A New Question to Experts

[fern]

Instead of buying a Notebook, I am thinking in giving new life to a very old Compaq Armada I have, a 1998 model with just 98 Mg Ram and a 266Mhz processor. It works with W95, so it has not USB support.
My plan is to find a Linux distro capable of running well with that hardware ANd with USB support. I need it to use a pentdrive as bakup for my writing. To date I have not found such a distro.
Do you know of one capable of fulfilling my needs?
Thanks

fern

[Kurt Utzinger]

Do not waste your time with such thoughts, buy a notebook or a netbook and forget your Compaq Armada.
Kurt

[Eelco de Groot]

I don't think that the hardware is there for USB support on your Compaq, Fernando even if you have Linux running. And if there is not something like a network card in the machine, communication to other devices like portable harddisks is I think also difficult but you would have to ask in a good store, I'm just guessing that. As far as I can see with a Notebook you will have probably some better specifications, slightly bigger screen but you must also take into account the larger weight you have to carry around and the shorter uptime with the batteries, extra battery pack etc. So for a writer on the road a smaller Netbook would seem a better option.

I got an advertisement in my e-mailbox yesterday from the company where I usually bought hardware, for a Samsung NC 20 Netbook that should fit your specifications I think:

Code: Select all

Processor VIA Nano™ ULV Processor U2250 (1,3+ GHz)  
Operating System Windows® XP Home  
Screensize 12,1 inch (1280 x 800)  
Screentechnology LED WXGA  
Memory 2 GB DDR2  
Hard disk 160 GB SATA  
Wireless 54 Mbps (802.11b/g) , Bluetooth  
Videocard VIA Chrome9  
Weight 1.52 Kg 
Accucapacity 6 Cells 
Manufacturers Guarantee 2 year pickup & return  
Brand Samsung  
Type NC-20  

An image of the keyboard here:


Keyboard is claimed to be normal size, but if you have to work with it a lot it is better to try something like that out in a store, as it is the main thing you will be using as an interface and not always in easy conditions like on a desk. If you can't use it in less comfortable conditions you are not going to use it at all I guess, so it is better to test it? Also I think check if the lighting of the screen is enough to work if there is not much shadow.

Regards, Eelco

[fern]

Thank you Elcom, you are right. I saw that notebook or netbook here in a shop and is available at a good price.
I think it will be the one I will get.
Armada will go to an asylum

Fern

[Robert Weck]

Thank you Elcom, you are right. I saw that notebook or netbook here in a shop and is available at a good price.
I think it will be the one I will get.
Armada will go to an asylum

If it's only USB, that you need:
There are USB-drivers for Win95 available; i have one installed on several old Win95/98-Notebooks and at least for mouse and USB-sticks this works perfektly!


Robert