Thank you ParisAmsterdam and travelgourmet for the information. :)

I do have a laptop but mine has a 17 inch screen. Definitely not the easiest to tuck into my bag. I'm thinking that this is probably my next new toy.

Here's a link for probably more info than you need, or want:
http://www.netbooknow.net/

Most of the Linux units have small, Solid State drives, while the Windows-based generally have a conventional, 160 Gig Hard drive.

The BIG draw to netbooks is size and weight, but there are trade-offs. You can store and view pix, but you won't want to do any significant editing or manipulation on one. The WiFi does present some security issues -- dunno if I'd use it to juggle my bank or credit card accounts.

The REAL key, though, is Battary Life. SOME of the better designed units can go up to NINE hours without a recharge.

I purchased an Assus 1000HE for my upcoming trip, but I'm kinda wishing that I'd waited for the new 1000HA.

Seems like they are introducing newer, better EVERY day ...
;)

Bob

Bob, my understanding is that solid state drives are the way to go, tougher and won't break as easily, very important for a travel accessory. Is this true? My DH is a huge Linux geek, but I really don't want to learn a 3rd OS (am finally getting comfortable with OS X, after switching to a Mac so I don't have to deal with Vista).

I have read great reviews of the 1000HA: I, too, have had a very bad case of netbook lust for a few months!

"The WiFi does present some security issues" - no more than the security issues in an Internet cafe. And some hotels have secure wi-fi. I stayed in one in France recently that had broadband, which my netbook was able to use.

<I>Itallian_Chauffer on May 23, 09 at 09:28 AM

The WiFi does present some security issues -- dunno if I'd use it to juggle my bank or credit card accounts.</i>

Wireless is no more or less secure than wired if you just follow the rules. Transactions with financial sites are encrypted before leaving the computer, in any case.

Here's your $50 GPS:

http://shop4.frys.com/product/4900291 (This is $29-20 in this week's ad. Dunno about web sales.)
They're also advertising AutoRoute for $39.

<i>my understanding is that solid state drives are the way to go, tougher and won't break as easily, very important for a travel accessory.</i>

Theoretically, yes. But have you ever had a hard drive fail? This isn't to say that conventional hard drives don't fail, just that they are pretty darn reliable and I would think you would have relatively little to worry about whether you went with a solid state drive or a conventional hard drive.

I would stick with the Windows unit if that is what you are comfortable with and not worry about the hard drive.

Sorry, I misspoke. It's Streets & Trips, for $34.99
http://www.frys.com/product/5705962

My notebook is the ASUS Eee PC 1000 10-Inch Netbook 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 40 GB Solid State Drive. I don't need 160 GB. In fact I don't need 40 GB. Linux uses icons on the screen like Windows, which copied the idea from Apple. It is organized a bit different but easy to adapt to.

What I haven't found yet is a straight ASCII text editor for Linux, like Wordpad.

moldy - yep, put it on your list and watch the sales. I got the Acer Aspire One at Costco a year or so ago and LOVE it for travel. Small and light enough to tote around easily (especially compared to that 17" monster) and great battery life. I got the extended battery and it runs for six hours or more between charges. I have had no problems with the WiFi - in fact, it seems to pick up signals where my larger laptop does not.
The only downside I can see is the lack of an optical (CD/DVD) drive, which is far from a deal killer. With large capacity flash drives available relatively cheaply these days, you can even load a movie on one and transfer it to the hard drive if you want. I purchased a slim line external CD/DVD RW drive for about $90 on ebay, and the read only ones are even cheaper.

Just a quick little hello to my fellow Texan, Seamus. <):)



Thanks for the feedback everyone. I've definitely decided that I NEED one of these.

<I>spaarne on May 23, 09 at 10:42 AM

Linux uses icons on the screen like Windows, which copied the idea from Apple.</I>

The history of GUI is a little fuzzy, but it appears that Gates and Jobs both stole the idea from Xerox PARC at about the same time.

anyone have any experience with the Samsung N110? It seems to be well reviewed.

and, I found some info here: http://www.laptopmag.com/l/netbooks.aspx#Tips on upgrading RAM and hard drives on some Asus and Acer netbooks - don't know what that would do to the warranty. 1G of RAM isn't much, these days...

<I>The only downside I can see is the lack of an optical (CD/DVD) drive,</i>

An optical drive on any battery-operated computer is a liability. The laser that reads the disc is a power hog, and will deplete a battery toot sweet. Watching movies from the hard drive is much better, and (as noted above) from a solid state drive such as a thumb memory better still.

Robes,

I thought you would reply, but I thought you would tell me where to get a Linux text editor.

BTW, I was using an Apple with icons in 1984, nearly a decade before Windowns came out. IIRC, Apple sued MS but lost.

I had an Acer Aspire one - I loved it. The Linpus linux was a little quirky, but quite usable, but I did eventually replace it with Windows XP. I found it invaluable when travelling.

I disagree with the statement "1GB of RAM is not much these days" - even the 512 Mb of my Acer was plenty. (I did put an additional 1GB into the machine - cost around $17, but was quite fiddly to install - it did not make a huge difference) The thing to remember is that these are small, relatively low powered PCs - they are not designed to edit movies, run photoshop or play high end games.

I use mine for writing up my trip diary, storing and browsing photos (nearly all netbooks have a card reader), reading and writing Email, and surfing the net. For these functions it is almost perfect. In addition, the built in webcam made it perfect for using with Skype.

The netbook travelled with me to many places in the UK, to Dublin, Amsterdam, Naples and other parts of Southern Italy and finally to Cape Town where my father fell in love with it - it seemed cruel not to pass it on to him. My new Netbook will hopefully arrive next week - a Lenovo S10.

I would almost classify the netbook as a travel essential.

Hi:

I want to buy an ACER AOD25 netbook for an upcoming trip to Germany, and all I want to do is email and occasionally read a newspaper in English. It's got great reviews all over the Net, but I can't find a definite answer to this question: is it dual voltage? If it is, then all I need is a combo adaptor/surge protector like the kind Magellan sells. But I don't want to buy anything unless I know I can use it there. Can someone tell me for sure? There's no ACER available for inspection where I live, and the web site doesn't offer help unless you buy one.

Back in May or so I answered this thread with an "I'm considering it". Well, HP won out with their netbook. I'll let you guys know how it works out, because it is going to take a beating on this trip,

RE: ACER AOD25

Acer says 100-240V AC AutoSensing Adapter

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/ne...OD250sp2.shtml

Thanks, Greg.

I called ACER and they said none of their netbooks were dual voltage but would work in Europe with the correct power adaptor. So now I'm confused.