Basically, I had a good recommendation for this device, if it were not also the shadow beside the light. Some users have the computer sent back because the system Linus did not start. Now it was impossible to tell, unfortunately in really thin documentation to see if this is pre-installed, or whether to make it yourself.
The "sticking at 7%" at system startup has been fixed by reinstalling the Linux CD. The course of this process leads to the conclusion that there is no complete installation was specified because this passwords are assigned, which should be otherwise documented.
These passwords can be said that the installation process still underlies the American keyboard layout. Who uses letters that after the transition to the German language (and a corresponding keyboard layout) have a different course, would be if the password is case with "change" - as long as he recognizes the problem.
And this seems to be the core of the software situation: Which user knows that he must first of all change in BIOS boot settings from hard disk to CD / DVD to CD installation? And what a layman finds the BIOS (the computer starts so quickly that you can easily miss the indication)? Who knows where (as already mentioned by Mitrezensenten) switching the hard disk SATA to IDE mode is carried out, which is necessary if you want to install Windows XP?
Linux is (according to the self-made installation and password assignment) quite nice and runs fine with the appliance. However, we must as a non-Linux expert furthermore have no further requests for changes and should not use special characters in passwords, because the keyboard layout on the installation mode is different than in the application. Who besides the, quite umfanggreichen program package wants to install more specific programs, is here (as I do) quickly overwhelmed (even if remembered the shell surface to the former Amiga).
The hardware is the way to recognize them correctly until WinXP Service Pack 3. Unfortunately, the driver of the memory card slot after installation did not work the same. I had asked in this regard already 2 x Acer e-mail and wait (still) a response (status 28.9.2010). On the Acer homepage you have to the way the drivers for your version of Windows BEFORE downloadsponsored because the (radio) network access does not work during installation. There are several driver versions (depending on chipsets used, which are not always installed). Here just trying, because this information is missing from the device and the instructions.
The few euros more for a proper Windows driver CD, I would have liked to spent - if it existed.
In the meantime, all the components in function and the computer is running satisfactorily. However, I'm - what the Acer service terms - glad I did not have serious problems.
That is my conclusion that this is a good computer to unfortunately only adequate value for money, so "only" 3 stars. One acquires a device that at first the user some time, skills and effort required, until it does, what you bought it. The documentation that is unfortunately lacking and sparse for laymen (of this more needed) even largely unusable. From customer service you do not really seems to hold something at Acer. The inclined prospective buyer should know this in advance.
