ACER mini laptops

[David Tabor (sailordave)]

I see a lot of people w/ the mini laptops. No DVD drive, 160 GB HD, 9-10 inch screen. 6 CELL battery. They all LOVE them. Any thoughts on which model and what features I should look for? I'm kind of tired of my old Thinkpad and I am NOT lugging my huge TOSHIBA around that I got to basically replace the desktop and use for photo editing.

I'm looking at the Acer's... So what say y'all?

[huisjen]

Joe gets the shakes when his is out of WiFi range.

Dan

[Kaa]

Depends on what do you want to use it for. Netbooks are nice for email, browsing, writing text, this kind of things. They are not so good for photo editing or, in general, anything that requires a decent CPU or screen.

Kaa

[StevenBauer]

I like mine for basic web browsing and email. The newer ones are better and cheaper. How can you go wrong for $225?


Steven

[Tylerdurden]

I was looking at them but charts on such a small screen is useless to me. I picked up a good used flat screen and am building a mini ATX for Marla. The laptop proved inconvenient in practical use so I am mounting the flatscreen to a bulkhead next to the table and the mini ATX is going in a cabinet next to it. The keyboard and mouse go in their own special shelf when not in use.
I guess if one needs reading glasses those mini laptops are out of the question.

[Flying Orca]

Oystagirl got one of the Linux Acers and likes it, but uses her Macbook more. I would say it depends on what you want to do and how much you want to spend. I have a new Toshiba Portegé R600, the lightest notebook on the market - much higher screen resolution than the Acer, not much bigger, and way more powerful - but also much more expensive.

As a bit of an aside, my Portegé is my work desktop - docked, with peripherals including a honking big second display. If it had enough disk space for my music collection and a fast enough graphics card for gaming, I'd probably use it as a desktop replacement at home, too.

Back to the topic at hand - from what I've seen the Acers are a good value and quite portable if you don't want to splash out the big bucks for a high-end tiny notebook.

[Kaa]

... am building a mini ATX ...

I am not so sure standard off-the shelf computer components will behave well in a salty-humid environment.

Kaa

[Tylerdurden]

I am not so sure standard off-the shelf computer components will behave well in a salty-humid environment.

Kaa

Same goes for of the shelf laptops. I intend to have spares on hand but to deal with most moisture issues it will be sealed and water cooled. At least that's the plan. The flat screen I don't know about though, they seem fine in that environment as I have installed several.
Its a hell of a lot cheaper than the custom marine laptops. I can build seven of mine for the price of one of those.

[Kaa]

... and water cooled.

:eek: The only people I know who watercool their machines are gamer-overclocker guys. And I don't think water cooling systems are all that reliable -- they tend to leak with the expected unfortunate consequences.

I guess the issue boils down to what happens when your computer dies. If you lose, say, all your navigation capability, that's one thing and if all you lose the ability to play Solitaire, that's a different thing.

But there should be lots of first-hand experience with cruising with computers on non-airconditioned boats. Also this guy -- http://microship.com/ -- comes to mind.

Kaa

[David Tabor (sailordave)]

Depends on what do you want to use it for. Netbooks are nice for email, browsing, writing text, this kind of things. They are not so good for photo editing or, in general, anything that requires a decent CPU or screen.

Kaa

Which is what I'm looking for. Just need something for travelling or for breaks at work. Not looking to do Navigation or Photoshopping or whatever.

[Kaa]

Which is what I'm looking for. Just need something for travelling or for breaks at work. Not looking to do Navigation or Photoshopping or whatever.

I bought an Asus EEE recently as a gift, one of the new versions.

I haven't heard about major differences in reliability between netbooks, so I'd go by features and price. Well, while sticking to recognizable brand names, that is. I wouldn't buy one from a company I never heard of.

Kaa

[Tylerdurden]

:eek: The only people I know who watercool their machines are gamer-overclocker guys. And I don't think water cooling systems are all that reliable -- they tend to leak with the expected unfortunate consequences.

I guess the issue boils down to what happens when your computer dies. If you lose, say, all your navigation capability, that's one thing and if all you lose the ability to play Solitaire, that's a different thing.

But there should be lots of first-hand experience with cruising with computers on non-airconditioned boats. Also this guy -- http://microship.com/ -- comes to mind.

Kaa

I just use the blocks and silver solder the fittings to outside the case and that takes care of any leaks. I know its a gamer overclock thing but my reasons are so I can seal the case. A peliter junction takes care of the rest. The case is sealed except for the cable connections so it will keep moisture laden air to a minimum and a large desiccant takes car of the rest. If you don't like what I am doing just don't try it. As far as Navigation goes this is far from primary as I don't even rely on GPS. Paper charts and a sextant/ compass is primary.
With a Wifi antenna on the rail I should have some decent access at the mooring so that's the main reason. That and some software defined radio stuff is not usb and a laptop will not work.

[Bill R]

SWMBO has an HP Netbook for when she is doing research in courthouses and libraries. She loves it for that due to the size and weight, but it is what it is- a second computer.

[Norman Bernstein]

I see a lot of people w/ the mini laptops. No DVD drive, 160 GB HD, 9-10 inch screen. 6 CELL battery. They all LOVE them. Any thoughts on which model and what features I should look for? I'm kind of tired of my old Thinkpad and I am NOT lugging my huge TOSHIBA around that I got to basically replace the desktop and use for photo editing.

I'm looking at the Acer's... So what say y'all?

My wife purchased an Acer netbook, the one you described, for a very specific purpose: to maintain the books of the local Rotary club, of which she's just finished a term as President, and is now the Treasurer. So far, she's highly impressed.... it's more than adequate for the task.

I'll be purchasing one soon, for another single purpose: to serve as a demonstration machine, to work with the product I'm developing, while at trade shows. All I need it to do is run a single simple Windows program, communicating to my product via Bluetooth.

I've played with the one my wife bought, and it appears very sutiable for the kind of limited use you anticipate.... more than good enough for web browsing, email, etc... the reduced vertical resolution is somewhat limiting, but then again, for a little over $200, one can't complain.

[willmarsh3]

I just use the blocks and silver solder the fittings to outside the case and that takes care of any leaks. I know its a gamer overclock thing but my reasons are so I can seal the case. A peliter junction takes care of the rest. The case is sealed except for the cable connections so it will keep moisture laden air to a minimum and a large desiccant takes car of the rest. If you don't like what I am doing just don't try it. As far as Navigation goes this is far from primary as I don't even rely on GPS. Paper charts and a sextant/ compass is primary.
With a Wifi antenna on the rail I should have some decent access at the mooring so that's the main reason. That and some software defined radio stuff is not usb and a laptop will not work.

So you're piping the CPU heat out so you can hermetically seal the case against salt air. This is quite an interesting approach. I found an article here about some of the possible failure modes of this arangement and how you can avoid them.

http://www.dansdata.com/burning.htm

Good luck.

Getting back to the ACER I'm thinking of getting one for travel to store digital pictures and surf the web until I get back.

[Tylerdurden]

So you're piping the CPU heat out so you can hermetically seal the case against salt air. This is quite an interesting approach. I found an article here about some of the possible failure modes of this arangement and how you can avoid them.

http://www.dansdata.com/burning.htm

Good luck.

Getting back to the ACER I'm thinking of getting one for travel to store digital pictures and surf the web until I get back.


Thanks, I will post it when I get it done. I think I have some of those issues sorted out and its strictly a cheap yankee approach instead of paying way more than anyone should for a Marine version.

[Tom Galyen]

Dave,

I don't know where you get the idea that "most people love them." A recent poll of people who bought them show that 65% of those owners are unhappy with them. Their complaints go from lack of computing power to lack of battery power and everything in between.

[WX]

I would go for the Acer netbook running Linux. This version uses SD Card style hard drive and is faster though smaller in storage size than a conventional drive. Also with Linux you won't have virus problems.

[john l]

where are you finding these $225 netbooks? i haven't seen any for less than $299. i'm thinking of getting one. acer? or ???

[WX]

Another advantage of the Linux versions is they are cheaper and better than the XP versions.

[Ron Carter]

where are you finding these $225 netbooks? i haven't seen any for less than $299. i'm thinking of getting one. acer? or ???

Got mine at Staples, $229 after in store discount.

[Tom Galyen]

Note my post #17 before you shell out your money. Make sure you know what your getting into.

[The Bigfella]

I've been thinking about getting one. Too many years of luggables and laptops made me swear off them about 10 years ago, and anyone who's done lots of flying with one would know what I mean.... I switched over to using memory sticks and telling clients that I required a PC. I don't see these as taking over my grunt work, but they provide a nice useable alternative to lugging around a laptop.