Would the Asus Eeepc/RM Asus Minibook Linux be a good 2nd 'porto-pc' and will it connect to WinXP LAN network?

Question

To watch videos, surf the net, MSN, Emails, Reading Ebooks, Using at plane stations or in McDonalds (if i ever went there) and just basically to bring around with me..

Its pretty darn cheap at £162/£262, and by Christmas, it'll have gone down even more i suppose!

My only problem is that the better and cheaper versions are linux, and although i dont have a problem with that as we have 2 non-internet-needy linux laptops, i've heard that it dosn't connect to the internet to well, is it worth getting the far less value-for-money windows XP version, or should i just stick to the Linux?

Also, anyone who has it, is it easy enough to use it, and what EXACTLY programs come with it, as the website dosn't specify much. also can you plug in an external DVD drive and run DVDs?

Thanks - Haley

(BTW/PS - I'm 13, and dont want to fork out too much from my parents, they're gunna get me a laptop anyway, and they're willing to pay as much as they can afford, i just like this little thing :D)

Answer 1

I have one and installed XP i hate linux but linux is ok for just surfing internet etc. I use mine for work, it includes all the programs you should need and it's up and running within 10 minutes and you could buy any usb dvd drive/player for movies.

BUT the screen is small CUTE is not pratical sometimes

Answer 2

I have the Eee PC 900 and I have no problems connecting to the internet. or using any of it's functions. The bigger screen is much better than the 701s screen. If you are going to get one it is well worth the extra money for the better screen.

The only problem I have is the REALLY small keyboard. It does take getting used to.

I use mine to take when I go to customer's sites in London. I get some work done on the train there and I read ebooks on the tube with it.

It comes with Firefox (web browsing), OpenOffice.org 2 (M$ Office equiv), Pidgen (for IM), Thunderbird (for email), several games, and some educational software.

I like mine alot and it saves my back from having to carry around a full size laptop.