I've been thinking about picking up a netbook for a while now. With all the traveling I do, it would be a lot more convenient packing around a 2.5lb computer as opposed to a full-sized laptop. Well, we took the plunge yesterday and picked one up. I have to say, I'm very impressed with it.
The Acer Aspire One D150 (we got the black one). It has a 1.6ghz Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM (which may not sound like much, but I haven't really seen any performance issues), 160GB hard drive (which is twice what my work laptop has), 3 USB ports, a 5-in-1 memory card reader, and a 10.2" screen. There is a built-in 10/100 network port as well as 802.11b/g wireless with a switch on the front to enable or disable. It also has a built-in webcam and microphone, which is very impressive. The kids & I set up a Skype video call from the computer room to the dining room. I'm sure Alexander Bell wasn't as impressed with his phone as the kids were that they could see me on the computer. Now we can try video calls when I'm traveling.
The keyboard is a bit smaller, as you'd expect on a netbook. I'm still getting used to the left shift key and the enter key... they have two "\" keys where my fingers naturally go for Shift and Enter. The sound is surprisingly good considering the little mini speakers. Getting around the lack of optical drive is workable. So far I just copy the install CD onto a flash drive or my portable hard drive, then plug it into the USB port.
Some of the reviews I've read have come down pretty hard on the poor touchpad. I think it's good. It blends right in with the rest of the keyboard frame and isn't so sensitive that the mouse jumps around the screen every time you accidentally brush it with your thumb.
I haven't tested out the battery yet, but it is supposed to last for about 3 hours, which should last for most of my flights. I'm going to Calgary on Wed/Thur and Vancouver on Friday, so I'll have a good chance to field test it. I'm most excited about taking it on the plane with me. I've had Franklin planners bigger than this...
The Acer Aspire One D150 (we got the black one). It has a 1.6ghz Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM (which may not sound like much, but I haven't really seen any performance issues), 160GB hard drive (which is twice what my work laptop has), 3 USB ports, a 5-in-1 memory card reader, and a 10.2" screen. There is a built-in 10/100 network port as well as 802.11b/g wireless with a switch on the front to enable or disable. It also has a built-in webcam and microphone, which is very impressive. The kids & I set up a Skype video call from the computer room to the dining room. I'm sure Alexander Bell wasn't as impressed with his phone as the kids were that they could see me on the computer. Now we can try video calls when I'm traveling.
The keyboard is a bit smaller, as you'd expect on a netbook. I'm still getting used to the left shift key and the enter key... they have two "\" keys where my fingers naturally go for Shift and Enter. The sound is surprisingly good considering the little mini speakers. Getting around the lack of optical drive is workable. So far I just copy the install CD onto a flash drive or my portable hard drive, then plug it into the USB port.
Some of the reviews I've read have come down pretty hard on the poor touchpad. I think it's good. It blends right in with the rest of the keyboard frame and isn't so sensitive that the mouse jumps around the screen every time you accidentally brush it with your thumb.
I haven't tested out the battery yet, but it is supposed to last for about 3 hours, which should last for most of my flights. I'm going to Calgary on Wed/Thur and Vancouver on Friday, so I'll have a good chance to field test it. I'm most excited about taking it on the plane with me. I've had Franklin planners bigger than this...
