Nettop Computer: Acer Veriton N260G Review

Nettop computers, based on the Intel Atom processor, are not powerful/fast, but use very little power and can be left running for long periods without damaging the environment. The new Acer Veriton N series computers however have an integrated Intel GMA 4500M graphics processor, whereas the Acer Aspire Revo R3600 has the more powerful Nvidia ION graphics processor which makes it fast enough to handle HD video without stuttering and therefore makes it ideal for Home Theater/Cinema applications or as a media-pc i.e. you can store all of your music, photos, videos and also store television programmes, either downloaded from the internet or from terrestrial digital TV e.g. Freeview (via an adaptor)

Specifications: Veriton N260G

OS: Windows XP Home Edition
CPU: Intel Atom processor N280
RAM: 1GB DDR2
HDD: 160GB
Optical: None
Video: Intel GMA 4500M Integrated

LAN: Wireless LAN
Modem: None
Keyboard: PS2
Mouse: USB
Speaker: None
BIOS: P01-A2

I bought the Acer Veriton N260G mid-range model with 160 GB disc and Microsoft XP installed. This has good storage space, but avoids the cost of an expensive operating system, such as Vista. I paid about £160 (excl. VAT) The computer is tiny at just 3 kg in weight and just 180 (L) x 180 (H) x 30 (W) mm in size (7" x 7" x 1.5")

The difference between the Acer Aspire Revo and the Acer Veriton N260G nettop computers: Veriton versions do not have the NVIDIA Ion graphics processor, but do have the faster Intel Atom N280 cpu, otherwise these computers are very similar.

The setup of the Acer Veriton N260G is very simple. Plug in the keyboard, mouse, power-cable, HDMI (or VGA) to the television or monitor and press the power-button. It really is that simple. You then have a standard Windows XP Home computer. It even connected to the wireless network without any problems, so internet browsing was possible straight away.

The only problems I had were trying to get it to talk to my other computers on the network: Apple Macbooks. I am running Mac OSX 10.5 and did finally manage to setup file sharing with the XP, but I had to do the following:

How to file share between Apple Mac and Acer Veriton of Aspire with Microsoft XP Home

The Acer Veriton and Aspire build quality is reasonably good, especially when you consider the very low price, but not in the same league as an Apple Mac (which cost far more) they can however be tucked away behind the television or monitor (although mine had very low WiFi signal strength there and had to be moved to under the TV, where it was fine. The computer dimesions are tiny at just 3 kg in weight and just 180 (L) x 180 (H) x 30 (W) mm in size (7" x 7" x 1.5") The plastic used for the case feels quite cheap, but looks reasonably stylish, partly because of the unusual trapezoidal shape and the slim design (and lack of optical drive) The stand which allows the Acer computers to stand up is flimsy, but works fine and there is also a bracket that allows the computer to be mounted on the back of the monitor. The keyboard and mouse provided and effectively free (Apple Mac mini doesn't come with either) but despite that they are quite useable and far from the worst I have used.

An alternative to the Acer Aspire and Veriton computers could be the Apple Mac Mini computers. These are beautifully made and will also work straight out of the box. They have also an optical drive (but not Blu Ray, although the Acer models have no optical drive) and look excellent in the lounge. The Mac mini is also a tiny machine at a similar total volume to the Acer computers.