I have commented on my companion blog about the EeePC. Personally I think that by using a cut down obscure Linux O/S Asus did Linux no favours. Only recently did I read a review which said 'If you are a child then buy an Asus EeePC'. That could be about right, unfortunately Linux is thus presented as a 'can't do O/S rather than a 'can do'.

A whole generation will know 'because they had one' that Linux is OK for Browsing, E-mail and a few Games but that's it.

Since the first Asus Netbooks there have been many more makes and models of Netbook, some have 120GB Hard drives instead of the SSD Cards which have a finite life of read/write cycles, this cannot be good for 24/7 use such as WSPR. I have considered purchasing one for Ham Radio use. The Linux versions installed still do not come up to scratch, a pity because the machines are capable of running a full distro.

Today I downloaded and installed Linpus Linux as used on the Acer Netbook range. Whilst it is fine for plain ordinary Netbook use it is far short of a Linux distro suitable for Ham Radio.

This leaves two options, buy the cheaper Linux version with a real Hard Drive and instantly replace the O/S, not something I would really want to do.

Alternatively purchase the Windows version and run a USB booted Linux on that. Problem is the cost is coming close to that of a real laptop with a CD/DVD drive and all the advantages that come with a higher specification machine. Shame, I would like to play with one but I still can't talk myself into it. What will the recession do to prices I wonder. I have noticed that the only price reductions in the so called 'Sales' are the reduced VAT. Otherwise the January sale price is the same as last summer. I wonder do we need to buy soon before they become unaffordable?

That is ignoring the PC World advertised prices, yes they have none for online purchase, none at any store for collection. Just like the advertised £2.49 1GB Memory Stick and the £6.95 80GB Hard Drive they don't have any. Who do they think they are kidding.