Job Discussion Forums

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

A big computer seems like a waste to bring to the esl classroom especially when a projector is available.

Can you recommend a mini or netbook that meets all YOUR needs as a teacher?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:55 pm Post subject:

Acer Aspire One.

Cheap, full featured, durable, reliable, and cute.

(Used mine in the classroom and for teacher training for almost a year.)

Best,
Justin

Mexicobound · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject:

I am researching netbooks for classroom use too.

Justin has offered a good suggestion but I would also look into the ASUS Eee PC 1000.

One of my friends uses the ASUS and loves it; she is finishing her Masters in Computer Science and swears by ASUS. (ASUS has been making motherboards and other hardware for many years)

And if you can wait a few months, Google is releasing the "Google Android", otherwise know as the Alpha 680 (made by Guangzhou Skytone Transmission Technologies) to be sold for about $250US, running on a modified Linux cellphone platform. Shocked

I was going to get an ASUS or Acer but heard about the Alpha 680 and think I might hold out.

PS: What are you needs for the netbook?
Powerpoint presentations? Videos? Music? Word processing?
Web surfing? Online classroom exercises?
I would take into account how you will use the system and then see which system suits your needs the best.

Mexicobound · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:59 pm Post subject:

Mikeysaid,

Check these two deals out:

ASUS Eee PC 904 for $319US @ newegg.com

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220442
(includes 98 reviews)

and...

Acer Aspire One for $329 @ tigerdirect.com

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4411667&CatId=3987

EvilTwin2000 · Joined: 01 Mar 2009 Posts: 34

I notice the question here isn't "laptop or netbook?," but "which netbook?" So my question is, would this netbook be used in conjunction with a laptop at home or instead of one?

With bona fide laptops starting at $80 US higher than the netbook models mentioned above, I thought I'd ask. Especially as I'll doubtless have to purchase one or the other in the next few months--though probably not both.

Anyone getting by with *just* a netbook?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:00 pm Post subject:

Mexicobound · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:57 pm Post subject:

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 5:30 pm Post subject:

THanks! Are you a linux user? I've been playing with this for a while- never found dual boot to be super stable, though...thoughts?

Best,
Justin

Mexicobound · Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject:

Yes, I use the new release, Ubuntul 9.
I just burned the CD and Ubuntu automatically sets the partition.
Easy to install and I have never had an run issues.
Actually, my HD runs smoother on Ubuntu.
I always get "drive surges" running XP but my system is very quiet on the Linux OS.
I will most likely run the dual boot and keep XP becuase of my music recording equipment. I have a mini digital recording studio hooked up to my desktop and it is not Linux supported. And my Netflix account is not Ubuntu supported either.

If you do a dual boot I would suggest you get Xmarks so you can easily move passwords and bookmarks from your XP browsers to Mozilla on Ubuntu, that was a dealmaker for me(I hate moving bookmarks and reloading passwords)
Also, I love Ubuntu's pidgoen messenger, I can combine all my IM services into one messenger.
Check it out, you can burn a disk and just boot as a windows app for a test run.
Let me know if you have anymore questions, Ill be glad to help.

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

if you do go for the linux thing ubuntu now has a netbook remix on their site designed specifically for use on little computers.

my plan is to pick up a slick 'n quick little netbook (been looking hard at the MSI Wind U100) in the very near future and get one for me and one for my wife. these would be for light work, travel, etc.

Then after we are making a little more money (hopefully) we'll pick up a nice big fat desktop/htpc for the home that we can use for all the big stuff.

in the meantime we've got a 17" dell xps that overheats and no longer has any battery that sits here at the house is is definitely not worth what I paid for it.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I'm considering getting one too, though the wife is vetoing a purchase right now because of budget constraints (we just bought a laptop for home use in addition to the desktop we already own).

My idea is probably to use a netbook at the universities I work at as;

1 university doesn't give us any computer to work on at all
1 university I'm in the CALL lab all day, so I probably don't need it at this one
1 university provides computers, but they're annoying as they need to be set up each time, and you can add bookmarks, but only for that class. Once you reboot, goodbye bookmarks. The computers we have access to in the staff room are worse, you can't bookmark on them at all.

My idea, except for the first one where we aren't allowed to tap into their lan system, is to bring the netbook and use the uni's lan system. I'd like to also use it to show some things on the net if possible, but it could also be just showing things that I have on the netbook. I suppose too, I could use it for working on video worksheets, etc. when I had time.

I'm just concerned about the size of the keyboard, and the screen size. I've got big hands and big fingers, so I'm not keen on using a small keyboard. As to the screen size, let's face it, the smaller it is, the more squinting you might end up doing.

How big is that Acer netbook's screen and keyboard? I bought their laptop, and it's servicable.

One final note, I'm yet to be convinced that I need a netbook for traveling. Internet cafes seem to do well enough for me at the moment (actually, I often go on vacation to get away from using a computer).

Mexicobound · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 6:40 am Post subject:

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

Justin, I hate Acer laptops! Ours died after less than two years, and the local computer shop said it would have to be sent back to Rome for repairs which could take up to ten weeks. Useless computer, useless customer service. I'll never buy another Acer again.

ithos · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Posts: 40

Have a look at the Samsung nc10, to my mind the best of the netbooks hands down.

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

Mikeysaid,

I am suspect on some key things with the MSI wind.

1st: the small 3-cell battery, the Acer comes with a 6-cell for around the same price point. (Check the difference in price between a 3 and 6 cell battery)

2nd: The drive is not solid state. Boooo Hissss ( a deal breaker for me)

3rd: No WWAN :shock:
No Wireless Wide Area Network...what that poo poo?

IMHO, for the money the Acer One and ASUS Eee PC are spec'd much better than the Wind.[/quote]

So you push for a six cell with ssd? My plan was to buy with a hdd because of capacity but you say the speed and battery life make up for the lack of size?

How do you use yours as a teacher?