How to make your netbook more like a laptop

As an online writer and web site developer I am a huge fan of my Netbook. I really can not imagine using anything else for my daily reading and simple page generation.

Ever since I purchased my tiny Asus laptop (or netbook) I have been able to work in a different setting every day. I am completely free to jump from coffee shop to library to downtown business network to hospital cafe to university areas. I do this carrying nothing bigger than a fanny pack sized bag strapped to my back. I could have been mobile earlier, but my more expensive laptop is far less inconspicuous to carry everywhere and is actually a heavy load after the first couple of miles.

I use my netbook to do quick price comparisons in stores and charge my cell phone and mp3 players while reading at bookstores. I am completely enamored.

I purchased my Asus Netbook via a student who did not like the Linux interface. I was relatively new to the Linux platform and desired a reason to learn.

My original uses and requirements were very simple

• To have a small piece of equipment, that could ALMOST fit in my pocket, have a decent sized keyboard and be very light
• To load and boot, very quickly
• At least 6 hours of battery time
• Able to use Firefox, GIMP, VLC and some sort of music manager program and have a ftp program for simple site maintenance 
• Removable media storage - I have tons of USB drives, online storage and SD cards, I wanted access to all.
  

If I could quickly access the web using a  familiar interface and do light photo editing and web page design I would be on Cloud 9.

All of my needs have been met and I am increasingly getting drawn into the ultra mobile personal computing world.

I was able to purchase my Netbook unused with original packaging and a RAM upgrade for only $150.00, this was a steal.

After some quick tutorial reads at the eeeforums and doing some basic online updates and installs of my favorite software including FireZilla and GIMP, I was set to begin my mobile lifestyle.

Since I had such a small bag and I enjoy walking and the hustle of mass transit as much as possible, i wanted an inconspicuous bag, most of the bags marketed towards laptops are just to big and obviously for laptops, if I wanted a big bag, I would lug around a laptop instead, right?

I searched for a good week, reading reviews and forums, checking amazon and ebay and all of my affiliate networks for very small bags that would fit the netbook with room for a charger and maybe a few pockets for cell phone, back up batteries etc.

I was a bit worried after I received the package, the bag is exactly the same specs inside as the netbook, but the zipper area is contoured and is slightly smaller than the widest point of the netbook. Luckily, by placing the netbook in at an angle, I am able to close the bag easily and now two months later the bag is stretched slightly to make the process easier. the side pockets work perfectly for the ac adapter and power block, the front pockets fit a cell phone and digital camera without fuss. This is truly the ultra portable station I needed!

I prefer to wear it so the bag portion is across my back and the strap pocket can be used for a cell phone, ipod, portable mouse or skype phone.

So I am mobile! Styling and productive. But calamity strikes my new Puppy bites through my charging cable / AC Cable in the first week....its not his fault he is teething!

The speedy search for a replacement charger. I saw prices as High as 99.00 for a replacement cord..oh no, after using the advanced search features in eBay and Amazon, I was able to find a seller located less than 100 miles away, Buy it Now for under 20.00 w/ shipping and received my replacement cord within 3 days.

So I definitely suggest buying and keeping a back up cord around!

I really have gone all out, trying out the different add-ons and trying to find the cheapest prices and lightest, smallest form factors for use with my netbook.

Some limitations you MAY have with a netbook

• usually lack an internal cd/dvd drive
• keyboard is small
• May want a mouse
• limited internal storage

Any of these issues can be solved very cheaply and also make great add-on gifts should you be planning on purchasing a netbook as a gift.

Most of the lower priced, less bloated netbooks have multiple available USB ports and a dedicated SD port and/or SDHC port.

SO naturally one can use existing USb or Flash Drives, but if you run applications from your removable media, you will find that read/write times are faster when using a SD port in most netbooks.

SDHC = Secure Digital High Capacity , The SD format is now capable of holding up to 32 GB!

Big time storage, little form with average prices at 1 per gig of storage!

I have no problem using a touchpad, I actually prefer it, but when I am using the netbook while eating or lounging with some coffee I prefer not to put my filthy mitts all over my Pearl White netbook.

Miniature USB powered wireless mice are very cheap and are a worthwhile addition to oyur mobile warrior collection.

Sometimes, I will hole up for hours and really get some writing done. I have got used to the netbook keys, but since I found a deal and I was interested in trying out a new gadget, I went ahead and picked up a flexible roll up keyboard.

I am able to use the keyboard as added cushioning for the netbook, so it serves a double purpose. It also gets a lot of comments at the coffee shops. Ive gone so far as carrying a second one with me when I have larger backpack or actually have driven to the shop,as it usually makes for a quick sale.

I have become so attached to my Netbook and the impact it has on my clients, that although the laptop may be the smarter choice, I sometimes bring the netbook with my sleek accessories, for the WOW factor.

In order to quickly read client files or burn copies of documents, I do keep a slim usb powered drive that I purchased just for this reason.

It also has come in handy in order to watch commercial Dud's on long trips.

This article is a bit more informal than I usually write. Its based on my real experiences with my netbook without any specific motivation, Im trying to get the motivation going to finish up 5 articles that are currently pending showcasing the new models in dual screen netbooks! As a side effect of my mobility, the freedom and constantly changing environment around me can be a distraction.

There are worse complaints in the world I imagine ;)

Anyway, Informative Hubs on Netbooks are all being released within the week, reviews with product price comparisons, modding sources, hardware explanations and some more nifty accessories.

• How about a DUAL SCREEN NETBOOK !
  

If there is anything netbook related you are curious about, now is the time to ask me, as I will work it into the upcoming hub series on netbooks. Thanks for reading, dont forget to join hubpages , and/or follow my writings here and share with all your friends in facebook, digg and twitter.