net-book recommendation (wanted)

[Tony Pursell]

On Mon, 2010-09-06 at 10:06 +0000, M.R. wrote:
> Hi there;
> 
> I am looking for a net-book (Asus eee pc and similar "class") computer,
> and the two most important features are:
> 
> 1) ability to run Ubuntu 10.04, specifically that wifi and sound both
> work "out of the box".
> 
> 2) easy access to "removable" hard drive; so that hard dives can be
> swapped without taking the whole casing apart (or, God forbid, use of
> a soldering iron :); i.e., some kind of HD access cover/panel, not
> unlike some/most laptops.
> 
> All I need on the computer is wifi, ethernet and USB. SD card is
> usefull but not neccessary. I do not require other devices
> (web-cam, bluetooth etc.). Whether I need to run the net-book
> edition or "regular" Ubunty is a different discussion, not to be
> entered at this time.
> 
> Thanks in advance for all recommendations,
> 
> Marko R.
> 
> 

Here is my experience:

I have an EEEPC 701 Surf. The original one with only 4GB SSD & 512MB RAM
and a Celeron processor with 7" screen. Runs 10.04 beautifully. Wifi,
webcam, sound, ethernet all have worked with no problem. SD card gives
me extra storage.  Bluetooth dongle and USB mobile internet dongle work
out of the box. But it is a squeeze in 4GB.  

My son has a later EEEPC with 10" screen.  He has no problems either
with external USB drive and CD drive.

So Ubuntu and EEEPCs seem to be a perfect match.  If you install the
netbook edition, you have the option at the login screen to change back
and forth with the standard GNOME.

Tony