Using a $260 netbook as a desktop replacement

One of my favorite websites, techbargains.com, lists a number netbooks on sale today for less than $300.

There's a Lenovo IdeaPad S10e running Windows XP selling for $299, but it only  comes with 512 megabytes of ram and an 80 gigabyte hard drive. If you don't mind running Linux, a Dell Mini 9 can be had for $234 with Ubuntu, but it has only 512 megabytes of ram and only 4 gigabytes of SSD space. There's an HP Mini Mi for $280 that runs an HP customized version of Linux, but it too includes only 512 megabytes of ram and only 8 gigabytes of SSD space.

The best bargain for cheapskates, however, was advertised today in the New York Times by J&R which is offering an Acer Aspire One for $260.

Unlike the previously cited netbooks, the Windows XP based Aspire One includes a full gigabyte of ram and a 160 gigabyte hard drive. I own an Aspire One and can attest that the performance is fine.

That said, I can't recommend the Aspire One as a netbook, but as a replacement for a desktop computer it makes a lot of sense.  Bear with me.

As a netbook, the Aspire One has a number of drawbacks. For one, the 9 inch screen is too small (admittedly a matter of opinion). The screen is also glossy and I prefer a matte finish. The battery is 3 cells and underpowered. The mouse buttons lie on the sides of the trackpad rather than underneath it. And the keyboard, at least for an adult, is small.

But viewed as a desktop replacement, everything changes.

The keyboard doesn't matter, as you'll hook it up to a normal full-sized keyboard. The mouse buttons and the trackpad are also irrelevant as is the poor battery life.

Like many netbooks the Aspire One includes a standard VGA port for making an analog connection to an external monitor. When connected to an external monitor, you're no longer limited to the puny 1024x600 screen resolution on most netbooks.

Windows XP lets you configure a laptop to continue running when the lid is closed (Control Panel -> Power Options -> Advanced tab). Open the lid to power on the Aspire One, then close it and leave it closed.
 
The Acer Aspire One is not nearly as powerful as a new full sized machine. But it's cheap and for many, powerful enough. And, for someone hesitant to buy a computer with Vista, it's a new machine running the familiar Windows XP.

Besides, it can do double duty as a netbook computer. 

The biggest downside is probably the lack of an optical drive. I hardly ever need one, but when you need it you need it. On a network a single optical drive can be shared by all, but without a network, an external USB-based optical drive negates much of the cost savings. 

One warning. Like every netbook I've seen, the Aspire One omits the two screws on each side of the VGA port, so you'll have to place the computer and monitor carefully.