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While the Acer Aspire One 533 is basically an updated version of the Aspire One 532, at least the original machine was a dependable and likeable netbook with very few flaws.
The Aspire One 533 adds an improved processor with support for speedy DDR3 memory and extended battery life, but is it enough to set this netbook apart from the vast number of mini portables currently available?
We Liked
Acer's usual high build standards are evident, and the Aspire One 533's compact chassis is solid as well as light. It'll take more than a few knocks on the road to bother this netbook.
Usability is strong, with a firm and well-sized keyboard in place. Touch typing is a breeze despite a flat key design, and the only flaw is the cramped arrow keys.
The Aspire One 533's screen is sharp and vibrant, perfect for checking out your holiday snaps, and the display bends back to a near-horizontal angle so it's comfortable to work on while rested on your lap.
Networking is also strong, with 802.11n Wi-Fi providing fast wireless connectivity and Bluetooth available for quickly swapping files with compatible mobile devices.
We Disliked
480 minutes of battery life is enough to keep you going on even tediously long commutes, but is outdone by several other netbooks. The Aspire One 533's bulky battery also adds to the machine's thickness.
Performance is typical for a netbook, with no real advancement compared to the Aspire One 532. Only basic tasks are possible, such as web browsing and word processing, and multimedia potential is highly limited with HD video struggling.
As with all netbooks, there are also few features to get excited about. The glossy screen coating also highly limits outdoors use.
Verdict
The Acer Aspire One 533 takes few risks, with just a couple of notable updates over the Aspire One 532. It's a well-built and highly usable netbook, and reliably portable, if not particularly exciting.
However, there are netbooks out there with longer lasting batteries, so regular travellers may want to consider something like the MSI Wind U160 or the Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3T instead.
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