Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with netbook

Help me make the most out of my netbook!

modernnomad — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:02:28 -0800

Is there some software out there that can turn my netbook into relatively passive display device for news, weather, email alerts, etc? And look good doing it? So, I got this free netbook (an HP/Compaq Mini 110c I believe) with a year long subscription to cable tv and internet service. Now, I've already got a Macbook, so I wasn't really in the market for another laptop, and I may end up giving it away.

But I thought, this little thing could be useful to me if I could do something like just leave it on a table, and as I walked by it it might have the latest headlines or weather flash up on it. I remember a very old piece of windows software called Pointcast, but that seems to be long dead.

It came with Windows XP installed, and I've since installed Ubuntu NBR and am in the process of downloading Jolicloud as I write this... I am however a Mac user and so Linux is a whole new ball game for me.

Anyone know of any software, on any of the platforms above, that might get this thing to be a useful tool for me? I guess the key is that I'm looking for a "lean back" experience -- something I can notice as I walk by the machine, rather than something that requires me to engage with it as I already engage with my Macbook.

Which OS for my Netbook?

lemonfridge — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:08:52 -0800

What OS for my Samsung NC20? I'm receiving a Samsung NC20 for xmas, which will become my primary PC for web-browsing, iTunes, Picasa etc.

I've already ordered myself a CD/DVD drive to use with it, and a 2Gb RAM upgrade.

Which OS should I install on it? It comes with XP Home, but I have the option of putting Windows 7 on instead (Ultimate 64bit version).

Should I go for 7, XP, or something else entirely (not keen on Linux, but maybe a dual boot?)

Is there a netbook that can play Flash video well?

dubitoergosum — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:15:43 -0800

Help me recommend a netbook to a coworker that can play Flash video well. As the resident "computer" person at my work, I get asked for advice quite frequently. I'm not as up-to-date as I used to be, so I was hoping someone more in the know could comment.

A co-worker is looking for a computer for use solely at home. The main desires are something that is light, has a decent battery life, and is cheap. A netbook seems like an obvious choice.

The snag is that she would like to be able to watch streaming Netflix movies on it. Last I checked, the netbooks all had pretty meager abilities for Flash video.

I looked into this a bit, and saw that it looks like Flash is going to be accelerated for netbooks with Nvidia Ion chip sets. I was thus going to recommend something like the HP Mini 311. Does this make sense, or is there a better option?

Laptop vs Tablet: 2009 edition

filthy light thief — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:10:19 -0800

Computer Selection Filter: I've been thinking about getting a laptop (or a netbook) for a while, but I've been holding out in hopes of tablets getting cheaper. If I'm not including the costlier tablets, I'm wondering why I shouldn't get a netbook. Lots of pondering inside. I have a desktop Windows PC that is suitable for my needs (casual Photoshop use, general word processing/ internet browsing/ video watching, not into video games), plus an external HD for back-up and additional storage. My wife has a laptop that we use for browsing the 'net and watching movies while waiting in airports, but it's her computer and she gets annoyed when I download music or videos, so I keep that to a minimum.

I'd love a tablet for pen/touch-based input with Photoshop, so tablet PCs seemed fantastic, but new models seem to be set firmly in the $1,000+ range. I love the idea of sketching directly into the computer, but I don't know if this pricepoint is worth it if hobby-level use. The Always Innovating Touch Book seemed like a fantastic little tablet netbook, but the forum discussions aren't positive. Are there some reasonable tablets I'm missing, or are tablets expensive because of the materials? Are used tablets reliable at all? And if I don't get a tablet, what would be the bonus of getting a larger laptop over a netbook?

Also, I like the idea of ebooks, but having a single use device of that sort seems limited, when compared to netbooks or laptops. I know digital ink displays are more paper-like and use no energy to display a set image, but I don't think I'd make enough use of a dedicated ebook.

Features I'd like:
- tablet screen (ideal, but not necessary if too costly)
- 6+ hours per charge
- decent screen for viewing websites and text docs as formatted

Bonuses
- line in recording port
- microphone for Skype
- video camera for Skype

My Dream Dual Boot Netbook

lemonfridge — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:39:01 -0800

Help me build my perfect netbook! I've had my iBook G4 since I started Uni over 6 years ago, but it's starting to show it's age and things are starting to play up (apart from the battery!)

So I've ordered myself a Samsung NC20 with a 2Gb of RAM upgrade. I'd really like to dual or triple boot between Windows, OSX, and....something.

1. It comes with XP, but I'm tempted to go for a Windows 7 upgrade. Thoughts?

I like OSX and wouldn't mind keeping it an option.

2. I'd like a flavour of Linux or possible the new Google OS. Thoughts?

3. I really like how quickly my current iBook waked up when I open the lid. Can I expect the same thing from my new NC20?

4. Where is the best guide to acheive what I want? I've never dual booted anything before.

Windows7 on a netbook?!?

smitt — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:16:56 -0800

Should I install Windows 7 on my netbook? I have an Eee PC 1000HE currently running Windows XP. It's a fantastic little computer and does everything and more for me, I love it.

It's got an Atom N280 proc, and apart from upgrading the RAM to 2GB, everything on it is untouched.

I have been loving using Windows 7 on my primary computer, and really want that on my netbook.

The question is, will the netbook be able to handle Windows 7? I don't use the netbook for much apart from internet browsing, doing my coursework using Office, and some video watching/mp3 playing. I'm not concerned about any "heavy" applications.
Has anyone made the switch on a netbook? Let me know what you think. Is it significantly slower?

Mystery noises and BSOD on my newish Acer Aspire One netbook. Am I screwed?

tealsocks — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:47:12 -0800

Mystery noises and BSOD on my newish Acer Aspire One netbook. Am I screwed? I bought an 11.6" Aspire One at Staples about a month and a half ago, and the night before last it started making a clicking sound followed by a beep which I can only assume is coming from the hard drive. Sometimes this sound is followed by a blue screen of death and sometimes i can just pick the computer up and it goes away. Is this the sound of a hard drive failing? I carry my netbook around a lot, but it's always in a padded laptop bag so I'm pretty sure I haven't damaged it in any way. Do I need to get a replacement?

Which of these 11.6" PC laptops should I get?

ishotjr — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:20:29 -0800

Looking for an ideal 11.6" laptop/netbook for under $600. I have $600 to buy a laptop and I think I've narrowed it down to two (I think). They both run Windows 7 and seem comparable in other respects.

I plan to use this laptop for taking notes, writing papers and browsing the internet, as well as maybe occasionally streaming video like on Netflix or Hulu. I own an external optical drive already for DVDs. Thing is, I know nothing about video cards.
My current full-size laptop is still functional for watching movies and I don't play games other than Snood and the games that come on the computer (Solitaire and that sort of thing).

This Acer from a previous post seems pretty great, but I'm a little hung up on the price once I pay for expedited shipping.

I'm also considering this Toshiba model that has a dual-core processor (right?). For this one, I can buy it in person (from the dreaded Best Buy), which is a plus in that I need it ASAP.

I've read up on these on CNET and other user reviews. But if anyone has strong feelings either way on these, or can tell me if one is glaringly better for the price, I'd really appreciate it. Or, if you want to suggest a different 11.6" laptop (other than Dell), I am definitely open to other suggestions. The choices were somewhat overwhelming.

Help me find the right netbook

Crotalus — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:38:42 -0800

Help me choose between these 11.6" netbooks! I sold my 10" netbook because I have an important program that runs poorly in 1024x600. I'm going to buy a machine with an 11.6" screen. Battery life is by far the most important consideration. This machine has an 8 hr battery and uses a SU1400 processor. This machine is rated at 8 hrs, $50 more, and uses a SU7300 processor. How much difference would there be between the two processors, and which one would be faster? Is it worth the $50? This machine is the battery life champ, and it is the cheapest. Am I correct in assuming that the other two would be substantially faster?

Moving to the big screen.

venividivici — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:28:37 -0800

Need help connecting my Dell netbook to an external monitor. A friend has just given me her old 22" monitor (Acer, X223HQ) and I'd like to hook it up to my netbook to watch movies, play games, etc. I have a Dell Inspiron 1010, but unfortunately it's the model that doesn't have a VGA port. How can I go about connecting the monitor via USB or HDMI?

Google is giving me loads of conflicting reports, and the recommended options seem really expensive. Is there a way to do this cheaply? For example, would this work? Sorry if this is a dumb question; I'm not very tech-savvy and a lot of the lingo I'm reading is way over my head.

Looking for the perfect laptop for traveling

Afroblanco — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:31:20 -0800

Looking for the perfect laptop for traveling. Priorities are durability, lightness, and battery life, in that order. Performance is not too important, but it must run Windows 7 like a champ. Willing to consider netbooks. Can spend up to $2000, but obviously I would like to spend no more than I absolutely have to.

Hackintosh netbooks

Bango Skank — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:23:45 -0800

I am thinking of hackintoshing a netbook and would like some guidance from those with some experience in this area. I have several questions: 1.) Probably the most crucial question is: How difficult is this really? Some things I've read make it sound like a walk in the park and others like a huge pain in the ass that can only be accomplished by the elite. I would rank my experience/skill level somewhere between rank noob and poweruser probably falling closer to noob on that spectrum. I have only had a computer full time for the last five years or so and have no formal training. However, I am intelligent, I read tech stuff voraciously, and have been able to teach myself how to do everything I've wanted to do with a computer thus far. I don't have any experience doing stuff on the command line or running scripts but am willing and eager to learn (just haven't found a reason to yet.) I ~~don't mind~~ usually enjoy digging through forums and help pages to find the solution to problems and love the thrill of victory when I successfully make it work. I just don't want to spend a lot of money on hardware for a project that would be beyond me.

2.) What netbook would you recommend I start with? I have read that the Dell Mini 9 is an ideal candidate and even though it is no longer being produced I have seen several new-unused on eBay that are within my budget. I have also heard that the MSI Wind is a good choice, is one preferable to the other? What are the minimum specs I should be looking for?

3.) Besides the netbook itself what else am I going to need to pull this off?

4.) Once OSX is up and running how much tinkering is required to keep it running? I will not be the primary user of this machine and the person who will be using it daily does not get the same buzz that I do from fiddling with stuff.

5.) What web resources have you found most helpful for this project? I have done some Googling and read past questions but nothing has really stood out as the definitive guide yet.

Thanks in advance for the help and I will monitor this question in case any additional input is needed.

Worth buying a netbook if no home wireless network?

Nicky Diva — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:13:16 -0800

Clueless noob here who's never owned any mobile eq, not even a cell phone. Have 2 aging PCs @ home, not networked. Just been offered an excellent deal on a netbook, and envision sitting anywhere in my house using it instead of sharing desktops w my kids. I live in a major metropolitan area; with a netbook, will I likely get internet wherever I go? Or do I have to (1) set up a home wireless network and (2) use the netbook only @ coffee shops?

Unbreakable - the netbook/netbook case edition

Elysum — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:31:06 -0800

Unbreakable netbooks/netbook cases?: I've realised the one feature I really need in a $350 netbook, is one I can get a case for one so I don't *break* it... I'm looking for a netbook, $300-$350ish range.
I had a bunch of criteria I was originally looking on, good battery, good keyboard, preferably matt/good screen.
Eg I'd been tempted by the sweet-looking Red MSI U123, or an ASUS Eee PC 1005HA or something,
but I realised...

What I REALLY need in a netbook, is one I won't break or lose.
:(

Either rugged out of the box OR
a really good case.

Not a slipcover, or a bag I take it out of, but something it stays permanently in -
either a bag that it can usably be permanently strapped in,
or some kind of snap on case (like the Macally Protection Shell for Macbooks? If that is effective?),
or a rubber case?

Worst case, I'm trying to figure out whether I could pad the corners and sides with padded foam tape for the enevitable knocks and jostles.

Added extra: preferably something in a bright color, so I don't lose it.
Yeah, so, think, the ideal ADHD case? ;P

PS I'm aware that a SSD harddrive would be more rugged, but I'm reluctant to sacrifice the capacity...

Fixing a netbook's corrupt registry sans optical drive?

Teira — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:50:25 -0800

How exactly does one go about fixing a corrupt XP registry or reinstalling XP on a device with no optical drive? Okay, so out of the blue with no problems earlier, I start up my netbook (dell mini 10v) and find myself confronted with the lovely missing/corrupted system file error. Now I realize this is going to require some effort with a boot CD, but serendipitously, this laptop has no drive. Now I figure I have three options here for self repair, and I would love to be corrected on these

1) Hopefully there's some way to use my desktop to load the netbook as a target drive, much like holding T at startup on a mac, and fixing things up that way... I have no idea how to do this and googling/mefi...ing aren't proving terribly useful

2) I can figure out how to boot from a thumb drive. I have a fairly speedy 16 gig one, a boot .iso, and my BIOS set to take it first, but I'm a little unsure if I need to do anything special. Do I unpack the ISO into the thumb's root directory? Do I attempt to install windows, onto it and try to use that boot to run a system restore? Again, provided instructions aren't very clear

3) I could force the target drive issue with brute force: ripping open the netbook and shoving the drive in my desktop for intense treatment. I don't want to do this. Please don't make me do this.

Am I being a drama queen here? Are there much easier ways to go about this?

This is a lot of question.

Also since Dell's kind enough to have stopped sending OEM discs with computers, my install discs and .iso are vanilla microsoft installs. I'm going to have horrible, awful driver issues aren't I?

Help me buy a netbook, camera, and bike.

LSK — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:18:04 -0800

Help me buy a netbook, a low-end digital camera, and a bike. These are all admittedly disjunct requests, but I'm looking to get these at around the same time when I make the excursion to the local mall (Iowa City isn't so great when it comes to these, but I'd rather buy this sort of item in person.)

Netbook: I'd like to get a small and sturdy netbook. It doesn't need to have an amazing amount of storage; battery life and sturdiness are the high priorities. I'm looking to spend no more than $400, and preferably far less, before taxes. What brands/models do you recommend, and is there anything else I should know?

Camera: I'm not looking for anything much, just a digital device to take photos with. The only photo-taking feature I'd make a decision on is the ability to set exposure length, which I know some cameras don't have. Again, though, sturdiness is the top priority.

Bike: It's probably harder to recommend bikes over the internet, but I'd like to know what to even look for in a bike. I'm looking to use it to make both short excursions and to travel between Iowa City and Chicago when classes are out of session. I used to own a bike, and can still ride one competently, but I can't remember what features it had.

How can you make XP Pro to run USB ports at 2.0 speed?

yggdrasil — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:23:58 -0800

Why are my netbook's USB 2.0 ports running at 1.1 speed under XP Pro, and what can I do to fix this? I have an Asus EEE 1000HA netbook that originally came with XP Home. I installed XP Pro, including complete patches, upgrades, updates, and current service packs, and have been happily computing for almost a year.

I recently noticed that whenever I plug in a USB device (be it external hard drive, disk drive, TV receiver stick, or flash drive), XP pops up a warning that the device could run faster if I'd only use the right 2.0 port. Problem: all three USB ports purport to be 2.0, but none of them are. Now that I think back, I think it has done this since the beginning, so it's not a recent development.

I'm running completely updated XP Pro and a current version of the BIOS (and no, the standard fix to turn "OS installation" in the BIOS to "complete" is not an option in this BIOS version). I've tried uninstalling all the USB devices and let Windows discover and install them, but they're still 1.1. But I know that the hardware is 2.0 compatible because both on-board camera and flash reader work - camera doesn't work at 1.1, and the flash reader runs at 2.0 speed (or at least a hell of a lot faster than the USB stick). [It's not a difference in media: same microSD card in USB stick is hella-slow, but stick it into the flash reader inside the SD adapter, and it's full speed ahead). So the 2.0 USB hardware is on-board.

I've spent more than an hour with ASUS tech support, and they say that they don't have a patch, and that it's actually a known issue with XP, and to try calling MS. I'm abroad for the next 3 months, so I really don't want to have to pay international long distance to be parked in on-hold-telephone-tree-hell at MS.

So does anyone have a work around or patch? (I can't install a linux distribution because I need to be able to run my law school's exam software... otherwise, I'd be all about it...)

Options for a small & cheap Mac laptop?

attercoppe — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:01:07 -0800

What are my options for a cheap, small Mac laptop? I'm on a tight budget, but would love to get a laptop. I've been looking at netbooks because I love the light weight and small size. However, I may be about to get a job at my school, which basically is an Apple campus, so now I'm considering a Mac instead. I'd still like to find something cheap, small and light, and with some serious battery life. Of course one option is to buy a used or refurbed Mac (maybe an Air?). Could I also buy a netbook and install OS X? Or install some *nix - how compatible (not look and feel but interoperability) would this be?

P.S. I could probably do some research and get some good info, but I thought I'd see what ya'll can tell me first. I've read other questions here, and they seem to be either out of date or about desktops (or both).

Get netbook or keep the laptop?

lynnshaze — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 07:46:33 -0800

I think I want a netbook instead of a laptop. If so, what kind/brand to get? Currently using a 13 Macbook and it's nice and all, but it's somewhat big and requires a wireless connection which is fine at home, but not so fine when I'm out in the world. I want something lighter, less expensive, yet sturdy, that gives me internet access.

My main goal here is to have internet access at work which the higher ups can't monitor and to have internet access anywhere I go. I want the ability to put financial spreadsheets and typed documents on a highly portable platform. Other than documents, spreadsheets and being able to surf the web normally (i.e. works with Facebook, Flash and 99% of the web).

Any suggestions?

Help me buy the cheapest functional computer possible

schroedinger — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:38:16 -0800

Cheapest computing possibilities that will not die within six weeks? Used, new, whatever, I'm looking for something that will let me browse the net, do word processing/spreadsheets, and play music at least. My computer died in February and living off of library and roommates' computers is getting a bit old.

The thing is that I have basically no money, so a replacement would have to be the cheapest damn thing possible ($500 or less). Hopefully without being a total pile of crap that dies in a month.

Minimal requirements:
1) Internet access (ideally allow lots of tabs open)
2) Word processing/spreadsheet work
3) Play music without crashing

This would be nice:
1) Play DVDs without crashing
2) Some hard drive capacity (I have two external hard drives so this is not crucial)
3) Not slow as balls if multiple things are running
4) Allows for simple photo editing/organization

I've heard suggestions of a netbook but don't have any idea of what would be a good one. Is there a way to evaluate used computers to make sure they don't suck? Should I be looking at anything else?

Which samsung netbook should I choose?

lonelyeconomist — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:14:49 -0800

The Samsung netbook NC 10 and N120 are now the same price. Which one should I buy? NC 10 has a matte screen, slightly smaller keyboard. The N120 has a glossy screen (although I'm told not that glossy) and a better speaker system. It may also have a better battery, although its difficult to compare.

The NC 10 is highly rated but I wonder if the new low price of the N120 changes that.

Meet the new box, same as the old box

mccarty.tim — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:08:23 -0800

What's a good nettop/netbook/cheap desktop/laptop for my mom and younger sister? Previously, a year ago.

My mom and younger sister have very light computing needs. They've used a computer (1 GB ram, 1.8 GHZ Athlon XP) running Windows XP I built five years ago with very few issues and only mild upgrades. This year, I've done a reinstall of XP and reflashed the BIOS (the mobo was acting quirky, by sometimes not booting and sometimes spontaniously turning on the machine), but the machine still has some odd issues (the mouse cursor freezes up, the hard drive is starting to die (it's backed up)). Considering that it's been five years, I think I'd rather they get a newer, smaller machine rather than buy it a new hard drive and continue to cope with a dying mobo.

Since all they need could be done by a Pentium 3, I've been considering an Atom-based computer for size and power usage. My mom is planning on moving in a few years, and she would appreciate if the computer was small and easy to pack. She also wants it to be dockable with the USB mouse and keyboard, and the DVI LCD monitor. I know those are pretty common, but I just wanted to make it clear in case somebody recommended something esoteric. I'd also like it to be able to communicate with a DVD drive, but I found a $30 enclosure that looks good for the job.

My mom is convinced that a netbook would be fragile and hard to fix (she trusts my repair skills over a computer company's tech support, which I find sweet), so this year I'm also considering nettops. If there is a good user-servicable netbook/nettop for cheap (ie replace ram, hard drive with just a screwdriver), I'd like to know about it.

I'm considering building a nettop myself using a board like this one, as it seems like there aren't many nettops/books that come with Nvidia's Ion chipset. Is this a good idea? I've charted out a build that would total out at $400 with tax and shipping, complete with a 500 GB hard drive and 2 GB of ram.

I'm also open to smaller desktops and laptops that are cheap and will dock nicely with the stuff in my office(again, USB and DVI ports).

In summary, I'd like a cheap, small, and energy efficient machine that will connect to my existing equipment and run Windows XP or newer. My budget is around $200-400 (not including OS, which I can get through MSDNAA). I'm open to building/upgrading the computer myself. I'd also like to know if Windows 7 is a good idea for nettops/books or not, since I've heard it will run well, but I haven't seen how well it runs first hand.

My mom is semi-computer litterate (does office work, email, installs her own software, but doesn't fix the machine), and my younger sister is in high school and needs the computer to type and do her homework. She has high functioning autism, so it'd probably be easiest for her to get a full-sized keyboard if we do get a netbook and they take to using it outside the office, so consider the keyboard size a factor.

Which netbook should I get?

Quidam — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:31:14 -0800

Another netbook question: my 4 year old VAIO laptop is just about on its last leg, and I'm looking to replace it with a netbook as my primary computer. More specifics inside. I've read through all the questions tagged with "netbook", and I guess I'm just looking for some advice specific to my wants - especially because the market for netbooks seems to change so fast.

For example, in this question the consensus seems to be that the 1000HE eeePC is the way to go. Is that still true?

What I'd like:

-- Small is good -- 10" screen or less, I think
-- Want to run Windows and Microsoft Office
-- Not a gamer and don't need to be able to watch movies
-- Longer battery life desirable
-- All I really want besides Office is iTunes - but is my iTunes library going to be too much for a netbook to handle? (sorry, unfamiliar enough with computers for memory numbers not to mean a whole lot to me)

What I think I'm leaning towards is the Dell Mini 10, with Windows, and with the 6 cell battery. Is there any reason I should stay away, or opt for an eeePC or other brand? Any tips on where to order it from, other than dell.com?

MacBook, Pro, or Netbook?

spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:03:31 -0800

MacBook, MacBook Pro, or netbook for college? I like this question but it's a little old.

I'm returning to school after a 9-year hiatus! I found out that about 105 hours of undergrad transferred, and it looks like I'll have about 20-30 hours to finish up a degree in something science or engineering oriented. I can probably do this in a couple of years considering it's mostly senior-level courses I need and I'll be juggling family life.

I was looking at the Samsung NC-10, but now I wonder if I'd need something a little more full featured. I also don't know if I want a keyboard that's not full size (although the NC-10 doesn't seem to small by specifications; I haven't played with one yet).

Portability is nice since I'm on a motorcycle and the campus is about 30 minutes away, so if I go Mac it'll probably be a 13". I've always used 15" notebooks before, will I miss those extra two inches?

The Pro has an aluminum body (so it's tougher I guess?); the Book is plastic. Big deal? We watch a lot of movies/tv shows on our current notebook (enormous, heavy, and hotter-than-the-sun Dell Precision M65), so I'm thinking the improved graphics performance of the Pro would be appreciated. I also have a Steam account and would like to dock the Pro to my 29" monitor and play a game occasionally (I realize I'll need something like Bootcamp). I know that if I went with a netbook this option would be out, and that's ok.

I can get a student discount from Apple, which makes the 13" Pro with AppleCare a little more affordable. I probably wouldn't upgrade anything except the memory (via Newegg) if necessary.

So, hive mind, guide me. Is the 13" Pro worth it? Should I just get the regular 13" MacBook? Am I going to need the extra processing power to run programs specific to my degree (I have no idea what those are; I meet with my advisor next week).

Catch: If I buy before September 8 I can get a free 8BG iPod Touch, which is a neat toy, but I'm trying to not let that factor into my decision. I'm a Serious Student this time.

Using netbook as external monitor for laptop

Charmian — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:57:12 -0800

Can I use a netbook as an external monitor for a laptop? If so, how? Would I need any special equipment for this, such as some kind of hardware or special software?