Netbooks, entry 7, What Software to Use?

My Acer One came with MS Works, but it has self-promotional advertising that uses up some of the valuable screen space. To get rid of the advertising you have to pay extra. The Acer also came with a 6o day trail of MS Office. I uninstalled both and downloaded OpenOffice instead. For what I want to do OpenOffice is just as good and it's free.

I also installed Mozilla Firefox, which is a safer and more efficient browser (at least according to my local sources). The Acer came with Outlook Express, but if your email is strictly Internet-based (Yahoo!, Gmail, Hotmail, and the like) you won't need it. But if you want to upload and download your email via pop3/smtp then you will want to use OE. Especially if you would like to be able to compose or read downloaded emails when you are out of wireless range. Or you could download some other email client program.

The Acer comes with a program called e-Sobi v 2, which claims to combine three Internet tools; search, news reader, and an Info Library. e-Sobi is not a product I'm familiar with so you'll have to read their site or others to determine how useful it could be to you.

Windows Messenger also comes loaded but I’m a fan of Google Talk so that‘s what I replaced it with.

The Acer also comes with Windows Media Player. Windows Movie Maker, Adobe Reader 9, and McAfee security (which I prefer over Norton anyway). Some of the usual games and accessories that come with Windows XP are on the netbook, such as calculator, solitaire, notepad, fax, remote access, and others. You can also get a netbook running Linix instead and people have tested Mac OS X on netbooks.

Keep in mind that the netbook is an Internet tool and it's main purpose is to enable you to connect to the Internet and utilize Internet-based services. Your tools and your storage should be on the net. One such service is Carbonite, a online backup service, a 30 day trial comes with the Acer. My first experience with it, to do my initial backup, was easy to complete.

Related links:

• 10 Ways to Trick Out Your Netbook


• Cloud Computing - Get Used to the Term


• E-mail Client


• Email Software: Email Clients and Email Related Software


• Esobi - from Wikipedia


• eSobi, your Personal Global News Center Chosen by Acer on all Windows-Based PCs


• Recommended software for netbooks - from forum at NetbookReview.com

Netbooks, entry 6 - Not for Gaming

If you want to play high graphic games then this is not the computer for you. Although there are gamers who’ve tried and some have posted what their results have been. Given the small screen, touchpad, and mouse toggle you’d need a add at least a better mouse for serious gaming. But to me adding accessories defeats the purpose of carrying a netbook. If you can’t travel from home without your favorite high-graphics game then check to see what other players are saying about playing your game on the various netbooks. You may want to go with a regular laptop instead.

Related links:

• 12 great games that run on a Windows netbook
• Acer Aspire One Games List - for those running Linux
• Acer Aspire One User Forum
• Games that work on a netbook
• [H]ard[F]orum - forum comments about what games they've tried on their Acer Aspire One netbooks
• Netbook Games List - for an Acer Aspire One
• NotebookReview.com - "Any older games that would work on my Acer Aspire One?"
• Steam - source for downloading games.

See my comments about software in my next post.

Netbooks, entry 5 - Why You Shouldn't get a Netbook

There are some cons to consider before getting a netbook. If you have large hands the netbook keyboard may drive you nuts. I’ve been typing my netbook entries while my spouse has been driving and the vehicle’s vibration combined with a touchy touch pad has resulted in the cursor hopping around unexpectedly. I’ve also found I need do something about the glare. Having bad eyes and a small screen is already enough of a handicap, any glare makes it so much worse.

If the only reason you are looking at a netbook is the price and you need a full-sized computer, then you should NOT get a netbook because you will be very disappointed. If you just want to write simple documents, read and receive email, search the Internet, post blogs, etc., then this is the right choice.

Netbooks are not powerful computers and are without many of the features that we have become accustomed to. There are no CD/DVD drives so you won't be watching movies on the plane (unless you preload the movie onto the hard drive), plus the amount of memory, the size of the hard drive, the quality of the sound and graphics are not going to be as fully featured as a normal laptop.

Related links:

• Are Notebooks a Growing Trend or a Passing Fad


• Five Reasons Not to Get a Netbook


• Three Reasons Why Netbooks Just Aren't Good Enough
  


• Will Netbook Fad End When Economy Revives?
  

See my next post for comments about gaming on a netbook.

Netbooks entry 4 - Internet Access

You can get mobile access to the Internet via cellular coverage but that coverage comes at a price. I've seen talk of plans that run $60 a month. If you have to have access 24/7 then it may very well be worth it to you. If so, you may want to sign up for a plan that includes a netbook at a deep discount (or even free).

But for those who are looking for a small form factor, don’t need to be on the Internet 24/7, and are frugal, free wireless could be enough.

Related links:

• AT&T and Verizon Wireless Bet on Netbooks



• AT&T's wireless netbooks come with strings



• McDonalds' Resturant locator (next to last column of search results indicates whether WiFi is available).



• The Next Netbook Trend: Cellphone-Like Contract Deals



• RadioShack sells $99 Netbook with 2-year AT&T contract



• Verizon Netbook to hit stores this weekend



• Vodafone and Dell in $0 netbook broadband deal: cool



• Wi-Fi-FreeSpot™ Directory - find free WiFi hotspots. (Note: many McDonands, Safeways, and public libraries also provide free WiFi)

See further comments in my next post.

Netbooks, entry 3 - Why Get a Netbook?

The netbook fits in that area between a fancy cell phone or PDA (such as a Palm), and a full laptop.

Netbooks are pared down laptops that are extremely small, very light, extremely energy efficient, Internet-focused, and are usually used without a bunch of peripherals. Just a power cord (and maybe a mini surge protector) and you’re off. It’s great for writing blog entries (such as this one), reading your email, and surfing the web.

If I want to sit in my car during lunch and write blog entries or do a little personal research I can. When I’m done I can just drop the Acer in my tote bag or brief case. Since I’m planning to take a train trip across country, visit with my with family for a week and then ride the train back via another route I’d like to have some computer access but don’t need a fully loaded (and cumbersome) laptop. Since the netbook is really an Internet appliance it only comes into it’s own when you use a lot of Internet-based services, or programs that are normally downloaded from the Internet rather than from CDs.

Related links:

• 5 Reasons to Get a Low Cost Netbook in the Market Today


• 5 Reasons Why Netbooks Succeeded When UMPCs and Tablet PCs Failed


• I’ll Just Buy a Netbook: Why Netbooks 2.0 will do More than Cannibalize


• Picture Proof: Why Netbooks Rock [to some]


• Why Netbooks, Why Now?

See further comments in my next post.

Netbooks, entry 2

I just bought an Acer Aspire One netbook from Costco and I have to say that I like it. You just have to remember what it is and isn’t configured to do. At home I have a true indulgence, an Alienware laptop, but Alienware computers are for gaming and while they handle everything media related very, very well, they are heavier and bigger than your average laptop. Since I’m planning a couple of long trips this year (and I’m addicted to my computer) it made sense to look into a netbook.

Related links:

• Acer Aspire One AOD150-1577 10.1-Inch Diamond Black Netbook - 6 Cell Battery from Amazon.


• Acer One website


• CNET review of Acer Aspire One


• PC World review
  


• PC Magazine review

See further comments in my next post.

Netbooks

My next few posts are going to be about netbooks. You may well ask why, since this isn’t usually a blog about computers. However, I do like to talk about any object that’s “less” but lets me do more.

In the case of netbooks it’s a device that lets us travel lighter. Just as you might weed and downsize your home you’d also love to cart around less when you travel. If you must have a computer, and most of what you do uses the Internet, then a netbook is one way to go. Especially given the extra charges for any luggage carried by the airlines.