[PLUG] need some advice

[Galen Seitz]

Tim wrote:
> I am in the market to get a 6 cell Netbook that is under or around $350
> new.  The advice I need is that I noticed almost everywhere and anywhere
> is trying to shove XP down the customers throat so where can I go to
> pick up a Linux based Netbook? 

I just returned from a 3 week trip where I was using an Asus 901.  In 
general I was quite happy with it.  It came with some Linux 
distribution(Xandros?), but I immediately installed Ubuntu Netbook 
Remix(UNR).  I used Thunderbird, Firefox, and occasionally ssh via a 
terminal window.  The primary negatives about the 901 is that the 
keyboard definitely takes some getting used to, and the disk writes 
are slow.  This is not a build machine, at least not when using the 
internal SSDs.

At one point on the trip my only net access was via a USB GSM modem. 
It was plug and play with UNR, unlike another traveler's XP machine, 
where no amount of fiddling could make it work.

Currently UNR has an issue with WPA and the internal wireless of the 
901.  This wasn't a problem for me, but it's something to be aware of 
if you need WPA.  Hopefully it will get fixed in the near future.

I bought the white version from Amazon for $280.  Looks like both 
Amazon and Newegg are currently out of stock.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BYB620/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220371

Note that the Linux version comes with a larger SSD relative to the XP 
model.

-- 
Galen Seitz
galens at seitzassoc.com