Finally, a netbook for me?

[questio verum]

I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger on this one just yet, but it does look promising. I'm sure some of you have seen rebranded netbooks with EV-DO routers or similar devices installed, sitting all coy and sexy on the showroom shelf. I use Verizon Wireless, and they have their own version of the HP mini 1151NR netbook for $199.00 plus data plan. It comes loaded with WinXP, but looks like converting the netbook and the EV-DO router to run on linux may be do-able. Verizon offers a 5GB plan for $60 a month. I have had excellent signal with them in the last 3 & 1/2 years I've used them.

Any one else using a similar service from a netbook (or notebook)? What have your experiences been? If you had to convert from Windows to Linux, what, if any, were the 'gotchas'?

I gotta say, I'm kinda stoked. This is the first device that comes close to fulfilling my idea of a PDA. Upgrading to 2GB ram and swapping the hdd to a decent sized sdd, are requisite changes, but that's minor. Whatta you guys think? I'd like to hear the voices of experience on this.


qv

[Tsarevich]

I was about to purchase a netbook, they are cheap. I would, if ever, buy only a cheap little computer for myself. The are made for Linux, but the quality is not good. How come is your one loaded with XP? Pirated one? If so, then much better, at least we can switch to Linux. Are you really going to install Linux if it is original Windows? (or probably the one you bought was used one).

My PC is aged as I have been frequently quoting in other threads, many necessary parts are not available, as the make is 1999. I plan to buy a new one, but ah, those new ones come with Vista, I am stuck. A netbook is the final answer.

[rokytnji]

I bought a Asus EEE 900 with Xandros, refurbished, for $189 US.

I only use a cell phone when I ride bike or go on a trip in case I break down, and it is a Trac phone. The monthly contract doesn't justify what I need the phone for.

I just run regular wireless instead of a phone contract. It is built really well. Battery is the 5800 mah one. I can tell you that because Linux came preinstalled that everything works out of the box. Webcam,Hotkeys,sound,movies,flash,wireless,etc.... .......

If I am not mistaken, that HP comes with a Monster Hardive (250 gig in the inux Version) vs the smaller drive for Windows. I like mine so far. It is SSD drive but only 16 gig on one part (/Home) and 4 gig on another part (/ROOT)for 20 gig total. I think the HP is bigger than the ASUS however. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine Questo.

[Rubberman]

Get a cheap Linux netbook w/ USB port. Get a Sprint broadband USB modem and service - they provide decent instructions online how to install and use them on Linux systems. I use mine on Windows, Ubuntu Linux, and a Mac PowerPC Powerbook running OSX. It's a Sierra Wireless 595U. The unlimited service runs about $60 USD per month, and it works most places very well. We even used it on the train between Chicago and Sacramento a year or so ago. Only lost signal when we were passing thru "Dark Country" in the middle of the Rocky and Sierra Nevada mountains.