Acer Updates Aspire One LaptopsAcer Updates Aspire One Laptops

Acer has introduced four thin-and-light Aspire One laptops, two powered by Athlon II Neo processors from Advanced Micro Devices and the other two running Intel's Atom platform for low-power laptops.

The Athlon II Neo-based systems come in two sizes, the 11.6-inch A0721 and the 10.1-inch A0521. Both Intel powered systems, the AOD260 and AO533, are 10.1 inches. Both of the Intel-based systems and the AMD-powered A0721 weigh less than three pounds, while the A0521 weighs a tad more than three pounds. All the systems are roughly an inch thick.

AMD introduced the Athlon II Neo line in May. The processors target thin-and-light notebooks that trade the performance of a standard laptop for a more portable system that's lighter, thinner and gets longer battery life.

The A0721 and A0521 run the 1.7 GHz Athlon II Neo K125 and contain six-cell batteries that deliver up to six hours of battery life, according to Acer. The systems also include AMD's ATI Radeon HD 4225 graphics processor and sport 250 GB hard drives. Both laptops also have an HDMI port for connecting to a digital TV.

The advantages of the A0721 include 2 GB of DDR3 memory, a full-size keyboard and Windows 7 Home Premium. The A0521 comes with 1 GB of DDR3 memory, a keyboard 93% of standard size and Windows 7 Starter. However, the A0721 costs more, starting at $430. The A0521 starts at $350.

The AOD260 and A0533 are powered by Intel Atom N450 processors. However, the AOD260 was designed more as a "fashion accessory," with a patterned design, smooth surface and chrome-plated logos, Acer said. The A0533, on the other hand, is designed for "all-around performance and all-day mobility," with up to eight hours of battery life, 1 GB of DDR3 memory and a 250 GB hard drive.

Both systems have keyboards that are 93% of standard size. The AOD260 has a starting price of $298, and the A0533 starts at $330.