-- Posted by drifting at 5:24 pm on April 22, 2008 Im planning on ordering an ultra-portable laptop in the next few weeks, but Im not sure what I want to get. The Asus Eee draws my attention because its kinda the popular choice right now, and has great community support. The 4G version I would be getting is also cheaper than the 2133. The downside is that it has slightly lower specs, and has a tiny keyboard. The cost for the Eee, with a 1gb RAM upgrade would be about $425 plus shipping. Now, the HP 2133 has significantly higher specs, but its also $150 more. It is quite a bit sleeker though, and utilizes its space a little bit better. It has a larger keyboard, and a larger (and much higher resolution) screen. The cons for it are definitely the price. Another downside is that it doesnt have the community following that the Eee does, so mine would remain extremely stock. The cost for the 2133 would be $550 (for the upgraded Linux machine), plus shipping. Now, looking at the big picture, what will be better? Im definately not going to be on it constantly, as I would be using only when I travel, and maybe some around the house. Im looking to buy one in the next 2-4 weeks, but Im still welcome to other suggestions of laptops that are in the ultra-portable, ultra-cheap category. -- Posted by neotreo at 5:26 pm on April 22, 2008 what are you buying it for? -- Posted by drifting at 5:27 pm on April 22, 2008 Quote: from neotreo at 8:26 pm on April 22, 2008 what are you buying it for? Just something to have on the go. Definately NOT primary use, or a desktop replacement, because Ive got this amazing computer to use when Im at home. -- Posted by neotreo at 5:30 pm on April 22, 2008 The Eee is $400. The HP is $550. Personally, i would just get a standard size laptop. Walmart has them for about $500 to $600 every now and then. Just gotta look in the walmart flyers, or online. They seem to have pretty good specs too... especially compared to the Eee -- Posted by drifting at 5:33 pm on April 22, 2008 Quote: from neotreo at 8:30 pm on April 22, 2008 The Eee is $400. The HP is $550. Personally, i would just get a standard size laptop. Walmart has them for about $500 to $600 every now and then. Just gotta look in the walmart flyers, or online. They seem to have pretty good specs too... especially compared to the Eee Eh, I dont really want a full size laptop though. I mean, Im not getting THAT much more performance by buying the larger, and I have to worry about the larger size. The main reason Im going ultra-portable is so it can be pretty much grab and go. I dont want something big and clunky, I want something the size of a school text book. -- Posted by senorita smirnoff at 5:37 pm on April 22, 2008 if its not for regular use i would just get the eee, but if ur plan to use it for say, regular use at university/school i would go the hp because u dont want to be fussing about with a shitbomb keyboard etc when ur trying to take notes/do assignemtns etc. Usually, with computers, ur better off to spend the extra money now and reap the benefits later -- Posted by neotreo at 7:49 pm on April 22, 2008 Quote: from senorita smirnoff at 8:37 pm on April 22, 2008 if its not for regular use i would just get the eee, but if ur plan to use it for say, regular use at university/school i would go the hp because u dont want to be fussing about with a shitbomb keyboard etc when ur trying to take notes/do assignemtns etc. Usually, with computers, ur better off to spend the extra money now and reap the benefits later agreed -- Posted by rand0mguy at 6:10 am on April 27, 2008 dont get the EEE watever you do just dont. oh for the love of god... but seriously the things a bitch to do anything on... expecialy type -- Posted by drifting at 9:42 am on April 27, 2008 Quote: from rand0mguy at 9:10 am on April 27, 2008 dont get the EEE watever you do just dont. oh for the love of god... but seriously the things a bitch to do anything on... expecialy type Eh, I know it has the smaller keyboard, but thats kinda what Im leaning towards now. Ill be loading it with at least 1gb of RAM (maybe 2gb) and Ill have BackTrack installed on it, rather than the standard Xandros install. Its looking like it will all come down to what my budget is after I get the tax money, and pay some bills. If I had the money, I would probably get the 2133, but Ive used the Eee before, it wasnt all that bad. The one I used was the standard Xandros, and the keyboard was a tad cramped, but I could get used to it. -- Posted by rand0mguy at 4:02 pm on April 27, 2008 Quote: from drifting at 9:42 am on April 27, 2008 Quote: from rand0mguy at 9:10 am on April 27, 2008 dont get the EEE watever you do just dont. oh for the love of god... but seriously the things a bitch to do anything on... expecialy type Eh, I know it has the smaller keyboard, but thats kinda what Im leaning towards now. Ill be loading it with at least 1gb of RAM (maybe 2gb) and Ill have BackTrack installed on it, rather than the standard Xandros install.   Its looking like it will all come down to what my budget is after I get the tax money, and pay some bills. If I had the money, I would probably get the 2133, but Ive used the Eee before, it wasnt all that bad. The one I used was the standard Xandros, and the keyboard was a tad cramped, but I could get used to it. havent heard of backtrack. i had eeeXubuntu on mine -- Posted by drifting at 7:23 pm on April 27, 2008 Quote: from rand0mguy at 7:02 pm on April 27, 2008 Quote: from drifting at 9:42 am on April 27, 2008 Quote: from rand0mguy at 9:10 am on April 27, 2008 dont get the EEE watever you do just dont. oh for the love of god... but seriously the things a bitch to do anything on... expecialy type    Eh, I know it has the smaller keyboard, but thats kinda what Im leaning towards now.    Ill be loading it with at least 1gb of RAM (maybe 2gb) and Ill have BackTrack installed on it, rather than the standard Xandros install.    Its looking like it will all come down to what my budget is after I get the tax money, and pay some bills.    If I had the money, I would probably get the 2133, but Ive used the Eee before, it wasnt all that bad. The one I used was the standard Xandros, and the keyboard was a tad cramped, but I could get used to it. havent heard of backtrack. i had eeeXubuntu on mine BackTrack is a security distro. It has a very Ubuntu feel to it, but it pre-loaded with additional apps to help test network security. I-Hacked did an article on installing it on the Eee, and they said its one of their favorite Distros that they've put on the Eee so far. I know alot of people use eeeXubuntu, on it, as its optimized for the Eee. I might also give that a try if I get an Eee. Ill probably just play with it quite a bit. -- Posted by JeremyM at 7:47 am on April 29, 2008 Sign up for an account on anandtech.com forums. Their marketplace section is HUGE with tons of cheap, used ultraportables. I've bought a few off there. Very nice members to deal with too. They use the heatware feedback engine too.