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Once I can afford it, I'm seriously considering having another try at a netbook. For all of those of you who have them, could you be kind enough to answer these questions for me? I'll have to get an XP version because the RNIB audiobook service only runs on NetPlexTalk, which only runs on Windows.
* Brand and model number.
* Spec, including whether it has a SSD and number of USB ports (and any thoughts on SSDs would be appreciated, I'm seriously considering them).
* Operating system.
* Keyboard: how wide is it (excluding the frame), how does it feel, how long can you use it comfortably, generally marks out of ten?
* Touchpad: ditto?
* Screen: size, resolution, matte or glossy, how you find it generally compares to a normal laptop screen, how much eyestrain are you noticing.
* Speakers: where are they located, how does the sound vary (if at all) when the laptop is on different surfaces (I use a gel cooling mat which is knobbly), how loud is the sound, how clear is the sound? I'll be listening to audiobooks from up to a few feet away.
* What's it's boot-up time in seconds, from pressing the on button to being able to use it?
* How does it cope with multi-tasking? How many programmes, and which sort, can you be running at once before it starts getting sticky?
* How much have you been able to put on it in terms of software and such?
* What's the wireless connectivity like?
* What bits and bobs did it come with, e.g. external DVD drive?
* What happens when you try to increase the font size? I will probably want to increase the font size for menus etc. by one (those are tricky to resize), and for internet and word processing, by several points. For comparison purposes, I am currently looking at an Open Office document at 100% viewing, and in Arial I'm using 15 pt font (though I generally prefer Verdana). My usual rule is to increase the font size until it looks like it's in bold. This is on a 17" laptop with a resolution of 1440 x 900. Remember that the resolution is different on netbooks, things generally end up proportionately smaller, so the equivalent on a netbook
might be a size or two larger.
* Once the font size is bumped up like this, how do word processing documents and internet sites (preferably in Firefox) look? How often is horizontal scrolling necessary? How many sites fit the resolution well? How much control do you have over this, do Firefox add-ons and the like help?
* Could you do me a screenshot or photo of![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
elettariaquilts and this article (scroll down a bit so that the photo is at the top) with the font size bumped up (let me know how much), or at least tell me how many words fit on a line and how many lines fit on the screen?
* How do you find it using such a small computer? In what situations can you use it comfortably? Tell me about using it in different physical positions, such as in bed or on the sofa, and what viewing distance you prefer.
* Which peripherals do you find you end up using, such as external mice?
* Anything else you think I should know?
* Brand and model number.
* Spec, including whether it has a SSD and number of USB ports (and any thoughts on SSDs would be appreciated, I'm seriously considering them).
* Operating system.
* Keyboard: how wide is it (excluding the frame), how does it feel, how long can you use it comfortably, generally marks out of ten?
* Touchpad: ditto?
* Screen: size, resolution, matte or glossy, how you find it generally compares to a normal laptop screen, how much eyestrain are you noticing.
* Speakers: where are they located, how does the sound vary (if at all) when the laptop is on different surfaces (I use a gel cooling mat which is knobbly), how loud is the sound, how clear is the sound? I'll be listening to audiobooks from up to a few feet away.
* What's it's boot-up time in seconds, from pressing the on button to being able to use it?
* How does it cope with multi-tasking? How many programmes, and which sort, can you be running at once before it starts getting sticky?
* How much have you been able to put on it in terms of software and such?
* What's the wireless connectivity like?
* What bits and bobs did it come with, e.g. external DVD drive?
* What happens when you try to increase the font size? I will probably want to increase the font size for menus etc. by one (those are tricky to resize), and for internet and word processing, by several points. For comparison purposes, I am currently looking at an Open Office document at 100% viewing, and in Arial I'm using 15 pt font (though I generally prefer Verdana). My usual rule is to increase the font size until it looks like it's in bold. This is on a 17" laptop with a resolution of 1440 x 900. Remember that the resolution is different on netbooks, things generally end up proportionately smaller, so the equivalent on a netbook
might be a size or two larger.
* Once the font size is bumped up like this, how do word processing documents and internet sites (preferably in Firefox) look? How often is horizontal scrolling necessary? How many sites fit the resolution well? How much control do you have over this, do Firefox add-ons and the like help?
* Could you do me a screenshot or photo of
elettariaquilts and this article (scroll down a bit so that the photo is at the top) with the font size bumped up (let me know how much), or at least tell me how many words fit on a line and how many lines fit on the screen?* How do you find it using such a small computer? In what situations can you use it comfortably? Tell me about using it in different physical positions, such as in bed or on the sofa, and what viewing distance you prefer.
* Which peripherals do you find you end up using, such as external mice?
* Anything else you think I should know?
