Netbooks
I’ve been thinking about getting a netbook since I first laid eyes on the Eee PC, and with the next UDS fast approaching the thought of lugging my current laptop (I’ll give you a clue as to why - it’s called Treebeard for a reason) has moved me from just thinking about it to deciding which one will become “my precious” soon. (Sorry - I’ve been watching the extended Lord of the Rings box set.)
Current favourites are:
- Dell Mini 9 - This one scores bonus points for coming with Ubuntu pre-installed, but I fail to see why paying an extra £30 for the Microsoft Windows version also scores you an additional 8GB storage and a better webcam
- Asus Eee PC 900 - Eee PC may be the original, but is it the best? On the good side lots of people have them, so support is good, and there’s a dedicated Ubuntu community. On the bad side I find their styling a little… bland
- Acer Apsire One - Good points: cheap (see below), nice styling. Bad points: Not 100% with Ubuntu (even Intrepid), cringeworthy advert
I was this close to picking up an Aspire One (this morning after calling into PC World on the way back from fixing my mother’s wireless card. They have the A110AB in store for £179.99 - very, very tempting if it wasn’t for the incompatibilities listed on the Ubuntu wiki.
Ignorance
Unsurprisingly the netbook “aisle” (more of a large shelf really) was very popular, with a number of families looking at the various offerings, and one guy testing his phone with an Eee PC to see if mobile internet worked (it did, but he was testing on a Microsoft Windows model).
There were various conversations about which make/model was best and whether they should go for the Linux or Microsoft Windows version, and - of course - I couldn’t help being drawn into these. Fortunately the Schwuklets were kept busy with Frozen Bubble on one of the display Eee PCs.
Nuggets of wisdom being imparted from the PC World staff to potential purchasers:
- Linux is for basic users
- Microsoft Windows is more advanced than Linux
- Linux is “sort of” compatible with Microsoft Windows, but not vice versa (OK, this is “sort of” true, but they put it in such a way as to steer the customers towards Microsoft)
- If their kids get used to Linux, they will have trouble using Microsoft Windows
- If you buy a Linux model, you can install Microsoft Windows on it provided you have your license key. They even offered to do this for a fee
Whilst the last one might be true, it would presumably only apply to bought copies of Microsoft Windows - I’m almost certain OEM licenses are non-transferable, and I’d be surprised if any were (especially with the activation rigmarole). This seems particularly bad advice to be giving to people, especially the sort who are shopping in PC World in the first place, as they have probably never bought an operating system in their life!
It was disappointing to see most of the interest in the Linux models were purely based on price and usually followed up with the inevitable “can I get Microsoft on it?”. For the vast majority of people buying these types of devices Linux will more than meet their requirements, but it seems like we have a ways to go on convincing people of that.
The fun part was when I was getting involved in these discussions, one of the “assistants” had the cheek to ask “what makes [me] such an expert?”. If only PC World still had a decent section of books…
Note to self: I must not bait staff in computer shops. I must not bait staff in computer shops. I must not…
I have an Eee PC 901, which I love. I totally didn’t expect to like it as much as I do… but it’s just so light and handy! Also, Netbook Remix is awesome.
Yes, the styling is a little bland, but I think it has one very important thing going for it: It’s already fully decked out with all the optional extras the other ones make you pay for. Bluetooth, camera, lots of storage (relatively speaking in cheap SSD terms), 1GB RAM and so on.
I do like the look of the Dell and HP netbooks though. Very sleek.
Don’t buy an HP mini-note - not unless they release an update version. The via version is slow and HOT. The fan runs all the time and the battery live is about 90 mins. It does have a nice keyboard and the metal case is sturdy. If they can update this thing well it could be a good option.
The eee 901 is nice but the keyboard is about useless to type on. If you will only use the mouse most of the time and the occasional bit of typing it’s fine. The screen is nice. Not as high a resolution as the HP but the mate finish is really nice and it’s easy to read. The HP has pretty small text.
I think the Dell could be the way to go. I haven’t used one yet but have read lots of nice reviews. It specs out better and cheaper than either the HP or eee as well although recent price drops have brought the eee closer.
Question on the better webcam and additional 8 GBs for Windows? I have a Dell Mini 9 with 16 GBs of RAM and bought it with Ubuntupreloaded on it. Is this something that is only available in the UK?
I am really enjoying my Dell Mini with Ubuntu. I loaded Intrepid on it and had no problems. It is a great device.
Jonathan
I’m not sure why that is still on the wiki page. I have an Aspire One (A110L, SSD) that suspended perfectly well under Hardy and continues to do so with Intrepid RC, even without any swap partition (which that page alludes to as a cause).
For me (Ontario, Canada) the Acer was cheaper by $75 versus the Dell, and by a factor of two versus the cheapest Asus model, even after doing my own $20 RAM upgrade to 1.5 GiB (http://www.aspireoneuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=2673). Go for it!
Am I the only one that finds it amusing that after years of being told that linux is only good for experts and nerds, it is now only good for beginners?
A big plus for the linux versions: no worries about viruses.
I think the stores are right to be cautious in what they tell customers — better to undersell linux and have people have a better than expected experience than over-sell and have them return the things.
Wow, you Europeans are getting gypped. We can get the 16GB Mini with Ubuntu for $409 v. $449 with Windows. I can’t believe they only have 1 Linux version for you guys. We get 3 options (4GB, 8GB, or 16GB).
Can you not do the “customize your Dell” thing in Europe? Dell.com (US) and Dell.ca both offer this, so you can get the Mini9 with Ubuntu + 1GB RAM + 16GB storage + whatever other options you want/don’t want.
A tricked-out Mini9 with Ubuntu is really tempting currently, as an auxiliary to my desktop machine…
Have you considered an Asus Eee PC 1000? I don’t have one, but I’m considering a netbook, and it seems to be better than the Eee PC 901 and Dell Mini 9 in a few areas. More storage. Longer battery life. Larger screen & keyboard. 802.11n. Multi-touch touchpad. I’m really interested in trying out a Dell Mini 9, but so far, I’m leaning towards the Eee PC 1000. Just curious if there was any reason you left that model out of your list… other than if you were just after a smaller model laptop.
Please do not buy from PC world. They do not honour their guarantees. However if you do, bear in mind that if you hum and hah about the price, and mention one or two things you would like to sweeten the deal, a bag, tube of blank DVDs, decent capacity USB stick. You will most likely get this as they are desperate for sales.
I’m not sure about other EU countries, but I read on a German tech site some time ago, that Microsoft made agreements with Dell, Asus etc to limit their Linux stuff on netbooks. Asus actually didn’t offer the second EEE series with Linux in Germany at first because of this agreement.
I just bought the MSI Wind with 160GB HD and I is great, except that
- I don’t need 160GB HD in a netbook
- I don’t need XP and the bundled software
- I want more battery life
So I will return it and wait for the EeePC 1000 ( not H or HA ).
It has twice the battery life.
Same size keyboard (95% of a normal keyboard)
40 GB SSD ( slow but very ROBUST and SILENT )
Problem is Asus does not yet sell this SSD Linux Version in Germany ;( .. but I can wait.
I use Intrepid in my Acer Aspire One (model with 1GB of RAM and HD of 120GB) and all work except the microphone ( https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-meta/+bug/289542 ).
If you don’t have patience, buy the model with 1GB of RAM, the installation is a torture.
Thanks. A great and heartening piece, well written. Sad aout PC World expertise/propaganda. You’d think they should understand ‘horses for courses’.. I have OSX XP & Vista pc’s but I’m writing this on my Linux Asus Eee.
At the moment Amazon’s price for the Acer Aspire One (8gb SSD, 1.6ghz processor etc) Seems to fluctuate from between £175 inc. delivery to around £200.. depending on the lunar cycle (I guess).
Personally I’m tempted with the Aspire One.
My personal thoughts are :
a) Netbooks have to be cheap (<200 quid)
b) Netbooks have to be small (1024×768ish resolution is the max); “I” want something small and light - not a laptop!
c) Netbooks should have inbuilt 3g (which they don’t seem to yet
)
See also http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/001179.html
David.
They sell the Dell Mini 9 with 16GB, the better webcam and Ubuntu in the US. For some reason it’s only here in the uk they sell the shitty one.
I reckon call Dell up (or email, or do the chat support thingy) and bug someone to give you the higher end model with Ubuntu preinstalled, that would be my choice.
Jackflap: you dirty british-centric bastard ;o) (yes, it’s a big wink)
Dell does sell the shitty one here in France, too. 349 EUR for a 8G-Ubuntu and 399 EUR for a 16G-Windows.
I have a supreme court decision paper that actually says that all OEM licenses are freely transferable. Artificial limitations to limit re-selling property are simply put illegal.
Dell Mini 9: In the US, all different configurations are available with Ubuntu for $50 less.
I’d really like to get one.
Ha! Microsoft windows is more… Complex? Because their software is bigger then necessary… Not efficient. Ha, if you want to call that complex.
replace complex with advanced, sorry…