AcerBaby …. you sing that like Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt, 1953)… Anyway, fair warning, this is a technology post because I R a technology professional and general gadget afficiando.

My story, and I’m sticking to it, is that my backup laptop computer was having fits keeping up with my production laptop – not enough oomph and it has a loud and annoying fan. I didn’t want to get a new production machine. Not only is my current one fine, but Vista v2.0 aka Windows 7 or whatever they decide to call it is due sometime not too far off and I want to make sure to get something configured ok for that. I had been pricing inexpensive laptops for a backup machine and suddenly found out about “netbooks”. They have been around for a bit, but first I knew of them was several weeks ago. They are $500-$700 less than the “inexpensive” backup laptops I was pricing.

Called netbooks as the original idea was a very small laptop or a very large PDA – something for email and internet. But now, the netbooks are full fledged laptops in a very small footprint. After reading, and looking and dithering ad nauseum, I ordered an Acer Aspire One 10 inch with a 2 gb RAM upgrade. It comes with a 160 gb hard drive, Wi-fi, RJ45 (hard wire network connection), a multi-function card reader. No CD/DVD. It runs on an Atom processor which is fast, but low power consumption and low heat. The 6 cell battery reputed to go 8-10 hours. It will drive an external monitor.

Many are tired of hauling around 15 and 17 inch laptops – I would be one. I often take mine when on errands during “office hours” so I can check in.

As of today, the Acer, aka AcerBaby (it is sooooo cute!) is fully loaded with everything I run on my production machine. The screen is bright and clear, albeit small. It jumps on the internet via my USB aircard or available wi-fi. Its footprint is smaller than a sheet of paper at about 10 x 7 x 1. It fits in my messenger bag styled purse. It is much easier to type on than a Blackberry or iPhone AND I can do anything on it that I can on my office machine. I am happy.

Sitting on a sheet of paper above for size reference.

AcerBaby!