Vista on an Eee PC 901?

[amwhite2008]

Hi

Im seriously thinking about getting an Eee PC, but getting Windows XP installed seems like a step backwards after using Vista for the last 6 months. Ive seen one person running Vista Home Premium on his Eee 900, and it seems to run OK, so surely Vista would run on a 901? I mean, the MS min spec is 1GHz CPU and 512MB RAM, both of which the Eee has more of.

And for the record, I can't use the Linux version as most of my accessories arent compatible.

Thanks
Alex

[Splash]

Am I the only person who fails to see the point in getting a low spec ultra portable and then loading it up with Windows?

[Funkstar]

I'm with spalsh on this one.

Especially Vista, never understood why some UMPCs ship with it. Hell, WindowsXP Embeded, Windows CE or Windows Mobile would be better options in many cases.

[amwhite2008]

It's true that I would like to use the faster and lighter Linux, but I simply cant because the devices Im going to be using with it dont run on Linux. Other things like Office 2007 can sort of be installed on Linux (through Wine) but most attempts dont work, and I need Office 07, I find it much easier and better then OpenOffice.

So even though the specs of the Eee are above the minimum for Vista, it's still not a good idea?

Thanks
Alex

[Flibb]

Theres a chance it could work, quiet a few people have vista running on the wind, some also have OSX on them. People tend to talk about all sorts on http://forums.msiwind.net/ have a look on there.

As to why use windows (of any kind) on an ultra portable, I use it because the apps I want are only on windows, and there are no free alternatives.

I run openoffice, opera, thunderbird, etc. but I also want to run memorymap navigator (I have paid for map licenses), sierra infinity, I also run a WM phone so being able to use that fully and without hassle is great. I do have a dual boot setup at home (UBUNTU / XP) but running linux on my laptop offers no benefits. My experience on the atom based rigs is limited to the wind, but they are capable of more than pure internet browsing, right of to play diablo 2 on my advent

[Splash]

I'd say not, but then were I to buy one I'd be keeping Linux on it. I wouldn't be using something like this for office productivity in all honesty - it'd be a mobile device for surfing the internet and checking my email and nothing more. And I think that's pretty much where it's pitched. D2 should play fine under WINE.

[Funkstar]

I guess I just see these ultra portables as being for internet access or perhaps some video watching as opposed to being used for real work.

[amwhite2008]

Theres a chance it could work, quiet a few people have vista running on the wind, some also have OSX on them. People tend to talk about all sorts on http://forums.msiwind.net/ have a look on there.

Thanks for that link, after a quick look around the MSI Wind forums it appears that some people have installed Vista with success (even some with Aero enabled!). I'll see how I get on with XP, and maybe give Vista a try (I have a spare OEM disk here).

Thanks
Alex

[TAKTAK]

if your insistant on using windows then at least use nlite/vlite to cut out lots of the bloat from them....

[Flibb]

I guess I just see these ultra portables as being for internet access or perhaps some video watching as opposed to being used for real work.

So did I, but I dont have a laptop, well I do but its a P2 266. My rigs not used for work, its used for leisure, so I have a full library of OS maps loaded on, and some software for doing ballistics calculations. OpenOffices really on there for reading docs, but theres no limitations on on using it fully. I will probably load photoshop on it at some point (possibly elements), not for serious editing, justt so that I do basic stuff while on holiday, and upload to my gallery.

[amwhite2008]

Yeah, Im just installing vLite now

Thanks
Alex

[revol68]

I don't understand how using XP is a step backwards, Vista fails to offer anything great in exchange for higher resource usage and more patronising dialog boxes asking you to confirm what you just did 3 times over.

The only thing that would push me towards Vista is games using Direct x10+ (Dx10 has hardly set the world on fire too) and I can't see Crysis running to well on an EEE Pc.

[amwhite2008]

No, I definitely wouldnt be running any games on it. Reasons for Vista -

Generally networking seems to work better with Vista to Vista.
The interface looks soo much nicer (even with Aero off)
Other things like Photo gallery are greatly improved, backups are easier. The interface also seems easier to use, all those little things like the search bar in the start menu become second nature after a while.

Thats just a few of the things I like with Vista, off the top of my head. I know Vista does use more CPU and RAM, but it fills the RAM with programs your likely to open, like Word, so they open faster. Although people generally just think that Vista is using all that RAM.

Thanks
Alex

[revol68]

do you really think the interface is easier to use? I think it's very counter intuitive (or at least after using XP) and looks wise i'm still more a fan of xp's simple clean lines, I find Vista too cluttered.

The networking I will definately accept is much much more straightforward with Vista but it's constant asking of stupid confirmation requests does my nut in, yes I really do want to open this piece of software I've been opening everyday for the past month.

Vista on an EEE Pc is an awful waste of it's resources, afterall surely an EEE PC should be as streamlined and quick as possible.

[Funkstar]

So did I, but I dont have a laptop, well I do but its a P2 266. My rigs not used for work, its used for leisure, so I have a full library of OS maps loaded on, and some software for doing ballistics calculations. OpenOffices really on there for reading docs, but theres no limitations on on using it fully. I will probably load photoshop on it at some point (possibly elements), not for serious editing, justt so that I do basic stuff while on holiday, and upload to my gallery.

Each to their own I suppose, but i wouldn't want to do all that on a tiny thing like an Eee. Not when you can get a far more powerful system for as little as £299. But then it would be a lot larger.

[amwhite2008]

Each to their own I suppose, but i wouldn't want to do all that on a tiny thing like an Eee. Not when you can get a far more powerful system for as little as £299. But then it would be a lot larger.

I did see the £299 deal, but it was a Gateway, which Im not too fond of, and I think the build quality would not be as good as the Asus. The battery life would also be much less.

Alex