Sub-Notebooks

[Darrin Rasberry]

I'm wondering if anyone knows of these (they're laptops that have eight inch screens) and whether the ones with Windows XP are properly equipped to take data cards. I think the size makes it excellent for placing behind my steering wheel so I can stare at it while I drive headlong into a dangerous storm.

... no, seriously, I'm thinking of using these things for their relative compactness considering all the junk I bring on chases, especially multiple-day chases. They're made by Acer (I think a few more companies are joining in, too) and the reviews I've heard have been quite solid. I don't care much for the "slow processor" factor - 1.2ghz, 1gb ram, and 120gb of hd space can run GRL3 just fine, as far as I know, and I actually prefer XP over Vista. And at ~$300, they're a steal IMO.

If anyone has one of these, let me know what you think, and whether you know if they can use data cards in the field.

 

[Olivier Staiger]

I got me the Asus Eee PC 1000h . This is not the tiny tiny one, but has a 10" screen, runs on XP. The one I bought a few months ago had 80 GB HD, I believe now it even comes with 160 GB HD. The original RAM was 1 GB, I upgraded to 2GB. I has not only Wifi but also Bluetooth and a webcam (great for skype) and a SDCH card slot . Processor is Intel Atom 1.6 GHz. It did not have antivirus pre-installed as often on many computers so I recommend getting NOD32 from www.eset.com . Battery lasts pretty long.

 

[Darrin Rasberry]

I got me the Asus Eee PC 1000h . This is not the tiny tiny one, but has a 10" screen, runs on XP. The one I bought a few months ago had 80 GB HD, I believe now it even comes with 160 GB HD. The original RAM was 1 GB, I upgraded to 2GB. I has not only Wifi but also Bluetooth and a webcam (great for skype) and a SDCH card slot . Processor is Intel Atom 1.6 GHz. It did not have antivirus pre-installed as often on many computers so I recommend getting NOD32 from www.eset.com . Battery lasts pretty long.

Cool, thanks for the info - I didn't know they went up to 1.6 GHz or were able to handle more RAM given the small size. I'm not sure what SDCH is ... not techno-savvy. Does this slot fit something like a Sprint/AT&T Data Card? (You may not have these given your location)

 

[Robert Edmonds]

I used to use a Sony picturebook until I killed it storm chasing. It was able to handle running WX Works. I would say it is no better no worse than a normal laptop. It was nice in that it used less space, but the larger screen and processing power of my dell certainly is nice.

 

[Olivier Staiger]

sorry, not SDCH, I meant SDHC and it also does SD cards. This is photo memory card used on some cameras. It also has USB but no data card slot. But if you have a USB data card it will work

 

[Rob Herman]

Will/does GRL2/3 run all right with that small of screen?

 

[Darrin Rasberry]

I wouldn't see anything wrong with it; as long as the processor and memory are OK and the video card can handle it then it should run on a small screen. May be difficult to see when I'm holding it in my hands as I steer with my knees going 80+MPH toward the storm though.

What is WXWorx? I've seen it advertised here as some kind of satellite system from some kind of cell-phonish XM Radio unit, so I thought it wasn't PC based? And wouldn't XM Radio be self-defeating in cloudy weather anyhow, if that's how it receives the info?

 

[Mark Blue]

Darrin,

WxWorx is Baron's Weather Worx system that uses an XM satellite link to send weather data to your WxWorx receiver. Their software package runs on Windows pretty much like everything else does these days. The theory is you always have data versus someone who has a broadband data card with their cell phone company where there can be dead spots out in the boonies. I don't actually own a WxWorx since my Sprint data connection has been pretty reliable and keeps getting better. It seems as though more and more chasers are selling their WxWorx systems from what I've noticed. You have to pay $1000.00 for a new one and they are going on eBay for about $350.00 even in really good condition. You can learn more about it here: http://www.wxworx.com/index.php

Mark