Question 1

does this laptop have a windows 7 or windows 8?

Accepted Answer

This specific laptop does not comes with any version of Microsoft Windows.  Instead, it is sold with a stripped down distribution of Linux.

This laptop is primarily being sold for Linux users who after receiving it, reload it with their own particular distribution of Linux, such as: Fedora, SuSE, CentOS, Debian or Ubuntu.  Linux is a great OS and comes with some great free software, but you may perceive that there is steep learning curve to using it.

I would suggest that if you are not interested in Linux, buy a different laptop that comes with whatever version of Windows that you may desire.

Happy computing!

Question 2

what type of linux is installed on this laptop?

Accepted Answer

I think it came with Linpus Lite, but I didn't really give the pre-installed OS a try.  I put Lubuntu 14.04 on it, and it runs pretty well.  You do have to have a work-around to get the SD card reader working.  Add the line
setpci -s 00:1c.2 0x50.B=0x41
to /etc/rc.local and /etc/apm/resume.d/21aspm (Create the file if it doesn't exist already.).

Also, in /etc/default/grub, change
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT = “quiet splash”
to
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT = “quiet splash acpi_osi=Linux acpi_backlight=vendor”
and then run sudo update-grub.  This will make the backlight brightness keys work.

Question 3

is this unit a touch screen model or only touch pad?

Thanks

Accepted Answer

This is not a touch screen model. Also, be aware that this is a Linux operating system, NOT windows! I made the mistake of buying it without realizing the operating system.

Question 4

what flavor of linux ???

Accepted Answer

It is a deliberately crippled and useless Linux install.  (They even left a .bash_history showing them deleting X!)  I believe this is to satisfy some contract with Microsoft forbidding them to sell hardware without an operating system, while also protecting them against having to offer tech support. You will have to install your own to get a working system.  I installed Mint and it works great.

Question 5

I have an older Aspire One, much like this machine, that came with Windows 7 and I replaced that with Linux. Two things don't work under Linux: the SDCard slot is not recognized at all, and the microphone in the "combo jack" only works in Windows 7 and not Linux. Do these features work on this laptop while running Linux?

Accepted Answer

The SD slot works under Ubuntu 12.04 if you do this:

In a terminal (Ctrl-Alt-T):

sudo rmmod tg3
  sudo modprobe tg3

Then insert the SD card and wait a few seconds for it to register.

I haven't tested the audio jack for microphone capability, but the built-in microphone (by the webcam) works.

Question 6

Is the color silver as shown in the photo?  (Acer's web site shows black only for this model number.)  Thanks.

Accepted Answer

The one I ordered from Newegg was black. Your mileage may vary though.

Question 7

I cannot find this answer:

Does the Headphone jack support a microphone or is there a separate jack for a mic in (or does the device only support it's built in microphone)?

Accepted Answer

I have the same question.  I have an older Aspire One that has a "combo jack" for the audio port - so you can plug in something like a cellphone headset with speaker and microphone.  This worked fine under the Windows 7 that came with it, but when I installed Linux, only the speaker works, but not the connectors for the microphone.

Question 8

Is it a touch screen ? One place says yes the other nothing about it.

Accepted Answer

No, it's not a touch screen.

Question 9

So a few reviewes mention this machine comes with a 1.5GHz CPU, not the advertized 1.1GHz spec. What is the spec of the actual CPU in the machineg you recieved?

Accepted Answer

Mine has a 1.1GHz CPU.

Question 10

Where is the Bluetooth option on the Acer Aspire?

Accepted Answer

It is enabled through software; there is no hardware switch.

Questions & Answers