Aspire 1 Laptop: The Low Cost Netbook for Basic Computing Solutions

Edmund_McGowan
edited June 18 in PC Tech

There’s an art to finding a low cost laptop within a set budget. And pitfalls to avoid. Working with a tight budget, you’ll want to ensure that you don’t waste a cent on a device that fails to deliver the performance and reliability required to handle the tasks you intend to use the netbook for. Cutting costs in the manufacturing process reflects positively in low price tags. Unfortunately, lower costs can also translate to compromised build quality, battery life and durability. Get yourself a lemon, and you may end up paying through the nose for repairs and even software and peripherals that you didn’t factor into the original budget.

If you’re after a basic computing solution for work, school, web browsing, streaming and file management, do yourself a favor and read this article. The Acer Aspire 1 laptop can be yours for under 200 bucks, and has the power, battery and connectivity to handle your day’s work and play. Don’t waste your time searching for a better low cost mobile computing solution, read on to discover the Aspire 1 Acer notebook.

You may have heard of the Acer Aspire range of original all-inclusive everyday laptops. Designed to handle a variety of computing tasks, these easy to use, versatile netbooks are renowned for their productivity-enhancing performance. The Aspire 1 is available in suave Pure Silver colorways, with the latest Intel or AMD processor options. Today we’ll be focussing on an Intel powered model, namely the Aspire 1 Laptop - A115-32-C7ZW. Recently reduced from $299.99 to a wallet-friendly $199.99, this netbook comes with one year of Microsoft 365 for productivity apps, storage and AI power from Copilot Pro. Before continuing with our discussion, let’s check out the tech-specs of the econo-classy Aspire 1 laptop:

  • Operating System: Windows 11 Home in S Mode  
  • Processor:  Intel® Celeron® N4500 processor Dual-core (2 Core™) 1.10 GHz (turbo 2.80 GHz) 
  • Graphics: Intel® UHD Graphics (shared) 
  • Display: 15.6” Full HD LCD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 
  • Standard Memory: 4 GB DDR4 SDRAM 
  • Total Number of Memory Slots: 2 (Max 16 GB) 
  • Flash Storage: 64 GB 
  • Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 
  • Built in Devices: Webcam 640 x 480, microphone  
  • Interfaces/Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1 port, 1 x Audio out, 1 x Headphone Jack, 1 x Network (RJ-45) 
  • Input: TouchPad, keyboard 
  • Battery: Li-Ion  
  • Maximum Battery Run Time: 8 hours  
  • Dimensions: 14.3 x 9.4 x 0.78 inches 
  • Weight (Approx): 3.64 lb

Purposeful portable power

At this price point, you’ll be hard pressed to find a netbook better than the Aspire 1. Slimline and lightweight, this is a friendly priced day-to-dayer that will help get the job done, maximizing your productivity at every stage. Weighing in at just over 3.5 lbs (the weight of a small Pomeranian), and measuring only 0.78-inches in height, the Aspire 1 is a laptop that won’t drag you down, wherever your day takes you. 

With up to 8 hours run time per charge, this is a netbook that will see you through your workday and some, and won’t slow down, even when you do! Whether you’re staying put in the office, or out and about, the dual-core Intel processor and shared UHD graphics is more than enough to handle your everyday computing needs. More on the potential uses of the Aspire 1, for now let’s focus on the other notable tech-specs of the netbook.

Decent display

Full HD 15.6-inch display ensures that whether you’re looking at spreadsheets, or streaming your favorite show, the Aspire 1 will not disappoint. Narrowed down bezels maximize screen real estate, meaning that even with multiple windows, your display won’t feel too cramped. Lengthy computing sessions are the norm for many users today, but you don’t have to strain your eyes in the process. Acer’s BlueLightShield™ allows users to lessen the levels of blue light and protect against eye-strain and the other negative effects of blue light exposure.

Connected

When it comes to computing, connectivity is king. From basic tasks we may take for granted like connecting to Wi-Fi  and plugging in for presentations, to video meetings and conferences, reliable connections are invaluable. In this low price bracket, you might expect a dearth of ports, or the need to invest in a dongle, webcam, or even speakers to attain the connectivity you need.

The good news is that the Aspire 1 has all ports covered, letting you get on with your day without worrying about peripherals, cables and cameras. Indeed, the Aspire 1 has plenty of ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 1 and one USB 2.0 ports, as well as an HDMI port for those times when a larger screen is required. An optimized webcam and mics, along with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 will help you to keep connected, and updated with the latest information.

You might have noticed the “S Mode” in the Windows 11 Home description. S mode is simply a version of Windows 11 that’s streamlined for security and performance. While it provides a familiar Windows experience, in order to increase security S mode only permits apps from Microsoft Store, and requires Microsoft Edge for secure browsing.

Note: you can switch out of S mode if you need to install third-party applications.

Uses for the Aspire 1 laptop

The Aspire 1 can provide all the performance you need to work, study, play, and relax. While there are many more specialized uses that you may decide upon for the Aspire 1, here’s a few mainstream applications for this low cost, high value netbook.

  • Web Browsing: The Aspire 1 is the perfect tool to get online and surf the internet with. You can check email and use social media. 
  • Office Applications: With Windows 11 Home in S Mode, you can use Microsoft Office or Google Docs for document creation, editing, and a range of other productivity tasks. 
  • Media Consumption: Behold the vibrant colors on the 15.6-inch Full HD display, and watch your favorite videos on streaming services like YouTube and Netflix. 
  • E-Learning: Be smart, and get smarter! Participate in online courses and virtual classrooms using platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. 
  • File Management: Get  your documents organized and make the most of cloud storage services like Google Drive or OneDrive for additional storage. 
  • Basic Multimedia: When the workday is done, kick back and stream music, listen to podcasts, and play simple, less graphically demanding games to your heart’s content.

The takeaway

We hope that you’ve enjoyed our journey into the low cost, high value world of Acer’s Aspire 1 laptop, the low cost netbook for basic computing solutions. If you’re looking for a laptop on a tight budget and don’t want to mess around with brands you might not be familiar with, give the Aspire 1 a shot, you won’t be disappointed. With ample processing power, day-long battery life, as well as 15.6-inches of Full HD screen real estate, get connected and respected with the Aspire 1 from Acer.

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Edmund is an English copywriter based in New Taipei City, Taiwan. He is a widely published writer and translator with two decades of experience in the field of bridging linguistic and cultural gaps between Chinese and English.

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