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If you like small ...

Discussion in 'Computers & Technology Forum' started by exscentric, Jan 1, 2008.

  1. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    If you need a small laptop take a look at http://www.dynamism.com/eee-pc/main.shtml

    It is a solid state hard drive unit shipping with Linux but you can put Windows XP on the thing. There is a video at the end of the page if you want to see it in action.

    Uhhhhh so nice :thumbs:
     
  2. standingfirminChrist

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    8 gig hard drive with 1 gig ram.

    At 499, it it too expensive.

    For $200 more, I purchased an Acer Aspirie from Walmart. It has a 160 gig drive, and 2 gigs ram. along with lightscribe dvd burner (sweet) and other bells and whistles I have not fully explored.
     
  3. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Hand helds have always been very high priced, this one comes in at less than half what most of them have gone for for years. Most run 1200 and up. The new generation that run full systems run lots more.

    For the size it is an elcheapo. They could have put a hard drive in and done it for less and made it a lot more useable IMHO.

    Glad you like your acer, picked up one for my wife at Staples and she is still having fun with it :thumbs:
     
  4. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    my wife would love it I think.
    I think the screen is too small in relation to the rest of the system.
    It needs to be edge to edge.

    Also, 8GB is just not enough, but if it had 32 GB or more it would be great.

    Rumor has it that Apple will have a small notebook like this coming out soon. If so I will almost surly be buying one. I have been saving and wating for a while.
     
  5. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    I work with a 9.5 inch constantly so I think an 8 would suffice but most would find it cramped. I am a little concerned about the 8 gig also, though with sd you could get 12 but you'd want to work mostly with the basics or the programs would eat you alive.

    I've been trying to find out if the linux side is set up to run windows programs since I want e-sword. I function on my handheld with olivetree but the resources are rather limited.

    Creeping to the edge of trying one but don't want a brick on my desk if it doesn't work. Nobody carries them so you can go see them that I've found thus far. Guess I could order it from best buy and return it to the store :laugh:

    Have been looking at a Sony that is about the same size but wow that price tag :tonofbricks:
     
  6. 4His_glory

    4His_glory New Member

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    I heard that too. Also there was a rumor about a laptop that uses flash memory in place of a hard drive. Now that would be interesting.
     
  7. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    A new version of the EEE is supposed to be shown at CES. It has a bigger screen, among other things, I hear.
     
  8. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    If I am not mistaken there is a Linux version of eSword but it isn't called that.
    The program itself would be different with a different gui but you could still use all of the same modules.

    I use MacSword which is the mac version.
    Again, totally different program but same modules.

    There is also a Java version too.
     
  9. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    The thing I disliked most is the amount of speak around the screen.

    A device like needs to be ALL screen.
    I mean, I don't mind the laptop form factor but an inch or more on either side of the screen is unacceptable in my opinion.
     
  10. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    You know, to be honest, the more I look at this the more I want it.
    It would be almost perfect for me for my work.
    I have to take a laptop up and down a ladder a lot and all I need are a network port and Firefox for configs
    As a bonus, I have to take pictures and my camera uses SD to the built in slot for that would be great!

    It would actually be quite useful to me.
    The only thing that would probably keep me from buying it is the lack of iTunes to sync up my iPod.

    So the biggest thing is that it isn't a Mac.
    it looks like it has a really friendly version of Linux.

    Overall I think it is a great idea.
     
  11. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    It has a camera built in that might work for you.

    Yes, bigger screen would be good. They are speaking of across not diag. as screens are usually measured but still small and wasted space, as you say, ain't good.

    Thanks for reminding me of the linux sword - I knew that - just didn't remember it :tear: wonder if I will remember what the asus is used for when it gets here :laugh:

    I've spent a couple hours reading reviews on Amazon, forums etc after a google and it looks impressive. They have an XP version manual online so it does work, but they require an xp sp2 original install cd and an external cd rig.

    I've seen some comment that you can order it with xp but have not seen any offerings online.

    The only hesitation I have is the keyboard size. Some say you can touch type and others say the keyboard is not that workable?????

    Targus has a foldable keyboard (usb) if all else fails but why would you want to carry a keyboard that is about the same size as your computer ?????????
     
  12. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Just located one in town and tried the keyboard. I'm fairly big (6-3) and I am sure I would adjust quickly to the keyboard for touch typing though it is smaller than the usual NEC mobilepro keyboard. The wife is small and felt it was comfy enough as well.
     
  13. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Thought I should qualify something. I said "It has a camera built" but I just found out that evidently according to one of the reviews that the "surf" models do not have the camera or microphone.
     
  14. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Bit of an update, finally went for it and ordered one. Some pros and cons:

    It comes with the easy interface but to get to the desktop they speak of you have to do a whole lot of linux coding, then if you don't like it more linux stuff to get back to the original interface.

    Keyboard is small but touch typeable with some thought - fairly sure it would become more natural. (Shift button is small square.)

    The transition to XP has not been accomplished here. I don't have the disk they spoke of. They said you needed the Microsoft windows xp sp2 disk which I had, but they meant one that has win xp AND sp2 on one disk. My sp2 is just the sp. Found a program that would merge them so tried that but it did not work.

    I still haven't figured out how to install programs so can't get the programs I need on it.

    The camera can take shots as well as use as a webcam.

    Cute. Very useful if I can get a Bible program on it.

    It has some great possibilites for the person on the go.

    Wireless set up quite easily once I used the right type of network setting :thumbs:

    Will update if I find anything really great about it.
     
  15. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    Well, you can expand your storage with a SD or SDHC card, so that's a plus.

    Here's a link you might appreciate:
    http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/eee-pc-review.ars/5

    ^ Talks about how to add programs and customize the Eee. The whole article is a review, but the reviewer seems to know his stuff.
     
  16. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Thanks for the link, will snoop it in the morning. Yes the sd will help, I picked up a 4 gig but wish I had gotten an 8 - esword is big :)

    I finally got xp loaded onto it and am up and running. Wireless/network set up first try which is great for our network :laugh:

    Have esword and Word on it all ready and have a few more small programs to go.

    The menu print is rather fine but readable even for an old guy with tri focals that aren't quite the right prescription. I did go to large font in the accessibility area which helps the eyes.

    All in all it boots much better than my big machines and seems like a regular laptop except for the size.
     
  17. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    Hey, after all I said about the limitations I went out and bought one!
    I am typiing on it now.

    The keyboard is a little small but certianly usable.
    The speakers are adaquate for a small laptop and if I can just get my serial port to work it could be perfect for what I need for my job since I need a laptop to climb on a ladder :)

    I may have to install windows just to use my USB serial port though.
     
  18. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Great! Xp isn't to bad a change, as long as you have the right cd and follow the books instructions. There are a couple of forums that have a ton of info on them will list them below.

    Some have put xp on sd cards or usb sticks though usb stick wouldn't be a good idea on a ladder :smilewinkgrin: Not that you needed anyone to tell you that!

    You will need an external dvd drive. The asus disk is dvd and that is where the drivers are. Hint. When xp is done you are told to put the asus disk in for drivers and they take along time to install so don't get in a hurry. I almost rebooted thinking there was a problem.

    http://vip.asus.com/forum/topic.aspx?board_id=20&SLanguage=en-us is not overly active but some information there.

    http://forum.eeeuser.com/ has a ton if information and is terribly active board, but lots of good info.
     
  19. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    I installed hte full desktop mode which doesn't delete the easy mode but youcan switch between the two.

    It wa much easier to get programs installed.
    Actually, ones I had already installed now are accessible, such as GnomeSword.
    It is good to have a bible program on here.
     
  20. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Glad you like it! I've really enjoyed mine. It is like an old shoe already, just something I use daily. I put e-sword on it with all of the resources I have but had to close a few bibles to get a window big enough to use :laugh:

    There are two sites that might give you info if you have questions. First one is a little slow but the other one is a busy place.

    http://vip.asus.com/forum/topic.aspx?board_id=20&SLanguage=en-us
    http://forum.eeeuser.com/

    I didn't think I was up to the code to get into advanced mode. There is also a java based bible and a linux one at crosswire.com if you are interested.
     
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