Got an 8 GB one; started loading gcc, gsl, fftw3, gnuplot and so on. Did some more tweaking to change the user name and hostname; in the process, screwed up something that I had to go back to the factory settings. Blogging from it now. Will try and post more information about customizing it soon!
Update: Figured out the problem is when I change the user name (which, by default is called user) to guru, the start-up hangs. I need to figure how to do that successfully, or at least create another account with my name for login. Apart from that, I could change the hostname, use apt-get install to load gcc, gsl, fftw3 and gnuplot. What is more, I could attach an USB hard disk I had (120 GB) and run a basic Cahn-Hilliard code (512×512) system — It takes nearly 10 minutes or so for 1000 time steps, which, I think is cool. Am now trying to run a more intensive code — Cahn-Hilliard on a 512×512 system for an elastically inhomogeneous solid. I do not perceive any visible slowing down of the system. In fact, I am blogging as the code is running in the background. I just love this — Here is a less than one kilogram machine, which is ideal for writing code, debugging, running tests etc. The machine does heat up a bit — but not terribly. More updates to follow. Keep tuned in!
Update 2 : A 512×512 system of Cahn-Hilliard with inhomogeneous elasticity takes nearly 1 hour and 30 minutes to do 1000 time steps; that means, some of the figures that went into my PhD thesis could be generated in a day on this machine! Wow!
Update 3: Loaded LaTeX. What else do I need ? Cannot think of any at this point. I guess I am good to go. I will try and figure out how to do a vlog post next!
Update 4: Figured I need a mic for good quality sound recording to go with my video; so, vlog posts have to wait. But, got the pc working with voice commands though!
Tags: asus eee pc
May 20, 2008 at 10:10 am |
More updates are in the offing?
I had the idea of buying something like this a couple of months back but postponed that idea. Your post and updates have been nudging that again.
May 20, 2008 at 2:47 pm |
Dear Shencottah,
As you might have noticed, I could record a short video and upload it.
I also loaded some more software — gimp, imagemagick and a few LaTeX style files like foils etc for making presentations.
There are a couple of disadvantages — one is that the battery lasts only for a couple of hours or so. The other is that the key board is very small as well as the monitor. However, since there are three USB ports, when you are not travelling, you can always connect the USB monitor and USB key board. The hard disk space is another issue; I bought an 8GB machine; I could only get 5.5 GB for the machine — rest was lost on the OS. But, you can connect USB drives — I have an 120GB external drive and a few sticks — 1 GB etc, which are sufficient. I can also add an SD disk (which, as of now, is available upto 16G I suppose).
On the whole, the experience has been very positive; I would recommend it strongly; especially, if you can get the latest one (20GB eee pc), and if you can buy an SD disk and add it, I guess, it is the ideal machine. Though the processing power and RAM does not sound big, since it comes with pre-loaded linux, almost all the resources are available for computing. I have also heard that the monitor makes noise; it is a bit noisy. But, nothing compared to my desktop Mac used to make anyway (or any of the fans on several of my desktops).
So, go ahead; get it. You will love it.
May 20, 2008 at 2:53 pm |
Thanks Guru for that detailed reply.