How Convert an Acer Aspire One Netbook into a Desktop Computer

The Acer Aspire One is a small low cost netbook ideal for tossing in your bag while traveling. This portability makes it an ideal machine for many. There are complaints about screen and keyboard size--the sizes of these components make it uncomfortable to use the keyboard or look at the monitor for long periods of time.

This may discourage some from purchasing this netbook. While portability may be a wonderful feature you may not want to invest in a second computer. The Acer Aspire One has the little-known ability to be converted into a desktop computer--eliminating this argument against it. By adding a few components you can convert this netbook into an all-around desktop computer with four added advantages: lower power consumption, built-in battery backup, smaller physical footprint and the ability to pack it up and use anywhere!

Things You'll Need:
Acer Aspire One Netbook
USB mouse
USB keyboard
USB optical drive (optional)
VGA monitor
External computer speakers

Step One:
Plug the VGA monitor's power cord into an available electrical outlet. Connect the VGA cable to the VGA video port located on the left side of the netbook. The Acer Aspire One does not have holes for the thumbscrews on the VGA cable so just push it in firmly. Turn the monitor's power on.

Step Two:
Connect the USB keyboard to one of the three USB ports available on the Acer Aspire One netbook.

Step Three:
Connect the USB mouse to another of the three USB ports available on the Acer Aspire One. If you wish to use an optical drive like a CD or DVD drive, connect it to the last available USB port.

Step Four:
Connect the speaker cable to the green headphone jack on the right side of the Acer Aspire One. This is the jack that is closest to the two USB ports. Connect the speaker's power cord to an available electrical outlet and turn the speaker's power on.

Step Five:
If you are using an ethernet cable to connect to the Internet instead of wireless, connect it now.

Step Six:
Turn on the Acer Aspire One and allow it to fully boot and load Microsoft Windows. Allow the netbook time to install and configure the new devices before proceeding to the next step.

Step Seven:
Go to "Start," "Control Panel," "Appearance and Themes," "Display." Allow the applet to load.

Step Eight:
Click the "Settngs" tab.

Step Nine:
Click the "Advanced" button. A new graphics properties window will appear.

Step Ten:
Click the large tab at the top titled "Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile."

Step Eleven:
Click the button labeled "Graphics Properties."

Step Twelve:
Place a dot beside "Monitor" in the Single Display section..

Step Thirteen:
Click "Apply" and "OK." The monitor will now become the display and the netbook monitor will go dark.

Step Fourteen:
Click "OK" twice to close out both Display Properties windows.

Step Fifteen:
Click the "Back" button on the Control Panel window to be taken to the Category Home view.

Step Sixteen:
Click "Performance and Maintenance."

Step Seventeen:
Click "Power Options." We are now going to configure your Aspire One netbook to enable you to close the lid and stash it!

Step Eighteen:
Click the "Advanced" tab.

Step Nineteen:
On the Power Buttons section use the drop down menu beneath "When I close the lid of my computer" to select the option of "Do Nothing."

Step Twenty:
Use the drop-down menu beneath "When I press the power button on my computer" to select "Stand by." This will enable you to quickly place your netbook in standby mode when using it on the go.

Step Twenty-One:
Click "OK" and close the lid on your netbook. You are now able to use the Acer Aspire One just like a traditional desktop machine. Place the netbook out of the way, and start using your machine!

Tips:
When you are ready to go portable with your netbook, turn it totally off and disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and optical drive (if installed). Open the lid and turn your Acer Aspire One on to use it as a netbook. Everything will appear as a traditional netbook with one exception: you will have to press the power button to instruct the machine to go into standby before closing the netbook lid.

A powered USB hub can enable you to connect more devices to your Acer Aspire One as well as making the connection/disconnection process faster and easier. Connect your mouse/keyboard/printer/other device into the USB hub and then connect the hub to the computer.

To restore the netbook to desktop mode after going portable follow steps Seven through Fourteen in this tutorial.

Leaving the Acer Aspire plugged into an electrical outlet when being used as a desktop (or whenever an outlet is available) will prolong the life of your battery by reducing the number of discharge cycles.

Source:
Personal Experience