I've been wanting an ultra mobile computer for the better part of 2 years now, and it seems like the market is finally offering such devices at affordable prices.
Between the Eee PC and that new Cloudbook, I think I like the looks of the Eee PC a little more. So, I'm considering buying one next month. But first, I have a few questions, that I'm hoping somebody can help me with:
1 - Are there any other ultra portable computers for under $500 that I should look at?
2 - I had heard there were new Eee PC models coming out - are they worth waiting for?
3 - I know nothing about Linux, but would be more than willing to learn. Is the Linux distro that comes on the Eee PC any good, or would using it be an exercise in frustration? Do other distros (Ubuntu?) work on it? Or is the general consensus to just re-image it with Windows?
4 - 2 or 4 gigs of space isn't enough for me, so I imagine I'd buy a 2, 4, or 8 gig SD card. Do they stick out a lot, or would I be able to put one in, and more or less forget about it.
5 - I'd be using it mostly for school work. I'd need to install a SQL client that supports Oracle (ugh), and a Java IDE. Do such applications exist for the Linux distro(s) available for the Eee PC?
6 - It has an integrated webcam and mic. Is video chat actually doable on it, or is it just a bulky Y2K era digital camera?
7 - Other thoughts?
EDIT: 8 - Surf or non-Surf model? What's the difference?
Between the Eee PC and that new Cloudbook, I think I like the looks of the Eee PC a little more. So, I'm considering buying one next month. But first, I have a few questions, that I'm hoping somebody can help me with:
1 - Are there any other ultra portable computers for under $500 that I should look at?
2 - I had heard there were new Eee PC models coming out - are they worth waiting for?
3 - I know nothing about Linux, but would be more than willing to learn. Is the Linux distro that comes on the Eee PC any good, or would using it be an exercise in frustration? Do other distros (Ubuntu?) work on it? Or is the general consensus to just re-image it with Windows?
4 - 2 or 4 gigs of space isn't enough for me, so I imagine I'd buy a 2, 4, or 8 gig SD card. Do they stick out a lot, or would I be able to put one in, and more or less forget about it.
5 - I'd be using it mostly for school work. I'd need to install a SQL client that supports Oracle (ugh), and a Java IDE. Do such applications exist for the Linux distro(s) available for the Eee PC?
6 - It has an integrated webcam and mic. Is video chat actually doable on it, or is it just a bulky Y2K era digital camera?
7 - Other thoughts?
EDIT: 8 - Surf or non-Surf model? What's the difference?