Acer Launching AMD-based Aspire One Netbook?

By Kevin Parrish
published

Details of the Acer Aspire One 521 emerge.

Liliputing reports that Acer is gearing up to launch a new 10.1-inch Aspire One netbook that uses AMD's 1.2 GHz V105 single core processor. Part of AMD's "Nile" lineup, the CPU boasts 512 KB of L2 cache, a total power draw of 9 watts, and support for DDR3 memory. Previous Aspire One models featured the Intel Atom chip.

In addition to the AMD processor, the Acer Aspire One 521 will also use the AMD M880G chipset and integrated ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4225 graphics with 384 MB of dedicated memory. With an HDMI output jack in place, the netbook should achieve HD video playback of 720p at the very least. It's assumed that the netbook's LCD screen has a native resolution of 1366 x 768, however the display's specs were not disclosed.

Also packed into the netbook will be optional Bluetooth 3.0+HS support, UVD2 support, and a battery life of up to 7 hours. Acer is also including a new compact, light power adapter with interchangeable plugs called MiniGo.

Currently there's no word on pricing or launch date.

Kevin Parrish
24 Comments Comment from the forums
  • N.Broekhuijsen
    I do like the hardware specs but... (thumb me down for it if you wish).. it remains an acer... and I have bad experience with them... sorry, but I won't be buying this.
    Reply
  • shotgunpadre
    I could've given it a chance, but almost everyone got their netbooks. sorry but you're a little late amd. specs are great tough.
    Reply
  • igot1forya
    :) Benchmark scores please!
    Reply
  • quicksilver98
    It's about time AMD gets it's chance in the Netbook ring. I hope they give Intel a good run for their money.
    Reply
  • warmon6
    xbeaterI do like the hardware specs but... (thumb me down for it if you wish).. it remains an acer... and I have bad experience with them... sorry, but I won't be buying this.
    same. had a new laptop from them fail in just few months. other brands (Lenovo and Toshiba) have decent to very good builds that still lasting even today.
    Reply
  • qwerty45
    but can it play crysis?
    Reply
  • phate
    Ubuntu?
    Reply
  • bliq
    NegativeX"the netbook should achieve HD video playback of 720p at the very least."All the while you can get an ION Netbook that does 1080p, smoothly...PASS
    HD4200 series video from AMD is about equivalent to the 9300 used by ION. So 1080p should be fine and smooth, but they're hedging their bets. By the way, ION, in my experience isn't smooth unless you're playing BluRay. once you're doing quicktime or hd web content, forget it. you need more CPU horsepower than an atom can provide. Maybe this AMD has more raw processing power?
    Reply
  • hellwig
    NegativeX"the netbook should achieve HD video playback of 720p at the very least."All the while you can get an ION Netbook that does 1080p, smoothly...PASS
    They said at the very least. Don't blow a vein, I mean, the official specs haven't been released yet.

    I have no doubt this chipset/CPU combo will easily support 1080P (384MB dedicated memory for chrissake!). The article only says 720P because traditional 10.1" screens only support 720P. Video-output could be higher assuming they get the drivers/software setup correctly.

    Besides, most IONs are attached to an Atom, and I'm guessing this processor will be more powerful than Atom (that, or AMD really dropped the ball on this one).
    Reply
  • jimkiler
    My MSI with AMD NEO 1.6Ghz and ATI 1250 graphics can already display 720p HD video trailers in quicktime format. This should be able to do 1080p assuming the slower CPU is not an issue. MSI gives me a nice 12 inch 1366x768 screen and I love it.
    Reply