I've just had a chance to use this ultra-cheap 10 inch screen netbook
from Zoostorm and I loved it!
In the UK, it's on offer for just £199 from Argos (part number
508-3053) and seems to work just fine with QPC2 (albeit I've only used
it for a day or so).
While 10 inch screen netbooks like this can be bought cheaper, this
one comes with Windows 7 starter (very, very basic Windows 7, but
adequate for what I wanted), and a decent 250GB hard disk, the first
I've seen at this price.
SPECS:
------
Windows 7 Home Starter
10.1 inch 1024x600 TFT screen, 1.6GHz processor, 1GB RAM (Windoze7 ran
faster than I expected with just 1GB RAM), 250GB
250 GB hard disk, SD card reader
802.11b/g/n wireless, 10/100 wired LAN
0.3MP webcam, stereo speakers (work, but not great quality as you
might expect) and sockets for external mic and speaker
3 hours battery life (disappointing - many netbooks do more than this
now)
2 USB2.0 ports
VGA out socket for external monitor
Some fairly basic software - M$ Works9,M$Office trial version
So far, it's been used mostly as a mobile QL using QPC2, I haven't yet
tried the other QL emulators, and for internet access, for which it's
pretty ideal. Makes a great little mobile QL - the 10 inch screen and
almost full size keyboard makes it so much more of a pleasure to use
than my beloved little old EeePC with it's little 7 inch screen.
Apparently, the 250GB HD, 1GB RAM and 10 inch screen is the best
manufacturers are allowed to supply with Win7 Home Starter. Seen a
comment by Zoostorm that the RAM slot in theory is capable of taking a
2GB RAM, but as they aren't able to supply it with more than 1GB they
haven't even tested that!
Now for the negatives, and there aren't many:
The wireless was a bit of a trial to begin with (read reviews on the
web which says early models were actually shipped with wrong drivers
for it, that they recommend you delete the supplied driver then let
Windoze reinstall it), probably because of a peculiarity of the Orange
Livebox wireless router we have here, loads of computers have problems
pairing with it, but once I persuaded it to pair up after several
tries, it's been fine since. Wireless reception is good - picks up
more signals around our street than any of the other computers in this
house.
It has only 2 USB ports, though you can use a hub of course.
Web reviews are mixed. People who like it praise it to the hilt,
people who don't seem to be taking them back to Argos for refunds!
Tech Support via Argos, not Zoostorm (though you can contact them via
email via www.zoostorm.co.uk). Argos Tech Support was a bit less than
helpful when I contacted them about the Wireless issues, considering
the web is full of complaints both about the Argos Tech Support and
the . Instructions are poor, one thin book only.
No system restore disk - make a backup ASAP which ain't easy because
you'll need an external USB CD or DVD writer or an external hard disk.
No floppy drive either.
Conclusion:
For me, makes an ideal mobile QL with wireless for web/email access.
Weighs less and needs less space than a conventional laptop, 10 inch
screen and almost full size keyboard is perfectly adequate. Win7 might
be Home Starter edition, but adequate for the sort of uses I have in
mind. 3 hour battery life could be better nowadays, but again
adequate. 250GB hard disk is great, and very handy having a couple of
USB ports and SD card reader. At just £199 with a cut down Windoze7
it's a good mobile solution for where a larger laptop is overkill! Now
all I have to do is persuade Ann to hand it back to me!
_______________________________________________
QL-Users Mailing List
http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
