Anybody actually have an Eee PC?

[kyzen]

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?

 

[Parasitic]

1. Not really. Might be able to find a couple of 14.1" laptops under $500 once a while, but they are hardly ultra-portable like my eee.

2. Can't tell you much other than rumors. There were some leaks about a 8.9" screen (but same resolution as the 7") and maybe 16GB SSD (phasing out he 2GB I think), but that is just rumors.

3. Not a Linux user. I just n-lited a copy of WinXP I have a license for and loaded it onto the SSD. This is a good guide to follow. http://www.eeeguides.com/2007/...xp-from-usb-thumb.html
It shows you step-by-step on how to put your WinXP installation on a flash drive.

4. The SD/SDHC cards do not really stick out...well maybe 1-2mm. Not obtrusive at all. If you are looking to buy SD cards, make sure that they are SDHC Class 6+ (I think though Class 6 is the fastest stuff available on SDHC; SDHC = high-capacity secure digital, usually 4GB-16GB in size).

5. No idea, but I have a bunch of programs that are Windows-only, so that's why I'm running Windows XP.

6. I have the 4GB non-surf and there is a webcam, but I have yet to use it.

7. Google eeepc forums and check out their wikis. There are a lot of useful information, especially if you want to put Windows XP on your system. RAMdrives are useful to set up too.

8. Get the non-surf. The Surf models are crippled so you have no camera, a smaller-capacity battery, and no access to your RAM slot. If you want to run Windows XP, I suggest getting a stick of 2GB DDR2 sodimm and set up a RAMDrive between 256MB-512MB so you can put your IE/Firefox/Windows temp files on the RAM disk. Running applications off the SSD and SD can be slow sometimes.

 

[ObscureCaucasian]

Personally I feel the 4G surf is the sweet spot for me. I ran my 14" laptop w/ 512 megs of ram w/ XP for a long time, and Wikipedia tells me that the 4G surf has upgradable memory but no access door, so a memory upgrade would be a PITA and void your warranty, but it's possible. I have no uses for the camera and mic either. If you want those then I'm sure the extra $50 is worth it.

There is a version of Xubuntu dubbed eeeXubuntu that is designed around the eee pc and uses the lightweight XFCE window manager. I've seen vids on youtube showing that the eee pc can run 3D desktop effects pretty nicely (Compiz Fusion), so I'm betting that eeeXubuntu is going to be your best/most stable 3rd party linux distro for the EEE PC.

 

[kyzen]

How is the typing on them? The keyboards look tiny as hell.

 

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: kyzen
How is the typing on them? The keyboards look tiny as hell.

I accidentally press 2 instead of 1 a lot, since the ~ key is offset. Those little guides on F and J are on the small side. And finally, one annoying thing is the placement of the right shift next to PageUp. I accidentally press the PU key rather than shift a lot too.

Nevertheless it's really not that bad a keyboard.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
Personally I feel the 4G surf is the sweet spot for me. I ran my 14" laptop w/ 512 megs of ram w/ XP for a long time, and Wikipedia tells me that the 4G surf has upgradable memory but no access door, so a memory upgrade would be a PITA and void your warranty, but it's possible. I have no uses for the camera and mic either. If you want those then I'm sure the extra $50 is worth it.

There is a version of Xubuntu dubbed eeeXubuntu that is designed around the eee pc and uses the lightweight XFCE window manager. I've seen vids on youtube showing that the eee pc can run 3D desktop effects pretty nicely (Compiz Fusion), so I'm betting that eeeXubuntu is going to be your best/most stable 3rd party linux distro for the EEE PC.

I just bought one of these today... I literally couldn't help but buy one even though the ones coming out in March are possibly going to be quite a bit better. I have an obsession with technology that looks fun.

I chose the Black 4G Surf as my reading clued me in that the Black model usually has a memory access door, but even if it doesn't (the white ones don't), you can still upgrade it by taking the laptop apart. I ordered an 8GB SDHC card and a 2GB RAM module to put in it. I have a spare copy of Windows XP Pro SP2 that I plan to throw on it (using nlite to shape it down a bit... like Super Hollywood Diet style).

I'll let you know how I like it... it should come tomorrow as it's shipping to me from Newegg's NJ warehouse .

I've read about some people having trouble installing Windows onto the machine... it fails a couple times and after that, part of their SSD gets locked down. Any insight on this? Is there a certain method I should use to install XP over another? I believe I have some spare USB->IDE/SATA thingies lying around and I know I have a 4GB USB thumbdrive that I could use.

 

[imported_Uber]

I have an obsession with technology that looks fun.

Me too!

 

[Oil]

Is there an Eee tablet?

 

[frostedflakes]

I've read that the 2nd gen model will have touchscreen capability, don't know if it's been confirmed or was just a rumor, though. It is also possible to retrofit a touchscreen to current EEE models, I think the kits are $75-100, in that area.

 

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
Personally I feel the 4G surf is the sweet spot for me. I ran my 14" laptop w/ 512 megs of ram w/ XP for a long time, and Wikipedia tells me that the 4G surf has upgradable memory but no access door, so a memory upgrade would be a PITA and void your warranty, but it's possible. I have no uses for the camera and mic either. If you want those then I'm sure the extra $50 is worth it.

There is a version of Xubuntu dubbed eeeXubuntu that is designed around the eee pc and uses the lightweight XFCE window manager. I've seen vids on youtube showing that the eee pc can run 3D desktop effects pretty nicely (Compiz Fusion), so I'm betting that eeeXubuntu is going to be your best/most stable 3rd party linux distro for the EEE PC.

I just bought one of these today... I literally couldn't help but buy one even though the ones coming out in March are possibly going to be quite a bit better. I have an obsession with technology that looks fun.

I chose the Black 4G Surf as my reading clued me in that the Black model usually has a memory access door, but even if it doesn't (the white ones don't), you can still upgrade it by taking the laptop apart. I ordered an 8GB SDHC card and a 2GB RAM module to put in it. I have a spare copy of Windows XP Pro SP2 that I plan to throw on it (using nlite to shape it down a bit... like Super Hollywood Diet style).

I'll let you know how I like it... it should come tomorrow as it's shipping to me from Newegg's NJ warehouse .

I've read about some people having trouble installing Windows onto the machine... it fails a couple times and after that, part of their SSD gets locked down. Any insight on this? Is there a certain method I should use to install XP over another? I believe I have some spare USB->IDE/SATA thingies lying around and I know I have a 4GB USB thumbdrive that I could use.

Read that link I posted in my previous thread. The instructions on installing XP from a thumb drive works pretty well for me. It's a little funny but you have to follow the instrutions to a T and it should be all right.

 

[rerickson]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

I'll let you know how I like it... it should come tomorrow as it's shipping to me from Newegg's NJ warehouse .

So how is this working out for you? any updates? thanks

 

[abaez]

After reading this thread about using it as a GPS receiver: http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=3354 I ordered one from Costco.