Seduced by the Dark Side
Posted on 23 September 2008 by Justin
Watch the following video to understand the basic premise behind Apple Superiority 
With just over two weeks to go before leaving my precious 12 inch powerbook to go explore the world, I was beginning to have second thoughts about life unplugged. I did not want to log anything like the 60 hours a week I spend in front of a computer at present, but I was wistfully thinking that it would be nice to not need to brave an internet cafe every time I wanted/needed to use a computer. Then I discovered that, while I was planning a trip around the world, the netbook revolution had casually occurred. A netbook (no that is not a typo) is basically a small (10 inch screen or less) laptop that is used mostly for Internet applications. However, with the advent of Intel’s Atom processor, these mini computers can run for 5-8 hours on one charge while delivering enough power to satisfy everyone but the power users.
Although excited, several hours of research left me feeling a bit queasy. Apple does not make a netbook. This represented an inherent clash of values. Apple makes computers that function well and generally do what the user asks with a minimum about of fuss. PC’s (the dark side) require a great deal more maintenance to achieve half the usability. In the end, with much wringing of my hands and talking to myself, I decided that it was better to experience the power of the dark side (a price tag of $483 certainly did not hurt) than to live disconnected. I know. I sold out.
Want a detailed review about the netbook I chose for Natalie and I? Keep reading. If you would rather get Amazon’s
Eee PC 901 Review
Specifications
- 8.9″ display
- Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz
- 1 GB DDR2 RAM
- 12 GB SSD (solid state hard drive)
- SDHC card reader
- 1.3 megapixel integrated web camera
- Dolby Sound Room Certified speaker
- Array Microphone
- 6 cell battery
- Blue Tooth Module
- 2.4 lbs or 1.1 kg
Outside of the impressive hardware bundled into a tiny little package, Natalie and I purchased this netbook for 3 reasons.
Size
The 901 has the look and feel of a professional notebook that was accidentally shrank in some type of freak 
Durability
Consisting of plastic and metal, the 901 feels solid in my hands. This netbook presents a streamlined appearance with all ports flush to the sides of the computer. Most importantly, the screen is firmly anchored with two large metal hinges that create enough tension to both hold the screen in position and snap the screen closed when required. Overall, the 901 feels like it can take a few bumps without affecting either its appearance or its functionality. To help with this protection, the 901 comes with a nifty neoprene sleeve that will add additional 
The 901 also has a Solid State hard drive. A solid state drive is made of of flash memory (4 GB fast flash and 8 GB a bit slower) which means that the hard drive, unlike a traditional drive, has no movable part. This means, no head crashes and no data loss. Evey notebook I have ever owned (including my Apple powerbook) eventually experienced a hard drive crash. Traditional hard drive architecture is not designed for to be moved around and jostled. Thus, a large selling point of the 901 is the data stability offered by a solid state drive.
Battery Life
Thanks to Intel’s Atom processor, the 901 is capable of running from 5-7 hours on one charge. The Atom 
Conclusion
For power users or people who are going to spend all day typing, this not the computer for you. Find yourself a 12 or 13 inch laptop and put up with the extra size and weight. For casual users who are willing to sacrifice screen realestate and keyboard size in order to connect as needed to the outside world, this is a great computer for the money ($482 at amazon
Are you currently traveling with a computer? What have you found to be the major pros and cons both of traveling with a computer and with the type of computer you chose?
Tags | travel gear
Yep, I think that’s a perfect way to travel, with an Eee PC. Those things don’t weigh a thing, and the new ones have an even longer battery life.
Currently, I’m away from home and living in Quebec for a few months. My little Asus W7S 13.3 widescreen does the job pretty well. I wouldn’t get anything lighter, since it’s my main machine. I did bring another older 17″ widescreen laptop, which I’ll use at home. But I’m always on the Asus.
We also just purchased an ASUS Eee PC. So far, it’s fabulous – the battery life lives up to it’s promise, the keyboard and screen aren’t too small, it’s easy to use…and very cute too! We have received comments from those on the road that confirm that this is a good choice. You can read our review here: http://www.one-giant-step.com/these-are-cute/
It’ll be interesting to see how you like it once you’re on the road.
I started traveling in Egypt computerless. Before I departed I sold my iBook to my brother. I was happy to start without a computer. I did accomplish posting 77 times during my five months in Egypt with pictures at Internet cafes.
I did buy a MacBook once I got to Amman, Jordan. If a person pays more than 50JD in Tax, when leaving the country the person will get 16% back of the total price paid.
When I went to buy the MacBook I got 200JD ($300) off the price on a promotion, plus 16% ($200) back from the total price, plus they gave me iWork08 and Mircosoft office for free.
I paid less than what I would have paid in America.
I did look at some PC’s, but I could never make the switch back to PC. I will never go back to PC, although what you bought will be more compact and lightweight to carry that a MacBook, and if your OK with PC, will work real well for traveling.
By the way the Pro’s are that editing and posting pictures and writing articles is much easier with your own computer. Plus, many hotels/hostel have free wireless Internet.
The Con is the computer is a major valuable that needs to be protected. I did buy a lock for my MacBook. I will lock it in the room in addition to hiding it under the sheets or something. Traveling with a computer also adds to carrying more weight, including the power cord. For myself, buying a MacBook on the road has worked out good and having your own computer is much more convenient.
Shawn,
Sounds like you got a great deal on your macbook in Jordan. I am a bit jealous! You perfectly reflect the arguments for and against packing a computer for an extended journey. I am glad to hear that I am not the only one having this internal monologue.
Did you buy a lock that connects directly to your computer or do you lock the bag your computer is stored in and then lock the bag to your bed?
“Apple computers are to the world as Luke Skywalker was to the Rebels Alliance – A bright light in a dark world.”
uuughhh!! You’ve got to be kidding me.
@Nathan Dragun – Should have added. If you want a Mac feel, load Ubuntu on to it. Its a free Linux OS. It has a feel very much like what you’re used to in the *NIX OS that Mac uses.
And yes, the reason why its similar is because Mac took UNIX and changed it to replace their older, less superior OS as of version 10.2. Unfortunately in their evilness, they encoded it such that it could only be used on Mac hardware. (Oh yeah, pay loads more for something that should be free as well.)
Where Linux can be loaded on ANY hardware architecture. Once you look at it from this perspective, its no longer an issue of superior OS but that of what hardware is better for the price.
Sounds like a great find, too bad Mac hasn’t come out with one yet! Knowing the Mac way, they’ll probably be out with one that makes current netbooks look like a gremlin next to a Bugatti a cool find nonetheless! I’m glad you’ll be able to utilize this in internet cafés over the possibly infected house PCs. Does this put your USB virus sharing fears to rest now?
Ah Nathan, I have no doubt that we will continue to have this discussion for many years! I will agree that you are correct both about Ubuntu and OS X being built on top of UNIX. I thought about Ubuntu (seriously) but in the end, there are several programs that I want to run that are Windows based and I do not have the time or the background to learn a new OS in the next 5 days.
I should add that, although you are partly correct in your thoughts pertaining to the hardware vs. OS debate, I like the fact that OS X is a closed system that only works with “Apple” hardware. Although this provides Apple with a monopoly, it also gives them more control. I understand that Unix/Linux are secure, free Operating Systems, that were are the antithesis of control based system. I respect this approach, but I do not have the coding knowledge to take advantage of this.
Your thoughts, as always, are most welcome
@Paulie – Paul, my virus sharing fears are still alive and well. The issue now will be what occurs if I use the USBdrive on an internet cafe computer (if I need to print something perhaps) and then plug the drive into our 901. I need something to scan the USB drive before allowing any files to be transferred from the drive to our local workstation.
@Justin – Actually, thats the beauty of Ubuntu. It really removes the need to be a coder in order to use it. For ALL windows applications, there is a program called WINE; which emulates the windows environment, allowing any windows app to run. Ubuntu is so cool, you can “demo” it simply by putting the CD into the drive at boot. It will load the whole OS into memory and you can use it as if it were installed on the HD. (No CD lag!)
… virus via USB stick? … what? -=quick research=- … hm, interesting: http://www.whoismadhur.com/2008/01/26/how-to-remove-virus-from-usb-drives/
Anyways, I’d be more curious how you end up with the files on the drive in the first place. Regardless, that should bring resolution to your fears.
On that note homeboy, five days till kickoff, huh. Just be safe man.
hopefully the virus fears will be just that and you won’t have to post how you cleverly disinfected your netbook whilst riding a plane from Barcelona to Madrid
@Nathan Dragun – Okay, now I think I am going to need to try Ubuntu. Thanks for all of the solid information. Perhaps I should have talked to you about Ubuntu before taking the plunge.
I am interested in Virus scanner because internet cafes tend to breed viruses. If I use a flash drive in a cafe, I do not want to infect my computer the next time a plug it in. Your link provided some good answers and offered insight into the under workings of how a virus moves from a flash drive to a workstation. Thanks again
Dear Justin,
I can sense your pain. The good news is that you were successful in bringing me into the light. We know your true heart, we love you just the same. It’s a selfless act. I’m thankful that we’ll be able to continue communication during your travels. –you’re a giver even if it means you are temporarily on the dark side. Thanks for taking one for the team.
@Justin –
I bought a laptop coil lock. I will lock to the radiator or something and hide it under the sheets, although I have never had any problems with hotel rooms.
It is always go to take some extra measures.
Buy the way I am not referring to the cost of the computer that is valuable, I am referring to the personal information that is stored in the computer, I keep my computer password protected.
@Boots – Boots,
) that always makes me smile. Taking one for the team. Ha.
You always manage to sense the real heart of the issue with an empathic understanding (and sarcasm
(read: “where did you get it” and “what did it cost” would be nice to know.)
@digitalnomad – We purchased in through Amazon for $483.50
What’s the speakers like? I’m not expecting Bose surround sound, but is there any problem hearing audio and video?
Thanks for the info……..I’m really considering getting one of these.
I can confirm that the risk of virus through usb drives is real as I faced the issue myself. Even though if the virus gets detected in time, removing the virus is not that difficult.
I have recorded my entire experience on my blog at http://binaryday.com/2009/01/06/how-to-remove-virus-from-usb-drive/
@digitalnomad –
Thanks for that update.
I would guess that the Macbook Air (the superthin laptop) was the first in a series of ultra-light devices we’re going to see from Apple. I see the Air as the tip of the iceberg. More is coming, oh yes…
I hope to see more coming as well. What I would really like to see is an Apple netbook in the sub $500 range. Truth be told though, I am not holding my breath on that one.
I hope your right. Although the eeePC is working alright, I really want to be using a Mac.
Can you use video skype on it? How about uploading photos? I would mainly be using mine for facebook/email, video chat/skype, and sharing photos. However, I would probably be storing the photos on extra memory cards or flash drives as well. By the way, your site has provided invaluable information. I am working up to my first adventure in May going from Greece to Dublin or vice versa, and the resources here have been very very helpful!
I wish Apple did make a “netbook”, and also there is that question of being rugged. Drop a regular laptop and you are off for a mew computer in most cases.
I currently an using a rugged notebook computer that is tough as nails.
It is possible to use Skype video on our netbook. That being said, the camera is not the highest quality. The main hindrance to using Skype video can be bandwidth. We often chose to only use Skype audio but on a few occasions we did take advantage of the video feature. We also used out little netbook to upload all of our photos, via FTP, to a web server at my brother’s house in Orlando FL. Once again, although our netbook had no trouble uploading our photos, the main obstacle was bandwidth. For example, in Singapore where the upload speeds on private internet connection are more than double that of their American counterparts, our photos uploaded very quickly. In New Zealand on the other hand, I routinely left our netbook uploading over night in order to send 50 or 100 pictures back to the States. If you are considering using an FTP client I can recommend FileZilla. It is an excellent free FTP client for a windows machine. It has a small footprint and is not a resource pig.
Good luck on your travels. I have heard great things about Greece and Ireland is always a fun time.
Although it is not a “toughbook” the new Apple Macbook Pro is made out of a solid piece of Aluminum and is by far the most sturdy, non “toughbook” computer I have ever encountered. Plus, it is now possible to easily swap in a solid state hard drive. The downside of course is that the smallest option is 13 inches. After traveling for 6 months with our netbook I really really missed my Mac. Next time we go out nomading, I will struggle to leave the my mac behind.
Nice tip on using FileZilla. I guess folks that are not building websites, or involved in IM would not be familiar with ftp clients necessarily.
How easy it is to forget.
@Justin – SSDs are here to stay. I remember not that long ago people were concerned about re-write problems, and of course the purchase price.
I am afraid the SSD makes sense for nomads.