Follow us on TwitterIn an earlier post, I explained that I needed a new netbook. In this post, I’ll select and list which netbooks that meet my requirements. In later posts, I explore each of these individually.
Here is what is important to me.
- Must have a Linux OS. (It’s a personal preference.)
- Must have a keyboard that I can touch-type on. That especially means a full-size right shift key.
- Must be thin and light (since I carry this and a laptop in the same bag).
- Prefer 6+ hours of battery life (so it lasts a whole plan trip), but I might be willing to accept shorter battery life to keep the netbook thin and light.
- If I can get better resolution than 1024×600, without adding too much to the size/weight, then I would do so.
- I don’t need a hard drive. I don’t store much on the netbook. Just about everything I need is online. A solid-state drive with 8-16 GB is smaller and lighter.
- Of course, it has to be a good value.
I’ll review each brand and identify which models make the cut.
As a start, all models pre-loaded with a Microsoft operating system are excluded. (Yes, I know I could buy one of these and load Linux myself. But for years I did this and hated paying Microsoft for that privilege. Now that manufacturers are actually pre-loading Linux, I believe I should reward them with my business.)
Acer:
- Aspire One 9-inch 8G 3-Cell Linux
Since this is what I used in the past, I want to try something new. So this is out. - Aspire One 9-inch 160G 3-Cell Linux
This is the same as above, except for a heavier hard drive that I don’t need. So this is out. - I would consider a 10″ Aspire One model, except none of them come with Linux. While Acer has announced a plethora of new models, it has not touted any Linux models for introduction in the near future.
- So, in summary, Acer is out of the running.
Asus:
- Eee PC 900 16G Linux or Eee PC 900 20G Linux
I decided not to go with the Eee PC last purchase due to the keyboard layout, which has a tiny Right Shift key. So this is out. - Eee PC 901 20G Linux
Different keyboard than the Eee PC 900 series, but same layout issue. This is out also. - Eee PC 1000 40G Linux
I really would like to consider this, since it has a 10″ screen and a bigger keyboard. But the keyboard suffers from the same issue. I had an earlier Asus Eee PC and this keyboard layout drove me nuts. So, this model is out, too. - All of the other Asus models have a Microsoft OS, which means Asus is out of the running as well.
Dell:
- Inspiron Mini 9 Linux
Can be ordered with 4, 8, 16, or 32 GB solid state drives. That is appealing. Small, thin and light. OK , this one is in. - Inspiron Mini 10
Only available with XP. Never mind. - Inspiron Mini 12
Available with Linux. 12-inch screen. Comes with hard drive with option to also add an SSD. 6-Cell battery available. A little bigger than I had in mind. Sounds like it might be heavy. But, I will consider this model.
Hewlett-Packard
- HP Mini 1000 (Mini Mi)
Could custom order one from HP, or choose one of the Smart Buy pre-configured versions (Mini 1110NR or Mini 1120NR). 9-inch and 10-inch versions are available. Comes with either 3 or 6 cell battery. Definitely in the running. - HP Mini 2140
Great specs, but no Linux option.
Lenovo
- No Linux option currently on their website. So, Lenovo is out.
MSI
- No Linux models in their lineup.
Samsung
- Every model has a Microsoft OS.
Sylvania
- G Meso 80G Linux
Has a hard drive. But, other than that, it is worthy of consideration.
[Update: After spending a short time looking at the G Meso more closely, I realized that the keyboard is very small and has a shrunken and misplaced right shift key. For that reason, it should have never made the initial list. ]
So there you have it. The field is rather small, only five (counting the 9 and 10 inch HP Mini’s as two models.)
Last thoughts, many of the latest models come only with a Microsoft OS. I’d really love to consider them, but I hate to pay Microsoft and then wipe out the OS.
After looking at the options, maybe I’ll need to reconsider.
