Purchased a HP Mini 1502 netbook to use while traveling where weight was a serious consideration. Choosing a new brand was easier since I never ever consider ASUS branded products anymore.
Actually decided on an Activo and purchased one online from MWave. I have purchased from MWave in years gone by but this time I was asked to follow some convoluted credit card verification process before I could get the netbook. With the trip imminent and the attitude I received from MWave staff I did not proceed with that order and purchased a HP 1502 Mini instead. I will also never purchase anything from MWave ever again either.
This netbook shipped with Windows 7 Build 7600. The HP software install following first boot up went for ages but this does not surprise me as if one follows their cd install for a HP printer I find that a lot of time and hard drive space is wasted for no reason.
After this drawn out procedure I found the boot up time and shut down time for Windows 7 to be way too long and took more time than I was prepared to waste each time I wanted to use the netbook. I also found it difficult to find what I really needed to find in windows 7 to set things the way I needed.
Although Ubuntu 10.04 LTS had just been released I tried Ubuntu 9.10 initially but there were problems with recognising the wireless card on the HP.
Installed 10.04LTS Netbook version and the wireless card was supported by default. Following this using the Windows 7 CD and the Windows 7 Genuine Key stuck to the bottom of the HP Mini I reinstalled Windows 7 back onto the HP Mini using Virtualbox.
Windows was set up specifically to run one security surveillance application that is windows centric.
Spent the next few weekends setting everything else up and making sure everything worked for the up coming 5 week trip overseas.
Halfway through the trip Windows 7 starts warning me that I may be the victim of counterfeit software every few minutes. I have tried re registering several times and have tried turning the annoying warning off. I am not the victim of counterfeit software. I had no other option but to pay for this "great new version" with the purchase of this HP Mini netbook.
What I think I am the victim of is that I am a reluctant purchaser of software where I had no other option but to purchase the software with the hardware.
This forced software is from a software provider that has become too anal about selling upgrades and updates and making the licensing process a real pain. I do not want to bear the cost of phoning Microsoft while I am overseas to validate my copy of Windows which I know is legitimate and I have paid for.
It is this attitude that drives me and many other people each and everyday to seek out alternative operating systems and software.
Readers give Ubuntu or any other linux os a go. It is really worth the effort. I can start, shut down and reboot ubuntu in the time it takes Windows 7 to reach the login screen.
Once you login to Win 7 well... why??? try Wine instead..
I am now happily runing linux on all my pc,s and use wine to run those windows apps that certain sofware vendors provide with no open source options. Wherever possible I will choose a software option that has an open source option over options that provide windows only support.
