Asus Eee PC, Ozi Ex and a GPS mouse - a very tempting mapping solution
Submitted: Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 17:32
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Mike Harding
An Asus Eee PC with XP installed is now down to $300.
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=31293
Add a GPS mouse ($70 e-bay) and Ozi Explorer ($125?) and you have an excellent mapping system. As the Asus does not have a hard drive it's a pretty robust system too.
On top of all that you have a fully fledged PC (no optical drive but you could buy a USB one) to do whatever takes your fancy deep in the bush.
And (best of all) according to my calculations it would measure 225mm wide by 192mm high when the screen is at 90 deg. ie.fully open - should fit on the dash of most vehicles with a bit of velcro to stop it sliding off.
Veryyyy tempting... me thinks....
Mike Harding
Reply By: Member - William B (The Shire) - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 17:35
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 17:35
Hi Mike,
How good is that.
Tempting, tempting, tempted.
Will have to consult the boss.
William
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Reply By: Boobook2 - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 17:44
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 17:44
I think that price is for Linux, $469 for Windows version.
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 17:55
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 17:55
Well... the web page clearly says "Windows XP Home Edition" but that is the same price MSY are selling the same machine at with Linux so some clarification may be needed. Although it's not hard to replace (or better still dual boot) XP on the Eee PC and I imagine most of us have a copy (or know a friend who has :) of XP.
Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 18:06
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 18:06
The header on the web page description says quite plainly LINUX
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 18:06
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 18:06
Asus EEEPC4G-W013 WHITE CEL-900MHz, 512MB, 4GB SSD, 7" WVGA, 802.11BG, 0.3MP WC, LINUX
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 18:08
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 18:08
Asus EEEPC4G-BK008X BLACK CEL-900MHz, 512MB, 4GB SSD+ 4GB FLASH, 7" WVGA, 802.11BG, 0.3MP WC, XP HOME $469.00
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 19:25
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 19:25
It does too! But half way down it says XP.
I suspect it is a typo and means Linux but that doesn't really matter providing you can access a copy of XP.
Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 19:41
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 19:41
Yes but you will also need all the drivers as
well and windoze may not have them unless it comes with the thing. Have been caught before.
Asus home page may
well have them tho.
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 20:01
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 20:01
You make a good point Graham.
Although a simple basic install of XP will still run Ozi Ex and most other programmes without the need for specific drivers.
Anyway, apparently the XP drivers are provided with the machine:
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/12/07/eb_eee_pc_with_xp/
Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: John S (NSW) - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 23:34
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 23:34
The original models have dropped in price as a new model is to be released very soon.
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 04:21
Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 04:21
They already have them if you go to their products page
Asus EEEPC900-BK006 BLACK CEL-900MHz, 1GB, 4GB SSD+ 16GB FLASH, 8.9" SWVGA, 11BG, WC, LINUX
Asus EEEPC901-BK005X FINE EBONY ATOM, 1GB, 8GFLASH+4GSD, 8.9" SWVGA, 11N, BT, WC, XP HOME
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Follow Up By: age - Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 07:05
Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 07:05
All
XP drivers come on the ASUS recovery DVD (as
well as Linux Xandros full restore). It is a cinch to put Xp on the 7 series EEE and works very
well. That price is very keen and I would jump on one as it is a very usefull and flexible ultra mobile PC. Biot of manipulation with XP and the 4GB SS Hard Drive but heaps of good tips in the ASUS user manual and on EEE forums on the web in manageing this. I will buy a 901 series next and leave my 7 series for vehicle navigation (gone down the Garmin path and reason why I had to load XP).
Cheers
A
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Reply By: Isuzumu - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 17:58
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 17:58
I have been looking at these my self....now this would be the 700 series would it. They now have a 901 series which is available from Hong Kong for around $700 Aus with 16 gb hard drive with windows.
I have even measured my dash to see if will fit, haven't told the Boss yet hahahaha. But I have just brought a Nuvi 760, so may be I had better be quite for awhile so anyone who gets one keep us informed.
Cheers Bruce
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Reply By: Member - Nev (TAS) - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 18:20
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 18:20
Hi all,
ACER are releasing a 9" screen model (Aspire1) which has a reputed 7 hour battery life for approx $700. (Windows model)
http://www.acer.com/aspireone/
Has the info.
More due to hit market soon I believe.
Rgds
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Follow Up By: Paul Grabonski. Vic - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 19:14
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 19:14
HP have such a unit out for approx $800. Saw it in HN on the weekend.
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Reply By: Member - Burra - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 19:54
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 19:54
Ok, but does it keep you warmer than a doona? lol.
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Reply By: Member - Craig M (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 20:33
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 20:33
I currently run a EEEPC900 with all of the above
Works
well
My Advice? buy nothing with a hard drive that goes in the car. EEE's have a flash drive storage, no moving parts and run off 12v without a convertor. There is a similar douvey called a dreambook by another manufacturer that does the same. Good thing about EEE is that it takes a 16gb SD memory card. that's where I keep my maps for Ozi.
It sits on an aluminium laptop stand that bolts with 1 bolt under SWMBO's
seat. It is coupled to the mobile giving me mobile internet as
well.
EEE's weigh less than 1kg so it balances on the stand without bracing.
Can do piccies if anyone wants them
Craig
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Follow Up By: GerryP - Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 23:05
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 at 23:05
Maybe I've been lucky and while I do agree that flash memory is probably safer, I must say that I have had 3 different laptops, over many years, strapped to the cargo barrier and running a remote screen. I always log my track to the HDD so it is continually active and writing while on the move. Now, I have travelled over some of the worst corrugations, as I'm sure we all have and, touch wood, have never had a single glitch with a hard drive failing or playing up.
Now that I've said that... please don't, Mr Murphy...
Cheers
Gerry
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Follow Up By: BoldJack ( Penrith NSW) - Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 21:40
Friday, Jun 27, 2008 at 21:40
Hi Craig,
Some pics would be great. Am thinking of getting one and ideas of how to mount it in the car would be helpful.
Thanks Bert
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Reply By: Member -Signman - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 09:59
Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 09:59
Mike
I have a techo HF antenna question for you...
Could you email me at:
op(dot)support(at)tsn(dot)cc
Thanks
David
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 11:20
Monday, Jun 30, 2008 at 11:20
High David
mike_harding@fastmail.fm
will find me.
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 20:56
Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 20:56
so will
mike@mildred.goat.au
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Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 20:49
Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 20:49
hmm you been looking over my shoulder?
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 21:50
Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 at 21:50
Yes! And I told Mildred too!
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