For the last couple of days, I was in California on business and needed a convenient way to keep tabs on The Kneeslider while I was traveling. I came across the Acer Aspire One 8.9 inch netbook computer, perfect for working in your hotel room, airports and anywhere in between and after using it for a few days, I can see this as the perfect computer for your tankbag. Yep, it's that small. Like many of you, I have to get online often, no matter where I am and now you can pack a computer when you ride. I know, you ride to get away and all of that, but for those of us that need to stay connected with something more than a phone, this works.
The computer comes with a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 160GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM, Windows XP Home and lots of preloaded software, some you can ditch and use better alternatives or you can keep it as is and get a super easy netbook for Internet connectivity anywhere. There's no CD or DVD drive, (where would it fit?) but you have 3 USB ports to plug in external drives if you want one, plus a memory card slot. It comes with a mini mouse which I found perfectly usable but I missed my normal mouse, but of course, we're talking about extreme portability here.
It comes with wireless connectivity, naturally, but I used a Verizon USB broadband modem which did the job, not as fast as a regular connection, but definitely serves the purpose when traveling and no WiFi hotspots necessary. Internet everywhere, pretty cool.
I also bought the Mobile Edge MESSU1-8.9 Ultraportable Neoprene SlipSuit to protect it while not in use. It's made out of the same material used in a wetsuit, it fits the netbook like a glove and you then just pack your computer away. There's no room for the charger or mouse, it's really a snug fit but the USB modem slides into the pocket just fine.
There are both 6 cell and 3 cell battery versions, I have the 6 cell which, depending on what you're doing, yields 5 or 6 hours, maybe more, though your mileage may vary. Most of the 6 cells are out of stock, but the 3 cell version still gives your 2.5 hours and for most of you, that will work great.
If you check on Amazon, where I bought mine, the reviews are all very positive and some say it's great for students and even anyone wanting a small form factor, personally, I wouldn't want to use it all the time, the keyboard is smaller than normal but, again, very usable. I'm one of those guys with thumbs way too big for those tiny phone or Blackberry keypads, try entering text 3 letters at a time, you'll see what I mean, but this worked great.
I've tried taking a full size notebook in a saddlebag or tailbag and you can do it but big notebooks don't travel on motorcycles all that well, they consume precious space, battery life is short and you can't lug it around everywhere when you're at a race or other event, ... well, you can, but it's not fun. The Acer would slip into a backpack and it's light, under 3 pounds, so carrying it doesn't add to your load.
Colors, prices and availability seem to change almost daily, there's probably another version coming, there's always another version coming, I can't keep up and unless you're a real gadget geek it doesn't matter, this one works great.
If you don't need to keep connected when you're riding, no problem, just move along, there's nothing to see here. But if you're like me and need the Internet for business, this is definitely worth a look. This could also allow you to take that ride when business might otherwise prevent you from heading out, not a bad thing. For a really compact traveling computer, I like it, I recommend it.
Link: Acer Aspire One 8.9 inch netbook computer
Link: Mobile Edge MESSU1-8.9 Ultraportable Neoprene SlipSuit
Kickboxer Subaru WRX Powered Motorcycle Concept
{ 20 comments… add yours below ... }
Nice! …but NO TEXTING WHILE RIDING!
I find the 8.9 ” for factor a bit too small for touch typing. I prefer the full sized keyboards on the 10-12 inch. MSI Wind, anyone?
Tinker, I agree, it’s not an everyday typing experience but when every inch counts, like in a tankbag, this is ideal. It’s more of a special purpose machine. If you don’t need the small size, you don’t need this computer, if you do, then it’s very sweet.
One thing I should add, the touchpad buttons are on either side of the pad instead of below it, it’s a bit awkward and if I would change one thing, that would be it. They work and you can get used to anything and there’s really not enough space below the pad, but, even with all of that, they’re still a bit strange to use.
I wonder if you can use the “virtual keyboard” I recently saw on “Pimp Your Ride”. It projects the keys onto a flat surface, really cool idea. Here’s a link showing what it is:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/keyboards-mice/8193/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/virtual_keyboard.jpg
I’m planning on getting a netbook in the next year so I’ve been looking at reviews and the Samsung NC10 and N110 look really nice.
QrazyQat, there’s probably quite a few that work well, I finally decided to get one since I had a specific need and this is the one I chose, there was a special on this particular model, too, which helped my decision. I never thought much of these until I finally broke down and got one and I was impressed. They’re so inexpensive now, if you need one, it’s a no brainer.
i keep dreaming on mounting one on a gas tank so that i can check the weather or use it as a gps
I am just too nerdy, I carry my 17″ desktop replacement laptop in a backpack with me when I ride. It’s huge and heavy, but I can play any game anywhere and use photoshop anywhere I want to also.
A much simpler, more versatile answer to the “tank bag” space issue: the iPod Touch.
The G1 or Google phone is ideal also. A thumb keyboard makes it way easier and faster than the culTphone. Not to mention, you also have the cellphone itself.
Mongo and Highspeedhamish,
My thumbs, as noted in the post, don’t do phone keyboards, I hit 3 keys with any one stab, not very functional. Also, trying to work on a website with any of the phone options doesn’t make it. If I pack a netbook in my tankbag, I can blog from anywhere, work on the site if it needs it, edit photos, all of the usual work done on my main laptop. Not as good as with my primary machine but it can be done at any remote site where the modem connects and it’s way beyond what I would attempt with a phone.
Since this unit is a lot smaller and, therefore, more energy efficient than the 10 year old laptop I still have, then I demand that the Federal Government do something about the horrible “clunker computer” problem. It would reduce CO2, lower the demand for foreign oil, and provide jobs. Why you would have to be some sort of racist to even say something opposing this program! Everyone in my eCommune for Hope & Change is blogging about it right now!!!
[/sarcasm]
The guys over on ADVrider.com love these things. There’s no doubt they’re excellent for long-distance touring. I’d like to pick one up myself for downloading photos off my camera and keeping a running ride report — it would save me spending a half day or more when I get home doing all that stuff.
I have an HP Mini with a ten inch screen. It has an SSD instead of a hard drive– which should be better for dealing with vibration. It is very compact– but still has a keyboard designed for adult hands.
My folks got one of these before they started their cross country motorcycle trip. With wi-fi in most places, they have been updating us with emails and pictures every few days. (Blogging is a little beyond them yet…. ). Anyway, It is their #2 best thing they brought on the trip behind the Zumo. They have been on the road for a month and on their second oil change. I can’t wait to get the next update from them.
- Marc
My thumbs, as noted in the post, don’t do phone keyboards,
We were at a small hotel in Thailand during a trip up to the border for a visa run and met a guy who bicycles around the Golden Triangle a lot — not a young guy either, in his early 60s — he used a PDA and a rollup keyboard. The rollups keyboards do tend to need a bit of pounding force on the keys I hear, but that is a compact and very light combo. For a motorcycle, though, one of the netbooks is probably a better bet for most. For others though, the iTouch/iPhone/ or Nokia touchscreeen thingie of the same size would probably be nice. Met a guy there who uses one of those when he’s out and about at coffee shops, and the screens are pretty good for a little device.
I have one as well, it’s pretty good as long as you don’t expect from it something it was not made to do.
I got the Samsung NC10 shortly after it came out. Basically the same as the Acer with a 10.2″ screen. I prefer the larger screen, slightly bigger keyboard and mouse buttons under the touchpad. Whichever one you get, go for the 6 cell battery as they can then last 4-6 hours on a full charge. Really makes them great for portability.
I have had bad experiences with Acers… that is why I prefer the ASUS EEE PC.
Runs on Linux and if you really need to you can go XP.
I have the 10.1″ Acer Aspire One and I can tell you it is nothing short of amazing. This isn’t the Acer of years ago (which were crap), but a very high quality product that should be respected. The smaller screen one and the bigger one are the same size, except for a higher capacity battery on the larger model (7 hours or so, in my experience) and the obviously larger screen, as well as some minor cosmetic differences.
For $300, give or take, they can’t be beat.
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