|
As you know, WI-FI is not always reliable. Thinking back to my first laptop, a Toshiba Satellite I bought in the year 2000, this Sylvania netbook, was smaller, had more speed and memory, and for only 20% of the price I paid for the Toshiba laptop 8 years before. I was aware that it wouldn't have Windows installed in it, but I figured Linux would do just fine. This little netbook started at almost 4 hrs, but about 2 years later it still gives me solid 3 hours of continuous work before having to re-charge the battery.The screen is very small, but certainly larger than that of your smartphone, and in the absence of a computer, this one does the job. I hate touch pad for a mouse, but given this tiny touch pad, I've gotten used to it.
So, I had to install Windows XP. I was able to make Skype calls and cruise the internet on this little Netbook, without a hitch, using the hotel-provided Wi-Fi connection. The netbook is amiable to XP and you could even download the XP drivers from the Sylvania website. Currenly I use it when I'm away from my office and I need to cruise the web and tweet or blog. One setback about having Windows, as you know, is that it is a memory hog, therefore I have noticed it has gotten a bit slower, but it is a Windows thing, and the delay is only noticeable to me, having come from a lighter platform. It has 2 USB ports though.Since I've been in my office most of the time, I'd say I rarely use it. Therefore, I'm not so sure what was the issue with the complaints I read about here. The one issue with Linux is that it wasn't compatible with any of the aircards provided by my cell phone company.
It could easily fit in my pocketbook. I had such high expectations of this little netbook that I had it running Windows Office: Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, but since I rarely use them, I've decided to uninstall office and leave it as light as possible. I loved the fact it weighed about 2lbs and it was as small as a school notebook. That's actually surprising to me.
So, my unit is now running on XP and I can use it with my Aircard, which is perfect. I will address the complaints I've been hearing about the Wi-Fi capability of this little Netbook. I was out of the country and stayed in a hotel that provided free Wi-Fi. I bought this little Netbook when it first came out in the summer of 2008. The webcam is great. Skype picks it up intuitively. However, I still have a preference for a small portable mouse. Also, kudos for the battery life.
But the times I have, I've been glad I have it. I picked it up at J&R once I had made all the necessary research. In the absence of a PC, when your smartphone cannot handle some webpages, this little one does the job. Using it with my aircard enables me to be anywhere and still be able to go online. I didn't want to use the Aircard or it would have cost me a lot of money to use my provider's international rate per Kb. Note that because of its size, this little netbook does not carry a disc-drive. It won't replace an actual laptop, but it certainly helps when you travel outside your office and want to connect beyond your blackberry or I-Phone.
Honestly, I may have been expecting more than this little PC could offer. But It runs slow, doesnt stay connected for very long to my wireless, and the video is very choppy.
With the pre-loaded OS, we had trouble using the webcam as a webcam (as a video recorder, it worked fine) and I haven't re-tried it since we upgraded the OS.On customer service, I called them and got voicemail, but I actually got a call back and the tech knew a lot about the product (he wasn't just reading a protocol).Recommendation: If you want a cheap netbook for simple stuff and don't mind fooling around extensively with software, it's a great buy. If you plan on using the webcam, you'll definitely want an external mic.A lot of other problems seem to be solved by upgrading the OS.
is not good, wi-fi card (or driver). Pros: sturdy, inexpensive, has all of the basics, good customer serviceCons: pre-loaded OS is pretty terrible, video card (or driver).
It would be nice to watch videos on this and it would also be nice to be a little further away from the wireless signal while browsing. is not great, built-in microphone location means all it picks up is the fan noiseI don't really have too many complaints on the hardware.
I'm not sure if the slow video and limited wifi range is due to an inadequate linux driver or poor hardware. *This is not easy* mostly because you need to already own an external CD drive (or buy one for this purpose).
If you want something that works perfect out of the box, look elsewhere.
The touchpad is unique, takes some getting used to, but it does work. I've got the unit set up for dual boot, I'm hoping to use it to learn Linux while continuing to use the familiar for now.
Keyboard is too small to allow touch typing to be done well, but the familiar qwerty layout allows a fairly quick finger poke style. The slow RPM drive is a definate problem when using Windows SP - but only after I installed all the (dis)service packs.
An excellent machine for carry-around use. Boot to Linux (G) is just under 1 min.
Boot time went from 1min, 5 sec to 2 min, 37 sec. (And we still buy stuff from Microsoft).
Battery life is very good. My only complaint is I wish the overall size could have been smaller, keeping the 7" screen but perhaps making the keyboard more of a thumboard to get the case down to a coat pocketable size.For the money, this unit is unbeatable.
sounds like a good buy but the GOS is terrible, its slow and can't be altered no matter what we tried
|
