The requests for help keep coming in faster than I can deal with them so whatever I do now, some people are going to be sensing emails that go unanswered. I’m sorry! The only thing I can say is that you should try the forum where there are a bunch of knowledgeable people happy to answer questions. In the meantime, I’ll try and plod through as many as I can.
CCC 20. John.
I’m looking at a $300-450 USD price range. Mini-notebook form factor. It will spend most of its time on my lap (60%), some time on desks/tables (30%) and occasionally in my hand (10%). Mostly looking to use it for editing documents, web browsing, watching an occasional video, taking notes in class, instant messaging, and email. Battery life needs to be pretty good. I’m guessing maybe 4+ hours. Needs to have solid wifi connectivity. Touchscreen would be cool, but I doubt it would fit in my price range. I’m not sure whether or not I should get SSD or just get a HDD and leave options for 2.5 SSD upgrade down the road.
This should be fairly easy. Editing documents + 4hrs + solid wifi = Eee PC 1000 [three versions shown here.] The 1000 has a great keyboard and good battery life, just as the MSI Wind does but the wifi module is slightly better on the 1000H. Both can be bought with SSD, HDD, Linux and XP variations but if video if in your mix, you’ll want to be storing a clutch of videos on an HDD. For some commentary on the finer differences between the MSI Wind and the 1000H, see these two great post by Brad Linder and Kevin Tofel.
CCC 21 below…
CCC 21. Max.
Max Brustkern wrote: I’m looking for a mini-notebook with a resolution higher than 1024×600. Touchscreen would be appreciated, but I have no interest in a swiveling screen, since I think I would be likely to break it. Usage would be mostly web browsing, a lot of SSH, and some video (SD and 720p) Video out would be nice (composite/s-video more than HDMI) Under 4 pounds is important, and battery life over 2 hours would be nice.
Touch on a mini-notebook (I assume 10" screen size is the limit) with a resolution higher than 1024×600 narrows the field very quickly down to two devices. The Fujitsu P16xx range, and the Kohjinsha SX3. The P1610 is end-of-life in most places now though so you might be able to find bargains and they were relatively expensive devices but note that they don’t have the s-video or composite video output that you were looking for. If you’re willing to go up over 10" screen size you could find some other options and still keep the weight down under 4lbs though. Unfortunately, its not an area of devices I concentrate on so maybe someone reading knows a good website for ultra portables like the LG C1 and Panasonic range and can leave a note in the comments? As for the SX3, I can’t recommend it due to your video requirements. The SX3 currently disappoints in this area due to sub-standard drivers.
The lack of choices here highlights another ‘black hole’ in the ultra mobile product range. I personally would like to see more analogue or digital video output on PCs as they are capable of performing well as digital video recorders. With the new Poulsbo chipset from Intel able to do hardware video decoding, I hope it’s something that will change in the near future.
Read more customer challenges on this page.
Don’t forget the HP Mini-Note can do a bit better than 1024×600. It’s too bad that HP does not seem to have an 8 SSD and 6-cell battery, with Linux optional version at all (was HP really serious thinking that 4GB SSD for their Linux version is big enough)? And why offer Novell as the only Linux option, when so many geeks would not touch a Novell system because of their extreme pro-mono position, and the deal they made with Microsoft (5 years only, that could be different terms dictated by Microsoft at that time, so risky to get involved with only a 5 year deal, because then after the 5th year, no deal maybe other than to sign up again for another MS 5 year option, that the customer will have to pay for if you like it or not).
My only concern with all the netbooks currently out there is the 1GB RAM limit. I notice the Linux vesion of the Eee PC 100H comes with 2GB RAM.
Would it be possible to buy this model and then install Windows on it? Seems too simple so probably not !!
Anyone any thoughts?
Of course you can install Windows on a Linux machine! Actually, if it is a Linux machine, you are pretty sure that the hardware is not locked and you can install whatever OS you want on it. The only case where you are stuck with a specific OS is with “tattooed” PC where the only installable OS is… Windows of course!
Just remember that installing Windows requires you to have a valid license, which is NOT cheap. So if you paid for such a pricey license, why couldn’t you install it!!! :-)
About the RAM in netbooks, there is no common netbook that is limited to 1GB. Most are shipped with 1GB but all can be upgraded to 2GB max. Then depending on the netbook, some allows a quick and easy upgrade like the Asus EEE PC’s or the Gigabyte M912 where the slot is really easy to access by just unscrewing a small panel, while others like the Acer Aspire One or the MSI Wind are much harder to upgrade because the device must be opened completely to access the slot and this usually breaks the warranty.
HP Mini-Note can go up to 2GB RAM. Upgradable too.
OT – Note that Acer USA person at California Office, told me same story Asus was telling netbook owners that upgrading RAM etc VOIDS warrantee (advised him that what he was saying was not lawful in the US to say due to the actual case ruled on in a court concerning that same subject, the case was brought up and pointed out to ASUS about a year ago, when Asus was trying to say that if the sticker on the doors was broken, that they would not honor warranty. Asus after hearing that, reversed course and made no more mention about qualified folks upgrading their systems voiding any warranty (they even made them more able to be accessed for upgrades). However, Acer with the Aspire One has done the worst job making their netbooks upgradeable – with Aspire One we have to do major computer take apart to get inside to do any upgrade! HP in their own video mention that HDD and RAM are easy to get to by the back of the machine.
Novel Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop is an excellent choice for HP to install on their professional netbook.
the 2133 was made for the education market, and needs an enterprise class OS.
lots of linux geeks, me included, don’t give a damn about mono and have been happily using opensuse for donkeys years.
HP also have a long standing relationship with Novel-Suse, one i hope they continue with the refreshed mininote.
HP Mini-Note can use 2GB RAM. 1280×768 screen that is not too friendly for sunlight use outdoors, and battery life has been reported to be on the lower end due to the CPU slower old CPU. There is a story floating around that HP will be using a new VIA processor that uses less power and gives off less heat (when or if true, no one really knows for sure).
XP is quicker than Vista versions (Ubuntu with fast SSD?)
Some HP Mini-note’s have the 6 cell option (more expensive models). Their battery has built-in indicator for charge status.
Yes, I thought about the Mini-note but wanted to include the touchscreen capability.
By the way, the future 10-inch HP Mininote should have the touchscreen capability.
Well, of course you couldn’t recommend some product that is not available yet.
And I want to add that it is not clear whether the new 10-inch display will keep the same great resolution or if it will go to the “classic” 1024×600, which would be a real shame but I guess it would reduce costs…
You sometimes mention LG C1 but there is one upgrade for that LG P100. I don’t know why, but it’s not easy to find except here in Portugal and Spain. Here in Portugal costs around 1600 euros and brings 2 batteries. I found some guy that bouths this and using the 2 batteries the computer works for 6 hours.