Affordable Linux Netpad

Okay, first off, Linux is not a particularly user-friendly OS. However, with your projected requirements, you could certainly find something that would work for you, provided you are willing to work with a rather steep learning curve. Most machines will come with Windows though, which would be just a heck of a lot easier for you to work with.

Second, I highly recommend against a netbook, since you are looking for something to do word processing on, and typing on the tiny keyboards provided on netbooks is no fun at all. Furthermore, netbooks have small, low-resolution screens, which give you very little real estate on your desktop and make it all but impossible to have more than one application up at once. Nor do they provide a very impressive streaming video experience. For that matter, they usually come with uninspiring audio as well. And lastly, netbooks are cheap, with all that that implies.

Your requirements that this machine be small and light, inexpensive, dependable and rugged, with a comfortable typing experience and reasonable capabilities suggest to me a couple of possibilities, depending upon exactly how small and light. Have you considered a used ThinkPad?

I have a 14.1" T61, which is impressively powerful, tips the scales at a mere 5lbs and, with the big battery, provides quite reasonable unplugged run time. It also has the best laptop keyboard there is and a very nice screen. Not to mention that it's built with top-quality components and is tough enough to pound nails with. I have seen these go for as little as $250US on eBay quite recently.

If you'd like something even smaller and lighter, the 12.1" X61 weighs in at around 3lbs and still has that excellent, full-sized ThinkPad keyboard. Like the T series, these things are incredibly tough. Now these machines have only one speaker, no optical drive and somewhat limited connection options but, many are sold with a docking station which will have an optical drive, and all the connections you could possibly ask for, as well as a convenient place to plug in a set of external speakers. And I have seen these models on eBay in the same price range.

The most important thing about these machines is that they are top-quality business-class laptops that are tough, dependable, and nigh-well immortal. Unlike the cheap devices you'll find in the computer isle at Wal-Mart.

I have to disagree with DrMoose. I have a Samsung NC-10 netbook that I use quite a bit. I bought it via Amazon. If you follow this link you'll see that it averages 4.2+ stars including some 5* reviews by IT people: amazon.com/Samsung-NC10-14GB-10-2-Inch-Blue-Netbook/

I have a desktop and a laptop, too, and the netbook compares very well with both.The version I bought does not include a CD-ROM drive, but I hardly miss it since I can transfer CD files to a 2G flash drive on either of my other machines, then install the files onto the netbook from the flash drive. The touchpad is OK at best, but for $15 I bought a Belkin optical mini-mouse with a collapsible cord that is super-nice.

I sometimes use the Samsung netbook for watching movies via WiFi direct streaming from Netflix, and it works perfectly; excellent video, super-fast, and acceptable sound, too.

The keyboard is not quite full-size, but it is as easy to use as the one on my Dell laptop. The screen is of course small-ish, since that's part of the tradeoff with getting a lightweight, super-portable netbook, but the resolution is very good and I have no trouble putting up two windows side-by-side while I'm working with it (like Outlook & Firefox).

Okay, Usbport likes his netbook. Fair enough. I've worked with netbooks myself and found them adequate for their design purpose. But let us look at the actual specifications for the machine, shall we?

The Samsung NC10 has the following basic specifications. It comes with an 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU. 1GB RAM. 160GB 5400RPM HDD. 10.2" 1024x600 screen. B/G wireless. And it is 10.28" x 7.28" x 1.18" and weighs 2.8 pounds (25.1cm x 18.5cm x 3cm and 1.33kg). But now let's take those specs apart.

The N270 is a 32bit processor noted for requiring very little power to operate, in this case a very frugal 2.5 watts. It is also noted for being a rather low-powered processor. It has a 1.6GHz clock speed on a 133MHz front side bus and a 512Mb L2 cache. Keep in mind that modern full-powered laptop CPUs have L2s exceeding 2Mb, and typically operate on a 800-1066MHz front side bus, which makes a huge difference in throughput.

The NC10 has one RAM slot and a maximum capacity of 2GB, and also operates on that 133MHz front side bus, which also severely limits it's throughput.

The NC10 display, at 1024x600 and 10.1" diagonal measure, has less than XGA resolution and is but 8.89" x 5". This is about the size of a paperback book.

So, what we have here is a pint-sized machine with about the same computing power as a Pentium IV. Prices range from as little as $250 for a used one on eBay to about $480 for a new one.

This is opposed to the X61 which I recommended, which is a full-powered Core2Duo machine that can support a 64bit OS, up to 4GB RAM, has a very nice XGA screen (1024x768), has the best keyboard in the industry, is only slightly larger in overall dimensions, and weighs virtually the same, if not less. Not to mention that the X61 will withstand abuse which will reduce the NC10 to small pieces.

Take your pick, but research carefully before you spend your hard-earned money.

Oops. Typo. The Intel Atom N270 has a 512 Kb L2 cache. My apologies to all for the error.

Hey Doc Moose and Mr. Port,

This I why I came here to ask this, I knew I would get opposing views... Here is what I am seeing:

Dr. M is recommending a more powerful but more expensive machine, and USB is touting a more affordable but not quit as durable machine... Durability will be a concern as I do a lot of commuting by bicycle, and not always on pavement... A nicely padded case will be a must for me, but I doubt it will be sufficient. But cost is also a major concern because I simply don't have the cash handy... Obviously that is a typical trade off and I will most likely make that decision based on my wallet's flexibility, unfortunately.

I consider video quality to be a desirable luxury, but not essential.

Keyboard size might be a bit of a concern as I am a bit ham fisted...

Processing power and memory should be decent, but I'm not planning on running anything that is really demanding on the processor, so this isn't a primary focus for me.

Size and weight are important because, as I mentioned earlier, I do a lot of commuting by bike, but I'm a big guy so half a pound here or there isn't going to be terribly significant to me.

_____________________________________________

I would like to get some more input on making it into a linux machine. I'm not concerned about the learning curve, learning is what keeps my brain from running away from home. I have three primary reasons for leaning toward linux: 1) avoiding willingly giving my money to the evil Microsquish empire 2) significant reduction in viral threats 3) I definitely can't afford a Mac right now...

One further point in favor of the ThinkPads. As I already said, they are available used on eBay, often for in the neighborhood of $250. And many will still be covered by Lenovo's excellent and fully transferable warranty. My T61 came with 18 months remaining on a thee year warranty. Plus, their service is the best in the industry.

As for converting to Linux, it couldn't be simpler. Simply download your chosen distribution, burn to disc, and install. Or, if you chose a netbook or the X61 without an optical drive, it is a very simple matter to copy the installation media to a flash drive and load it that way. There are many excellent tutorials on the internet, as well as free software, for doing this very thing.

As I've said before, Linux has a nasty learning curve. However, it also has excellent community support, so you'll be able to find lots of help learning how to work with it.

I join CW being one of the resident Ubuntu 10.04 fanboys

I run 10.04 on an old Pentium III with specs comparable to USBs Samsung runs fine, takes a bit for a video to load, while I'm listening to music & surfing on 2 browsers

the learning curve isn't much. learn to look for what ever app you want on the software center 1st

all the normal stuff is no problem, I think that flash is the only thing that needed to be loaded after the initial install. I loaded a complete open office so I could play around with data base

a $20 usb keyboard will take care of any hard core word processing [nothing beats a fullsized keyboard], which you'll probably be doing at home anyway

we have a hp pavillion laptop, that came with vista, much more pleasant running 10.04 no more wondering wtf windows did with my files. The wireless connectivity is excellent, no hassles unlike with windows

do a search of this forum[& the rest of the net] to explore any potential hardware [check your printer too] issues, before you buy

"Not to mention that the X61 will withstand abuse which will reduce the NC10 to small pieces."

Based on what info?? That just reads like favoritism with no basis in fact. My netbook is every bit as rugged as any laptop I've seen.

Again, take a look at the reviews on Amazon. The NC-10 has hundreds of reviews, most of them are 5-star. The thinkpads have less than a dozen reviews, and average a mediocre 3 stars; you don't see many people there who are really pleased with it.

If you need more speed/performance than a netbook, sure, get a laptop rather than a netbook. Consider the trade-offs and make your choice.

Based upon the reviews of those who would actually know, being the boys and girls who write reviews for computer magazines, where the ThinkPads have consistently been the editors choice for business class laptops for the last dozen years. Based upon the fact that the T and X series ThinkPads have a die-cast magnesium roll cage that supports the internal components and the external plastic casing. Based upon the fact that these machines have solid steel hinges. Based upon the fact that ThinkPad keyboards are designed to rout spills to drains and out the bottom of the machine without any damage to the motherboard. Based upon the fact that ThinkPads are regarded by the above mentioned computer magazine editors as the most reliable, durable, longest lasting laptop computers money can buy, with only the Macbook Pros being comparable.

I have been working on and with computers for 25 years. I have worked with every kind of computer there is. In my experience, there is no laptop made that is superior to the ThinkPads. And I believe I have earned the right to say so.

I have not had the opportunity to evaluate the newer Lenovo versions of the ThinkPads, but I do know that the old IBM versions were some of the best equipment money could buy. I do not know when Lenovo started making the ThinkPad, but I am pretty sure it was before IBM sold them the rights to the name...

After my recent experiences with Toshiba (rated a top brand by the marketing hype pushers), I would not trust ANYTHING I read on Amazon.com. If they give lots of five-star ratings, obviously some marketer is scamming the system...

Actually my friend, I have two ThinkPads, a T40 (upgraded to T42 spec) and a T61, both post-Lenovo. They are uniformly excellent. And, Lenovo service is the best I've yet encountered. In particular, my T61, which is still under warranty, required a new optical drive. Lenovo had the new drive at my front door in less than 24 hours, along with a prepaid shipping label for returning the defective drive.

I can honestly say that Lenovo has done nothing but improve the marque.

I might add that the reviews on Amazon are written by consumers. The reviews you will find on the internet for the ThinkPads are written by professionals. Your netbook is a consumer-grade machine, build above all else to meet a price-point. My T61 is a professional-grade machine, built with a spare-no-expense approach to create a machine that will pass the test of time. I have a T40 that is still going strong after nearly nine years of abuse, and this is nothing unusual at all. Find me anything, other than the Mac, that has as good a record as the ThinkPad.

Blinded! I've been blinded by facts.

Actually, those are good points. If the hairlesssimian needs a rugged full-size laptop, that seems like a good one.

/But if he decides he could meet his needs with the netbook, the Samsung is very good.

Thank you sir. Your response was most gracious. I admit I became a bit steamed at your earlier remark, and I apologize for the vociferousness of my response. You see, I take great pains to insure that my opinions are well informed, and solidly grounded in fact. I've been building computers from other peoples cast-off junk for years, and have learned who builds the best computers and components.

Of course, you are absolutely right, it is up to the hairlesssimian to decide exactly what his needs are and how he shall meet them.

Oh and incidentally, the X61 is a full-sized laptop computer only in as much as that it has a full-size keyboard and is every bit as powerful as any other machine of comparable spec. Physically however, it is smaller than a copy of Computer Shopper magazine. At 10.58" x 8.35" x 1.4" and 2.8-3.5 pounds (depending on the batter), it is very little larger than a netbook.

I have been using Samsung NC-10 for about 15 months or so. It came with Windows XP and Office suite. My average daily usage is for 6-8 hrs and includes word processing, spreadsheets, power point, skype, you tube, gmail. Its light and easy to carry around. So far I have no complaints.

For Linux, download Ubuntu, you can install it on a notebook or a netbook.

You should get a low end netbook. I run an Asus eee PC 1005HAB that I got for $180. I run jolicloud linux, which is built for netbooks. It runs off Ubuntu Linux, which is a good linux system. I upgraded my memory to 2 Gbyts for another $30. The system runs great, and I had to do very minor tweeks to get linux to run the way I wanted it to. Ubuntu has a great forum network for trouble support, and everyone is willing to help. Good Luck!

-Derek

Where did you get the netbook at that price? Was the extra Mem installed by the seller? If not, where did you get it? Thanks Jacspath

As far as Linux® goes, download Ubuntu®, install on a flash drive and run it from any computer that supports USb 2.0 without removing the Windows® install. It will give you a taste for the software, though there will be some limitations, it is a great way to try it out.