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Tuesday April 7, 2009
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At a press event tonight, Acer dropped an interesting fact: they have a prototype desktop PC running the Google Android OS. This isn't the first we've heard of large-form-factor devices running Android; last week there were rumors HP was toying with Android as a laptop OS.
I personally think this is an awful idea. As our editor-in-chief Lance Ulanoff said on PCMag Radio today, Android totally lacks desktop-class productivity applications - yes, it has basic document editing options, but nothing with the power laptop and desktop owners would expect. When I floated the idea to Smart Device Central editor Jamie Lendino, he responded tartly, "haven't we already seen the HTC Advantage?" That's a reference to a failed, overpriced sort of Windows Mobile netbook that landed with a giant thud in the marketplace in 2007.
Linux definitely has a place on netbooks and desktops. But the Android variant of Linux (because that's what it is, really) isn't designed for powerful devices. Never mind that Android is hard to find on the market even in phones. Acer is a smart company with a lot of Linux experience. They're probably toying with an Android desktop to compare it to other available Linux options. I'm hoping they'll realize it just isn't a good fit.
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April 9, 2009 8:35 AM
The keyboard is where most subnotebooks get it wrong. They shrink it down too much or not enough. They make the keys a little bit smooshy, or they over compensate like the HP Mininote, creating a satisfying and solid feel that unfortunately drives the price up. The Acer though is different. The keyboard is decently sized, firm and easy to use. Our standard keyboard test involves writing articles, playing some games and writing the Jabberwocky poem over and over again – and we had absolutely no problems with any of them when it came to the Acer Aspire One.
April 19, 2009 9:34 PM
Android with Google applications (spread sheet and word processor) is not a bad thing. Lets face it when is the last time you installed Microsoft Streets?