MacBook or net book?

[47of74]

I'm going to Italy this August. I'm debating whether to take my MacBook along or get a net book of some sort. I was thinking that aside from being smaller if something did happen to the netbook I wouldn't be out as much than if I took my MacBook. Plus I'd either get something with a Linux distro like Ubuntu already installed or scrape Windows off and put Linux on. I've asked around and have heard from both sides of the argument. Any thoughts?

[alfredo]

1. The netbook sounds like a good way to go. Check on what distro will

work with the netbook you look to buy. Also see what, if any problems you'd face.

You can surf with an iPod Touch. All you need is a hotspot.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. "Surfing" on a phone or iPod is better described as "jello walking"

S-L-O-O-O-O-O-W-W-W

[alfredo]

3. Not the best idea it appears.

[47of74]

5. Been there, done that

Before I had my current MacBook, my main laptop was an HP laptop. I had to send it in for repair - it had a faulty logic board. While it was in the shop I just used my iPod Touch for my surfing and email. Wasn't the best thing in the world, but was workable for then.

[Touchdown]

4. Dell makes a mini-9 with Linux already installed.

It's also cheaper than the windows version.

[47of74]

6. That's an option

I've seen that option already. The company I work for has an agreement with Dell for discounts so I could get about $20 off the price of a netbook with Ubuntu installed. I'm keeping it in mind.

[moggie]

8. And the Mini-9 will run Leopard!

Obviously it won't be supported, and you need to ignore Apple's EULA (which permits installing only on Apple kit), but it works:

http://i.gizmodo.com/5156903/how-to-hackintosh-a-dell-mini-9-into-the-ultimate-os-x-netbook

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Wow ..... that's very cool!

So I can have a Mac laptop for the cost of OSX and a netbook computer?

[moggie]

11. Pretty much

But caveat emptor. I haven't gone the Hackintosh route myself, but, if I did, it would only be after a lot of online research about possible pitfalls, and if I were prepared to put in the effort to keep it running. Even if everything works today, you've got no guarantee that it won't break after the next update, until the community figure out the problem and come up with a fix. In other words, some assembly required: it's for people who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty, not those who need everything to "just work" and stay that way.

[Deja Q]

13. Which might be illegal... and as 10.5.7 broke hackintoshes and a patch to that claims

battery life was given 2 more hours, I wouldn't trust its reliability.

It's a hack.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Ok here are the two arguments

1.- Cost: Your mac will be much more expensive, though you could get one of the macbook whites still at the stores. The cost alone will make you a target.

That said you have no problem with viruses et al

2.- The Netbook is easier to transport, you do not seem to carry a machine, if ye get my drift

3.- I know you may hate windows, but... leaving windows on the netbook is not crazy... unless you have software that does not require any WINE to run.

I have a netbook running XP.. I had an extra license I was going to put on the Macbook... a couple apps that won't play well with others. Now running linux is faster... since these machines have gerbils for processors. Point is.. you need it only to go online? get the netbook... serious.

You need it for more than just going online... then consider future use.

Oh and last year I took my mac to mexico city for the family visit, this year I took the netbook. I was much less of a target, serious.

[Lost-in-FL]

9. Keep the netbook and sign up for a 30 day trial of MobileMe.

You could still have access to all of your info in your mac remotely. Me thinks.

[Deja Q]

12. I saw a netbook - looks and feels cheap. Small display. Cramped keyboard. Windows OS.

1024x600 = very cramped resolution...


I know the MacBook Air is the closest in size, and it costs 5x as much...

But the target audiences are different.

But I use my mac for real work. Netbooks are cute, breakable toys.

Apple merely needs to convey the right message properly. Then the argument is over.