laptop computer for touring
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,720
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been looking at netbooks for travel (with and without bike) as well. I have an iphone and love it, but like AdamDZ, need to be able to download and store photos. I like the price, and portability, but can't quite see myself using a PC... I may have to suffer through it though.
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 671
Bikes: Surly LHT 52cm Nice Bicycle I think.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Up Date on my computer I wanted.
Thanks for all input on this matter.I went and got my self a Acer 10.1 the cost was cheap and it only 2.76lb.I like the blue one and got it.It has the starter 7 on it but am going to update to the windos 7 home.And yes I can not live with out a computer lol.It can save my mind at night.I like to play games and talk lot to my wife when I am away form home.And I also got my self a new camer to take pics with.I know about weight my LHT is not light anyway.So this little weight I have added is not that much for me.And I can share the pics here as I travel I think it helps keeps your mind going when you have stuff to do at night and when you take time off for a few days it gives you something to read and have fun at same time.Now all I am waiting on is my Doct. report on my health and I should be good to go after that.Well did install install the windows 7 Home on my little computer and as far as I can tell it has not slow my computer down at all.Its nice to be able to take your computer with you and stay in touch and let anyone know how you are doing and let them see where and what you have seen while out on the road.And I am on it now.
Last edited by KDC1956; 04-19-10 at 05:16 PM.
#28
Bike addict, dreamer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been looking at netbooks for travel (with and without bike) as well. I have an iphone and love it, but like AdamDZ, need to be able to download and store photos. I like the price, and portability, but can't quite see myself using a PC... I may have to suffer through it though.
Some tweaking may be required though. But you end up with the best of both worlds Although, it's a bit slow. I'd rather run Windows XP on a netbook.
Thanks for all input on this matter.I went and got my self a Acer 10.1 the cost was cheap and it only 2.76lb.I like the blue one and got it.It has the starter 7 on it but am going to update to the windos 7 home.And yes I can not live with out a computer lol.It can save my mind at night.I like to play games and talk lot to my wife when I am away form home.And I also got my self a new camer to take pics with.I know about weight my LHT is not light anyway.So this little weight I have added is not that much for me.And I can share the pics here as I travel I think it helps keeps your mind going when you have stuff to do at night and when you take time off for a few days it gives you something to read and have fun at same time.Now all I am waiting on is my Doct. report on my health and I should be good to go after that.
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,720
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ever heard of a Hackintosh? Many Netbook models will run OSX: https://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Some tweaking may be required though. But you end up with the best of both worlds Although, it's a bit slow. I'd rather run Windows XP on a netbook.
Some tweaking may be required though. But you end up with the best of both worlds Although, it's a bit slow. I'd rather run Windows XP on a netbook.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 238
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
never ever even thought of brining a computer on a tour. heck i do not even like having my cell phone with me.
I would just buy the cheapest thing available and use that... I am a Ubuntu fan so that is what I would put on it and be done with it.
I would just buy the cheapest thing available and use that... I am a Ubuntu fan so that is what I would put on it and be done with it.
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 248
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
blackberry phone = phone, camera (passable), email (sometimes make you too available), notepad, small games, online google maps w/ sat view, alarm, video camera, voice recorder, watch digital uploaded movies, usb connection to copy files, blue tooth.
plenty of solar chargers available
plenty of solar chargers available
#32
www.Click-Stand.com
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Aberdeen, WA
Posts: 374
Bikes: Owner built touring & tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ever heard of a Hackintosh? Many Netbook models will run OSX: https://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Some tweaking may be required though. But you end up with the best of both worlds
Some tweaking may be required though. But you end up with the best of both worlds
Tom
#33
www.Click-Stand.com
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Aberdeen, WA
Posts: 374
Bikes: Owner built touring & tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hi All,
I just looked on eBay and there are nine auctions for Dell Mini-10s running Snow Leopard (OSX). So they may not be as concerned about it.
Tom
I just looked on eBay and there are nine auctions for Dell Mini-10s running Snow Leopard (OSX). So they may not be as concerned about it.
Tom
#34
Bike addict, dreamer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, the screen is too small, but it's not because it's OSX, you'd have that problem even under old Windows XP. Some apps won't work on it. I think Photoshop will work, although it'd be a pain to use. I wouldn't even attempt editing images on a netbook. I'd upload some unedited images to my journal but replace them later with better quality images once I'm back at my home computer.
#35
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 671
Bikes: Surly LHT 52cm Nice Bicycle I think.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Ever heard of a Hackintosh? Many Netbook models will run OSX: https://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Some tweaking may be required though. But you end up with the best of both worlds Although, it's a bit slow. I'd rather run Windows XP on a netbook.
Don't install Windows 7 Home on a netbook. It'd be barely usable. They come with the starter version on purpose: it's less demanding than full version
Some tweaking may be required though. But you end up with the best of both worlds Although, it's a bit slow. I'd rather run Windows XP on a netbook.
Don't install Windows 7 Home on a netbook. It'd be barely usable. They come with the starter version on purpose: it's less demanding than full version
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 180
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Good Web site to choose an Internet device for touring: https://www.umpcportal.com/products/
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 2,053
Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would go Netbook if I wanted something on a tour. Less than $300 and you've got exactly what you need. Would be good for for websurfing from the couch at home, etc., if you don't have a laptop already/anymore, as in my case.
+1 for Ubuntu!
+1 for Ubuntu!
#39
Flying Under the Radar
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Northeast PA
Posts: 4,116
Bikes: 10' SuperiorLite SL Club | 06' Giant FCR3 | 2010 GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I use a netbook. I barely notice any weight and it does the job. Acer Aspire One in Blue.
#40
Flying Under the Radar
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Northeast PA
Posts: 4,116
Bikes: 10' SuperiorLite SL Club | 06' Giant FCR3 | 2010 GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have a Dell Mini-9 running OSX. It will do that with no modifications. Neither Dell nor Apple support the idea. I bought it with OSX loaded just as eBay closed down all sales of Dell/OSX. I took it on tour last year. It worked perfectly and weighed about 2.2 lbs. The only thing I couldn't do was get a photo fixing program on it. I loaded Photoshop Elements, but it won't run because the screen is too small.
Tom
Tom
#41
cyclepath
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: "The Last Best Place"
Posts: 3,550
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My second post from my new iPad. Loving this little thing!
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#42
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 671
Bikes: Surly LHT 52cm Nice Bicycle I think.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It just seems funny to me how some people tells you don't install windows 7 home on a netbook computer.Guess I have the only netbook computer that works like a full size computer with no problem at all.My Acer Aspire one has replace my home tower computer for me.The cost for a usb dvd burner was not that bad.About 50.00 bucks.And it gives you all you the stuff you need to do with I think anyway.I did add the max on ram it now has 2 GB of ram.
#43
Senior Member
Thanks for all input on this matter.I went and got my self a Acer 10.1 the cost was cheap and it only 2.76lb.I like the blue one and got it.It has the starter 7 on it but am going to update to the windos 7 home.And yes I can not live with out a computer lol.It can save my mind at night.I like to play games and talk lot to my wife when I am away form home.And I also got my self a new camer to take pics with.I know about weight my LHT is not light anyway.So this little weight I have added is not that much for me.And I can share the pics here as I travel I think it helps keeps your mind going when you have stuff to do at night and when you take time off for a few days it gives you something to read and have fun at same time.Now all I am waiting on is my Doct. report on my health and I should be good to go after that.Well did install install the windows 7 Home on my little computer and as far as I can tell it has not slow my computer down at all.Its nice to be able to take your computer with you and stay in touch and let anyone know how you are doing and let them see where and what you have seen while out on the road.And I am on it
now.
now.
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 634
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nokia N900. I love mine. It has a decent camera, GPS, cell phone, wifi connectivity, plays music (both mp3's and internet radio), plays video, has great battery life, and it will fit in your pocket. One cool thing is that it has Skype built in. You can make Skype calls through the phone anywhere in the world that has a wifi connection.
#45
Banned.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 5,675 FT ASL
Posts: 26
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#46
Full Member
The iPod Touch would be fine, if only I could get pictures from my digital camera (Canon S90) to it without the use of a computer. I like the idea of being able to do some presorting of my photos along the way, rather to deal with two months of images when I return. Unfortunately, there's no (reasonable) way to move photos form a camera to the iPod Touch but, as has been mentioned, Apple does make this possible with the iPad.
I like the idea of an iPad over a netbook because of the small size and ability to power via USB. I have a Shimano front hub generator, and have ordered an E-Werk, so I'd have no trouble keeping it powered.
#47
Senior Member
#48
Full Member
Be sure to investigate the iPad charging issues before embarking on this plan... I own an iPhone and have an iPad through work. If I couldn't get by with the iPhone, I'd opt for a Netbook over the iPad.
#49
Maglia Ciclamino
An iPad in the field? Personally, I don't want to put my grubby hands on my screen be it a tablet or phone. I just don't want to hold the thing. For considerably less money, with a netbook, you can get a legit keyboard, a screen that folds open and stays put, and as much battery life as an iPad. If you know what you're doing, you can run some flavor of Linux (Ubuntu's a good place to start) to sidestep the Microsoft tax.
I'm going to give my Asus EeePC 1000HE a hug now.
I'm going to give my Asus EeePC 1000HE a hug now.
#50
Full Member
Also, isn't the iPad lighter and smaller than any netbook? Since i don't plan to use it very much, that matters to me.
Finally, it looks like the charging issue won't be as big of a deal as I feared. From what I've read, it looks like it WILL charge even at the low end of USB 2.0 current levels (500 mA), albeit slowly and only while sleeping. Apparently if it's only getting 500 mA it gets just enough juice to keep running -- not enough to top up the charge. But, that would work for me because my daily usage will be so low. I have a battery that outputs USB that I'll be charging during the day with the E-Werk, and I could use that to charge the sleeping iPad overnight.
Note: I don't have either the iPad or E-Werk yet, so none of this is tested. The E-Werk should be here in another week or so, but i can test iPad charging from my external battery in the next few days because one of my friends already has the iPad.