Re: [tlug] Netbooks

[Ian Barwick <barwick@example.com>]

Hi

2010/2/1 Darren Cook <darren@example.com>:
> Hi,
(...)
> In particular when bought with a 2-year emobile contract the netbook
> hardware is very cheap [3], and the monthly fee is a reasonable 3-6000
> yen [4].

I'd be wary signing up to emobile just for the "cheap" hardware;
apparently the maximum limit is easily maxed out [1] and that works
out more expensive than a normal emobile flatrate (I pay about
5,000 yen a month, on a yearly contract through my ISP). Those
hardware subsidies have to be recouped somehow...

> Does anyone here have one? Are linux pre-installed models easily
> available? Or if installing linux as a dual-boot, what should I watch
> out for? Or <whisper>is sticking with windows going to be good enough
> for my needs?</whisper>

I haven't seen any models with Linux pre-installed on sale, though I haven't
looked recently. I have a HP 2133 (no longer on sale), which has a nice high-res
screen (1366x768 IIRC) and quite a nice keyboard. It's useful for me as a
fully-featured PC I can carry around without really noticing the weight.
It's a trifle underpowered (video playback is a bit jerky if you're trying
to do something else at the same time) and I wouldn't want to use it as
a primary ebook reader as the screen is a bit on the small size
but it suits my purposes.

[1] http://sevententotokyo.com/2009/11/goin-geeky-in-tokyo-satisfaction-and-regret/

Regards

Ian Barwick