Re: eee pc versus lenovo netbook

On Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:57:04 +0000, JohnF wrote:

Anybody have first (or close to it) hand experience comparing the lenovo
netbook, e.g.,
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Lenovo-IdeaPad-S10-1211-10-2-Netbook-
Black-S10-1211/sem/rpsm/oid/223497/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
with the asus eee pc, e.g.,
http://www.jr.com/asus/pe/ASU_10002HAB06X/

Are these the same machine? If not, what's the diff? Any other similar
netbook-style machines around (not the 8.9" variety which is too small
for me)? How's usability -- keyboard and screen viewing -- with this
10.2" form factor?...
I'm always running a text editor in one window,
and typically either a compiler or (pdf)tex in another. In the latter
case, xdvi or gv (or acroread) is running in a third window. Can all
that be comfortably viewed on a 10.2" screen without migraine-level
eyestrain (minimizing or overlapping the editor and viewer is ok)?

Both machines come with Win XP home on a 160GB (rotating media) hard
drive, whereas what I'd really like is better approximated by, e.g.,
http://www.jr.com/asus/pe/ASU_EPC1000W04/
which is an eee pc with linux on a 40GB solid state drive. Its problems
for me are:
o That 40GB turns out to be an 8GB true solid state drive
containing the os, plus a 32GB internal flash drive (for data)
that's a lot slower.
o Their linux is a debian variant called xandros, presumably
tweaked and with drivers to fully support the eee pc. What I really
want is my personal favorite Slackware, tweaked by me for all the
weird stuff I do. But I'd like to dual boot it with xandros, just
in case I can't (or can't easily) get all the eee's hardware
running under Slackware. That'd be fine with 40GB, but tough in
the 8GB solid state drive.

Now, I'd probably be happy with the XP machine after I set it up to dual
boot Slackware (assuming that can be done in a straightforward manner
like on a desktop -- anyone done it?). But what's the battery life
penalty with the 160GB rotating hard drive versus the 40GB solid state?
And I suppose the solid state drive is more shock resistant, but is that
really much of a worry (just when the machine's off -- it's not likely
to get banged around much while I'm using it)?

Any other remarks/observations using these machines? Thanks,

You can find a couple of recent threads with some info about netbooks on
alt.os.linux and alt.os.linux.debian. I purchased a eeepc from bestbuy for
the wife for $280 - free shipping. This model would not meet your specs,
but I plan to more or less permanently install an 8gb SD card - for about
$25.
.

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