Linux Format forums

Haakin · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:02 pm Post subject: Help me choosing a netbook

Hi!

Finally I'm planning to buy a netbook (it has taken me several months to find a good excuse to do it Wink

).

I have two options right now. The Acer Aspire 1 and the Dell mini 9. Both are in the same price range. I think that the main difference is that the Aspire has a real HD and the Dell has a solid state HD. Any idea about which one is better? The HD is much bigger. Does it affect the duration of the battery?

Any other option I should consider? Obviously I don't want to pay a Windows license.

Thanks,

Javier
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English is not my mother tongue. So, be ready to read bad grammar and limited vocabulary Sad

ollie · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:34 am Post subject: RE: Help me choosing a netbook

The SSD make netbooks "bullet proof" compared to standard hard drives used in netbooks and notebooks. The first thing to go in laptop/notebooks is the hard drive as the heads bounce when they are moved and bumped around whilst turned on.

My Asus Eee PC 701 is rock solid but I really feel that you need to actually get your hands on one and see how the keyboard, track pad, mouse clicker and screen work for you.

Haakin

Hi!

LoL · LXF regular Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:42 pm Posts: 409

As it's a netbook, how about Tiny Core linux?

a) If you can't get online with a netbook, it's kinda lost it's whole raison d'etre anyway - So, the lack of apps is moot

b) The lack of locally installed apps would give you more room on your storage media for ... well ... storage Wink

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Oontz <-- Click Here

gn2 · LXF regular Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:34 pm Posts: 135

I would suggest one of these.

Best build quality by a mile and far higher screen resolution.

nelz

Ram

I've got mini 9 and am very happy with it. I got mine for £190 from Tesco Direct currently out of stock it looks like they may come back in stock at £194.77 but you'll have to leave your e-mail addy.

The Mini is easy upgradeable, 3x6 inch flap on the back held in placed by 2 screws. Once removed you have access to memory and ssd. 2 gig stick only cost £18 from crucial. SSD now available upto 64 gig.

One think to bear in mind is that some of the keys are in odd places.

No F keys, they are Fn Key combo's on the a to : row, yes that only 10 keys, no F11 or 12.
The pipe key is on the right of the space bar.
The right hand shift key is on the small side.
# is above the enter key and below backspace.

With a little use you get used to it, just like full size KB are not all equal.
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Ubuntu LXDE 12.04 running on AMD Phenom II*4; ASUS Crosshair III Formula MB; 4 GB Ram.....

Haakin

nelz

Look on Ebay for high capacity batteries. I've got a 10400mAh one for my Eee, it's a fair git bigger, and heavier, but it lasts ages.
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Unix is user-friendly. It's just very selective about who it's friends are.

Ram

[quote="Haakin"]

Rhakios · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject:

Haakin · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:40 pm Post subject:

Maybe this could be a good theme for a Roundup in the magazine.
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English is not my mother tongue. So, be ready to read bad grammar and limited vocabulary Sad

Rhakios · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 10:02 pm Post subject:

Hmm, while searching for the netbook roundup that the Register did a while ago, I stumbled across these articles by Chris Bidmead. Worth a read in my opinion.
The netbook roundup is here, but it's a little out of date now.
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Bye, Rhakios

beast2k · Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:03 pm Posts: 4 Location: Canada

Ram · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:18 am Post subject: Re: Help me choosing a netbook