Need a new computer for ham radio use.

[KF7AYS]

Netbooks are a fully functioning laptop computer. The only thing they don't have is a cd/dvd drive. I bought one specifically for use in my Ham radio operations and have never looked back. I run Linux on it instead of windows and enjoy good, solid, worry free computing.

You can make just about any piece of Ham-related Windows software run on Linux. It is just not all that sophisticated and Wine handles it just fine in most cases. There are a few like HRD that require some work to get to play nice, but once it does, you too can enjoy a nice, fast computer.

On a side note, just about every mainstream piece of windows software out has a Linux equivalent as well. The most notable exception is Quickbooks.

So, forget spending the money a Mac and dealing with the inherent wonkiness of windows and just run Linux.

[KA8NCR]

Netbooks are a fully functioning laptop computer. The only thing they don't have is a cd/dvd drive. I bought one specifically for use in my Ham radio operations and have never looked back. I run Linux on it instead of windows and enjoy good, solid, worry free computing.

You can make just about any piece of Ham-related Windows software run on Linux. It is just not all that sophisticated and Wine handles it just fine in most cases. There are a few like HRD that require some work to get to play nice, but once it does, you too can enjoy a nice, fast computer.

On a side note, just about every mainstream piece of windows software out has a Linux equivalent as well. The most notable exception is Quickbooks.

So, forget spending the money a Mac and dealing with the inherent wonkiness of windows and just run Linux.

Netbooks are the G5RV of computers -- good at one thing and a compromise at everything else. A netbook is good for getting on the internet and lightweight mobile computing. While I admire your work in getting it to run Wine satisfactorily, I don't think I could endure it.

[KF7AYS]

Netbooks are the G5RV of computers -- good at one thing and a compromise at everything else. A netbook is good for getting on the internet and lightweight mobile computing. While I admire your work in getting it to run Wine satisfactorily, I don't think I could endure it.

Wine was a simple install from the Package library. Literally a few clicks and off it goes. The only limiting thing about a netbook is the lack of screen size. But then, I bought it primarily for mobile ham use. So in that, it is perfect for me.

On a side note, when my main computer went down not too long ago and I thought it was a hardware issue(it was, just not in the tower itself) I pulled out the netbook, plugged in my keyboard, mouse and monitor and kept going with very little interruption.

The idea that a Netbook is somehow limited as a computer is pure bunk. It is a very real computer with very real usefulness. Of course if you are not qualified to use a three-button mouse, you may find the Netbook a bit too technologically advanced for your use.

Interestingly enough, I did some dx-ing on a g5rv a couple of years ago using a Kenwood 830s. I had it set up in my backyard next to my aluminum covered house on a tripod with a couple of wires run out on the ground for a counterpoise. But then, I am qualified to use a three-button mouse as well.

73,
KF7AYS

[KA8NCR]

Wine was a simple install from the Package library. Literally a few clicks and off it goes. The only limiting thing about a netbook is the lack of screen size. But then, I bought it primarily for mobile ham use. So in that, it is perfect for me.

On a side note, when my main computer went down not too long ago and I thought it was a hardware issue(it was, just not in the tower itself) I pulled out the netbook, plugged in my keyboard, mouse and monitor and kept going with very little interruption.

The idea that a Netbook is somehow limited as a computer is pure bunk. It is a very real computer with very real usefulness. Of course if you are not qualified to use a three-button mouse, you may find the Netbook a bit too technologically advanced for your use.

Interestingly enough, I did some dx-ing on a g5rv a couple of years ago using a Kenwood 830s. I had it set up in my backyard next to my aluminum covered house on a tripod with a couple of wires run out on the ground for a counterpoise. But then, I am qualified to use a three-button mouse as well.

73,
KF7AYS

It is a real computer, its focus is lightweight mobile computing. Pushing it to its limits is a useful endeavor, but I don't think one should dismiss the real performance statistics. I'll toss one out there that is pretty much all-encompassing; the retail price on an Intel Atom is $50, an i5 is $250. There's a reason for that.

As far as the G5RV, works great on 20 meters which is exactly what it was designed to do.

[KF7AYS]

Name one thing that the Atom processor can't do that the i5 can that is in any way relavent to what any average user would do with their computer on a daily basis. Sure it is not "As fast". but, who cares when all you are doing is cruising the web, doing ham stuff or even playing games. Being an FPS nut, I can honestly say that the power for games is not in the CPU, it is in the GPU's and Ram.

As a power user on a day to day basis, the only thing I have found that slows down even a little is when I do graphics rendering. Which is way beyond the scope of this discussion.

The simple fact is that the Netbooks with the Atom processors are every bit as capable as the computers with the higher end processors for every day usage. The only difference is the idiot who only wants to brag about the specifications of his machine to others. But then, these are generally the same idiots who are willing to spend 10k on a top end Icom or yeasu radio when they perform in the real world any better than a $500 radio.

But then, what do I know? I am just a computer technician and programmer with over 30 years of experience, having worked on Cray super computers, mainframes, all the x86, and 808x intel machines, Macintoshs and Apples, and many more. It's not like I actually deal with these machines at a fundamental way on a daily basis instead of making sweeping commentary from my armchair talking out of my ass about stuff I know nothing about.

73,

[R3C-020]

It is a real computer, its focus is lightweight mobile computing. Pushing it to its limits is a useful endeavor, but I don't think one should dismiss the real performance statistics. I'll toss one out there that is pretty much all-encompassing; the retail price on an Intel Atom is $50, an i5 is $250. There's a reason for that.

As far as the G5RV, works great on 20 meters which is exactly what it was designed to do.

As an example of the use of laptops: two weeks ago I connected the ip-camera (h264 codec) and left for a day. Every two hours - a blue screen of death and restart

[adamstuart07]

Hello Friend

If you really looking for the new computer then you have thinks some certain things.

1:what configuration you looking for .

2:what the things which you want in your computer .

3:what work you do on it.

4:how much you want spend for it.

5:is any company or brand is your favorite.

What type of operating system for which you looking for is also tack an important role because its effect the cost of your ...
___________________
we solve all type of software issue like windows 7 compatibility ..

[WA9SVD]

One important consideration in laptops is the absence of RS-232c Serial Ports, which many software packages require. While "adapters" are available to convert USB ports, compatibility of the adapters and some software can be problematic. AN adapter that works with some software may not work with other software.

[NA7U]

I recently picked up a very nice Dell D830 with a T7700 CPU (Core 2 Duo), high-res screen and all those other goodies for $250 (and off eBay!). It's a very nice machine for less than the price of a new netbook.

[AF6LJ]

Double that RAM, and your problem is solved.

Uninstall the tons of trial / sample software that they gave you with the new computer, and that would go a long way as well. For example, the 90-day trial of Norton software, or the trial edition of MS Office. Replace them with good free versions of programs, such as MS Security Essentials and Libre Office (Open Office).

This is extremely good advice, if you do this you can gain as much as a fifty percent increase in speed.

When you buy ram get help from someone that actually knows hardware.
You can end up with cheap ram that is actually slower than your original ram.