Steve:
I've had the Samsung since Friday, each night I install new programs, run mlutiply applications (nothing too taxing) have watched dozens of Youtube videos (the low def ones look great in full screen and most of the hi-def runwell too. I watch streaming Big Brothr feed on it, I've walked around the property and kept a 5 bar signal on the wireless. The drawback and it is only cosmetic is that Samsung only comes in back or white with the N120. I think that is a big mistake, I hope they fix that problem soon. If you were to order from Dell a different color, they charge $40 extra - that is something in the Dell commercial they don't tell you when they have dinosaur feet stepping in colored poop shaped piles to press out the netbook shell.
I am waiting until the Win7 to come out to buy mine, I like this XP version with the N270 processor, which runs XP with standard 1 gig RAM - upgradable for $29 to 2 Gig - but as you know there is the Z570 processor used in all most all the Vista models is less fast (which is being phased out) has on board a larger hardrive (mostly to accomidate Vista I might add) and on board 2gigs or ram. The drives on the Vista units are around 250GIG to 260GIG in size. But don't let that fool you - again, Vista is space hungry, by time you create a backup drive you won't see much space difference between the two drive sizes, and remember although the XP units run at 1.6GHZ speed, the Vista units run only at 1.3GHZ not a great speed difference by itself, but big when talking operating systems. I just hear that the XP with the 1.6 N270 (and there is an N280 processor out there) will screem (as far as netbooks go) on Windows 7. That is why I am waiting until October to buy mine. I'll be interested to compare Tracey's to mine then.
The problem I have with acer is they come out with a new version every week, keeping track of the latest or the best is not as easy. The Acer is smaller than the Samsung and about $50 cheaper, but having the much larger keyboard on the Samaung will safe hours of frustration as your hands fall right into place easily - no learning curve.
Acer has is too made in color selection and over all size it is a little smaller. It really all but disappears in a backpack and that is awesome. But with better sound quality, larger keyboard, very flexible backlighting settings for room conditions (no sense running full brightness in a darkroom when you can double your bateries) the six cell 7-8 hour battery life) bluetooth enabled a benchmark speed out doing the acers, Samsung offers a lot for extra $50. That is important I think too - remember no matter which unit you get, go for the SIX-CELL BATTERY, it at least doubles the daily use when fully charged and nearly removes the need to carry the power charger for most occations.
I seriously believe after 5 days of really testing it, I love the Samsung 120 (there are several models out there too, so be careful) but realise, it surely won't be her last computer. If cash is an issue, she has no need for bluetooth, wants a jazzy color and can work with a smaller keyboard, then Acer is a great deal. If you think you want something a bit more robust that might get an extra year out of as her hands and needs grow, then Samsungs unit with their ultra-bright screen is a real winner.
Lastly, the only word processor I had presinstalled (unless I missed it) was Notepad and Word pad - that latter being fine for most school work I would imagine. I did download the free Open-Office Suite fully enabling the computer to do all tasks, processor, spreadsheets, etc. Then I added Paint.net (actual name of program - not a vebsite) aslo Open Source and free too from
www.download.com or any other download site you might use. All these programs run fine with no drawbacks I have found yet.
With that software, either machine, for well under $400 and closer to $300 for the Acer, I know you'll have a great gift for your daughter that will last because all these netbooks seem sturdy and built well.
Lastly, no final word on how Win 7 will be delivered to the netbook. Without a DVD drive, it limits Mircosofts choices, but the fully recognise the power and potential of the netbook frenzy. Most of the big companies think either a USB device or a SD card which once started WIPED CLEAN EVERYTHING in the computer - backing up files will be important or they will be gone. The upgrade will go around $120-$140 but it isn't necessary if the computer does everything she needs. It supposed to do things using less computing power and less HA space, so that is a plus, especially if you up it to 2gigs, then running multiple tasts is a breeze.
Hope this helped. Oh.... Look above in my earlier post for the youtube video of the Samsung 120 if you haven't seen it, it does a pretty great job of explaining the features.
OH..... About the wireless at home. Not sure on the Acer, but the Samsung recognises 802.11g/b wireless router connection (G being the most frequent router channel) you simply plug your cable rom the cable modem into the routher, a cable that comes with the router (usually) then plugs back into your computer - and it now has a hard connection to the main computer and is broadcasting wirelessly a signal that any of the netbooks will pick up. And according to the router and more specifically its location, you can literally get a thousand feet or more from it. To reduce the distance (if you do not secure the ports) you can place it more central in the house, away from windows, etc, and the turn the antenna horizonal, all these will greatly limit how far a signal will go out to the wireless device, keeping you range safer from people using YOU as their hotspot and surfing for free on your dollar.
All these routers cost from $40 to $60 typically, can be bought almost anywhere and will handle as many wireless PCs you have around, so if your daughter brings friends home with THEIR netbooks or laptops, they will also have connection.
I think that is all I can come up with that the video doesn't cover, I do recommend checking any of the units out in Youtube by people who have bought, and used them. Unbiased reports is usually the best way to learn small but important differences. But minus a third processor and a Linix version of the netbooks, there is really only the two types and a few bells and whistles. Searching isn't to difficult once you grasp the difference.