Which Netbook Do You Have? - Page 3

GeoffC · 05-26-2009, 10:49 AM

I'm half-looking, wanting to restrict the software to Ubuntu - but all but the basic models have Vista/XP - restricts the choices somewhat.....

daffy4u · 05-26-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

I'm half-looking, wanting to restrict the software to Ubuntu - but all but the basic models have Vista/XP - restricts the choices somewhat.....

You can change the OS. The HP I bought had a Linux OS as a choice (don't remember which distribution). I'm going to dual boot mine with WinXP Pro and Windows 7.

Greg Anos · 05-26-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

I'm half-looking, wanting to restrict the software to Ubuntu - but all but the basic models have Vista/XP - restricts the choices somewhat.....

GeoffC - No problem! I did it, and if a complete Linux klutz like me can do it, you can. Here is all it takes...

Download your ISO of Ubuntu. Download a program called Unetbootin - it comes in Windows and Linux flavors. Run Unetbootin. It'll ask you for your ISO, and then converts it to a Flash Card boot version. Slap the flash card into the netbook, and execute it like any other distro load.

Now I got fussy. I wanted to keep the Windows drive intact. So I bought a cheap (US $35) 80 GB, 2.5 hard drive from Newegg, and loaded Ubuntu 9.04 to a virgin drive. Worked perfectly. No problem even with the internet.

Now I still had problems making certain packages work, but that's my personal Linux ignorance, not anything wrong with the load.

That's all it takes.....(And Unetbootin will work with any ISO)

GeoffC · 05-26-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

You can change the OS. The HP I bought had a Linux OS as a choice (don't remember which distribution). I'm going to dual boot mine with WinXP Pro and Windows 7.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

GeoffC - No problem! I did it, and if a complete Linux klutz like me can do it, you can. Here is all it takes...

Download your ISO of Ubuntu. Download a program called Unetbootin - it comes in Windows and Linux flavors. Run Unetbootin. It'll ask you for your ISO, and then converts it to a Flash Card boot version. Slap the flash card into the netbook, and execute it like any other distro load.

Now I got fussy. I wanted to keep the Windows drive intact. So I bought a cheap (US $35) 80 GB, 2.5 hard drive from Newegg, and loaded Ubuntu 9.04 to a virgin drive. Worked perfectly. No problem even with the internet.

Now I still had problems making certain packages work, but that's my personal Linux ignorance, not anything wrong with the load.

That's all it takes.....(And Unetbootin will work with any ISO)

Don't get me wrong, I know this stuff - but seems daft to install a 'free' OS onto a new laptop that has a paid for OS on it - that's my immediate concern.

Did a successful dual boot onto my PC.

Thought I'd be clever and do a sole Ubuntu install on an old lappie. Process removed XP and forgot to install Ubuntu. Now lappie insists with no OS, no booting up .... I fear the disc partitioning has exposed existing HDD problems and the poor thing has died on me.....though i'm still persevering with one or two options to see if I can do "CPR" on it....

kazbates · 05-26-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

"The" XP is the operating system, and no .... the operating system needs the space it needs. The netbooks don't tend to come with a whole lot of bloatware.

That's why I think you should definitely get a netbook with the largest HD you can. Mine has 160GB, and that is plenty for most purposes.

Ricky has it correct. You really can't minimize the operating system and there isn't a lot of extraneous software included that could be removed. Just the basics.

I worried about the disk drive, though. As I stated earlier, we were looking more at the solid state drives thinking they would be more stable than a standard disk drive (less moving parts) since the whole point of the netbook was transportability. In the long run, I think the standard hard disk will be okay.

The Asus 1000HE is a little heavier than the HP (3.2 lbs to 2.6 lbs) but it felt a little more solid to me. I also like HP products a lot (I have several, including my laptop, printer, PDA, etc) and have been very pleased with their customer support (they replaced my printer twice, even going so far as to upgrade me to a better one when the one I had purchased kept experiencing a known defect) but I just liked the feel of the Asus better.

Since I won't be allowed to play with it until Thursday

, I'll give you my feedback then.

desertgrandma · 05-26-2009, 12:11 PM

Looks like I may have sold my K1.

Now to make a decision. Arrrrgggggggggg.....

Could you all send me yours (HP, Asus and Acer) so I can play with them and decide?

daffy4u · 05-26-2009, 12:13 PM

The HP I chose comes with a 160GB hard drive. I don't understand the half pound difference.

kazbates · 05-26-2009, 12:14 PM

I would love to have you over for tea of Friday and we could play with my new Asus.

daffy4u · 05-26-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Looks like I may have sold my K1.

Now to make a decision. Arrrrgggggggggg.....

Could you all send me yours (HP, Asus and Acer) so I can play with them and decide?

Best Buy sells Asus, HP, MSI, Sony and Dell netbooks (no Acer). Maybe you could go into one of their stores and play with them.

desertgrandma · 05-26-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

The HP I chose comes with a 160GB hard drive. I don't understand the half pound difference.

Here is a nice table....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_netbooks

daffy4u · 05-26-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Here is a nice table....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_netbooks

TMI!

I've made my choice and I'm sticking with it!

desertgrandma · 05-26-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Best Buy sells Asus, HP, MSI, Sony and Dell netbooks (no Acer). Maybe you could go into one of their stores and play with them.

Yes, I fully intend to do that. Just haven't wanted to do so before I knew I was going to be able to purchase one.

Does the term "impulse buyer" mean anything to anyone else here?

I can just see my husbands face if I came home with something like that and, when asked "why", I replied with "Because its so danged CUTE!"

I would be living with my daughter...

Now, I"ll have most of the money, and can easily save for the rest.

desertgrandma · 05-26-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

TMI!

I've made my choice and I'm sticking with it!

And I'm sure you've made the right one.

If I had had to go thru this to choose an ebook reader, I'd be a basket case. Luckily, in my case, ignorance was bliss.

desertgrandma · 05-26-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazbates

I would love to have you over for tea of Friday and we could play with my new Asus.

Boy, would YOU be surprised if I showed up!! Thanks for the invite......

kazbates · 05-26-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Boy, would YOU be surprised if I showed up!! Thanks for the invite......

Surprised?

Yes. Upset?

Absolutely not. It would be an honor. Anytime you're in Northern VA, drop on in. My doors is always open to you.

View Poll Results: Which Brand Netbook Do You Have?
Acer	16	14.04%
Asus	36	31.58%
Dell	3	2.63%
HP	4	3.51%
Lenovo	3	2.63%
MSI Wind	5	4.39%
Samsung	7	6.14%
Sony	2	1.75%
Waste of Money, wouldn't have one	3	2.63%
Don't have one, just want to see how this poll works out.	31	27.19%
other (please explain)	5	4.39%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 114. You may not vote on this poll

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05-26-2009, 10:49 AM	#31
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	I'm half-looking, wanting to restrict the software to Ubuntu - but all but the basic models have Vista/XP - restricts the choices somewhat.....

05-26-2009, 12:11 PM	#36
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462843 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Looks like I may have sold my K1. Now to make a decision. Arrrrgggggggggg..... Could you all send me yours (HP, Asus and Acer) so I can play with them and decide?

05-26-2009, 12:13 PM	#37
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	The HP I chose comes with a 160GB hard drive. I don't understand the half pound difference.

05-26-2009, 12:14 PM	#38
kazbates Wizard Posts: 2,627 Karma: 406616 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Device: SurfacePro, SurfaceBook 2	I would love to have you over for tea of Friday and we could play with my new Asus.

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