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The Acer company now also has an new version of its greatest 11.6 in . mini netbook computer representative available as the Acer Aspire One 722. Alike the earlier reviewed Acer Aspire One 522, the test device comes along with a 1 GHz weak AMD C-50 Dual-Core APU (accelerated processing unit) together with incorporated AMD Radeon HD 6250 graphics unit. Other key data, just like a 2 Gb DDR3 main memory, a 250 Gigabyte harddisk capacity and the usual interfaces, have been maintained.

The mini netbook shows modernizations in the area of case and display. The latter presently has a resolution of 1280×720 pixels (Hi-def Ready) and a glare type surface at a typical size. The prior model still had the finer resolution of 1366×768 pixels in a 16:9 format.

The device is in the usual price range for such a configuration at a recommended retail price of 349 euros, including added value tax. For the other hand, it is tagged with a a little lower price than its predecessor.

Supplies

Opening the box quickly disillusions because only the best necessary supplies for immediate use are included. In addition to the laptop, there is the 6 cell battery() with 49 watt hours, printed documentation and the 40 watt adapter. In return, the interchangeable connectors for various countries are a highlight. Nonetheless, only the connector for the respective country where the order was placed is included and other adapters ought to be bought optionally. The software bundle includes useful programs such as Office 2010 Starter, Adobe Reader and Skype in addition to Microsoft Windows Home Premium (64 bit) operating system. But, with exception of a few driver programs (keyboard, touchpad, etc.) additionally there is a number of freeware and Acer software, which isn’t really needed.

Warranty

Acer also grants a warranty period of 12 months, including World-wide Travelers Warranty (ITW), on this mini netbook computer. A look at other manufacturers shows that a 24 month warranty is standardly granted in the B2C division (business to customer). You may choose among a 24 or 36 month warranty period for a price between 45 and 89 euros (RRP).
Input Devices

Keyboard Touchpad and Display

The floating key-board (FineTip keyboard) is the measure of all things in Acer’s mini netbook computer sector and also used in this refresh. The typing feel, as well as its characteristics are the same as in all other netbooks from the manufacturer. However, the subjective impression can differ depending on the single user. In this instance, the key drop is fairly short and the pressure point isn’t clearly palpable. A drawback is the spongy surface towards the center, which could affect typing. The top keys have a sufficient size, whereby they get narrower at the edges. Acer ought to have perhaps used the TimelineX range (3830TG, 4830TG, 5830TG), with its chiclet style keyboard, as a paragon. Other manufacturers have recognized this trend and implement it.

The touchpad has been revised and is now clearly separated from the wrist-rest. This input device is sufficiently sized with dimensions of 82×43 millimeters (w x h) and a useable surface diameter of 9.2 centimeters. Navigating is easily possible thanks to the slightly corrugated surface and multi-touch gesture support. The mouse keys are underneath a glossy rocker and thus their use isn’t optimal. Two separated keys would have been subjectively more agreeable.
A small retrograde step has been made in the terms of the display screen. The glossy AUO (model:B116XW03 V2) only bids a native resolution of 1280×720 pixels in a 16:9 format at a diagonal of 29.5 cm, so 11.6 inches. It still supports the Hd Ready standard, but the immediate predecessor, Acer Aspire One 721,Acer Aspire 5710g Battery could serve with a higher resolution of 1366×768 pixels. You don’t need to scroll as much horizontally as long as you’re surfing with 1280 pixels in the width, but there is no harm in having a higher resolution for pleasant working in most cases. A possibility to increase this convenience is connecting an external monitor via the VGA or Hdmi out. A Full Hi-def display can be addressed this way without problems.

The screen’s built-in LED backlight not just allows a slim build, but a bright illumination as well. The netbook is within the usual midfield with a maximum of 216 cd/m2, respectively an average of 203.6 cd/m2. The entire surface’s even illumination of 89 percent has to be rated positively. We didn’t notice a visible brightness difference or clouding.
Details
Gossen Mavo-Monitor
Maximum: 216 cd/m2
Average: 203.6 cd/m2
Brightness Distribution: 89 per cent
Center on Battery: 205 cd/m2
Black: 1.25 cd/m2
Contrast: 164:1
ICC File (X-Rite i1Display 2)
Distribution of brightness

The other measurements confirm the low-cost TN screen image. The black value of 1.25 cd/m2 is just a bit increased and a saturated black reproduction seriously isn’t possible. Dark background pictures make a just a bit gray impression subjectively. One more reason for criticism is the resulting poor contrast (164:1). The device seriously isn’t suitable for professional picture editing because it doesn’t cover the sRGB reference color spectrum. On the other hand, we need to point out that no low-priced netbook conceived for customers could score in this field yet.

Outdoor use just isn’t the One 722′s favored field of use despite the netbook’s mobile alignment. The screen’s glossy surface along with the average brightness and contrast rates make working in sunlight almost impossible outdoors. Working in a shady place is still possible with restrictions. A direct light source from the back should typically be avoided, even indoors.

The limited viewing angle stability isn’t really surprising either and points to the low-cost display solution. The reproduction remains stable even in narrow angles horizontally without changes. Contrarily, fading and inverting promptly develop during vertical movements (closing) on our used reference picture.
Performance

Apart from the fresh design, the real innovation is the updated innards by AMD. The core components are made up of an AMD C-50 accelerated processing unit using a clock rate of 1 GHz and two cores (dual core). This component is an entry level solution from AMD that’s presently finding a innovative home in more and more mini netbooks and wants to challenge the Intel Atom platform. In contrast to the Intel Atom N550, the APU however lacks the virtual multiplying of cores (Hyper Threading) and consequently multi-tasking power. The Intel Cpu also has the lead in the nominal clock rate having a positive difference of 500 Mhz (1.5 GHz).

Another important bonus point of the brand new APU is the incorporated AMD Radeon High definition 6250 graphics with a fast core clock of 280 Megahertz and DirectX 11 support. The fact that Acer presently doesn’t have a an Aspire One 722 model with the stronger AMD E-350 APU and stronger AMD Radeon High-definition 6310 graphics in its supply is a pity. By way of example, Asus supplies the Eee PC 1215B netbook computer with this solution for 499 euros (RRP).

The first tests in our benchmark course deal with the processor’s performance. The C-50 APU achieves satisfactory 1264 points in Cinebench R10 Multi-Thread Rendering (32bit) and thus moves inside the familiar mini netbook range. The Intel Atom N550, as the opponent, occasionally scores better averagely and achieves 1415 points in this test (difference +10.7 percent). A further performance gain can be accomplished thanks to the 64 bit operating system. Unfortunately, the Intel processor is ruled out because these configurations are only equipped with Windows 7 Starter (32 bit) Os. In plain English, you will find there’s difference of 8.8 per cent (1264 to 1386 points) between the 32 and 64 bit application in our test device.

The Aspire One 722 only achieves weak 0.38 points in Cinebench R11.5′s Cpu benchmark (64 bit) and is thus at the lower end of our database. A comparison while using stronger AMD E-350 APU with a clock rate of 1.6 GHz is worth it although there’s not many available. This component achieves 0.6 points in the Acer Aspire 5253 and has a lead of about 33.7 % on the C-50 APU. Overall,  and a rather weak processor performance which is also noticed in routine use as slow opening windows and longer boot times.

The AMD Radeon Hi-def 6250 can set itself apart from the Intel counterpart in the synthetic benchmarks’ 3D performance. Nevertheless, real gaming fun doesn’t evolve. Subnotebooks with a dedicated graphics card are recommended for ambitions that go in this direction. Futuremark’s 3DMark06 confirms this having a score of 1411 points at a resolution of 1280×1024 pixels. The result is in the lower third, as expected. However, the real difference to the Intel GMA 3150 in the Atom N550 Processor is striking. This combination accomplishes only 144 points in the Asus Eee PC 1015PEM and contains to admit defeat with a positive change of 89.8 %.

System Performance

Futuremark’s system benchmarks are a fantastic possibility for a shorter, preliminary performance verdict. The total bundle at hand achieves a result of 1582 points in PCMark Vantage. Thus, it really is again in the lower third of our database. Besides the comparatively weak components, the installed memory medium also contributes massively to this. For instance, the HP Mini 5103 or the Samsung NF210 are on a comparable level. The new PCMark 7 confirms this result and the Acer Aspire One 722 finds itself among its kind (Asus Eee PC 1015B, Eee PC 1215B).

The mini netbook computer bids enough memory for the most important data and even more having a gross capacity of 250 Gigabyte. The Toshiba MK2559GSXP is in the average midfield with a work speed of 5400 revolutions per minute and a SATA II bus. Maximum read transfer rate of 80.8 Mb per second (CrystalDiskMark) and the rather slow access rate (AS SSD) confirm this placing. A hybrid drive or a pure-bred solid state drive with a construction height of 9 mm is recommendable for more power. Nevertheless, transfer via SATA III is not supported.
Battery Life + runtime

The energy saving components inside and the included 6 cell battery are to ensure mini netbook computer typical runtimes. The power supply is large enough for this with a capacity of 49 watt hours (Wh), or 4400 mAh, even if other manufacturers partly provide a bigger alternative. The BatteryEater tool bids two standardized tests that estimate the upper and lower limits with the Classic and Reader’s test. The possible span between 3 hrs and 15 min’s up to a maximum runtime of 10 hrs and 42 min’s convinces and is within an acceptable range for this hardware configuration. As well as both of these extreme assessments, the test “surfing via WLAN” gives a practical scenario. A still good 6 hours and 34 minutes are possible remote from the power outlet in pleasant display brightness and enabled WLAN adapter with the included battery.

The low consumption rates match the given runtimes. The mini netbook remains modest with a maximum of 9.5 watts in idle. Thus, it is partly better than configurations with an Intel Atom N550. Practically, the consumption increases during load and the incorporated AMD Radeon High-definition 6250 is noticed during this operation. A maximum of 17.3 watts are needed, whereas the difference to the Intel Cpu is now slight. The consumption in a deactivated state or standby does not show irregularities.