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bronwynrhAlright, I'm on the cusp of buying my li'l self a new laptop.
I'm strongly leaning toward buying one with Ubuntu Linux and leaving Windows behind. I am familiar with and like OpenOffice, I use Firefox and Thunderbird and Picasa already, and I hate (hate!) IE and Microsoft Office.
Do any of you feel compelled to talk me out of this? Do you know if Windows 7 is going to be any less of a bitch than Vista, which I have avoided like the plague? Is it worth it to stay with Microsoft?
Right now, unless somebody convinces me otherwise, I'm looking at a Mini 9, 16GB drive. I'm ambivalent about the external CD/DVD drive (but can be talked into it) and committed to the 320GB portable HD.
So. Thoughts? Opinions?
This little Jade Green beauty is virtually built and waiting for my commitment.
I'm strongly leaning toward buying one with Ubuntu Linux and leaving Windows behind. I am familiar with and like OpenOffice, I use Firefox and Thunderbird and Picasa already, and I hate (hate!) IE and Microsoft Office.
Do any of you feel compelled to talk me out of this? Do you know if Windows 7 is going to be any less of a bitch than Vista, which I have avoided like the plague? Is it worth it to stay with Microsoft?
Right now, unless somebody convinces me otherwise, I'm looking at a Mini 9, 16GB drive. I'm ambivalent about the external CD/DVD drive (but can be talked into it) and committed to the 320GB portable HD.
So. Thoughts? Opinions?
This little Jade Green beauty is virtually built and waiting for my commitment.
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(no subject)
Date: August 7th, 2009 05:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: August 7th, 2009 05:13 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: August 7th, 2009 06:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: August 7th, 2009 06:29 pm (UTC)I got my "new" laptop last December with a cdrw/dvd drive, a two year parts/service warranty, and shipping included for less than $500.
(no subject)
Date: August 7th, 2009 06:35 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: August 7th, 2009 08:40 pm (UTC)It all depends what your are going to use it for....work or home, or a bit of both?
I've had a wide range of laptops over the years. Windows machines have proven somewhat problematic. Mac laptops have all worked hard and faultlessly. If money wasn't a consideration, I' say mac and forget other options. But, since its a choice between windows and linux... since you are happy with OpenOffice etc and don't need things like Microsoft Outlook for your calendar, then linux is the way to go, especially for a laptop.
The only other thing.....16 Gb is pretty small (even though you are adding a larger HD). Can you up it to 32 Gb without adding to much to the price? 16 might be ok with linux, but windows will suck it all up on the OS (or at least it seems to do that on the PC I have at home).
(no subject)
Date: August 7th, 2009 08:41 pm (UTC)I *think* most mini (netbooks, etc) run windows XP at the moment...
(no subject)
Date: August 7th, 2009 10:50 pm (UTC)I plan to use it almost exclusively for personal things, very light on the work end. At any rate, I'm hoping my work laptop will updated by the company for next year.
The small drive size was another reason to go for ubuntu. I've heard that minis running windows tend to walk more than they run.
I can get the one I want for $610 with my AAA discount, and that includes the external HD.
(no subject)
Date: August 7th, 2009 10:51 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: August 7th, 2009 10:55 pm (UTC)I meant...run windows XP rather than windows Vista/7.
What size is the screen? 10.1 inch?
(no subject)
Date: August 8th, 2009 12:54 pm (UTC)I've heard nothing but good about the mini9, absent some nitpicks that I know I wouldn't notice. The mini10 has been slammed for its sluggishness.
They are selling some with XP, I think, at least at Dell. They're offering an "upgradeable to 7" option.
(no subject)
Date: August 8th, 2009 12:56 pm (UTC)they're selling a few with vista, but not many. My parents have it and they hate it.
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Date: August 9th, 2009 04:30 pm (UTC)I don't know what PC 'people' hate vista so much. As a mac person I find it much 'better' than XP.
(no subject)
Date: August 10th, 2009 12:04 pm (UTC)I don't know. My beef with it (as with all Windows OSs) is its ginormity and the constant updates.
The way the software manages photos is very strange, something I only discovered last week when my parents' complaints prompted me to investigate. It comes down to the software being too helpful - to the point of screwing things up :)