After previous attempts to upgrade the HD and install different OS's, I have finally settled down to a rather plump install of Slackware 9.1. With an ultra compact mouse I borrowed from Tami's laptop or an optical at work, I can use Fluxbox with relative ease for browsing the web, email, coding, and downloading books from the Gutenberg project. However, there are still some things I would like to do with it.
The big thing has been wireless for quite some time now. Hell, I bet you can put spinners AND a wireless adapter on your toaster, so it can look like it's "toasting and coasting" and can also send you a text message to let you know that your toast is ready.
3COM makes a snazzy a/b/g adapter with an XJACK antenna that retracts to be flush with the housing when not in use. This would be wunderbar in the Amity, if it works with linux (model no. 3CRPAG175).
Also, the trackpoint on my keyboard has been busted for quite some time now and I haven't been able to find a replacement keyboard until I happened upon a site that had it for $45. That may be more than the little bugger's worth, but I dunno.
All of this has been in response to my hesitation to purchase one of the Mac mini's. These systems are awesome in the sense that you get an entire desktop machine for most everyday use(unless you're doing film or tons audio production) that consumes a max load of 28W, and that's when it's playing a movie. The downside is my concern that I wouldn't use it as much since it wouldn't be a primary machine.
So then I started thinking about a PowerBook or iBook. Both pretty solid systems, especially for what I'd use them for(non-desktop replacement roles), but then again, the amity with a wireless adapter(and maybe a memory upgrade) can do the same things for a fraction of the price, size, and weight. Then again, how much money do I really want to put into a 1997 laptop?
I'm just thinking aloud, seeking input. More entries not about the laptop to follow.
Posted by Jeffrey at March 6, 2005 10:53 AM