Asus Eee Notebook

[101RRS]

The Asus Eee Notebook is now down to $300. I normally use my 15" Toshiba Laptop for navigation in the car with Oziexplorer. This works fine but the small size of the Asus and is simple construction would be better.

So some questions on the Asus.

1. The salesman says this smallest Asus will only run Lunix and not any version of windows. Is this true?? If it is - will Oziexplorer work with Lunix? Other options?

2. Without a CD drive - how do you load software? Copy it to a zip drive? What about software that looks for its files on CD.

3. The ASUS looks like it has 3 USB ports - I need one for a mouse/cursor controller, one for the GPS, and one for the LCD touch screen controller (although the Asus is small enough to use without a screen) - ideally I would need a fourth USB for additional drive space. Can you use two usb devices on on usb port via a sharing usb hub.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Garry

[Disco_owner]

Wow , what Timing Garry :eek: I was looking at Asus EEEPC 901 this afternoon, it's ideal for running my Mapping software on it , apparently this one has "Solid state Memory" , perfect.:)

It also comes with Bluetooth so you can run a "Bluetooth Mouse" instead of USB , so this will free up 1 of your USB ports to use for something else.

Sorry , that's my 2 cents worth for today

[The ho har's]

On a very well known member on this site suggestion we bought one....I am in fact using it as we type...have still got to get the mapping prog on it and have been advised to use a external cd drive to do so..

mine came with windows XP....skype and a few others I will prob not use....it has a camea and mic built in...mines is a 900A which has less memory than the others but I run an external 40gb hard drive with all my mapping programs

so next trip I will see how it goes:D


Mrs ho har:angel:

[Distortion]

I've looked into this simply because I run Linux on my laptops


you'll find this interesting/useful
Running OziExplorer under LINUX (http://www.oziexplorer3.com/support/oziexplorer/other/linux.html)

The biggest problem you'll have is if you have USB gps linux may not have drivers.

You could download a linux live cd for free (Doesn't install or change anying on the hd) and see if the gps is detect before getting a linux pc

The bios has an option to boot from network or usb which is how you get around the no CD drive, for installing software you may have to make an image of the CD and store it on a portable hard drive and then use a program to load the cd from the harddrive

[miky]

I have the 901. Very happy with it.

The 901 comes in two memory flavours.
The Windows XP version comes with a built-in 4GB memory "drive", and a secondary 8GB memory "drive" giving 12GB total.

I have the Linux version which has the same 4GB "drive" and a 16GB which give a total of 20GB worth of storage.

Both sell for the same price.

Both versions allow an sd card, whatever size you want to pay for, to be be plugged in. Increasing the available memory. Plus you can always plug an external drive in of course.

I put Windows XP with service pack 2 on.
There are plenty of places that tell you how to do this. Let your Google do the working for you.

I used two memory sticks.
You can download, for free, a copy of Windows 98 which will go on one stick. This you boot from. You put the Windows XP on the other stick.

Easy to do. You can also use a lite version of XP of course which will save you extra space.

[amtravic1]

I bought a 10" EeePc XP model for $498 from CatchoftheDay a while back. I have Oziexplorer running on it with a Bluetooth GPS receiver. Its just for playing though as I much prefer paper maps.
It is easy to copy software to it. Just copy to a flash drive or over the network to the desktop and instal from there.

Ian

[hoadie72]

Answered your questions below


The Asus Eee Notebook is now down to $300. I normally use my 15" Toshiba Laptop for navigation in the car with Oziexplorer. This works fine but the small size of the Asus and is simple construction would be better.

So some questions on the Asus.

1. The salesman says this smallest Asus will only run Lunix and not any version of windows. Is this true?? If it is - will Oziexplorer work with Lunix? Other options?

There are different models of the Eee PC, some ship with Linux, others with XP. Check on the Oziexplorer site if it runs on Linux but my guess is no

2. Without a CD drive - how do you load software? Copy it to a zip drive? What about software that looks for its files on CD.

You can buy an external DVD/CD ROM drive or if you have another PC/Laptop at home copy files onto an SD card (like what you put into a digital camera then stick into the SD slot in the EeePC. Alternatively network share a DVD/CD ROM drive on another PC/Laptop

3. The ASUS looks like it has 3 USB ports - I need one for a mouse/cursor controller, one for the GPS, and one for the LCD touch screen controller (although the Asus is small enough to use without a screen) - ideally I would need a fourth USB for additional drive space. Can you use two usb devices on on usb port via a sharing usb hub.

They have an internal USB socket which you could use for the touch screen controller. If you are game enough to pull it apart to fit the touchscreen then you should have the nouse to hook it up to the 4th USB socket. Failing that, use a USB hub as you've suggested. Do a search on the Internet, you'll find a few people have fitted touchscreens and have done other hacks.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Garry

[101RRS]

Thanks for the comments - the $300 version I saw today only has Lunix and will not operate windows - the models most of you are have or are talking about are bigger models - these do operate with windows.

The one I was looking at does not does not have bluetooth and does not have a model number like 901. It is just called Asus Eee Notebook.

It has 8gb internal flash drive.

Cheers

Garry

[101RRS]

Thanks Hoadie - that was very helpful.

Cheers

Garry

[British Bulldog]

Garry even the smaller ones that come with only linux will still run windows xp you just have to supply your own disc and license number this is to keep costs down. But like a few people have said google is your friend. There is a program called N-Lite that will shrink your XP installation disc for you and make a new one of the smaller size which is brillant. I had a play with it and got it down to 300mb including Service pack 2+3.
You can also use a SDHC card in the port on the side and these can be up to 32gGig but 16 is only avlibale at present. These only cost $40-50 off fleabay.
But what I found was for the extra $100 it was a lot better to go to the 900 which has 1Gig of ram instaed of 512mb and a 30gig SDD and the 8.9" screen which means it will display noirmal size windows without having to scroll up and down.
Cheers Kris

[cwiley]

Thanks for the comments - the $300 version I saw today only has Lunix and will not operate windows - the models most of you are have or are talking about are bigger models - these do operate with windows.

The one I was looking at does not does not have bluetooth and does not have a model number like 901. It is just called Asus Eee Notebook.

For that price it's probably a 700 series. I bought the original 701 with the small screen and Linux. It definately does run Windows. Someone pointed out NLITE to help build a smaller XP installation (worth it due to the 4gb SSD on board) My XP installation only takes 300mb.

I run oziexplorer, Garmin mobilePC and all my maps on a 16gb SD card in the expansion slot. I have a sirfIII based USB GPS receiver connected to a long USB extension cable that runs under the carpet in my d2 to the cargo area. I then plug the GPS into that and it's cable and pokes up through the top of the rear door and the GPS mounts on the roof at the rear of the car.

I made some velcro straps that secure the eeepc to the centre of the top of the dashboard so both driver and passenger can operate the PC.

I'd buy a 900 series for the bigger screen, but the 700 is just fine. Been on many trips and hasn't missed a beat. If you're in melbourne I can help with the "NLITE'd" XP cd.

[abaddonxi]

Nlite is excellent, even if all you use it for is to leave out extra language packs.

Simon

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I reckon one of these would be a useful tool when travelling the country. It could do your mapping, diagnostics (nanocom), and help you manage your photos. If you got a wireless modem you could also use it to stay in touch. Having said that as soon as it had internet exposure there is a chance it could be compromised which might not be worth the risk.

[cockie55]

I have one that use when away from on board vehicle system and when travelling and it is great. Nlite is mandatory plus reserve the smaller drive for just XP and put evrything else on other drive. There are issues with drive space disappearing on the solid state drives that holds XP even after deleting programs that I have yet to look in to.

[cwiley]

as soon as it had internet exposure there is a chance it could be compromised which might not be worth the risk.

I carry a dvd with a restore image to take it back to a known state. I do leave it connected to the internet (nextg USB) and have had no issues.

[pete]

I have a ten inch eee and I had the 9inch eee that I gave my daughter for school they are a great notebook the solid state drive is better than the hard disk drive in the 9 inch it cost about $45 to put 2gig of ram in them this also fixes the out of virtual memory notice on the solid state drive 9ínch.A touch screen is easy to fit.I found the 701 is not quite wide enough it annoyed me scrolling across to read some things.The linux version will definately run XP the other tip is use a cut down version called baby XP it has all the crap nobody uses deleted and saves heaps and use a SDHC card. To load get an external DVD

[hoadie72]

Actually, I remember now that some of the Eee PC touchscreen kits on eBay actually use the webcam's USB port.

[pete]

Thats right there are some forums that get right into the mods I think you can get some that use the web cam and others that don't

[malleefowl]

Has anyone worked out where to mount their Eeepc in a defender?
Thought maybe connect to external touch screen and have rear camera as well?
I have a 900a and use a usb wireless for the net.Think I will load ozi on the machine and use an 8G sd card for maps.
They are a beaut little machine and if it performs as well as my old ipaq with ozi I'll be very happy.Mine was $390 at HN .
Cheers'
Mary

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I carry a dvd with a restore image to take it back to a known state. I do leave it connected to the internet (nextg USB) and have had no issues.

That's a great idea taking restore media for a Windows machine. How long have you been running it for without problem?

[Bytemrk]

Hi Gary,

I'm another one using a Eee PC 701 with XP cut back with NlLite,

Very similar setup to Cwiley, I am also running a SirfIII based USB GPS.

I run XP on the 4 gig SSD and programs and Maps installed to the 8Gig SD Card This gives me plenty of room for all mapping software and maps as well as loading the Nanocom software and copying the full RAVE CD. I also have a USB data card for Internet access if I need it when on a trip.

As you can see it sits nicely on the dash and does not obstruct my view at all. ( I no longer run the cradle for my Magellan you can see there)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1472.jpg

Nice cheap, simple solution and if I need further space I can always use a bigger SD card.

Through work I have access to a USB CD drive which did make the install easier, but it's well worth the effort.

Cheers, Mark
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/%5Bimg%5Dhttp://www.aulro.com/app/data/500/medium/Laptopmount5.JPG%5B/img%5D

[turbo6i]

1. The salesman says this smallest Asus will only run Lunix and not any version of windows. Is this true?? If it is - will Oziexplorer work with Lunix? Other options?

There is a model with windows too. The "cheapest" runs linux, not the smallest.
you can always get the cheapest one and load windows yourself.




2. Without a CD drive - how do you load software? Copy it to a zip drive? What about software that looks for its files on CD.

Either get a USB one,
or share one off another pc, and then network it.


3. The ASUS looks like it has 3 USB ports - I need one for a mouse/cursor controller, one for the GPS, and one for the LCD touch screen controller

USB hubs are cheap, you can run 4 off




.......

[HangOver]

check out the Asus eee range HERE (http://www.asusnotebook.com.au/eee-pc.php?gclid=CIXSwbWQ0pgCFREupAodIy7frA)

It looks like the model your looking at is the first one on the page.
It is supplied with Xandros as has been said to cut costs. But you can run windows XP on it. Either way it wont be a powerhouse but I assume you are buying it for portability not power.
$300 sounds like its a good deal !
Where did you get that price I have a colleague after a new notebook.

Also consider Dell's offering (http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-9?c=au&cs=audhs1&l=en&s=dhs) its more expensive but you get a much faster processor and loads more storage.

I'm not saying don't buy the asus it just depends on how much $$ you have spare. If you can spare the extra go for the dell else the Asus looks like a really god value notebook.

One more thing I have never heard anyone say a bad thing about theses asus e notebooks.

[Tombie]

I blew my TD5 programming tablet up a few weeks ago...
Needed a new unit ASAP...

$3000 for tablet

$510.00 for Acer1 Mini Laptop...

Kills it... Runs great, compact, better battery life than tablet and running Ozi etc as well....

These little PCs are great for mobile purposes!

[CaverD3]

I use a Dell mini 9. Run Ozi explorer and OZi 3D. with moving maps.
All my music as well.
Load programs from cd by sharing your cd drive and choosing it through the network.

[Bushwanderer]

OFF TOPIC :(

Recently, I bought the Asus 900HA, with Windows XP etc.

Now, all you guys seem to talk about running the Asus in the LR. My 900HA requires 12V 3A. Will the power supply cope with the 13.8-14.4V of the alternator? If not, what have you done for an in-car power supply?

[hoadie72]

OFF TOPIC :(

Recently, I bought the Asus 900HA, with Windows XP etc.

Now, all you guys seem to talk about running the Asus in the LR. My 900HA requires 12V 3A. Will the power supply cope with the 13.8-14.4V of the alternator? If not, what have you done for an in-car power supply?

No, it needs a regulated 12v power supply.

I bought one from Jaycar, it's actually 11-28V input, 12V output @ 6amps.

This

http://www.jaycar.com.au/products_uploaded/productLarge_11077.jpg

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3064&CATID=27&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=665

[malleefowl]

Local Leading Edge franchise is ordering me one from the current catalogue.Also had batteries in the catalogueI.
I.m in the bush so check the larest Leading Edge Computer catalogue.
Cheers,
Mary

[CaverD3]

This lot had the best price.
http://www.battery-charger.com.au/
Most power packs will state a broad range of input voltages.

Oops forgot the link!

[The ho har's]

Here is the link to where malleefowl bought hers

Leading Edge Computers (http://www.leadingedgecomputers.com.au/User/Home.aspx)



I am still pondering on whether to get the USB CD drive yet



Mrs ho har:angel:

[Bushwanderer]

Thanks guys,
As always, useful info. :TakeABow::TakeABow::TakeABow:

Mrs Ho Har,
When I bought my Asus, it came packaged with a Buffalo external DVD drive. It can be powered from the USB port or 240V. I've been VERY happy with it. (Apparently, Buffalo in Oz is supported by Uniden.)

Best Wishes,
Peter

[Disco_owner]

While searching around the interweb , I found this Guide that might be helpful for anyone wishing to set up win XP on eeepc

i64X.com - nLite Windows XP Install on Asus Eee PC (http://www.i64x.com/eeexp.php)

[werdan]

While searching around the interweb , I found this Guide that might be helpful for anyone wishing to set up win XP on eeepc

i64X.com - nLite Windows XP Install on Asus Eee PC (http://www.i64x.com/eeexp.php)

I used this method for installing XP without a USB CD drive which worked fine.

Install Windows XP on a Mini-Note (USB stick method) (http://www.liliputing.com/2008/04/install-windows-xp-on-mini-note-usb.html)

Switching the nlite cd image in for a regular XP disc sounds like the go! :D