Earlier this week my HP dv6000 notebook decided to finally die for good. The laptop was a “hand me down” from a friend and considering that all of my major electronics were acquired the same way I wasn’t too disappointed when it’s life came to an end. After all, it lasted over a year and was free.

I examined my computer habits and decided that all I really use a laptop for is surfing the web, music playback and writing. So, I chose to get one of the new inexpensive “netbooks.” I had to be very careful with my choice because I have used the Eee PC and absolutely hate it’s tiny keyboard and the screen is so small that it hurts my eyes. After a bit of online price checking and weighing options I made my decision.

I got my blue Acer AspireONE at the Casselberry Wal-Mart (on 436 near Red Bug Lk Rd.) for $298. I saw the same model at the Kissimmee Wal-Mart (on 535 at Osceola Parkway) for $248 but the Assistant Manager in Casselberry wouldn’t mark it down even after I offered to call the Kissimmee store for him. I’m convinced that he could have knocked the $50 off the price but just didn’t feel like it. Nonetheless I bought it and am really enjoying it.

The Acer AspireONE (I bought the blue one rather than the red) comes in a super-light 2.5lb package and has an amazing bright 10.1 inch widescreen LCD screen, integrated webcam and a reduced size keyboard that is not nearly as obnoxious as the teeny tiny one on the Eee PC. The 1.6GHz N270 Intel Atom Processor is very fast and I’ve had no slow downs of any kind. I doubt I’ll fill up the 160GB hard drive anytime soon either. It is a little weird using Windows XP again but it’s a lot more reliable than the notoriously glitchy Windows Vista operating system. With a pricetag at less than $300 this machine is a real bargain. If your in the market for a netbook, this is my recommendation.