On Saturday, December 27, 2014 3:51:16 AM UTC-10, sf wrote:
> On Fri, 26 Dec 2014 23:23:29 -0800 (PST), dsi1 <>
> wrote:
>
> > On Friday, December 26, 2014 1:07:30 PM UTC-10, sf wrote:
> > > Just heard about the Nextbook (it's spelled correctly) - quad core.
> > > What is your valued opinion about that one?
> > >
> > >
> > > 10.1" touchscreen
> > > 1.83GHz Intel Atom Z3735G Quad-Core processor
> > > 32GB of storage memory
> > > Microsoft Windows 8.1 OS
> > > Webcams, WiFi and Bluetooth
> > > Battery Life estimated @ 10 hours
> > >
> > > I don't know anything about processors and Atom is probably pretty
> > > slow, but at least it's a quad core - so that part is less of a
> > > bottleneck. I wanted to hold out for Windows 10, but now the release
> > > date is slated for the end of September and I can't wait that long.
> > >
> >
> > It sounds OK if you can live with the small form size. I'm typing this on a similar spec machine.
>
> I'm looking specifically at the small machines and don't want anything
> larger than a netbook. I like the size, weight and portability -
> they're great for travel and sitting on the couch.
>
> > I think you should find one with more than 1 GB of RAM - the one I'm using has 2GB. The low wattage of these machines are a good thing as are Windows machines that go for under $250.
>
> Thanks, that's why I asked you. That 64GB Transformer Book you
> mentioned before is still a contender for me.
> >
> > OTOH, the laptop that I really like is a 13.3" screen Chromebook with an HD display. They're great! Too bad I gave the one I had to my daughter. You'd have to use Google Groups to post on a Chromebook but that's a very small price to pay to ditch Windows and all the burden and hassles of that dinosaur of an OS.
> >
> I prefer Windows, but hubby doesn't need anything more than a
> Chromebook - if I can find one that's small enough. A 13" screen is a
> little too large. I want a real computer for myself, or at least
> something that pretends to be one (which is why I like the Transformer
> Book/Nextbook 10 idea). I'm fine using the cloud to create and store
> documents. If others don't, that's their choice - but I will use M$
> Office online if I have to because I like Word. I also want to
> install Agent and Eudora on my machine. My money, my choices, my
> decision.
>

I think that machines powered by Atom Baytrail processors, running real Window 8.1, and priced under $180 are going to be pretty popular. Who would have guessed that was possible even a year ago? Not me because I said that a Windows machine would not be able to compete in a world of $200 Chromebooks.. That's the breaks.

Too bad these machines are not running Windows RT which is a lot better suited for the new age. Window 8.1 in a 1GB machine is a bit sluggish and comes with a lot of baggage but people will buy it because it's so cheap. Of course, you would be able to run legacy programs on this legacy OS but sometimes you just gots to let go of the past. Windows RT in a sub-$200 notebook - now that would be pretty spiffy. I'd prefer that over a Chromebook any day.


>
> --
> A kitchen without a cook is just a room