This may actually be appealing if you want to run XP, either because you don’t want to learn the new operating system, Win7, or because you see specific legacy advantages to XP (may run slightly faster than Win7 on the lightweight Atom processors that run most netbooks). Please note that if you don’t want to learn the new operating system, that probably isn’t the best of reasons since long-term support is probably going to be better for Win7, and Microsoft is reporting fewer virus problems with Win7 than with XP (although that may just be due to the fact that Win7 is still new).

Other than the operating system advantages/disadvantages, this unit comes with a more powerful battery (10 hour battery life from 5400 m.a. battery); the other current a0532h editions have a lower power rating, hence 8 hours of battery life. Also, this unit has Bluetooth.

So for about over the cost of the more common edition, you downgrade to WinXP and upgrade to Bluetooth and a stronger battery.

If you are upgrading the memory module, latest user postings indicate you need to use an 800 Mhz module (PC-6400, not PC-5300 as indicated by the Acer published specs).

My rating of this unit is based on my brief ownership of the “standard” Win7 edition Acer AO532h-2223 10.1-Inch Matrix Silver Netbook - Up to 8 Hours of Battery Life.

My current favorite among netbooks is the HP Mini 210 HP Mini 210-1010NR 10.1-Inch Black Netbook - 4.25 Hours of Battery Life, due primarily to its matte screen (instead of glossy). But the Acer a0532h’s have some appealing features, like wireless “n” support, and a 6 cell battery (in the lower capacity) for the same price as the HP with a 3 cell battery and wireless “g”.