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pluggy
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 Posted -
19/01/2008
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20:56
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Heres something that impressed even this jaded old cynic. A sub notebook, far from a new idea, they've been around for over a decade. Usually horrendously expensive (over a grand is typical) and have never sold in any real quantity since a 'real' notebook computer is far cheaper. This one found its way over here late last year and has sold like hot cakes, basically because its cheap. It has most of the toys you find on a modern notebook computer (Wireless and Webcam) but is cheaper than a 'real' Notebook. Around £220 including VAT.
Its sold as standard with a version of Linux which seems to be aimed at children with big colourful graphics, but its fairly easy to install any PC operating system on it. This one is running my OS of choice (Ubuntu Linux) but it will run Windows XP just as well (You have to buy it yourself though, its not included). One or two small provisos, it has a solid state 'flash' hard drive and no CD/DVD drive.
If you want a small computer that isn't seriously compromised like a PDA or smart phone - Get one.
Its called the Asus EEE PC and is widely available in the UK but is frequently out of stock due to it selling so well.
Need computer work ?
"http://www.stsr.co.uk" 
Pluggy's Household Monitor
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panbiker
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Posted - 21/01/2008 : 22:24
quote:
pluggy wrote:
RM push anything they think they can turn a buck on, I wouldn't deal with 'em if they were the last computer company on the planet. Just my somewhat jaundiced opinion of course.........
Neither would I Pluggy, the very last time I considered dealing with them I was asked by a local school how much it would cost to upgrade a suite of RM machines with an extra 8MB of RAM each, (this was when RM used customised RAM). I was buying standard 8MB SIMMS at the time for about £7 and retailing at £10. They quoted me £150, not bad I thought for 30 machines, £5 a go, good deal, "I'll have 30 please" , "Total order will be £4,500 + delivery + VAT, they will be with you in about a week". Needless to say I put the phone down. I went back to the school with the news and ended up ripping out the RM Machines and the bespoke RM network they were attached to. I built them 30 new 386 PC's and replaced the bespoke network with thin ethernet, built a replacement server to go with it and charged a reasonable price for a reasonable job. Can't remember the exact price of the job, but I think they had change out of 10 Grand, only twice the price of 30 sticks of custom RAM. The only dealings I have ever had with the company. How times change, 8MB of ram could make so much difference, happy days.
Ian  |
pluggy
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Posted - 22/01/2008 : 10:23
Urgh computer pricing, don't get me started......
Too many companies think we owe them a living. Ever tried to buy a lan or USB cable at PCWorld ? They charge more than what you're connecting with them. I'm convinced printers don't come with leads so the superstores can stiff you 20 quid for a 75p item.
Need computer work ?
"http://www.stsr.co.uk"
Pluggy's Household Monitor |
Tizer
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Posted - 22/01/2008 : 10:32
I know next to nothing about computers - simply had to use them to do my publishing work for about 15 years. But even I've been able to add extra RAM and put life back into the old machines. Just bought it from Crucial on the web and followed the instructions - and was careful to switch off the machine and watch where I put my fingers! Managed also to repace hard disks and add second disks. And replaced a power unit.
I might even try building my own when I next need a PC. I want to upgrade Ubuntu when the next long-term support (LTS) version comes out - I'm still on the Dapper LTS at the moment (stability is my need!). So it might be in April. If you hear any loud bangs and the lights go out you'll know it's me firing up my new custom -made box!
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tripps
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Posted - 22/01/2008 : 13:37
Don't quite get the point of all this. I have just seen an ad on Ebuyer for a Fujitsu Siemens laptop/notebook with Celeron processor, 120 Gb hard drive, DVD RW drive, 15 inch TFT display, 1Gb Ram, and Windows Vista, for 300 pounds including VAT, and delivery. Surely a better buy. Why wear sackcloth when a Savile row suit is available?
I have only ever used MS windows, and never had a problem with it. Am I just lucky?, or are the problems overblown?
I know Vista has not got a good name yet, so ask one of your children to change it for you would be my advice.
As for leads Plugs - Tesco do a USB printer lead for 2.75 pounds, or probably even cheaper on ebay.
Trying to be a little white cloud......
Dave Trippier.
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pluggy
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Posted - 22/01/2008 : 15:36
If you want a normal notebook, buy one, if you want something that is easy and light to carry around and does all a 'real' computer will do, get one of these.
The only reason Vista is selling at all is that M$ is adjusting the figures to make it cheaper to put on new computers than XP. Many are now calling it ME II after the monumental flop that ME was in 2000. Wait for the next version due around 2010, it might / should be better.
I buy USB leads at £44 for 70 from our supplier. It was a response to rip off prices by Panbiker.
I spend my life looking after a Windows network, I'd rather play with something else in my spare time. Linux is a Unix variant, which has been around since Bill Gates wore short pants and was built for serious computers. Windows grew out of MSDOS, which was a OS for micro computers that Bill bought in cheap in 1982.
When you're a geek cheapskate like me, having an OS and all the software you could ever use for zero financial outlay without ripping anything off is good business.
If you read a recent M$ EULA, Microsoft own you and you pay them for the privilege. It doesn't ride well with a rebel.....
Little Black cloud was Stanleys name for me.
Need computer work ?
"http://www.stsr.co.uk"
Pluggy's Household Monitor |
pluggy
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Posted - 22/01/2008 : 15:48
Tizer, if you've upgraded RAM, changed the hard drive and power supply in a computer, you'll have no difficulty in building one. It makes meccano look complex....
Its probably also the best way of avoiding the M$ tax on new computers.
Just altered a typo....
Edited by - pluggy on 22/01/2008 16:31:12
Need computer work ?
"http://www.stsr.co.uk"
Pluggy's Household Monitor |
Tizer
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Posted - 22/01/2008 : 15:51
"When you're a geek cheapskate like me, having an OS and all the software you could ever use for zero financial outlay without ripping anything off is good business. "...pluggy
Another great thing I like about Open Source software like Linux is that you can try one Linux distribution after another, all free, until you find the one you like most. And you can also install several of them on different hard disk partitions to run at the same time for different purposes, e.g. you could run an LTS (long-term supported) version alongside the very latest unsupported version in testing. And run a "lite" version. And an educational/kids version. They are all free so you can chop and choose day by day if you wanted.
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pluggy
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Posted - 22/01/2008 : 16:24
Just checked up, Gates bought in QDOS (Quick, Dirty Operating System) in December 1980 and renamed it MSDOS when he was courting IBM for the IBM PC.
I've been through many varients of Linux, I've used it in Servers for years, its only recently I consider its become friendly enough for a Desktop OS. Ubuntu is as good as it gets. Been through Mandrake, (Now Mandriva) Red Hat (Now called Fedora), Debian, and a couple of small Distros (Puppy and SME), We currently use a Distro called Thinstation to drive about 120 Terminals ('Thin Clients') connecting to Windows 2003 Servers in place of discrete PC's. It give Old PCs (Pentium 200 with 16 MB is good enough) that are too puny to run XP, a new lease of life appearing to run modern software. Cheap, reliable technology....
Need computer work ?
"http://www.stsr.co.uk"
Pluggy's Household Monitor |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 23/01/2008 : 05:59
I have told this story before. My late son in law Big Harry was visiting from Oz about eight years ago and walked in one day when I had just got into big trouble installing Linux due to a bum instruction in the Read Me that came with it. He sat down, rewrote the code for me and set it up while carrying on a conversation with all of us. I just love expertise on that level! He told me then that I'd end up using Linux but his advice was to wait until they had made it more user friendly. I have little doubt that one of these days I'll give it another shot but at the moment I just carry on with what works and refuse to get into the Osier Wars. There are better things to do, like building steam engines.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Anni
Regular Member
634 Posts
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Posted - 23/01/2008 : 19:04
Well, it all just does my head in to be honest. But thanks for explaining about the laptop/notebook bit.
One of the things most likely to make me scream is "just plug and play - easy to install" - yeah right.
Actually, slightly off topic but I find filing really difficult these days - some stuff on my external hard-drive and some stuffed in a drawer masquerading as a filing cabinet. No wonder I get confused 
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pluggy
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Posted - 23/01/2008 : 21:58
If you want a relatively trouble free experience with computers - get a Mac.
Calluna has it right. I work on on all the major operating systems, and Mac is the best for just working.
Pity they are expensive.
Each OS has its pros and cons, if you want choice of software - Windows, Security - Linux (or Mac), Simplicity - Mac. Cost and Freedom (very few EULAs to own you) - Linux.
Need computer work ?
"http://www.stsr.co.uk"
Pluggy's Household Monitor |
tripps
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Posted - 04/03/2010 : 12:05
Just had an ad from Amazon about the latest version of this netbook computer. Much recommended by Pluggy only two years ago. In fact following the post I bought an ASUS laptop - not the one descibed though. It has been trouble free, but is by no means portable.
The latest version has a 10" screen (7"), 1 Gb Ram (0.5 Gbs), and a 160 Gbs hard drive (4Gbs flash). It now comes with Windows XP. Despite the fact that the pound is now worth about a quarter less than it was then, it is at a lower price of just £199. I am weakening by the hour.
PS isn't it odd to read what you wrote two years ago? Like listening to a recording of your own voice. Did I really write that?
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 05/03/2010 : 06:37
The FM2 is Asus based as was the original FM and though I am no expert, the motherboards at least do what it says on the tin.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
pluggy
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Posted - 06/03/2010 : 10:21
I thought this wasa good point to jump in for a now not too frequent visitor (since I started it). Just emailed Tizor about building a PC. The eeepc I reviewed was borrowed. But I just bought my own, an upmarket model witha 9" screen and 16Gb SSD. I bought it second hand for £80. Runs Ubuntu a treat. Good to play on whilst I'm watching the telly, but its good to get back to a real PC I don't need a magnifying glass to read the screen.
Asus make good kit and I'm a fan of Asus motherboards too. (OK, my present desktop has an Intel board....). Tizor is planning of using an Asus board in his latest creation.
I'm still a rebel running Linux. I'm likely to stay that way. My last PC I documented building on here (back end of 2007) flew running Ubuntu, now with windows XP and been in the charge of my daughter it runs like a slug on Valium. Asus board, dual core processor and 2Gb of ram - shame......
Edited by - pluggy on 06/03/2010 10:22:55
Need computer work ?
"http://www.stsr.co.uk"
Pluggy's Household Monitor |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 06/03/2010 : 16:59
No probs with the way FM2 runs, it is very fast. Mind you Orange haven't sorted the BB speed out uet. They agree it should be giving me 16megabits minimum but all they have managed to squeeze out of the line up to now is 6.5. I think there may be an improvement after the weekend. (Hopefully!)
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
The Asus EEE PC
