11" Linux netbook for >$700?

I like everything about the Asus eee pc 1000 except the keyboard, it's just a little too small for me (I tried it at a Circuit City).

Does anyone know if there is an 11" netbook that comes with Linux for under say $700? (The ones I found online all seem to start at $1000). As similar as possible to the eee pc (802.11n, Bluetooth, SSD, 6/8 cell battery) would be ideal. Thanks!

 

get a Dell Mini 12 and install Ubuntu yourself.

 

Actually Dell seems to offer a version with Ubuntu for $399...but it's only got 802.11g and a three-cell battery. (Not a bad idea, though, I'll have to do a little research on how much of a real-world difference 802.11n makes.)

 

Umm...very bad idea to install Ubuntu by yourself on that machine. At least according to this blog post. The biggest problem is that stock Intrepid has no graphics driver for GMA 500, which has nothing in common with the other Intel GMAs. However, if one can live with the restrictions of the modified Ubuntu LTS that ships with it...

I'm also convinced the battery life will be way too short for your taste if you mention the need for a 6- to 8-cell-battery. I'd suggest waiting for the Samsung NC20 - ummm, no, wait, VIA Chrome9 graphics drivers are crappy, too.

Let's blame Intel for officially limiting Atom to 10" display size - the limited keyboard size is also what put me off every netbook on the market, and Samsung NC10 (otherwise almost tolerable) has the same tiny right shift key as the Eee PCs over here in Germany. Consider yourself happy that American keyboard have one key less...

 

Well I think I would be ok with a 6 cell battery, otherwise I'll wind up waiting forever for the "perfect" product...interesting though about the Atom being the (or a) limiting factor, I wouldn't have thought the processor would determine the screen size in any way.

So what's your recommendation then? ;-)

 

Wait you want a laptop that is greater than 700 dollars as your title says? or less than it?

 

Less, as I stated in the edit at the bottom of the original post.

 

Over $700 and it would be a snotbook anyway not a netbook.

Edit: Well.... $775, let's say... since that's what I paid for my N10J and some ppl would call it a netbook.

 

Get the Dell Mini 12.

 

I would if it had 802.11n and a SSD. (The former is more important than the latter to me especially because I would be using it while traveling [i.e. internet cafes]).

Also the Ubuntu version only comes with a 3 cell battery, I could buy the Windows version with a 6 cell and install Linux but I would hate paying $80 more for Windows without a need for it if I can help it.

 

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF25a/321957-321957-64295-3841267-306995-3872994.html
The hp mini 2140 is the closest I could find with what you want, take a look at the $679 one.
You can always install whatever linux distribution you want with unetbootin.

 

Thanks that does look close to ideal. There doesn't seem to be any difference in the specs between the KS157UA and UT ($679 and $529) though…

 

Now that you mention it, that's weird...

 

I talked to an HP sales agent via chat and she said something about a previous selling format or something like that (basically it's no big deal they are identical they just haven't updated the website or something and you can get the cheaper one. Now if the price for the SSD upgrade would just drop!)

 

802.11n is just about the weirdest thing to look for, because if you're going to be at internet cafes mostly, you're going to find a lot of 802.11b/g networks that people are not willing to upgrade. Plus what is the point of a 30000 Mbps connection to the AP when you're sharing a 1.5 Mbit line with 50 other people?

 

Just think of it as paying $80 for the 6 cell battery.

 

If you really want the 6 cell, get the one with Windows, decline the EULA, and attempt to get a refund for not using the software. Its hard to do, but not impossible.

 

My understanding is that draft n gives you better range as well, which can be an issue when you want to sit outside of (Internet) cafes...plus I'm talking more about Europe in case you were assuming the U.S., perhaps the networks there (at least in northern Europe) tend to be upgraded to draft n more often.

Also I thought draft n had some feature ("multi-channel casting"?) that made it specifically better for situations like you describe (dozens of users).