[kwlug-disc] Netbook+ manu. suggestions?

[unsolicited]

John - can NetDirect come anywhere close to Canada Computer, Tiger
Direct, et al, on their IBM laptop pricing?

Can NetDirect recommend models based on recent list threads? Mine
(below), or Bob's?

unsolicited wrote, On 03/08/2009 9:11 PM:
> I am thinking it's time to buy a notebook.
> 
> I will want ...
> - to run Debian
> - to shrink the pre-installed OS and dual boot.
> - all the latest bells and whistles, but not the fastest.
> - wi-fi (preferably pre-802.11n, but I probably can't have it at a price 
> point I'm willing to consider), bluetooth, camera, mic, speakers, etc. - 
> Including inputs, such as for headset. Video out. Gbps Ethernet
> - dual-core (Celeron?)
> - at least 1024x768 (for VNC), inevitably it will be wider, but I want 
> it to be at least that big.
> - DVD, probably Blu-Ray.
> - expect that 2GB will be practically sufficient, for memory.
> - not certain I want or need the hassle of a 64-bit OS. Presuming that 
> 32-bit haps aren't always 'just happy' on them.
> 
> - what other criteria haven't I thought of here?
> 
> - What are the AMD keywords I need to look for for dual-core? I don't 
> know the AMD line. My experience has been, when away from my dual-core 
> to a single core, I really notice the spots of hurry up and wait while 
> this app opens before I can switch tasks to get on with things. e.g. 
> Opening firefox or open office.
> 
> - I typically end up at Canada Computer.
> 
> I'm thinking the purpose here is to be a super PDA with a screen and 
> keyboard. e.g. (1) I VNC into home where my environment is all set up. 
> So if I drop the laptop, little current data is lost. VNC is the reason 
> for the minimum screen res. - yes, I understand scaling. (2) I've an 
> older laptop that can do all the above, but only with a suitcase, not so 
> small, of cables, external devices, and etc. - such as playing a movie 
> at the trailer via VLC (and external DVD, for that matter. <sigh>) I 
> want to avoid the suitcase.
> 
>     I popped over to Dell the other day, and their configuration tool 
> wanted a 1033 FSB to keep up with Blu-Ray. (I'm not convinced I couldn't 
> get by with making an .iso of the disc before I go, and playing from 
> HD.) Given a sufficiently large hard drive. I believe no hard drive will 
> be too small - it's just an OS with a bit of data, and the current data 
> will always be on the home / multiply rsync'ed network.
> 
> Age, let alone hearing loss, is playing a factor. The screen needs to be 
> big enough at 1024 x 768 for me to, preferably, not need my 1x reading 
> glasses. And when on my lap, my already perpetually stiff neck can't 
> lock on me. Sound, other than tweedles, is all but irrelevant - I'd end 
> up hooking up headphones, a stereo, or bluetooth headset, for any 
> significant listening. And I can't hear anyways.
> 
> I like the $400 netbook price point, but recognize I won't get the 
> doohickeys I want at that price point (bluetooth, camera, etc.). Dell 
> has/had a netbook on for about $400. By the time I finished the 
> configuration tool, I was at $1,200. I will not pay that much.
> 
> 
> What am I heading towards? An Acer, non-Aspire?
> 
> Guidance, suggestions, aspects of "don't get sucked in by the hype of ...?"
> 
>