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Advice on Netbooks
wraith808:
I've used a USB drive for a while now to carry around my programs everywhere, and it's great! However, I think I'm ready to take the plunge again into a readily portable device instead of depending on there being a device where I go. This isn't my first time down this path- I've had the Fujitsu P1510, the Sony UX280P, the OQO Model 02 and one of the first Motion Tablet PCs. But I ended up getting rid of all of them because they weren't as useful as I first thought; the Sony and OQO were too small for my purposes, I couldn't do without a keyboard to use a Tablet PC, and the P1510 was just inconvenient.
So I decided to wait, and now netbooks seem like what I was waiting for, but I'm not sure about committing to one.
Basically what I want is a device that I can carry just about everywhere, that I can actually use productively to write anywhere I want. I need something that has a keyboard that if not comfortable, at least lets me type at a half way decent rate that's not so inconvenient that I keep using that as an excuse not to write. I also want something inexpensive enough that I can justify keeping it around in an environment where I already have an iPhone, a giant Laptop, and a Desktop. I also need it to be Windows based, since the software I use to do research and write in is Windows based, and I don't want to change.
The devices I know of include the Sony Netbook (too expensive- though it appears perfect), the HP Mini (again, too expensive), the Dell Mini (too expensive for the space), the Lenovo Thinkpad (too expensive), the Asus eee pc, the MSI Wind, and the Acer Aspire One. I was trying to keep near $200, though a little on either side is fine. I was leaning towards the Acer Aspire One, but wondered if anyone had any experience with that model, or any netbooks.
Thanks!
hamradio:
I am not affiliated with them but...with google I found a site that appears to talk about the Acer Aspire One in detail. I have not looked at the site much. The site is "http://www.aspireoneuser.com/". Might be worth a check.
mrainey:
I've used an Acer (8.9" screen) for several months now. It has XP Home, 160GB hard drive, a gig of RAM, and the extra-cost 6-cell battery.
XP boots up and runs beautifully. No problems whatsoever. I can do my development work on it with tolerable speed.
The screen is very sharp, maybe a little glossier than I'd like.
No heat problems or excessive fan cycling.
The battery is supposed to last for six hours. Mine initially gave five +, now it's down to just over four at 100% charge (?). It sticks out the back a little, no big deal. My wife carries the Acer in her purse, so size and weight must be pretty small.
I just took it on a three-week vacation to the UK and it worked like a champ the whole way. A seven-dollar plug adapter was all it took to use the electrical outlets.
Wireless works fine.
The computer feels very solid. My wife and I absolutely love it. I paid $350, including the six-cell, but I'll bet it's cheaper now.
wraith808:
Development work? I didn't expect that! What kind of development work is that?
Thanks for the replies! Especially that site hamradio!
mrainey:
What kind of development work is that?
--- End quote ---
I do this kind of stuff.
http://closetolerancesoftware.com/index.html
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