Acer Netbook OS Question

thunderclap · Jan 28, 2009, 07:47 PM

I just purchased a netbook for my wife to get her updated from her ThinkPad Pentium 2 Windows 2000 system. The thing is slower than slug.

Anyway, I purchased an Acer Aspire One AOA150-1905 with an Intel Atom 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM and 160GB HDD. For her this is more than enough power.

My question is should I install XP or Vista Home Basic/Premium on it? I'd prefer to get Vista Basic but if it will slow the system down to a crawl I'll go with XP.

Thanks for your advice!

Judas · Jan 28, 2009, 10:07 PM

vista basic SP1 will work VERY well on that system..... it should outperform xp pro sp3 in a number of tasks and general use

BlueMak · Jan 28, 2009, 10:13 PM

I am not so sure about Vista. I have XP on a netbook with similar configuration and while it runs ok for simple tasks, it's not the best system for anything more...Vista on top of that might not be a great idea. Does it come with Vista or XP?

If you decide to go for Vista, at least install 2GB of RAM on it.

thunderclap · Jan 28, 2009, 10:48 PM

It comes installed with XP. It's my understanding (and I could be wrong) is that Aero is what makes Vista such a resource hog and Home Basic is a bit peppier. She will basically be using Firefox and OpenOffice and that's about it.

Judas · Jan 28, 2009, 11:05 PM

aero isn't what makes it such a resource hog...... not necessarily... if the machine was never designed for aero... then yes.... but then again you can choose..

reason vista basic was my suggestion

BlueMak · Jan 29, 2009, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderclap

It comes installed with XP. It's my understanding (and I could be wrong) is that Aero is what makes Vista such a resource hog and Home Basic is a bit peppier. She will basically be using Firefox and OpenOffice and that's about it.

I guess you can use XP and see how it feels to you then decide if you want to try Vista. As I said before, if you do decide to install Vista, you would be better off with 2GB of RAM.

thunderclap · Jan 29, 2009, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

I guess you can use XP and see how it feels to you then decide if you want to try Vista. As I said before, if you do decide to install Vista, you would be better off with 2GB of RAM.

I'll try both and see how I like the responsiveness. No matter what it will be a far superior experience than the current PII 400MHz (256MB RAM) with Windows 2000. That thing is HORRIBLY slow... I don't know how my wife has put up with it.

IF I decide to go the Windows Vista route, I have an unused Windows Vista Home Premium DVD. Will I be able to install Home Basic instead?

CJLMTLCA · Jan 29, 2009, 03:39 AM

I have Aspire One A150 and replaced XP with Vista Home Premium. It runs a little better than XP. I D/Led Intel's video drivers and have Aero enabled. I'm running with 1GB of ram.

And, *raises shields* i installed Norton AV 2009. Vista boots fast, works well and shuts down fast.

Just install Premium, don't activate right away and play with it.

BlueMak · Jan 29, 2009, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderclap

I'll try both and see how I like the responsiveness. No matter what it will be a far superior experience than the current PII 400MHz (256MB RAM) with Windows 2000. That thing is HORRIBLY slow... I don't know how my wife has put up with it.

IF I decide to go the Windows Vista route, I have an unused Windows Vista Home Premium DVD. Will I be able to install Home Basic instead?

I think you will need a Basic key to install and authorise Basic. You can install premium and turn off Aero though...

Judas · Jan 29, 2009, 05:33 PM

if the laptop has a basic key you can use the premium dvd to install basic.... otherwise if you only have home premium... you have to use the premium cd key and then you can disable or enabled aero ..... worth trying both way...

actually you could just install premium version without providing a cd key and trial the sucker for awhile and see how it runs, if you don't like it.. then you don't have to worry about having that key stuck to that netbook..... (a nightmare some people have about vista is trying it and getting a copy stuck to that system only to find out they didn't like it)

thunderclap · Jan 29, 2009, 09:06 PM

All good suggestions. I'll let you know what I find out. The netbook should be arriving next week Tues.

CJLMTLCA · Jan 30, 2009, 12:53 AM

I missunderstood, i thought you had it already. so when you get it play with XP, then install Vista HP, since that's the license you have (but don't enter key/activate it) and then evaluate that too. Worst case scenario, if you/wife don't like it, use Acer's recovery tool to re-install XP which is on a hidden 5GB partition.

For what it's worth:

Jan 28, 2009, 07:47 PM	#1
thunderclap HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 348 Rep Power: 32	Acer Netbook OS Question I just purchased a netbook for my wife to get her updated from her ThinkPad Pentium 2 Windows 2000 system. The thing is slower than slug. Anyway, I purchased an Acer Aspire One AOA150-1905 with an Intel Atom 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM and 160GB HDD. For her this is more than enough power. My question is should I install XP or Vista Home Basic/Premium on it? I'd prefer to get Vista Basic but if it will slow the system down to a crawl I'll go with XP. Thanks for your advice! __________________ Marc B. Genrefinity.net - Your source for all things in the horror, science fiction and fantasy genres

Jan 28, 2009, 10:13 PM	#3
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,248 Rep Power: 328 System Specs	Re: Acer Netbook OS Question I am not so sure about Vista. I have XP on a netbook with similar configuration and while it runs ok for simple tasks, it's not the best system for anything more...Vista on top of that might not be a great idea. Does it come with Vista or XP? If you decide to go for Vista, at least install 2GB of RAM on it. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Jan 28, 2009, 10:48 PM	Thread Starter #4
thunderclap HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 348 Rep Power: 32	Re: Acer Netbook OS Question It comes installed with XP. It's my understanding (and I could be wrong) is that Aero is what makes Vista such a resource hog and Home Basic is a bit peppier. She will basically be using Firefox and OpenOffice and that's about it. __________________ Marc B. Genrefinity.net - Your source for all things in the horror, science fiction and fantasy genres

Jan 29, 2009, 03:39 AM	#8
CJLMTLCA 14X Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 601 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	Re: Acer Netbook OS Question I have Aspire One A150 and replaced XP with Vista Home Premium. It runs a little better than XP. I D/Led Intel's video drivers and have Aero enabled. I'm running with 1GB of ram. And, raises shields i installed Norton AV 2009. Vista boots fast, works well and shuts down fast. Just install Premium, don't activate right away and play with it. __________________

Jan 29, 2009, 09:06 PM	Thread Starter #11
thunderclap HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 348 Rep Power: 32	Re: Acer Netbook OS Question All good suggestions. I'll let you know what I find out. The netbook should be arriving next week Tues. __________________ Marc B. Genrefinity.net - Your source for all things in the horror, science fiction and fantasy genres

Jan 30, 2009, 12:53 AM	#12
CJLMTLCA 14X Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 601 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	Re: Acer Netbook OS Question I missunderstood, i thought you had it already. so when you get it play with XP, then install Vista HP, since that's the license you have (but don't enter key/activate it) and then evaluate that too. Worst case scenario, if you/wife don't like it, use Acer's recovery tool to re-install XP which is on a hidden 5GB partition. For what it's worth: __________________