Acer Lowers Prices on Aspire one, Releases Version with Six-Cell Battery

Unlike some other netbook manufacturers (eh hem, MSI), Acer is driving the cost of its mini-notebook down. Today the company  announced that the U.S. prices on its Aspire one are being lowered by as much as $50. The Windows XP Home version, with a 120GB hard drive and 1GB or RAM, originally $399 will now retail for $349. The Linpus Linux Lite version (full review here), with an 8GB SSD and 512 MB of RAM, will now retail for $329, down from $379. Saving the best for last, Acer is also introducing the $399 Aspire one AOA150-1447. Aimed at business professionals, this one features the six-cell battery we have all been waiting for. It also sports a 160GB hard drive and Windows XP Home. Our reaction: Swweeeet! Why the price cut? Well our press representative tells us that the “Aspire one is the must-have back-to-school supply for students.” But playing devil’s advocate we really have to wonder if Acer is feeling the pressure from the upcoming Dell Inspiron Mini. Either way, this price drop and the avilablity of a sku with a six-cell battery makes the Acer Aspire one the favored 8.9-inch netbooks on the market. Stay tuned for our review of the XP version with the three-cell battery.