I've Been Gone Awhile...

Mostly, getting my new Dell Mini 1012 setup just the way I like it. And, unlike the last one, which had a few problems on arrival, this one has been absolutely perfect. But if you're going to get one, you need to realize some things that apply to netbooks in general. They're not the same as a full-size laptop. If you want a full-size laptop, buy one. You can even find full size laptops that are far more powerful than netbooks at a similar price point if you search.

The second thing you need to be aware of is that they usually come with an operating system (software that runs the computer) known as Windows 7 Starter. This is not the Windows you know. You can't even change the desktop background. Microsoft says Windows is about "Life Without Walls" - if this is the case, Microsoft's definition of a wall is very different from mine. Not being able to change anything, even the desktop background, is a pretty big wall to me. You have two choices for an operating system. One is to pay Microsoft for a Windows 7 "Anytime Upgrade" to Home Premium. This is $71.97 on Amazon.com. That's $72 to unlock normal OS features such as changing your desktop, the appearance of the computer, dual-displays, etc.

Not all netbooks have Windows 7 Starter, though. Some come with Windows XP. Windows XP is almost a decade old, and it feels it. However, a full version of Windows XP is still much more capable than Windows 7 Starter. But it was never designed for a netbook, and it feels long in the tooth, to say the least.

My preference is for an OS called Ubuntu. It's totally free - community developed and sponsored by South Africian billionaire Mark Shuttleworth. It's high quality, easy enough for kids to use (I switched my cousin's netbook from Windows 7 Starter to Ubuntu Netbook and she loves it), and it has lots of FREE community supported software. In other words, it's a hippie OS. And it's great for a hippie computer like an ultra-portable netbook. It fits the style, complete with my Timbuk2 Netbook Messenger bag (absolutely amazing, buy it. I love Timbuk2 bags, they seem expensive, but they are completely worth it - high quality, light weight, and durable). Ubuntu is easy enough for anyone who wants to get it running, they can. There is great community support at the Ubuntu Forums - where you'll find plenty of people eager to help as long as you remember that they're fellow users, not paid employees and do not wish to be treated as paid employees. Ubuntu is developed and supported by it's users. Keir Thomas has a great book called the Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference that you can buy or you can download for free from the Ubuntu Forums. Buying it might not be a bad idea at all if you're new to this, and remember, your purchase helps support the community.

Ubuntu comes in two flavors - desktop and netbook. In my case, the choice was hard. Netbook is optimized for the small, low-resolution screen and is designed to fit it better than desktop Ubuntu (or any Windows flavor). However, only the desktop version is available in a 64-bit flavor. My Dell Mini uses an Atom N450 processor, which is 64-bit unlike the older netbook processors. I chose the desktop version and am completely satisfied. Netbook is great, but the desktop version is pretty darn good as well even on the small screen!

What you get with a netbook running Ubuntu is not a full-size Windows laptop. You get a different tool. It's hard to explain, but it's a more personal personal computer. More of a friend and less of a tool. More social, goes more places with you, but not a workhorse. A chihuahua instead of a doberman. And personally - I love it!