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Oh dear Thomas, I have a ZV6000. I hope I am not going to meet a similar fate. This is my second HP and touch wood, save for a virus on this one I had to take it in for, they both have been great. I always say I want a Mac but whether I will actually spring for it when the time comes remains to be seen. The other ones have come down so dramatically in price.

That said, what is the purpose of these "Netbooks"? I'm thinking there must be something they can't do that a regular computer does? Then again, maybe I'm covered since I have an IPhone. Maybe it's more for people that "compute" on the go? I have a laptop, but it's hooked up to my TV and never moved except to dust, so maybe I am not a candidate for these. Just trying to figure it all out.
 
Thomas:

I hear you about Microsoft; it has always been expensive to deal with them, but it's getting out of hand. New, bug-laden OS's every couple of years, new versions of Office all the time. Who needs it?

I'm using XP, because it came with the computer, and because the recovery disk and the laptop itself are keyed to it, but I'm using open-source for everything else. I would go with Ubuntu, but with laptops, there are driver and other issues that you have to resolve yourself when using that OS, and while I have decent computer skills, my research tells me that's more than I want to deal with. I would be very happy to get Windows completely out of my life, though.*

*No, I don't want a Mac. Been there, done that, wasn't happy. No disrespect to anyone who likes them, OK?
 
The major selling points of netbooks:
-often dirt cheap
-easily portable--light & small
-with a bit more "large" computer usability than a iPhone.

The limits are limited power. This isn't an issue with some software, like e-mail. But they aren't the choice for heavy gamers. A reason why netbooks have XP is simply because Vista is too much for the hardware. Of course, Vista may be too much for most hardware out there.

Danesmodsandy--Ubuntu might be an option. Laptops are tricky, but things are getting better. Sony is a pretty common brand, which helps. Even if TODAY it's not viable, six months or a year from now, it might be as support for more hardware is added.

Another thought: there are Linux user groups. Often one of their missions is to help install Linux on new user's computers.

A final point about Linux which isn't new, but worth repeating: it's not either/or. Many people have both Linux and Windows installed, and can easily boot into either.
 
"They get you in for cheap and then charge your ass off with data fees."

The thing I thought of were those ISP plans a few years back. Buy into a given ISP (for 2-3 years), at a high price, and get a "free" computer. If I recall right, some plans were so outrageous, one could buy a computer, cheap Internet service, and still come out ahead.
 
J2400:

The main issues with running Ubuntu or other Linux variants on a VAIO are problems with function keys and screen brightness controls. A VAIO keyboard is really, really dependent on function keys - you have to use FN + Rt. Arrow to get End, for instance. And the machines go into a very dim display mode when on battery power; you have to bump the brightness back up. Anything that interfered with those needs would be problematic. I know of some advanced users who have successfully negotiated these problems, but I'm not there yet, LOL.
 
As I say, sooner or later support should be there out of the box. Laptops, in general, are a problem, but eventually, with luck, solutions are there. Maybe by Ubuntu 9.10...
 
Thanks J2400. I discovered today that one of the guys that works at the reception desk at my gym has one, he seems to really like it.
 
Scott--I'm glad I could help. It's so confusing, sometimes, sorting through all the computer options. Not to mention hype. Most people who have netbooks absolutely love them. I think in many ways I'd like one--having something that portable is really appealing. But the thing that has stopped me on every model I've played with has been the keyboard, which is always--at best--wretched. I wonder if I could learn to tolerate the keyboard for even a short e-mail message.
 
Danesmodsandy--a few more words about Linux. Another point worth considering is that there are other distros past Ubuntu. Both Mandriva and PCLinuxOS are user friendly, and--in some cases--one might work more easily in a situation where Ubuntu fails. It's all the same software, but the specific pieces and how they are configured makes a difference. I'm frankly not the #1 fan of Ubuntu, having had better luck, overall, with Mandriva.

This is, of course, a pain sorting through options. But it's worth keeping in mind if XP becomes too much of a headache.

And, as I said before, things are getting better. Maybe I've been been inhaling too many laundry detergent fumes, but I hope that there will come a day when Linux will be a pretty much drop in, no hassles OS for any computer.
 
John:

Thanks for the tip about the other distributions of Linux; I'll look into them. I have to be reasonably well-assured from the get-go that anything new will work, because I'm a magazine editor and writer, absolutely dependent on my computer functioning fully and correctly.

Again, thanks, and I'll check 'em out.
 
Toshiba 17 in screen

Gary here is a good one to look at also. Bought this as second laptop for us. It is a great machine for the money. Only 6.8 pounds. Look at the link. Got this in June for 398.00 now 448.00 What I like about it is the keyboard had the keypad. 2.16 Celeron and 3 gig ram and 160 gig HD plus cd/dvd read write and builtin wireless.

The smaller ones are very hard to use for normal hands as it is so small.

 
Toshiba NB 205

Got this Toshiba NB205 today.
I am trying to connect wirelessly, however, it says that the signal strength is excellent(connected to a linksys wireless router), but, says limited or no connectivity. I think it cannot read the IP address.

What can I do to wirelessly connect to the internet???
 
Sandy--

Yes, you definitely do want to be careful since you depend on the computer. And given the hardware, XP might well be the best option for now.

Given your circumstances, if you do find a Linux distro that should work, you should move ahead with caution--make sure you have data backed up, have XP recovery disks, etc. Plus, it would be best if you set the system up as dual boot (so it can run both XP and Linux) just to be super safe. Plus, dual boot makes the transition easier--you can use XP for real work, Linux for casual Internet browsing, and if all goes well, slowly transition over to Linux for everything.
 

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