Remember netbooks? They’re no longer trendy with the launch of the iPad and the resulting tablet fever, but Acer still appears to be tinkering with the tiny, inexpensive laptops. The company’s latest trick: putting the Android OS on a system running Windows XP.

Like other netbooks that have attempted to combine a Linux quick-boot option with Windows, the Acer Aspire One AOD255 deploys Android for instant launching of Internet functions (plus all of its mobile apps) while XP will handle the more traditional PC capabilities. A configuration manager lets you control which OS runs when. The AOD255 has typical netbook specs, including Atom N450 CPU, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive, and 10.1-inch screen.

Acer has been showing off the AOD255 in Taipei, but there hasn’t been an official launch date announced. According to Fudzilla, it will launch soon somewhere for about $350. I’m not sure this will help keep netbooks relevant, but it can’t hurt Acer to put the trendy OS on a system to see if the market responds to an Android-flavored netbook.

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