Acer Aspire ONE external DVD/CD RW drive recommendations

hi

could you explain in more detail, please
I just ordered an acer aspire one with 1BG ram and 160GB hard drive
for my son to use at school. I need to be able to load Microsoft
Office on it for word processing, etc.
What type of external cd drive do I need to buy ? that will be the
only use for it..to download MS Office once..so, I don't want to spend a lot of money on this

thanks

Use these words when you shop:

"I need an external DVDRW USB 2.0 drive."

Unless the product was defective, those will work fine.
Bob

To download from Microsoft is $149
To buy at Bestbuy, etc is $99..but, that requires a CD drive
which the acer aspire (and all netbooks) do not have..
I own a legal copy of MS office..bought from Staples..comes with
three licenses..I have only used one..on a regular laptop and would
like to use license #2 on the netbook..but, can't without external
CD drive..
So, guess I am looking for suggestions for an inexpensive external
CD drive..one time use only..

thanks
nancy

Did you try Open Office?

http://www.openoffice.org has it and it opens, edits Office 2003 and more files.
Bob

hi..thanks for your replies

have heard of open office..but, wonder if it is 100% compatible
with MS word ??

If my son starts homework at school in open office on netbook
but completes it at home on regular laptop which has Office...
I wonder if there would be problems...

Never heard of that.

But my kid uses it just fine. Did you try it? Seems a shame to spend this much and not try the free items.
Bob

thanks !

might try cheap external CD drive..$20 on ebay today so I can
take advantage of the extra MS license I have

thanks for your time and helpfulness

You say you have other PCs. I can install MS Office 2003 over the network. My Acer has wifi so I share a directory with my Office 2003 files and install over the network.

It seems like there's always a way but we don't think of them all.

Still like the free solutions,
Bob

hi, Bob

good thinking I did read about file sharing on network idea..
We currently have 4 PCs (dad, mom, son, daughter) on a wireless
network. Am adding acer aspire netbook for my son.

I am the problem..don't know *how* to file share

Oldest son (on own) says free is better too ! But, he is out of college and not worried about powerpoint presentations and MLA
accurate reports for English teacher like younger brother is

thanks for all your suggestions!
nancy

I use my netbook to work from home, using both word and excel. it works like a charm. no need to buy a new program unless you need to upgrade to word 2007

I bought my son the XP/1GB/160 GB HD version and he D/L'ed Open Office immediately.

It's FREE and looks like a Microsoft clone in 99% of it's capabilities.

One caveat is that it reads/saves in Word format but you have to specify that it do so (save as...).

Pretty, fast, and FREE...

Try it side-by-side on your own notebooks to see for yourself!

I have two new computers and just purchased this software as an upgrade. Both of my computers have Microsoft Works. Will the license agreement allow me to install the software on both of my computers?

I assume it's on the disk and shown when you install the first time. But it's available also at http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx

Kees

Oops, I meant to post this elsewhere. However, I haven't opened the box yet because I want to make sure I know if I can use it on both computers. I looked at the Microsoft site license agreement and couldn't figure it out. I need the software so I guess I'll just hope I can somehow use it on both computers. Thanks!

I loaded MS Office Home and Student edition on my Acer Aspire One netbook by copying the CD onto a 1 gig thumbdrive and then loading it onto the netbook hard drive. I opened the folder and started the set up from there.

I have loaded several other programs that way without any problem.

pco