Request Roundup

[neadods]

1) Someone please go break the tie here.

2) Owners of Asus subnotebooks, tell me all about them. I was holding out for the MSI Wind and its 6-hour battery, but I can save significant money on an Asus.

3) Renovators of bathrooms and other workers-on-houses, I need your advice. Because the money I can save on an Asus is but a drop in the bucket of money I can save by ripping out my old shower and putting in a new one myself instead of getting Rebath to make it look pretty.

Comments

[ladyfox7oaks.livejournal.com]

Oh drat, that didn't help... I'm sorry- I just gave you a new tie. :(

neep! neep for nea!

[lagilman]

I am very very fond of my Toke (an Asus EEE) for carting around town and traveling. It is light (2lb) and compact (when someone puts their seat back, I can still work without being crunched) and I never worry about it being stolen (it's inexpensive, and all my files are saved to a thumb drive). And you have to love a subnotebook that can fit in your purse and still leave room for a wallet and sunglasses!

That said, the screen IS small (the newer models have a 9" screen, which does make a difference, but they're also slightly more expensive) and the keyboard IS compressed (if you have large hands, or touch-type quickly, this could be a hassle).

Either a plus or a minus, depending on your mindset, is that it runs Linux. You can install Windows (XP, not Vista, thank god) but why add bloat to such a slim, trim machine?

In short: I wouldn't buy it to replace an everyday machine, but for travel (or spending the day working somewhere else) it's marvelous. If you're nor certain, find the nearest SF convention, stand in the lobby, and shout "I want to test drive an EEE!" Half a dozen people will appear to offer you theirs. (seriously -- the last time I felt so girl-geeky was having Palm-sex at a worldcon ten years ago...)

Re: neep! neep for nea!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I've had the chance to test-type on one of the 8.7 inchers with XP, (which I am slightly more likely to get on account of knowing it better and being able to cross-load some of my favorite shareware).

The keyboard is... not pleasant... but it's doable. When I had it at a comfortable typing distance I was at about 90% of normal typing speed, although I wasn't doing it for long periods.

How is it holding up over time? How is the battery power? (I'm tempted by the Wind because of that 5-hour battery - wow, could I liveblog cons then! - but it's also $150 more.)

Assuming I didn't go with the XP box, what media players does the Linux version have? My main uses for a laptop on the road are 1) email/LJ, 2) writing, and 3) audiobook and 4) obtaining and watching episodes.

Re: neep! neep for nea!

[lagilman]

The battery's lasting around two+ hours for me, but I tend to plug-ad-go (the power cord is lightweight and v. easy to tote around -- no power brick!) Plus, it charges really fast. I spoke with someone at Balticon who said she used it for lectures and the battery never ran out on her.

I don't know about media because I tend to listen to Pandora or my iShuffle when I'm working on it. Sorry. :-( The sound's pretty good, tho, all things considered. Just remember that it's solid state, not hard drive!

And yeah, this is not a computer for typing six hours at a time on. But two hours at a stretch, it's great.

Re: neep! neep for nea!

[coatimundi.livejournal.com]

The default media player is Amarok. It's generally considered one of the better Linux-specific media players. I'd call it...okay, but if you're working with more video than audio, I'd recommend VLC instead. For audio, Amarok's fine.

You can increase battery life somewhat by turning off wireless and turning down screen brightness, and when I do that I can squeeze 2:45 or so out of it. Agree wholeheartedly with plug-and-go when you can, though; the charger is actually smaller than the one for my cell phone, and for what I use it for the battery is nearly worthless.

I can definitely attest that it will survive a drop or two and some rough handling. (The last time I dropped it, the Eee itself was fine--though I'd shattered the casing on the USB drive I had in it!) It can run a little warm, but not scalding or anything, and it's *very* quiet.

The keyboard, as mentioned, is okay--but the trackpad actually leaves a lot to be desired. Portable mouse should be one of the first accessories in your bag.

By default, the Eee comes with a restore partition of equal size to the usable space, so unless you get in and toast that, your usable drive space will actually be about half of what's advertised. (I recommend doing so, and then buying a 2G USB drive to use specifically as a restore tool.) Either way, I heavily recommend picking up a big SD card for extra storage (you can make that card bootable, too).

I haven't used the 9" model yet, so I can't attest to the monitor quality on it. On the 7", you'll definitely need to get used to Alt-Click-Drag, because many dialog and menu boxes are actually larger than the screen vertically. That gets a bit annoying.

Overall, mine definitely has its downsides, but it's been worth every penny of the $350 I spent on it. (I also dropped another $40 for a 2G stick of RAM, which helped performance considerably.) Battery and vertical screen resolution are my biggest gripes by far, but for what you're looking to use it for it might be a decent purchase.

In terms of other models of similar size and specs, the Wind is tempting to me, personally, though I dislike having to go with XP to get the larger battery. (For others, that may actually be a selling point.) Depending on how quickly you're looking to buy, you may want to wait and see what Dell's offering in this area will look like--I'm hearing good things so far. Oh, and ignore the HP models, because they totally missed the point. (Double the price *and* I get to deal with Vista? Ick!)

Re: neep! neep for nea!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

VLC will play on this? That's a big consideration, as that's my primary player of things.

Had no complaints with the trackpad of the one I looked at it was about $450 (down to $400 if I took the smaller one), which sounds close to what you paid with the memory stick added.

Oh, and ignore the HP models, because they totally missed the point.

No joke! I wouldn't have Vista in the house on a bet.

Re: neep! neep for nea!

[coatimundi.livejournal.com]

VLC will play on this? That's a big consideration, as that's my primary player of things.

It sure will, though you'll need to do some tweaking to the sources.list file to get it downloaded and installed. This page (http://wiki.eeeuser.com/downgradingmplayer#alternativeinstall_vlc) is a good place to start.

Re: neep! neep for nea!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

If I get it, I foresee two main uses: liveblogging cons/some travel and quite possibly balancing on the edge of my treadmill, because I want to try the "walk slowly while you compute" form of exercise. At this rate, it's the only time I'll get it done.

How fast is a fast recharge? Could I juice it up between panels at a con?

Re: neep! neep for nea!

[lagilman]

It's one of the few laptops I would ever even consider using near a treadmill, because the solid state structure is so much more stable than a hard drive. Also, it's about the right size to fit.

As for the recharging, I don't know HOW fast (would have to look up the specs) but I'd leave it plugged in, go to breakfast, and then come back and it was ready to go again. Also, the cord? Is looooong. Very useful for, say, finding an outlet six seats down from you in a function room )or, in my case, an airport terminal).

Re: neep! neep for nea!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Which model number is yours again, please?

[tchwrtr.livejournal.com]

*chanting* Knit-ting! Knit-ting! Knit-ting!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I should be doing that for the Olympics, now that I went and put myself in two events. But I am saving my brand new audiobooks for blocks of time the next few days.

[rheanna27.livejournal.com]

I have an Asus and adore it. The battery life is adequate at about 2-3 hours, and, as someone mentioned above, the power cable's not too heavy and bulky carry around. The Linux OS is functional and clean and it boots up in seconds; I'd only ever used Windows PCs and thought I might find Linux odd to get used to, but it was no problem at all. The keyboard IS small, it's true, although I brought mine on holiday to write fic and found that I got used to the small keyboard -- so much so that when I came home it took a couple of hours to readjust to a normal sized keyboard. The Asus is robust and also cheap enough that I don't constantly worry about something happening to it.

In short: I wouldn't use an Asus as a main PC, but it's superb for travelling, especially if your main on the go needs are internet access and writing (as mine are).

[neadods.livejournal.com]

As are mine as well; the download and MP3 things are "nice" but not necessary. It's just that I know I can get other machines that will do them as well for not that much more than the Linux.

[lukadreaming.livejournal.com]

I bought an Asus last week as a back-up to the main laptop. I went for the 9" screen and more memory which you can get by buying the Linux version (which also comes with more pre-loaded software than the Windows version). I'm a life-long Mac user and really wasn't fussed about having Windows *g*.

I'm trying to sort out a good deal for using the internet on the move -- looks like ten to 15 quid a month -- on the machine.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

If I have to pay extra for connectivity as well, I may as well buy an iPhone and be done. :/

[lukadreaming.livejournal.com]

I looked at iPhones today as well. They're gorgeous and I may go for one when my present phones rolls over and dies, but I'm not sure I'd want to use it loads for internet and email. I'd rather pay for the separate deal for the Asus -- 15quid gives you unlimited access and downloads.

[lagilman]

Huh? No, there's no extra charge -- they come wifi ready. *is puzzled*

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Apparently it's a different option in a different country.

[maypanic.livejournal.com]

3- What's the problem with the shower? Hideous color, cracked, dingy, shabby- different problems lead to different solutions.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, and worst of all, leaking through the floor!

The shower is one freestanding wall with the pipes and to form the shower area; that wall has real ceramic tile on the outside. Across the front, there is a lip, also with real tile. (This is where water is seeping into the joists below.) The inside of the shower stall is that cheap fake tile sheeting, with three panels and two corners, and I wouldn't be shocked if that's leaking too. The floor... which is raised slightly above the floor of the rest of the bathroom... is real tile.

What I want to do is rip out the entire works and put in one of those shower units with a one-piece floor and a door (or better yet, one of those all-in-one deals with a door), which I figure will eliminate most of my problems. I know it will require a plumber to move the drain (it's off-center now and would need to match the hole in the one-piece floor) and to install the special shower bar I have purchased.

I figure the cheap plastic "tile" can be ripped out with a crowbar and the underlying wall repaired (and washed down with fungicide) before the new covering or unit goes in. But what about that real tile flooring and that lip? Sledgehammer and chisel?

[maypanic.livejournal.com]

Rebath is frequently overpriced, and sounds like their process would cover over but not fix some of your problems.

Funny, I just tore out my one piece plastic shower, replaced with metal/porcelain tub and tile shower. But I have the price advantage of industry contacts who gave me great deals on scratch and dents.

You'll probably do best if you can find a general handyman with plumbing experience - someone who can do the plumbing, but also advise on the other work and if the floor is stable enough.
Make sure the repaired floor is absolutely level- the plastic showers are incredibly thin, and will develop tiny cracks which leak and ruin the floor again if it's not flush with the floor.

It's next to impossible to remove tile without also damaging the floor. You need a hammer and chisel, as well as a tool called a floor scraper - a roofing shovel will also work. Removal method varies some dependant on what the flooring under it is- if it's wood with a backerboard below the tile, it will be easier to remove than if it's on concrete, but you need to be more careful not to damage the subfloor.
You can remove the grout with a hammer and chisel, break up the tile, and once you have a decent sized hole get a floor scraper between the backerboard and wood floor, pulling up the tile and backerboard together. If it's on concrete, same basic idea, just get the floor scraper under the tile instead of under the backerboard.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I was looking at Rebath, but I refuse to pay them $7,000 when I saw showers like I want at Lowes for about $480. Even if I get a handyman/contractor in, it's not going to get up that high!

[maypanic.livejournal.com]

Examples of the tools that you'll find helpful-
roofing shovel, They aren't always bent like that, but it helps.

floor scraper