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The guys at Terracode were unpleased with the lack of netbook devices that can actually play 1080P videos without stuttering. That is probably why they’ve bravely decided to take their 8.9-inch Acer Aspire One machine and sacrifice it to the modding gods. The Acer netbook, which comes with the usual 1GB of RAM, paired with a 1024 x 600 screen display and an ordinary Intel GMA 950 graphics chipset, could barely play 720p videos, not to mention the 1080p ones, but with Teracode hack, things looked a bit different. Starting with the major things, a Broadcom’s BCM70012 video accelerator was plugged into the box, while an extra 1GB of RAM added as well, together with a speedy 64GB SSD, instead of the old sluggish hard drive, that came out of the box. The results, apparently, speak for themselves, as the new revamped netbook (that costs around $442) was able to play high-def video files without any problem. True, 1080p videos are just a waste on 1024X600 resolution that most netbooks have, but hey, you can always plug them into your big flat 1920X1080 LCD screen. Check out the project’s videos, featuring “Before” and “After” demonstrations, after the break.

[via Slashgear]

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From one Zen to another, Japanese top artist UFO-Hayashi has taken the netbook decoration assignment few steps forward by adding Kyo-Yu-ZEN pattern, which is one of the most traditional painting method in Kyoto, on top of Acer’s Aspire One unit, turning it into a lavish piece of cristal art that easily can be yours in case your pockets are loaded with $3000 of cash. If not, just hit the break and watch the presentation video, or jump straight to the eBay selling page to follow the auction.

[eBay via engadget]

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Word in the street says that Acer is about to launch a slim version of the popular Aspire One netbook. According to netbooknews.de the next model will apparently feature a chassis, sized at 0.95 inches thick, 10 inches wide, and 7.28 inches deep, while other specs will remain the same, with 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB RAM, 3-cell battery, and 10.2-inch 1024 x 600 screen resolution. Other than that, we hear speculations that you might also get an integrated UMTS along with SSD drives inside, but we have no clear evidence to verify this information at this point. Stay tuned for more to come. There’s another picture after the break.

[via netbooknews.de]

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Aspire One is one of the top selling netbooks around the globe, thanks to the nice minuscule design and the impressive 8.9-inch display, coming with a reasonable keyboard, a fair 120/160GB hard drive and some other alluring specs which make it so likable. Having said that, it seems Acer won’t settle down until a 10-inch version will be released, and while speaking, the guys at jkkmobile have managed to put their hands on Acer’s next generation netbook, carrying the name 103 and packing a 10.1-inch display, Intel Atom 1.6 Ghz N280/N270 CPU, 1GB of Ram, 160 Gb HDD, Multitouch trackpad, Bluetooth/Wifi connectivity, SDHC card reader, 1.3MP webcam, Windows XP OS, and built-in 3G capabilities (Optional). Naturally, there’s no word on price or availability, but I guess everyone expects this version to go out in the following months, so stay tuned for further developments.

Update1: Acer has confirmed the new 10-inch version. 3 models are expected to be released within Acer’s Aspire One D150 series – The first, which suppose to hit Europe on February, is the D150-0B that includes a 10.1-inch 1024 x 600 display, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB memory, 160GB hard drive, and a 3-cell battery, all for about €329 ($425). The second, which suppose to hit Europe on March, is the D150-1B, boasting  the same specs as the previous model, only with a 6 cell battery inside, will set you back for €349 ($450). The third, which will be scheduled for March as well, is the D150-2BG, coming with an Intel Atom 1.66GHz N280 processor, a built-in 3G quadband HSDPA/UMTS broadband and a 6-cell battery, all priced at €449 ($575).

Update2: It is now available in Amazon and J&R for pre-order with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU and a 6-cell battery, but no word on N280 processor at all. Meanwhile, you can check the video preview from Netbooknews.de after the break.

[Via jkkmobile]

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Those of you, who haven’t got a trendy netbook on their laps yet, this is your moment, as AT&T has announced an attractive 3G package that includes an Acer Aspire One, equipped with an integrated 3G modem, for just $99.99, subjunctive to a two-years broadband contract from AT&T. Mind you, the minimum fee for this kind of package starts at $60 per month, which means additional $1,440 in two years. Therefor, comparing to the $390 Aspire One netbook price, it might sound like a very expensive deal, but for those who use 3G connection on a daily basis, it might be an attractive offer. Checkout the full PR announcement after the break.

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They say, if you don’t have your own netbook brand you don’t exist, and for some reason I tend to believe this allegation, otherwise, how can you explain the joining of Packard Bell to the overcrowded market, with their latest “dot” netbook, which unsuprisingly looks similar to the other gang fellows (particularly the Acer Aspire One), packing an 8.9-inch 1024 x 600 display and the usual Intel Atom N270 processor. Well, don’t think too hard, you’ve guessed it right, it comes with 1GB of RAM, a 6-cell battery, 5-in-1 card reader, a built-in webcam and Windows XP on board. But wait, there’s something exceptional, the new “dot” has a 160GB hard-drive capacity, which is bigger than the average size. Anyway, if this is the lappy that makes it for you, it should be Available in Europe around November, priced at €399 ($580).

[via Eeepc.net]

Originally written on June 5th:

After Asus, MSI, HP and Dell, there’s another player who wants to take part in the mini-laptop party, as Acer has introduced its new Aspire One notebook at Computex in Taipei. Nothing much to say, but we do know it will be equipped with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 8.9-inch LED-backlit display (1024 x 600), a built-in 1.3 MP camera, three USB 2.0, card reader slot, 802.11b/g and Ethernet connectivity. You will be able to choose between a Linux model with 8GB SSD storage capacity or a Windows XP model with 80GB hard drive. The Acer Aspire One will be available this month in white or blue flavors, for prices ranged from $400 (Linux version) up to $600 (XP version).

Update1: checkout the video (by Tech Digest) after the break.

Update2: Turns out there is a problem, once playing music at maximum level through the speakers. According to several reports, a guy who played U2′s “Hold Me, Thrill Me…” at full sound, caused a vibration of the speakers which completely trashed the hard drive. The problems occurs only in hard drive devices but skips out in case you have SSD drives.

[[via Acer]

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