Ahhhhhhh, I was thinking of upgrading from the Mead comp.

been using the mead comp for years. I always have trouble with the wifi.

seriously, i can't decide between the Aspire one and the eee pc. the only diffrence seems to be the keyboard layout. which is a big deal to me since i want to use them to write word documents.

What is the collective wisdom on the Dell Mini 9?

I received a promo email last Monday for the bsae model for $199. It has Linux, which I like. Only 512k memory, so figure about $225 out the door. Just wondering if this is really a great deal or not.

Brian

Dunno...I have a love hate relationship with Dell. I have a Dell Latitude D610 that is going on 5 years old and gets heavy use and abuse, no problems. I have a Dell Dimension 4600 desktop where the hard drive died 2 weeks after the warranty ran out, it is lightly used. My daughter had a Inspiron that we had replaced under warranty after they had replaced all of the parts in it and it still was crap. The replacement has only been marginally better. My son has a 2 year old Inspiron that has burned up a couple of cooling fans in the past 6 months.

Dell does okay overall and the price isn't out of line with what is being offered by other manufacturers. Dell does have decent warranty service...you just have to battle with them sometimes.

Aaron

I have eeebuntu running on an Asus 900 and it's fantastic. A big improvement over the original Asus Linux OS is the way it handles wifi.

We've been using one for about 3 months now, since our Toughbook died (don't ask. long story. very disappointed with Panasonic). We have one of the larger Asus EEE PCs. I think the smallest ones would be tedious to type on. Ours has a nearly full-sized keyboard. No issues with vibrations so far. Only time will tell! Overall we're very pleased. Battery life (5-6 hours) is great.

I've been thinking about getting one of these and I have a couple of questions for you. I assume eeebuntu is a variant of Ubuntu. Does the installer give an option of what windows manager or desktop environment to use? Or will I need to apt-get Xfce? I typically use Xfce but sometimes use Gnome. I'm more of a Debian fan than Ubuntu, have you tried Debian's eeePC?

I rarely use Windows anymore. One of my pcs is a dual boot with XP and the only reason I have that is to use Microsoft's Streets and Trips and recently playing around with DeLorme's mapping software. I haven't found any mapping software for Linux that I like. For this reason, I was thinking about getting a Windows version for the eeepc. I figure if I am going to be carrying around a pc, I might as well have a mapping program on it.

I found this website that is dedicated to netbook computers: https://www.netbooktracker.com/

It allows you to check out specifications on different netbooks and may show you some brands you weren't aware of.

Ray

Unfortunately, the installer does not give an option of which wm/de to use - you're stuck with Gnome unless you make some modifications to the installer. Now if you wanted to use XFCE, you could simply install Xubuntu, but you would be without the benefits of the Array (special EEEPC kernel) kernel. I have not tried Debian for the EEE, though I have done a Gentoo install (it was obscenely tedious, and I've done Gentoo installs before this - I don't recommend it). I'm sure that building a Xubuntu installer with the Array kernel, or else bulding an EEEBuntu installer with XFCE instead of Gnome is very possible.

Seems like a fair enough reason - there's definitely a niche in the "market" of Linux software for a mapping program. I'd be curious to know how well such an app would run on the constraints of the EEE's hardware - perhaps you can provide some insight?

If you do need Windows for the EEE, may I suggest downloading the free WinLite app? It allows you to streamline your Windows install to only that which you really need. It's really very easy to use - I got my installer disk down to 200something MB.

On the Nokia N<nnn> Internet Tablets, you can run Maemo Mapper. It's capable of using different map repositories and storing map tiles for offline usage. Platform of the Internet Tablets is a customized Linux kernel, running on an ARM processor. Maybe someone can port it over to Linux on x86.

Currently, I'm trying to write a VB app that can do the same thing as I was unable to find anything decent that can store Google Maps for offline viewing.

Maybe try eeeXubuntu? Linpus Lite, what my Acer Aspire One uses, is also Xfce, though I had to add the menu and other features myself.

In general I love my AAO. I got it for the larger and more robust feeling keyboard and the storage expansion slot. Essentially it's a second flash card slot, only SD cards fit and they sit flush with the laptop casing. The memory is added to the main drive and can be used to install and run programs. Apparently it can also be made (sort of) bootable but I haven't tried that yet. I got the 8gig SSD and with an 8gig SDHC card doubled my drive space. I have a second SDHC card loaded with educational programs for homeschooling. So far it's a good fit for us.

i have a eee pc with Linux and I would not trade it for anything out there!

=)

The Nokia N810 internet tablet has a built-in keyboard, can be paired with a bluetooth keyboard, and has an 800 pixel wide screen. It's super-light-weight (<0.5lb), can be charged from a solar panel, and the battery lasts for days on standby, 8+ hours on light/normal use. Also, they're relatively inexpensive lately (<$200). Great choice for lightweight text input, internet browsing, etc. (as long as you can find WiFI, or you can pair it over bluetooth with a phone w/ a data plan).

Alternately, and even smaller/lighter, is the Nokia E71, an absolutely smashing phone:

https://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/...ia-e71-review/

QWERTY keyboard, phone, can run office apps, do email, internet browser, GPS. If you're bringing a phone along anyway, why not make it a miniature computer? Super lightweight compared to all other options (esp. since there is no need for a secondary phone), very long battery life. You can also use a bluetooth keyboard with it if you're concerned about touch typing.

Downsides: 320 pixel wide screen.

I used an N810 on my last trip as a travel computer... next time I'm downsizing to an E71, I'll let you know how it works out


Sam

Hmmm, some options there. Xfce is not a deal breaker for me, it's just my favorite DE. But Gnome is fine with me. I haven't used KDE in a very long time but I will assume it would suck all the power out of an eee.

I won't be getting one for some time, maybe next spring before I go on my long tour. I actually just learned about them a couple of weeks ago. I don't keep up with technology much any more. I found what I like and it does me well. I'll keep playing around with some of the mapping software and maybe by the time I am ready to buy, I will find one I like. I'd much rather stick to Linux and preferably Debian.

Wow, Gentoo was tedious, even for Gentoo! I haven't used Gentoo in a couple of years. Debian has been so good to me, that every once and a while I will install a different distro, but I always go back to Debian. Anyone still use Slackware?

I would avoid KDE at all costs, but that's just me. I don't find Gnome to be too terribly resource-intensive (provided you do without all the fancy desktop effects, of course), but there are far pickier folks out there than I.

I do know a guy who has Debian on his EEE and loves it. That said, he also had a far easier time installing Gentoo than I did, so take that with a pound or two of salt.

I know of a couple folks who tried Slack but liked Arch better. My advice (if you're very, very terminal-savvy and know your Linux very well) would be to slipstream an Array kernel with XFCE. Actually, if you manage this, let me know because I'd like to try it.

For any people that have considered going Linux before reading the last page of posts, don't let that scare you off. I use Linux and I have no idea what they are talking about. You can use Linux just like you use a TV. You don't have to know how they work to use them. You occasionally have to use some UNIX commands when installing new software, but there are usually instructions that make it fairly easy. If all else fails, there is a Linux geek under every rock in Austin, who would love to answer your questions. Just randomly start dialing numbers that begin with area code 512. It won't take long.

I too have used Linux (the laptop it was on finally died) and found the Debian fairly easy to install and utilize, and I DON'T work in IT for a living. I work in industrial construction as a field project manager.

Aaron

Very true. Linux has gotten to a point where it is very easy to use. Just like in Windows, you have people that don't know much about computers but can easily use Windows. Unlike Windows, Linux has many variations (called distributions or distros), the basics are the same, but there are some differences. For example, in Debian if you want to install Firefox, you can just use the command: "apt-get install firefox" or use the package manager and click the box to install it. Red Hat had .rpm files that were used to install programs. Sometimes you would need to install other rpms before you could install the program you wanted. Apt-get takes care of the dependencies for you, no more rpm hell.

In Windows, the kernel and the desktop environment are packaged together. In Linux, you can easily change the windows manager or desktop environment. Some people like KDE because it is pretty, others like Xfce because it is not resource hungry yet still goog looking. Some don't like desktop environments and prefer just a windows manager like fluxbox. And still others don't want any GUI and prefer a command line interface, usually just for something like servers though.

Some distros are made that using the command line is nearly not needed at all. Most things can be done through the GUI. I use about 50-50 split between command line and a GUI to alter the system. My favorite eBay sniper program is a command line program. In a distro like Ubuntu, you might never need to use the command line.

Most installers will recognize your hardware and install and configure your system for you when installing Linux. There is no more 5 hour installs where you need to configure all the hardware of your system. Just place the CD in the drive and follow the directions. A quote I used to have on another forum was "Place distro of choice in CD, boot, enjoy" It is really that easy now.

What I like about Linux is the freedom. I can alter anything so that it is done the way I want it to work, not the way Microsoft or some other company wants you to use it. No, EULAs to follow. That is one reason I use Debian, it's all free. Free as in speech, not beer.

Don't know any off hand. If you want to give it a try, maybe a live CD will work for you. Though I never liked them because you can't save the settings and the slowness since you are running off of the CD.

But they are kind of nice to get an idea of how things work.

CardiacKid -- Have you used your netbook while bicycle touring? I am really excited about what is happening with the netbooks ... I'm hoping that I can hold out a little longer before I buy one ... I would like to see the battery life extended a bit, and a larger solid state hard drive, say maybe 60-80GB.

You can install 3GB of RAM in the Asus? I thought only 2GB was the limit.

These netbooks are getting more sophistocated all the time! I like the added features of tv viewing and watching movies.

Has anyone tried connecting a dvd/cd player to a netbook for watching dvd movies?

How much extra does it cost to upgrade the RAM memory to 2GB?

Wow !!! That's really amazing! You have a 200MB System. I didn't think that was still possible! I remember the early days of the Mac computers, with Systems less than 1MB (that's one megabyte!). We still have lots of old Macs that run perfectly. I've got several models with the trimmed down systems of less than 1MB.

What all can you do with the 200MB System on your Netbook?

I have only used it on weekend trips. Unfortunately, it has been in the shop for warranty repairs for the last 10 days. I don't think it had anything to do with touring, since I haven't taken it on my bike since the fall. I have taken it on a few camping trips recently.
My experience with the customer service department has been pretty good, but I really miss it. It is supposed to be back in my hands on Monday.
They also have a breakage warranty. They will replace it once if it breaks due to misuse, as long as you register your netbook online. I don't know any other company that offers that kind of warranty.
One tip. Remove the battery when travelling. Even when turned off, power is drained from the battery while just sitting in your pannier.

I've never heard of any company offering a breakage warranty! That's awesome!! Thanks for the tip about removing the battery. I'm surprised though that it would make much difference by leaving the battery in the laptop. Is that an issue only with a particular netbook, or with all netbooks and laptops?