Computer question #2:

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Jan 13, 2008 | 03:04 PM

#31

paS2K

Thread Starter

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 18,885

Likes: 33

From: Philly (Narberth)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonasM,Jan 8 2008, 12:45 PM

.....If you're looking for serious road-warrior laptops, I'd look at Asustek. UNder the name ASUS, they are the biggest motherboard manufacturer in the world. They make a line of ultra-small & light laptops, priced from something like $299. I read about them here:

http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/cne...nt.php/3719776

If I had the extra $$$, I would get one just for keeping in touch on the road.

JonasM

I just spent a while reading about the Asus Eee 4G. It sounds

and can fit in your pocket.....for 300 bucks. It seems to be available thru Amazon. Questions:

Would this work for my lite-duty Road Trip 'puter....email, a little web surfin' ?
Do you think the tiny QWERTY would be a problem ?
Would I have any trouble learning the Linux....since I only know m/s basic software now?

Quote:

Pound for pound, the best value-priced notebook on the planet." Sure, you could stop right there if you'd like, but where's the fun in that? Laptop Mag was able to get their paws around an Asus Eee PC 701, and while you may not think a meager 900MHz Intel Celeron processor could stir up all sorts of jubilant emotions, apparently it still can. Reviewers made no bones about the machine's lack of raw horsepower, and it did make sure to knock Asus for releasing a machine with webcam drivers "on the way," but despite the rough edges, the wee 701 was deemed a great choice for the novice PC user or someone scouting a secondary machine. Notably, the Eee PC 701 isn't apt to make just anyone smile, but if you're interested in finding out if such a device would work for you, be sure and give the read link a bit of your time.

Jan 13, 2008 | 03:48 PM

#32

paS2K

Thread Starter

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 18,885

Likes: 33

From: Philly (Narberth)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonasM,Jan 8 2008, 12:45 PM

About 2 years ago, Dell moved their Business support lines back to the US after a big customer outcry. The Home customers still have to deal with offshore support.

The main piece of advice I give folks nowadays, since laptop features & prices change so much, is to go to a store where they can check out the keyboard of any models they are interested in. ....

Jonas (and others

)

Other than the Asus Eee 4G, I am thinking about going with one of the DELL Vostro notebooks....ordered via their Small Business portal for architects etc [assuming that the better CS comes along with the deal]. The DELL choices (both $549)include:

Vostro 1400- incl XP home; CD-RW/DVD; 1GB RAM; 80GB HD; 14.1" scr;1 yr wty
OR
Vostro 1500- same w/ 15.4" scr [160GB HD for $579/ special offer]

What Would Jonas Do?

Jan 13, 2008 | 08:00 PM

#33

JonasM

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 8,211

Likes: 135

From: Euclid, OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by paS2K,Jan 13 2008, 07:48 PM

Jonas (and others

At Dell right now, I see that both are the same price (549 base), so normally I'd say go with the better one for the same $$$. However, the 1500 is another pound heavier. That may be important to you. If not, that I would say a 15" screen beats a 14". Size does matter in theses things.

If it's going to run Vista, upgrade to 2GB Ram. 4 if you think you'll have this for a couple years.(I didn't look for the price to upgrade to 4 - if it's outrageous, then don't bother - just go to 2).

As for disk space, only you know your requirements. I usually choose the largest I can get without the price going up too much. Of course, only you can decide where that boundary is.

As for the Asus and your Linux question, it shouldn't be too big of a deal to learn a couple of new things. If you can find your way around a Mac or Windows, most of what you know should translate. I'm not familiar with the exact flavor of Linux that they use, but I doubt it would be too much of a problem.

JonasM

Jan 13, 2008 | 08:34 PM

#34

paS2K

Thread Starter

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 18,885

Likes: 33

From: Philly (Narberth)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonasM,Jan 14 2008, 01:00 AM

....If it's going to run Vista, upgrade to 2GB Ram. 4 if you think you'll have this for a couple years.(I didn't look for the price to upgrade to 4 - if it's outrageous, then don't bother - just go to 2)......

The 1500 with 160GB HD and 2GB SDRAM is only $579 in a special deal

I'm planning to go with the available XP/home package.....so the 2GB RAM should be OK for the future, right?

I want to get an internal Wireless card...I guess that will be revealed as I go thru the order menu online