Getting Aser With Linux

The Acer Aspire One is already a great deal among mini-laptops, also called netbooks. But if you want to spend even less, consider getting your Acer laptop with the Linux operating system rather than Windows. There are several versions of Linux and the one that comes with the Acer mini laptop is called Linpus Lite. It has the same type of look and feel as Windows, so you won't be totally thrown off, and with Linux you actually have a few advantages, not just price

Lower Laptop Price

Off the bat, the Linux operating system is free, where Windows is not. Therefore the price of any computer loaded with Linux, including the Acer Aspire One, will be less than one with Windows, at least by $50 less.

Faster, Safer Computer

Linux is actually a very stable operating system, used on millions of computers. It run faster and takes up less space than Windows because of its streamlined code, but this is still solid and secure operating system. In fact, it is so rare that a virus would attack your Linux laptop (because of the way file permissions work), that you really don't need an anti-virus application.

Easy to Use

Now, not every version of Linux is a breeze to use right away--some take a little getting used to. However, the Linpus Lite version of Linux, is extremely easy to use, right out of the box. As soon as you turn on the computer, you get a screen with four boxes labeled Connect (with your Internet and email), Work (word processing, spreadsheets, etc.), Fun (games, photo editing, etc.) and Files (to find your documents, your music, and your pictures). No blank desktop, no trying to figure out where your program is from the Start button. Even novice users will be able to quickly pick up on this simple, intuitive Linux environment.

Cheaper applications

The Acer netbook loaded with Linpus has the applications you need to hit the ground running. You have an office suite (word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing), email, Web browsing, calendar, games and more. And there are many other applications you can download to run on Linux, a good number of them for free, like Gimp for photo editing.

If Linux are so great, why don't more people use it?

Since Windows has dominated the marketplace, it gets hard to get other people and businesses to look at other ways of computing. Admittedly, there are some applications that will not run Linux, and if you use must use some specialty application, make sure it will work on your Acer mini. However, every type of application exist in Linux, from word processing to video editing to first-person games, and anything you can do on Windows can be done in Linux. If you are mostly using your computer for typing, drawing and pictures and Internet-an Acer Aspire One mini laptop loaded with Linpus Linux Lite will work just as well for you.