Anyone tried an Asus Eee or other subnotebook?

[Alex Franke]

Clearly not for power users, but at 2 lbs with wireless, audio, etc, it seems like it might make a great computer for the kitchen or for short trips -- something you can use for just looking up stuff online or playing music/showing photos from the network, etc.

Anyone used these?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASUS_Eee_PC

[LinuxRandal]

I have been waiting for Keith Outten, to report back (originator and moderator of Sawmill Creek). He has one of the older versions. I have been looking at the new one with the larger screen.

The two biggest complaints are the keyboard and the moniter size. But that comes with the territory of the sub notebook class.

[kirkroy]

I could be interested in a eee or similar. I've got a palm tx now and wouldn't mind something that can do a little bit more.

[jziegler]

I helped my SIL get one a couple weeks ago. I haven't used it, but she's very happy for her use (mostly word processing - so she can write on her subway commute in NYC). Also good for web browsing.

Keyboard size is small, but my SIL got used to it pretty quickly. She said that it's really not bad to type on. The screen is very small, but the new version with a larger screen is now out.

At this point, I can't see buying a full sized notebook (I find then way to big and heavy for most travel, certainly on trips I take by plane and then public transit when I hit Europe) but one of these would fit work well. When the price drops a bit more, I'll probably get one.

Jim

[Alex Franke]

When the price drops a bit more, I'll probably get one.

I read that the initial target price was $199. Then it went up to about $250 prior to launch, apparently because of the cost of the displays. When they hit the streets they started selling for about $300.

hmmm... I don't like this trend so far

[dbhost]

Are you specifically looking for a Linux / Windows XP notebook, or are you specifically looking for a subnotebook?

There are plenty of low $$ notbeooks around running CentOS or Ubuntu...

I am too busy stuffing money into the house, the shop, and my truck to think about a notebook right now, but I do know I want a Linux laptop with DVD / Blu Ray playback capability...

[Alex Franke]

Are you specifically looking for a Linux / Windows XP notebook, or are you specifically looking for a subnotebook? There are plenty of low $$ notbeooks around running CentOS or Ubuntu...

What I really want is a tiny, quite, energy-efficient computer that I can park in a couple of places around the house to play music/show slides from the network and preferably offer some simple web browsing and email functionality. We can use it in the kitchen as a background slideshow, to look up recipes, check on emails, and play our favorite playlists from the network. No need for a big screen, or a fast processor, or a lot of memory or disk space -- just needs to be able to do some simply things...

I wrote a little media player I called Puppy Snack using Tcl/Snack library on Puppy Linux a while back when I was planning on rolling my own. But it seems like all the "small, quiet" computers out there are a lot more expensive than the big guys. And I have to say it would be nice to have something fully preconfigured and tested. I'm still a linux noob.

My latest plan (though it only solves half the problem) is to use my Hauppauge Media MVP (network media player) with a little LCD monitor that I rip out of some car headrest display... if I can find one on the cheap.

...9 more to 1,000!

[dbhost]

Well, if you have WMA or WMV files you are going to want to be playing, and don't want to run afoul of DMCA, then that descision has been made for you...

I have heard good things about the performance / value of the subnotebook class of computers.

I personally don't do proprietary formats unless I can WINE the program that creates them. (ALA Sketchup on CentOS 5.1)... WMV is a pretty bloated format anyway, and since I can play WMA / WMV through Real it's not a huge issue for the few files I do have come accross from friends...

Anyway, the subnotebook might be what you would want, but don't expect full surround sound, or amazing graphics out of that class of computer by any means!

[LinuxRandal]

Well, if you have WMA or WMV files you are going to want to be playing, and don't want to run afoul of DMCA, then that descision has been made for you...

I have heard good things about the performance / value of the subnotebook class of computers.

I personally don't do proprietary formats unless I can WINE the program that creates them. (ALA Sketchup on CentOS 5.1)... WMV is a pretty bloated format anyway, and since I can play WMA / WMV through Real it's not a huge issue for the few files I do have come accross from friends...

Anyway, the subnotebook might be what you would want, but don't expect full surround sound, or amazing graphics out of that class of computer by any means!

You might want to do some more research. The distro on the Asus EEEpc, is one of the ones, that signed the "patent pledge" deal with Microsoft.