The Netbook Thread

HGFB · Post by **HGFB** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:20 am 0

I wonder how easy it'll be to get a USB bluetooth dongle going on this thing. If I can get it tethered to my phone and use BTDUN it suddenly becomes perfect.

WiteWulf · Post by **WiteWulf** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:07 am 0

Do these thoughts often cross your mind at twenty past five in the morning?

zip accident · Post by **zip accident** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:26 am 0

I've just had a thought. 512MB would be Win98 compatible wouldn't it.

Is there any way of getting that loaded? as in, can it boot from a USB CD Rom?

WiteWulf · Post by **WiteWulf** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:32 am 0

zip accident wrote:I've just had a thought. 512MB would be Win98 compatible wouldn't it.

Is there any way of getting that loaded? as in, can it boot from a USB CD Rom?

Should be fine, not sure how you'll fare re. drivers, tho...

HGFB · Post by **HGFB** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:40 am 0

There's so little info out about how these things actually work and the spec on the one I ordered has just changed. An increase to 1gig of ram.

1. What Linux do they run and will we have root access?
2. If your OS gets trashed how do you reinstall?
3. It comes with a selection of software. Will it have a repository for downloading extra stuff?
4. Will it handle USB dvd drives out of the box?

teamonkey · Post by **teamonkey** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:42 am 0

HGFB wrote:There's so little info out about how these things actually work and the spec on the one I ordered has just changed. An increase to 1gig of ram.

1. What Linux do they run and will we have root access?
2. If your OS gets trashed how do you reinstall?
3. It comes with a selection of software. Will it have a repository for downloading extra stuff?
4. Will it handle USB dvd drives out of the box?

Who'd be an early adopter?

HGFB · Post by **HGFB** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:50 am 0

It looks like the Linux involved is a version of Xandros. Didn't that used to be Corell Linux?

WiteWulf · Post by **WiteWulf** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:52 am 0

HGFB wrote:There's so little info out about how these things actually work and the spec on the one I ordered has just changed. An increase to 1gig of ram.

Pleasant surprise! Where'd you order from in the end?

1. What Linux do they run and will we have root access?
2. If your OS gets trashed how do you reinstall?
3. It comes with a selection of software. Will it have a repository for downloading extra stuff?
4. Will it handle USB dvd drives out of the box?

As I've not actually laid hands on one these are mostly informed guesses:

1. Xandros, it's a Corel/Debian derivative. Not sure about root access but you'll be able to load any OS you want on it (so long as it's compatible, obviously).
2. Good question. I imagine you'll find yourself either doing a net install from a small installed on the SSD in a protected partition or downloading an install disk and loading it with a USB CD/DVD drive.
3. I'd imagine a repository would be essential for updates at least but additional apps would be sensible.
4. Definitely.

In other news, external display support has now been confirmed as being up to 1600x1280!

HGFB · Post by **HGFB** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:01 am 0

I ordered it from that Asus UK link you gave a page or so back.

Here's an unboxing article. It sure does look nice and having a dedicated SD card reader is a great bonus

http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=233&t=422914

Dio · Post by **Dio** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:08 am 0

That's absolutely fantastic. With a 9" or 10" 1024-wide screen on it (those ugly borders!) it would be absolute perfection, I'd gladly pay an extra Â£50 plus. Fingers crossed for that by the time I need one or I will end up with two.

teamonkey · Post by **teamonkey** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:14 am 0

Dio wrote:That's absolutely fantastic. With a 9" or 10" 1024-wide screen on it (those ugly borders!) it would be absolute perfection, I'd gladly pay an extra Â£50 plus. Fingers crossed for that by the time I need one or I will end up with two.

The borders are speakers I think, but even so.

I had a beautiful little P120 sub-notebook while I was a student, only a little larger than this Acer (though about twice as thick and it needed to be plugged in). It was a fantastic little machine, I used to take it everywhere. Really handy for when you needed remote X11 access quickly.

And now having reminisced, I want one of these.

kalmar · Post by **kalmar** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:15 am 0

My Mother was asking me about this machine! She teaches English and would like a laptop to use with Word and internet stuff, and this one being very portable and also cheap seems to have caught her eye.

Is the screen big enough to do word processing sensibly? Does it come with OO or Star Office or whatever?

I said I'd ask my geeky internet friends (only kidding).

HGFB · Post by **HGFB** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:26 am 0

The screen rez is 800x480 and the OS comes preloaded with Open Office.

WiteWulf · Post by **WiteWulf** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:31 am 0

I'd say 800x480 was fine for word processing, our lass still uses an 800x600 Tosh laptop for work and I doubt you lose much from height, width is the important element for me.

Kalmar, RM is selling these in the UK so as your mum's a teacher she should be able to get one through the school's purchasing process.

*edit* Someone in the UK's got one and posted his thoughts:
http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?pid=6732#p6732

kalmar · Post by **kalmar** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:36 am 0

TBH I don't think 800 x 480 is going to be much fun for WP. Still, I'll wait for your review first