Acer has updated its AO722 series of netbooks with latest AMD C-60 Ontario APU. Like the C-50, the C-60 is based on AMD’s Fusion architecture which is a hybrid design that combines both CPU and GPU on a single chip, and AMD calls it “Application Processor Unit (APU)” rather than just processor. The new dual-core C-60 does go beyond this architecture by adding AMD TurboCore technology on the CPU and GPU. The clock speed of C-60 is also 1GHz as in C-50, but it can turbo up to 1.33GHz. Likewise the Radeon 6290 GPU can also boost engine speed from 276 MHz to 400 MHz. Interestingly, the C-60 Ontario APU does all this within the 9W TDP limit.
The C-60 compares well with Intel’s Atom processors, and some even prefer them to Intel’s offering. The C-60 Ontario CPU and integrated AMD Radeon HD 6290 graphics card turn in some impressive video performance for a smooth video playback. With HDMI socket you can easily hook up the AO722 up to a HDTV to watch your favorite movies.
The 11.6″ screen LED-backlit screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio, with a resolution up to 1366×768, perfect for watching HD video or DVDs. The netbook spots an eye-catching water ripple effect pattern design on the glossy case, which is sure to attract attention.
The bigger real estate of the screen affords a bigger keyboard to be fitted. Acer has managed to fit a full-sized keyboard for easy typing and if you plan on doing a lot of keyboard work this is a definite plus point.
Many netbooks come with Windows 7 Starter, but the AO722 comes with Windows 7 Home Premium which is a is a 64 bit OS that gives you extra features such as Windows Media Center for watching live TV. You can also stream media to other PCs. A cut-down version (limited functionality of Word and Excel) of Microsoft Office is bundled with the machine.
The rest of the specs are actually approaching the specs of a regular notebook. The fusion platform release is a milestone in netbook computing and Acer has put it to good practical use in creating a laptop performance netbook.
Acer Aspire One AO722 AMD C-60 Ontario APU 11.6-Inch HD Netbook Key Features
- Ultra-thin design that travels light
- TurboCORE Technology for the better performance
- Multitasking performance with AMD C-60 Ontario APU
- Smooth streaming video with AMD C-60 Processor and ATI Radeon HD Graphics
- 11.6-inch display with 1366 × 768 pixels resolution
- Full-sized keyboard with bigger keys enables easy typing
Acer Aspire One AO722 AMD C-60 Ontario APU 11.6-Inch HD Netbook Specification
- Operating System : Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
- Processor : AMD Dual-Core C-60 Ontario APU (1.0 GHz, 1.33GHz with TurboCORE Technology, 1MB L2 Cache, 9W TDP)
- Chipset : AMD A50M Fusion Chipset
- Display : 11.6” HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit Display (1366 x 768 resolution)
- Graphics : Integrated AMD Radeon HD 6290 graphics card with 256MB of dedicated video memory
- Memory : 2GB DDR3, 1 SODIMM Slot (easily self upgrade RAM to 4GB)
- Storage : 320GB 5400RPM hard drive
- WLAN: 802.11b/g/n, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED
- Bluetooth : No
- LAN: 10/100 Mbps/ RJ-45
- Input/Output : 1 x VGA port, HDMI Port with HDCP Support, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x headphone, 1 x mic
- Keyboard : Full-Size Acer FineTip Keyboard
- Touchpad : Multi-gesture Touchpad for circular-motion scrolling, pinch-action zoom, and page flip
- Camera : Built-in 0.3 Megapixel Webcam
- Audio : Two Built-in Stereo Speakers
- Card Reader: Multi-in-One Digital Media Card Reader
- Optical Drive : No Optical Drive (optional external optical drive can be connected via one of the USB ports)
- Battery : 6-cell Li-ion Battery (4400 mAh), up to 7-hours battery life
- Dimensions : 7.9 x 11.2 x 1 inches
- Weight : 3.21 pounds
- Color Options: Espresso Black, Aquamarine
- Warranty: One-year parts and labor
Upgrading Acer Aspire One AO722 AMD C-60 Ontario APU Netbook Memory and Hard Drive
Take note of the following;
- The netbook comes with 1 slot and it is populated by a 2GB memory module
- That means you have to remove the 2GB RAM module to insert the new 4GB RAM module
- Make sure you purchase the right memory module. DO NOT BUY the DDR3-1066 PC3-8500! It will work but it is slower. Stick to Unbuffered Non-ECC types. Corsair, Kingston, Crucial, PNY, Patriot and G.Skills are all good brands worthy of consideration
- Keep in mind that it will only register as 3.73GB usable once installed, because the graphics card dedicates 256MB of memory
- Installing the memory is a snap. You just need a tiny Philips screwdriver to remove one screw that holds on a slide-off cover. Beneath the cover, the hard drive and RAM are easily accessible. Pop out the old, pop in the new, replace the cover and boot it back up (Follow the steps outlined in easily self upgrade RAM)
Software Included with Acer Aspire One AO722 AMD C-60 Ontario APU 11.6-Inch HD Netbook
- Microsoft Office 2010 Starter – Purchase of a Product Key required to activate to a full Office 2010 suite
- McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version)
- Norton Online Backup
- Acer Recovery Management
Customer Reviews
Reviews for the Acer Aspire One AO722 AMD C-60 Ontario APU 11.6-Inch HD Netbook are outstanding. Aside from the water ripple pattern design of the casing (which you either like or you don’t, and has no impact on the machine’s performance) it comes in for near-universal praise.
The full size keyboard were well-received by users. Even users with big fingers found they could type reasonably accurately. Reviewers tended to like the little bit larger screen on this machine. The larger size means it doesn’t get too cluttered if you’ve multiple windows open, and users found it to be much better than the 10″ screen found on typical netbooks.
The 16:9 aspect ratio and 1366 x 768 high resolution make it bright and vivid. Thanks to the Radeon graphics card, videos play well, and reviewers liked the fact that right out of the box it is capable of streaming Netlfix HD, Hulu HD, and Youtube HD video wonderfully with no jerking or skipping. Battery life is as good as advertised and most reviewers reported about 5-7 hours.
Users found the on board 2GB memory performs admirably right out of the box; however users who went to the trouble of installing 4GB found it gave a noticeable improvement in speed. One user reported that following the RAM upgrade the windows login screen booted in 30 seconds or less, and it took him another 15 seconds to get a fully functioning desktop following the entry of the login credentials. Most users recommend spending the extra $25 to upgrade the RAM to get the best of the netbook.
Users who replaced the 5400rpm hard drive for a SSD reported even significant performance benefit. Solid State Drives greatly reduce the boot time, time to launch applications, and time to go in/out of sleep.
There were a number of complaints about this machine as well, but nothing serious. Couple of reviewers commented on the fingerprints on the glossy case and would have preferred something textured that does not show smudges. A few reviewers lamented on the lack of bluetooth on a high end netbook. Lack of bluetooth is definitely a short-coming but you could use a USB dongle if it is needed in one of the 3 available USB ports which is more than sufficient for a netbook.
A reviewer faulted the built in speaker as not being loud – even at full volume. However, one must accept the fact that all netbooks seems to suffer the same problem, and is not unique to this machine.
Another user experienced keyboard flex while typing, but reported that it is not serious enough to effect performance. This could be an isolated case and every new product that comes on the market may on occasion encounter problems of defective units which can often be fixed by after sales support.
Another complaint that came up most was the lack of CD/DVD drive. This, really shouldn’t be surprising as netbooks are designed to provide essential computing power on the go and not much else. Finally, users also commented on the pre-installed program which many found it to be nothing more that bloatware. Many user have it uninstalled.
So, is it worth putting the Acer AO722 on your shortlist? The answer is a resounding yes. Like all computers two of the most important components are the processor and the RAM. It is one of the few netbooks that offers a dual core processor, memory upgrade to 4GB, superior graphics capability and Windows 7 Home. Don’t be fooled by the low 1 Ghz clock speed. It has more that sufficient muscle for everyday tasks. With turbo fully on you get doubling of the GPU clock. 400MHz GPU for a 9W TDP! Now that’s a game-changer. It will take care of anyone who could come up with a complaint about it not being fast enough. That said, don’t expect desktop performance while playing the latest 3D games on it.
If you do a lot of writing, typing, or work on proposals and editing you need a computer with proper keyboard. And if you are looking for a laptop with a portable convenience of a netbook, but with the nearly full functionality of a larger laptop, then look no farther. The AO722 is cheaper than most tablets and standard laptops and you can use it for actual work out of the box, no extra $50 keyboards required. After reading the feedback from people we feel confident giving the Acer Aspire One AO722 AMD C-60 Ontario APU 11.6-Inch HD Netbook a 5 star rating. Good job Acer! Keep up the good work.
Where To Buy Acer Aspire One AO722 AMD C-60 Ontario APU 11.6-Inch HD Netbook
You can buy AO722 from many big retailers offline or online like Amazon, Buy.com, TigerDirect,etc. But which one is the best deal? We have done work for you. We found Amazon.com to have the best prices on most netbook computers including the AO722. Click on the links below to visit the product website for additional information and special offers.
Models with 2GB DDR3 Memory + 250GB SATA Hard Drive
Acer Aspire One AO722-0611 AMD C-60 Ontario APU 11.6-Inch HD Netbook (Espresso Black)
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Models with 2GB DDR3 Memory + 320GB SATA Hard Drive
Acer Aspire One AO722-0473 AMD C-60 Ontario APU 11.6-Inch HD Netbook (Espresso Black)
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Acer Aspire One AO722-0667 AMD C-60 Ontario APU 11.6-Inch HD Netbook (Aquamarine)
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Models with 4GB DDR3 Memory + 500GB SATA Hard Drive
Acer Aspire One AO722-0828 AMD C-60 Ontario APU 11.6-Inch HD Netboo (Espresso Black)
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Optional Upgrades
G.SKILL 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3-1333 PC3-10600 Unbuffered Non-ECC
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Lexar Media Inc Crucial 64 GB m4 SATA 6Gb/s 2.5-Inch SSD (CT064M4SSD2)
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Microsoft Office Home & Student 2010 – 1 User-3 PC [Download]
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Acer Aspire One AO722 AMD C-60 Ontario APU 11.6-Inch HD Netbook Video Review
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Found it very useful. Now I have an idea what I should consider purchasing