A new member of the techno-family
Aug. 11th, 2008 10:28 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
readingredheadSomething I didn't have time to mention in my previous quickpost: I have a new computer!
Well. Not quite a computer. The technical term is "netbook" or "subnotebook." I wanted something ultraportable that I could use for taking notes in class and writing when I don't want to lug my actual laptop all over the place. I know, I know, I'm completely spoiled. But I did work this summer, and I did earn money, and I made the decision that I didn't need another computer, and I bought it anyway.
For anyone who cares, my subnotebook is an Asus Eee 900, the 16GB model. He weighs in at a little over 2 lbs, has a 8.9" widescreen, and is the closest a computer can come to being called cute. His name is Artemis, after a certain fictional teenage supergenius created by the brilliant Eoin Colfer.
Most pictures make him look a lot bigger than he actually is. I don't know how many of you remember my pocket PC, and the foldout keyboard I had for it, but that little keyboard is about the size of Arty's keyboard. Yeah, that small. One of the major complaints people have about this model, in fact, is that the keys are so small that the average buyer (who is a middle-aged white man) cannot touch-type because his fingers are too large. Good thing I'm not a middle-aged white man, and that I've had practice dealing with ridiculously small keyboards. Still, for a while my type speed will be hindered and I will make fantastic spelling mistakes.
Artemis compared to a medium-sized hardback book.
The same medium-sized hardback book and Arty, seen from the edge this time.
Top view, with Artemis sitting on top of Fitzwilliam, my current laptop.
Side view comparison of Arty and Fitz.
So far the only "problem" I have encountered is that it's slightly slow to get started and it doesn't run super-fast, but considering that I paid $450 for it and it only has 1GB RAM, I'm alright with that. Also, the battery monitor is strange and appears to only note charge in increments of ten...and it never makes its way all the way up to 100%, even when I leave it on the charger overnight. However, I knew going in that the battery meter was slightly bugged, so at least I was warned1 Overall, it's a nice little gadget, provided that you use it only for the things it was made for: surfing the 'net and word processing. Which is, of course, all that I ever use the average computer for anyway.
Well. Not quite a computer. The technical term is "netbook" or "subnotebook." I wanted something ultraportable that I could use for taking notes in class and writing when I don't want to lug my actual laptop all over the place. I know, I know, I'm completely spoiled. But I did work this summer, and I did earn money, and I made the decision that I didn't need another computer, and I bought it anyway.
For anyone who cares, my subnotebook is an Asus Eee 900, the 16GB model. He weighs in at a little over 2 lbs, has a 8.9" widescreen, and is the closest a computer can come to being called cute. His name is Artemis, after a certain fictional teenage supergenius created by the brilliant Eoin Colfer.
Most pictures make him look a lot bigger than he actually is. I don't know how many of you remember my pocket PC, and the foldout keyboard I had for it, but that little keyboard is about the size of Arty's keyboard. Yeah, that small. One of the major complaints people have about this model, in fact, is that the keys are so small that the average buyer (who is a middle-aged white man) cannot touch-type because his fingers are too large. Good thing I'm not a middle-aged white man, and that I've had practice dealing with ridiculously small keyboards. Still, for a while my type speed will be hindered and I will make fantastic spelling mistakes.
Artemis compared to a medium-sized hardback book.
The same medium-sized hardback book and Arty, seen from the edge this time.
Top view, with Artemis sitting on top of Fitzwilliam, my current laptop.
Side view comparison of Arty and Fitz.
So far the only "problem" I have encountered is that it's slightly slow to get started and it doesn't run super-fast, but considering that I paid $450 for it and it only has 1GB RAM, I'm alright with that. Also, the battery monitor is strange and appears to only note charge in increments of ten...and it never makes its way all the way up to 100%, even when I leave it on the charger overnight. However, I knew going in that the battery meter was slightly bugged, so at least I was warned1 Overall, it's a nice little gadget, provided that you use it only for the things it was made for: surfing the 'net and word processing. Which is, of course, all that I ever use the average computer for anyway.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-08-11 10:48 pm (UTC)I've been thinking about nettops and other minimalist systems but I sometimes have trouble seeing my keyboard as it is and also I like to abuse my system from time to time.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-08-12 04:24 am (UTC)"Artemis"
Date: 2008-08-12 04:54 am (UTC)Did you get the Windows model? (I suppose it'd be understandable, but I'd still go for the Linux one myself. *grin*)
Actually, I think it's a pretty good computer. I just can't deal with a screen that small.
And heh, "only has 1GB of RAM". You'd be surprised what supposedly under-spec computers can do. Like pentaverse said, I bet you'd barely use 512MB most of the time.
Re: "Artemis"
Date: 2008-08-12 11:08 pm (UTC)And as for "only 1GB of RAM," yeah, I don't really need much more. This is what I'm learning as I go along.
As for the screen? Magnifying glass. XD
(Oh, and yes, there was a time paradox one, it just came out in May, and in my opinion, it's not fantastic...but it's still Artemis!)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-08-12 03:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-08-12 11:05 pm (UTC)