SpudFiles

Yeah, that's the thing with Apples. They really are well-made computers, but I could never justify the cost for what you get. And like it or not, some Windows applications just doesn't run in Parallels.

Such as? (message too short)

Here at work, there are a LOT of legacy applications that just don't run in Parallels. I can already tell you're one of those Mac zealots, so I'm not going to even bother going in-depth. Besides A/V and publishing, I don't feel Apples are very suitable for any business.

Gotta remember, Parallels in essence is just emulation/virtualization technology, like Virtual PC, VMWare, etc. So although it does a good job of directly mapping some host resources directly to a VM thanks to Hypervisor technology, it's definitely far from perfect in some areas. Playing any modern game, which Jared explicitly stated he'd like to do once in a while, would be next to impossible unless he went with Boot Camp, or wipe their mac completely clean and install Windows (Why do that though, what a waste!) which has nothing to do with Parallels.

Besides, most users are at least somewhat familiar with Windows and would prefer to stick with just Windows. My brother, who is a complete Mac advocate, talked my dad in getting an Apple Macbook and he never uses it since I gave him my Windows laptop. Sure it's just preference, and Mac is more idiot-resistant, but it's one of the many reasons Apple has such a small stock in the computer market. That, and its typically exuberant price. So if you're not really going to use OS/X, why pay extra?

Again, I've already stated how I like Apple's computers, but they're not as cost-effective unless you actually plan on using something that works better in OS/X, like say Photoshop or Quark Express. Okay, I said my piece. lol

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPC.

Sure it's not that powerful, got a small screen, no CD/DVD drive and limited memory, but for what you want (apart maybe from entertainment) I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Why? Because it's very small so you don't have to lug a big bag around and can balance it on small spaces much better, it's very light, it runs Linux so you can download all manner of things for free (legally cough, cough), it's very small (did I say that?), it's robust with no HD to break, oh and above all because you'll have about $600 in change.

I know some will complain about the size/memory and it's true it's not going to replace your PC, but as you're on here I'm guessing you've already got one of those, so you can use that when you can and just carry the tiny lightweight EeePC round with you wherever you go.

I'm totally sold on mine now, to be honest it's revolutionised the way I work and use a computer, it's now become my friend, whereas before it was the grey box in my office. The Asus EeePC is so small I can carry it everywhere.

Did I mention it was small?

SPG wrote:Did I mention it was small?

Only three times

But point understood. There is this girl in my chemistry class that has one of these computers that her boyfriend bought for her. Its pretty nice and i think its cool. It runs Linux just like SPG mentioned and its small (4th time) and very portable. So you can type notes on it, and do much more which has made me think about buying this because its not to pricey and is only bigger than a pda by a little and you can type on it, would definitely be good for school.

I'm looking at it right now any Idea what other kinds of applications it might run? Will it surf the web?

Edit...zues's beard that thing is small...

Think so but not sure, i havent looked into it much.

Its a nice rig, but man that key board would be cramped....
Its not something I would probably end up getting as the laptop will be replacing my PC and I will still need a lot of flexibility that a full size laptop will offer me. Thanks for the suggestion though it was an interesting read. 8)

I love Linux, but it's very noob unfriendly and seldom does everything "just work" without so much tweaking. Especially since 802.11x support is still quite quirky, as well as 3D acceleration for Xorg. It took me over two years of usage to even feel comfortable using it.

Like I said earlier with the eeeeeepc, if something breaks on that thing, you're now subject to asus's technical support, which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. They're nice machines, but would you want to take that chance? (When I bash Asus's technical support, I am speaking from personal experience, and that of pretty much everyone I know who has had to deal with them).

Yes it'll surf the web with built in Firefox, and there's a mail client, and webcam built in and built in multi-messenger IM and a media player and you can download and install anything you want, and yes it will even cope with XP (the drivers are included with it. And it's totally noob friendly with a nice windows-lite interface.

I've actually got mine on a dual boot set up with XP on a 2Gig SD card, if that's plugged in before I turn it on, it boots up under XP, if not under Linux.

Asus have really worked hard to make Linux user friendly and a total windows replacement.

The keyboard's not too cramped I notice I'm down to 90 wpm on it instead of the 110 I can do with a fullsize.

Oh and it's nice and small too