if you buy it with XP, you can always install Linix or even something like TinyXP.

[Triad]

I think I will pass for next year. For what it is worth, I don't think it is worth $299.99 + tax = $336. I am really having second thoughts here...

The 8GB machine from Staples comes with XP. It's optimized to have far fewer writes to the disk though, which is the cause of most of the performance issues. Even if you buy it with XP, you can always install Linix or even something like TinyXP.

[Matrixvibe]

if it was the one with the 160gb hdd, it would be a good deal

[Viz79]

if it was the one with the 160gb hdd, it would be a good deal

It's a 3 cell battery
No bluetooth
Not "N" wireless
HD is only 8 GB.
Link you give is for French version.

But for $300 it is decent.

This is a Netbook that Staples is selling for $300. Do any of the other Netbooks come with 160GB HDD, wireless-N, and/or Bluetooth?

~V79~

[MikeMurphy]

Easy fix.

Reformat with FAT32 instead of NTFS. Do a 5 minute search and you'll find some small tweaks which help too.

Its the NTFS journaling writes that cause the terrible slowdown.

[Defunct]

Also, a word of warning, make sure you're getting the ENGLISH keyboard and not the bilingual one (assuming you want the English one, which you do if that's the type of keyboard you normally use). People have had a lot of trouble in the past getting the right keyboard config from Staples.

[J-Wo]

Also, a word of warning, make sure you're getting the ENGLISH keyboard and not the bilingual one (assuming you want the English one, which you do if that's the type of keyboard you normally use). People have had a lot of trouble in the past getting the right keyboard config from Staples.

Deal is probably expired but just thought I should chime in that all Acer notebooks, including the Aspire One netbook, come with a bilingual keyboard in Canada. There is no English-only keyboard for us Canucks. You have to order the American one from some US-based online retailers, cost is $50 + s/h + duty. Just be forewarned...

[raspeed]

I bought one and in fact I'm using it right now.

I got it at a Staples in BC.

It is the normal keyboard, it is not bilingual. Everything booted up and the initial XP config was all english. You do not have to order from the States.

It is the SSD version, running XP ...Acer installs it using FAT32.

I might change to Linpus for the heck of it, it's as quick as I'd expect it to be even with all the preloaded crap on it.. it actually boots faster and works quicker than our 1-year old Dell laptops at work.

It is not meant for WoW players.... I like mine so far.

[Defunct]

Deal is probably expired but just thought I should chime in that all Acer notebooks, including the Aspire One netbook, come with a bilingual keyboard in Canada. There is no English-only keyboard for us Canucks. You have to order the American one from some US-based online retailers, cost is $50 + s/h + duty. Just be forewarned...

An amusing comment, considering I too am now typing on my new English-only Aspire One from Staples. It sure seems like it exists, but heck, you're the expert. :)

[J-Wo]

Well then I stand corrected! I'm definitely not an expert, but I bought mine from ncix.com. They sell the same model #s as BB and FS, and I was basing my statements off other users reports from the www.aspireoneuser.com forums. Is yours from staples with the english only keyboard also the SSD model, or is it the 160GB HD model? If you could provide some model #s I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

[raspeed]

You should just go in to the store instead of mailorder if you are concerned

They weren't exactly flying off the shelves here. :)

The nerds don't like these SSD versions. Apparently they expect better performance from something that doesn't cost much more than an iPod.

[silvery]

I just called staples to return a laptop i purchased, and they said all laptop returns must be done IN STORE?? Even though i have a express return form that says to call and obtain an RMA number?? And last time i went to the store to refund a laptop they said i had to do it through the phone, and they DID send someone to pick it up?? Are they just screwing with me or what?? Looks like they dont want to take any merchandise back at all!! Freakin Stooples!!!

*edit* they also said the reason why it needs to be done instore is because they format the hard drive in front of you before taking it back to "protect your personal information" even though i said the laptop was new and unused?? wtf??

[twotterdhc6]

What's wrong with returning in store? They take a quick look at your laptop, then you get your money back on the spot. (I just returned my online MSI Wind order yesterday in store)

I'd rather not wait for someone to pick up, then hoping someone will credit me back some time before I die...

[silvery]

What's wrong with returning in store? They take a quick look at your laptop, then you get your money back on the spot. (I just returned my online MSI Wind order yesterday in store)

I'd rather not wait for someone to pick up, then hoping someone will credit me back some time before I die...

Nothing but last time i tried to return in store they wouldnt take it back (Sheppard/Yonge location).... they said manager's policy not to take laptop returns???

[raspeed]

go elsewhere?
sales drone told me I had 14 days, opened or not
website specifically states "laptops" so print it out if you have to