I have never particularly been a fan of Laptops, though the idea of being able to type your blog sleeping on the bed did entice me many a times. However, today i am writing this blog after successfully installing Ubuntu-Netbook remix on my new 12" netbook (Asus 1210T). The machine is powered by a AMD processor running at a neat 1.6GHz with ATI GPU trying to ease some of the load from the processor. Out of the box, this netbook doesn't have an OS. However, who needs one when you have Ubuntu or better Kubuntu. The installation of the OS however was a bit of a bitch...This is primarily because i did not know something that i should have known...After creating the startup disk on a memorycard which inserted in a card reader, i made the USB as the first boot device in the 1210T's extremely frugal bios. However, to my surprise and dismay every time the boot device was not recognized and all i got was a screen with the Minimalistic OS from Asus. This apparently is because memory card and the usb reader somehow don't seem to work. Finally, i created a usb startup disk and then booted...
Finally came up the ubuntu screen which i know almost by heart now, having done the installation on many a machines many a times. Partitioning was not a big issue, i chose to keep one partition with multiple mount points in Fat-32. I know for sure that for some time in future i am not going to invest in a Windows variant of the OS...so nothing to worry in that regard. I could have very well chosen ext4 for all of the disc, but decided against it.
The netbook remix version of the Ubuntu has a side bar by default when you log in. This is really kinda cool because it gives the whole things a rich look and kinda makes you feel great looking at the bright screen. Note that coz of the GPU from ATI this machine can play full HD videos at 1080p.
Connecting to the Internet is not a problem if you have a BSNL connection and the rain gods have been kind enough. Once the net was running, first thing to do is to get the Graphics driver to update. You should be able to get the ATI/AMD driver by using Synaptic. Or just navigate to System->Administration->Hardware Drivers to get them.
I have still not got all the things in the netbook working however, i am already liking it because i can type very fast thanks to the flat keyboard with well spaced keys...and yeah i can do it from my bed ;-). However, i don't like the keys provided with trackpad..they are too hard...either time should soften then or is should invest in a good wireless mouse.
I would be updating more as i learn about the netbook...now its time for me to sleep...Finally, i have a "Laptop" of my own...Btw, the reason for my investing in this small piece of hardware lies in the strict (read dumb) policies of corporates which disallow the use of wifi on coporate laptop in unsecured ( read hotel) wifi network!! This will keep me good company when i go aboard next time and i have to stay in a hotel with free wifi :-)
[UPDATE]: To use the various buttons and the special features which come with the laptop like the clock change feature, enable disable of the trackpad etc you would need some additional tools which are thankfully provided in ubuntu. However, to do this you have add the repository to your existing sources. Refer here how to add this repository. After adding the repository the next step would be to install eeetray using synaptic. Then a reboot should bring a new tool on your startup called the eee Tray too using which you can control almost everything like wifi on off, processor settings etc. You can avail the same features by using the Fn keys too..
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