Acer Aspire One D250 (Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, XP Home, blue)
Manufacturer: Acer Part number: LU.S680B.066
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- For the price, it's hard to find fault with Acer's even cheaper version of the 10.1-inch Aspire One, as long as you're not expecting top-of-the-line features.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/06/2009 |
 | | In stock | as of 12/07/2009 | |
 |  | In stock | as of 12/07/2009 Refurbished |
CNET editors' review
Acer Aspire One D250 (Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, XP Home, blue) price range: $269.95 - $368.95
- Reviewed by: Scott Stein
- Edited by: Dan Ackerman
- Reviewed on: 06/18/2009
- Released on: 05/18/2009
The good: Rock-bottom price; slimmer size; improved touch pad buttons.
The bad: Weak speakers; battery life mediocre; small keyboard.
The bottom line: For the price, it's hard to find fault with Acer's even cheaper version of the 10.1-inch Aspire One, as long as you're not expecting top-of-the-line features.
As prices keep dropping in the Netbook Wars, staying competitive among a slew of me-too Atom-powered mininotebooks is a challenge. While paying $500 for a Netbook was common just a year ago, today, stripped-down yet still functional Netbooks are now pushing $300, led by Dell and its bare-bones Mini 10v. Acer's Aspire One helped define the Netbook to the masses, undercutting the competition at $350, and the latest version drops the price (while slimming down the chassis) with the $298 Aspire One AOD250.
Just a few months ago, Acer launched the first 10-inch version of the Aspire One Netbooks, the AOD150. In February it cost $350, and we called it very good, but it had its limitations: a terrible touch pad, somewhat bulky size because of a six-cell battery, and a keyboard that was positively cramped compared with the competition.
The AOD250 weighs less and is thinner than the AOD150 because it has a three-cell battery now, not a six. The specifications on processor, hard drive, and RAM are identical, but the new Aspire One's more compact design makes it feel a bit less like a budget product.
| Price as reviewed / Starting price | $298 |
| Processor | 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 |
| Memory | 1GB DDR2 RAM 533 MHz |
| Hard drive | 160GB, 5400rpm |
| Chipset | Mobile Intel 945GM Express |
| Graphics | Intel GMA 950 (integrated) |
| Operating System | Windows XP Home SP3 |
| Dimensions (WD) | 10.17 x 7.24 inches |
| Height | 1 inch |
| Screen size (diagonal) | 10.1 inches |
| System weight / Weight with AC adapter | 2.36/3 pounds |
| Category | Netbook |
Our review unite came in Ruby Red, but other colors (Diamond Black, Sapphire Blue, and Seashell White) are available. The finish has a metallic-flake look, with a glossy but not outrageously fingerprint-attracting finish. The screen hinge, where the bulk of the battery is housed, is matte black and lies relatively flush with the rest of the machine. Inside, the black keyboard is housed in red plastic with a finish that looks like brushed metal, while the glossy 10.1-inch screen is surrounded by shiny black plastic. It's not an unattractive look for a budget Netbook, but perhaps not exactly business casual.
While it's a decent-looking machine, it doesn't particularly stand out as groundbreaking in any way, unlike what Asus did with the stylish new "Seashell" Eee PC 1008HA. On the other hand, the Seashell costs $429, while the AOD250 is $130 cheaper. That's a huge difference in a low-cost product.
The keyboard feels comfortable to type on, and although it has a pair of full Shift keys (no ugly right-side compression), it's still far from full size. As a result, the typing experience is more cramped than working on an HP Mini 110 or a Samsung N120. The keyboard could have gone fully edge-to-edge, and in the future we really hope Acer makes this shift. The touch pad is definitely an improvement: while it's still tiny and inset, the bottom rocker button is much more clicky than before.
The 10.1-inch wide-screen LED-backlit LCD offers a 1,024x600-pixel native resolution, which is standard for a screen this size. Colors are sharp, and text and icons are crisp.
The stereo speakers, which are embedded somewhere within the Netbook (upon examination we still couldn't find where the sound was coming from), are weak, both in volume and sound quality. While it's not surprising for a Netbook, headphones are almost a must.
| Acer Aspire One AOD250-1116 | Average for category [Netbook] | |
| Video | VGA-out | VGA |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks | headphone/microphone jacks |
| Data | 3 USB 2.0, SD card reader | 2 USB 2.0, SD card reader |
| Expansion | None | None |
| Networking | Ethernet, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi | Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Optical drive | None | None |
If you're familiar with the AOD150, you'll know what to expect here as well. The same budget no-frills ports are available here; while three USB 2.0 jacks are generous, there's no Bluetooth. For only $30 more, the HP Mini 110, while thicker in size, includes Bluetooth as well as a fuller edge-to-edge keyboard. You'll have to look to more expensive Netbooks for features like 802.11n or ExpressCard slots.
Intel's Atom N270 processor is the same that's seen across the entire world of Netbooks, and there's nothing else under the hood that's not cookie-cutter standard now for an Atom Netbook: 160GB hard drive and 1GB of DDR2 RAM. For basic Web surfing, media viewing, and accessing office documents, it works perfectly well. Performance in our benchmark tests was similar to Atom N270 Netbooks from other manufacturers, including more-expensive models. Not surprisingly, like all Atom N270 processors, it doesn't handle full-screen or HD-streaming video well; you're better off sticking to downloaded files or in-browser Hulu and YouTube.
When it comes to Netbook batteries, the most common choice is between three and six cells; three cells are thinner but generally last 2 to 3 hours, while six cells are thicker and can last in the 5-hour range. The Acer Aspire One AOD250 ran for 1 hour and 50 minutes on our video playback battery drain test using the included three-cell battery, which is lower than average; the three-cell HP Mini 110 lasted for about 30 minutes longer. While that doesn't leave much time for mobile work without an outlet, keep in mind that our battery drain test is especially grueling, so you can expect longer life from casual Web surfing and office use.
The new Acer Aspire One models come with a standard one-year parts and labor warranty, which can be extended to three years with the Acer Advantage service (about $90 to $100 for two years' extension online). The toll-free 24-7 support number is 1-800-816-2237, and software and drivers can be found on Acer's site, with a little hunting around.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
Find out more about how we test laptops.
System configurations:
Acer Aspire One AOD250
Windows XP Home Edition SP3; 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270;
1024MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz; 224MB (Shared) Mobile Intel GMA 950; 160GB Seagate 5400rpm
Lenovo Ideapad S10 (6-cell battery)
Windows XP Home Edition SP3; 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270;
1024MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz; 64MB Mobile Intel GMA 950; 160GB Western Digital 5400rpm
Acer Aspire One AOD150
Windows XP Home SP2; 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270;
1024MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz; 224MB Mobile Intel GMA 950; 160GB Hitachi 5400rpm
Samsung N120
Windows XP Home Edition SP3; 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270;
1024MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz; 128MB Mobile Intel GMA 950; 160GB Samsung 5400rpm
HP Mini 110
Windows XP Home Edition SP3; 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270;
1024MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz; 128MB Mobile Intel GMA 950; 160GB Seagate 5400rpm
Asus Eee PC 1008HA
Windows XP Home Edition SP3; 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280;
1024MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz; 128MB Mobile Intel GMA 950; 160GB Seagate 5400rpm
User reviews
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Very decent netbook. I'd most definitely recommend it.
by SLeePYG72786 on November 25, 2009
Pros: The touchpad is easy to use; has several gestures you can use (zoom, rotate, scroll), and very adequately sensitive to touch. Display is very clear with good color clarity and sharpness. Built-in webcam and microphone.
Cons: Keyboard is a little cramped; not for typing for more than ten minutes at a time or so. The display is quite glossy, which is a downfall, especially in brightly lit areas. No 802.11n or Bluetooth. Processor is quite slow as well. Could use 2GB RAM.
Summary: My particular model has Windows 7 Starter, and I wish that it had XP Home SP3 or Vista Home Premium SP 2. 7 Starter is too limited in functionality and ...
Summary: My particular model has Windows 7 Starter, and I wish that it had XP Home SP3 or Vista Home Premium SP 2. 7 Starter is too limited in functionality and features. AND there's no disc drive to change it (well, it IS a netbook. :-/ ). Comes with pre-installed crap from Acer, which can be easily removed, though. Personally, I don't enjoy using the touchpad, so I plug in a portable USB notebook mouse/receiver; unless of course I don't have a table to sit at. Speakers are located under the unit, in the front (facing you), but even with the volume maxed out, it's still a bit hard to hear clearly. Don't expect to get decent sound quality, either. It's decent for listening to downloaded music if you have headphones, though, which is what I'd recommend using.
I've listed a lot of cons about this netbook here, but overall, it has a very good price/performance/value ratio.
If you just want a small, lightweight, ULTRA-PORTABLE, very functional netbook, THIS IS THE ONE. But if you're very impatient with boot-up/shutdown speeds, application load times, etc., then I'd recommend going with a regular laptop. Especially if you want to be able to install programs from your CD's/DVD's/even floppy's. Of course, you cann always purchase a decent external USB CD/DVD drive for around ~$45. -
Great computer for a low price
by dltillman on September 18, 2009
Pros: It can be upgraded, Hard Drive, Memory, USB external drives.
Cons: Small keyboard and touchpad, glossy case, fingerprints a many.
You might have to start wearing your reading glasses.Summary: As a computer it is very compact, low cost, very protable. I had the original 8gb ss drive version that went to the kids after I found this one at ...
Summary: As a computer it is very compact, low cost, very protable. I had the original 8gb ss drive version that went to the kids after I found this one at the local WalMart @ $298. After working with it several weeks I decided to do a little upgrade work. I installed 2gb memory, and replaced the SATA hard drive with a 320 gb Westeren Digital. Using a goasting program to move all of my programs and files, I also upgraded to Windows Vista Home Basic, which I had purchased for my old machine but never installed it. The installs went without a problem, Vista runs very well, quick responce and no hangup as of this writing. Installs of other programs were a little more difficult due to the screen resolution. I was able to install my Microsoft Office suite, AutoCad LT, Corel Draw, and Adobe Illustrator, by using a standard outboard monitor to get by the install system requirements. After they were installed I have not had a problem using them. In addition I have install several audio editing and recording programs that seem to run very well. With about 180gb of free space for files.
Although the sound from the internal speakers is week, the installed sound card can push a good pair of headphones, and when attached to my Bose Monitor's is a very good entertainment center on my desktop. By using a USB Dvd, Lightscribe drive I can produce CD and Dvd disc as needed, in addition to being able to watch a favorite movie when wanted.
My inconvience with the keyboard is minimal, unless I have to type a large report, which can be eliminated with a USB keyboard if needed. The same for the touchpad, with a small footprint external mouse.
Either out of the box, or a major overhaul, I cannot see going back to the desktop machines that I have used up until now. This machine as it was, was great. Get creative and it is better. For students it should fill their every need with little extra additions. It comes with the Xp home, and MS Works, with the Office suite trial installed if you want a more powerful word processor or spreadsheet.
It will run Windows Vista Home, and I do not see a reason that you cannot upgrade to the new Windows 7, when it arrives. In all possible cases, it may be the only computer you may need. After you get used to the size, and if you are not heavy into games on the net, you will want it with you when your home or on the road. -
A lot of bang for the buck
by stowaway7 on June 27, 2009
Pros: Bright screen, connection to internet is a breeze, hard drive space, construction
Cons: Touchpad, shiny case is a fingerprint magnet
Summary: I have the "250" Version of this Aspire to supplement my desktop unit. A photogrpher by trade, I )like to use the bright screen as a portable photo album (which ...
Summary: I have the "250" Version of this Aspire to supplement my desktop unit. A photogrpher by trade, I )like to use the bright screen as a portable photo album (which the 160 GB hard drive supports well, although only 142 GB is usable). I figured it was too slow to run any photo editing software, but just downloaded a trial version of Paintshop Pro and it runs well (as well as a screen of 10.1" can edit photos). For me, it's a tool to surf the web, do some online banking and bill paying, track investments and read the news. Connecting to my home WiFi was almost too easy. I activated the connection switch on the front and the unit instantly found my network. One click and I was on-line. The unit feels solid and sturdy. I had narrowed my choices to this and the Dell Mini 10. The tiebreakers were 1) the Acer has expandable internal memory and 2) while both units had a $298.00 (US) price point at the retailer, only the Acer was in stock. XP and Microsoft Works are familiar and run well. There is a 60-day trial of Office as well as McAfee anti-virus. I may look at one of the many free AV offerings when the McAfee expires. Processing speed is adequate for a 1.6 ghz chip. The keyboard is, well, a netbook. There's a learning curve (this review is typed on the Aspire so excuse any "fat finger" errors). My only real gripe is the touchpad, which is less than half the size of a business card (not a deal-breaker, though). I highly recommend a USB mouse; it makes using the Aspire much more enjoyable. I have read other reviewers complain that the Aspire generates excessive heat...to date I would say it's average (and acceptable) for a portable unit. Also, I have the 3-cell battery version; a mortal faux pas on every review I've read. To be honest, the meter indicates I have @ 3 hours on a full charge and I've yet to spend that long on the unit away from an AC source...it's more than adequate for me. Perhaps if i travelled more I would upgrade the battery. As far as an optical drive I've found external USB powered units on ebay; CD-ROM for around $20 and CD/DVD-RW for @ $55. This will be my next purchase. One more point, keep a lens cleaning cloth handy. The smooth, shiny loves fingerprints. In summery, I find the Acer Aspier 10.1" to be a journyman netbook which performs well. As long as users realize the limitations of this type of unit vs. a full-size laptop I think they'll be pleased.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Acer
- Part number: LU.S680B.066
- Description: The Aspire ONE D250 is the ultimate take-me-with-you device! The LED-backlit display presents you with bright, clear imagery for a very enjoyable viewing experience, while a small-yet-powerful processor and large hard disk drive deliver the pleasure of full-size-notebook performance - without the bulk and weight. While you're out and about, this netbook makes it a breeze to stay in touch with your friends. What's more, long battery life gives you plenty of juice for extended fun wherever you go.
General
- Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, Wireless LAN antenna
- Width 10.2 in
- Depth 7.2 in
- Height 1 in
- Weight 2.4 lbs
- Color Sapphire blue
- Localization United States
- Notebook type Netbook, Budget
- Screen type Widescreen
- Wireless capabilities IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Processor
- Processor Intel Atom N270 / 1.6 GHz
- Data bus speed 533 MHz
- Chipset type Mobile Intel 945GSE Express
Cache Memory
- Type L2 cache
- Cache size 512 KB
RAM
- Installed Size 1 GB / 2 GB (max)
- Technology DDR2 SDRAM - 533 MHz
- RAM form factor SO DIMM 200-pin
- RAM configuration features 1 x 1 GB
Storage
- Floppy Drive None
- Hard Drive 160 GB - 5400 rpm
- Storage Removable None
- Hard drive type Portable
Optical Storage
- Type None
Optical Storage (2nd)
- 2nd optical storage type None
Card Reader
- Card reader type Card reader
- Supported flash memory cards RS-MMC, Memory Stick, MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick Pro
Display
- Display Type 10.1 in TFT active matrix
- Max Resolution 1024 x 600 ( WSVGA )
- Widescreen Display Yes
- Features LED-backlit, CrystalBrite
Video
- Graphics Processor / Vendor Intel GMA 950 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0
Audio
- Audio output type Sound card
- Audio output compliant standards DirectSound, Dolby Headphone
Notebook Camera
- Camera Type Integrated
Input Device(s)
- Input device type Keyboard, Touchpad
Telecom
- Modem None
Networking
- Networking Network adapter
- Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
- Data link protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet
- Networking features Acer SignalUp
- Networking standards IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Bays None
- Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1 ( 0 ) x Memory - SO DIMM 200-pin
- Interfaces 3 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Audio - Line-out/headphones - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45
Power
- Power device form factor External
Battery
- Technology 3-cell Lithium ion
- Installed Qty 1
- Mfr estimated battery life 3 hour(s)
Operating System / Software
- OS Provided Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
- Software eSobi, Google Setup, Acer GameZone, Google Desktop, Google Toolbar, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Carbonite Online Backup, Windows Live Essentials, Acer Recovery Management, Acer Video Conference Manager, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0, McAfee Internet Security Suite (Trial)
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year, Traveler warranty - 1 year
Sustainability
- Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 4.7
Product series
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Acer Aspire One D250 (Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, XP Home, black)
Manufacturer: Acer
Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, 2.8 lbs, 10.1 in TFT active matrix
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Acer Aspire One D250 (Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, XP Home, blue)
Manufacturer: Acer
Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, 2.8 lbs, 10.1 in TFT active matrix
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Acer Aspire One D250 (Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, XP Home, white)
Manufacturer: Acer
Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, 2.8 lbs, 10.1 in TFT active matrix
-
Acer Aspire One D250 (Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, XP Home, white)
Manufacturer: Acer
Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, 2.4 lbs, 10.1 in TFT active matrix
-
Acer Aspire One D250 (Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, XP Home, black)
Manufacturer: Acer
Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, 2.4 lbs, 10.1 in TFT active matrix
-
Acer Aspire One D250 (Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, XP Home, blue)
Manufacturer: Acer
Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, 2.4 lbs, 10.1 in TFT active matrix
-
Acer Aspire One D250 (Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, XP Home, red)
Manufacturer: Acer
Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, 2.8 lbs, 10.1 in TFT active matrix
-
Acer Aspire One D250 (Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, XP Home, red)
Manufacturer: Acer
Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, 2.4 lbs, 10.1 in TFT active matrix
Accessories
- Acer Accessory Kit - notebook accessories bundle (33707293)85.43 - 89.95
- Acer notebook battery - Li-Ion - 5200 mAh (33271078)37.57 - 120.71
- Case Logic 13.3" Laptop Sleeve - notebook carrying case (33234176)15.06 - 23.99
- Acer Floppy disk drive - USB (21038330)29.95
- Case Logic 16" Laptop Sleeve - notebook sleeve (33318997)15.94 - 20.99
- Toshiba Dual Function Hardshell Case - notebook carrying case (33749584)19.51 - 24.99
- HP Professional Series 10.1 Notebook Sleeve - notebook sleeve (33783095)16.66 - 36.66
- Toshiba Neoprene Sleeve notebook sleeve (33782731)21.08
- SanDisk Cruzer USB flash drive - 32 GB (33544914)62.00 - 139.99
- SanDisk Cruzer Micro - USB flash drive - 8 GB (32631690)12.78 - 44.99
- SanDisk Cruzer Micro - USB flash drive - 16 GB (33032681)27.04 - 79.99
- Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks (32481206)22.95 - 29.99
- Logitech Performance Mouse MX (33769469)79.95 - 99.99
- Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse (32554802)39.99 - 73.99
- Logitech Wireless Desktop MK300 - keyboard , mouse (33687687)32.88 - 43.65
Manufacturer info
- Acer
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Acer products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.acer.com/
- Address:
2641 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134 - Phone: 408.432.6200
- Email: webmaster@acer.com
- Fax: 408.922.2933
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