SillyDog701

[iJohnE]

I understand, and I'm sorry for my reply back.

Anyways back to netbooks. I'm thinking about getting one of the new Dell Minis. (what can I say,I like Dell.)

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[richard mitnick]

No problemo.

>>RSM

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[Antony]

Nice joke Richard.

Unfortunately, the prices for most electronic products (and actually for almost everything else as well) cost as lot more here than buying from States or Asian countries (if you simply do the currency conversion). And I am only comparing the official recommended retail pricing.

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[richard mitnick]

Antony-

There is a proven method for overcoming this problem.

The method is to have someone purchase the item in the USA and find someone who is traveling to the problem country to bring it in as their property. I know people who have done this for quite some time to overcome a similar difficulty with another country.

>>RSM

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[Antony]

Richard, I know.

In many situations, if people do not mind (1) power adapter difference (and possibly not accepting 240V), and (2) different regional packing, asking someone to re-ship from the States would usually end up cheaper than getting the items locally.

Furthermore, not all models are available in Australia.

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[richard mitnick]

Netbooks run hot. there is no getting away from it. I don't know if they even have fans. Hey, what do you want for US$299.99?

And, one of my uses for my netbook goes against all received wisdom. I do crunching for BOINC and WCG. Nothing happens when my netbook is turned off. So, my netbook runs as much as 18 hours a day. Netbooks are supposed to be used in travel and on the run. Turn it on, do your business, and turn it off.

So, here is a low tech solution for heat. The tiny feet on the case only allow for about 3/16" of clearance above the desktop. This means very little airflow around the case. So, I took pairs of felt microdots usually used to protect wood floors from furniture, 1" diamater, stuck them together in pairs, and put them under the netbook's feet. I now have a clearance of about 5/8". Since I rarely actually touch the machine while it is running, the added height off the desk will be of little consequence. And, in fact, just in testing, it made very little difference for my use of the keyboard.

If I am doing my science correctly, warmer air is lighter than cooler air. So, the warm air coming out of and off the netbook should actually set up a current of flow out into the surrounding space.

Before I committed the microdots to this task, I elevated the netbook a bit with an ink stamp pad. Sure enough, the bottom was much cooler than it had been when I started the test.

I am sure that I can find room in my bag for the microdots when I travel.

If anyone has any comments, I would appreciate them.

>>RSM

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[Antony]

Nice method Richard.

Elevating laptops have been a popular practice among Mac users for years, as previous PowerBooks have been known to be generating heat. There are many elegant solutions such as the popular Griffin Elevator or just two rubber feet.

Personally, I am not that concerned about the heat from laptop. I use Belkin CushTop when I use laptop on my laps. Not for the reducing heat reason, but for comfy reason. (And I would recommend it to anyone who uses laptop on his/her laps often to get one, works with both 15- and 17-inch laptops.)


Back to heat issue, if you are concerned about the heat issue, I would suggest putting laptops on top of glass table/desk if you don't use any elevating devices. And don't block the vents with other objects. Also, some laptops may not be suitable for closed lid operating as the built-in keyboard is also designed for venting heat.

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[jthomas]

I have tried two thus far, the Dell 10 and an OCZ Neutrino which my husband built for me. I have loved both for their size, portability, and batterylife. The small keyboard screen size does not bother at all as I went in expecting these limitations.

I was on the OCZ forums this morning and found agreat link to a story about an IT technician who uses a netbook (OCZ Neutrino) for all of his/her work. Interesting read to say the least when someone "in the know" is using one. Here is the story: http://techcaddie.com/best-use-netbooks/

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[richard mitnick]

jthomas-

Welcome to the best computer forum in the world, and thanks so much for your comments and the link.

>>RSM

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[iJohnE]

.

Welcome to the best computer forum in the world.

That's the truth. I've yet to find another forum where people actually listen to what I have to say instead of just being "He's fifteen what does he know?".

I visit the place just about every day, and it is definitely my favorite website.

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