I've been looking at The Touch Book by Always Innovating and I'm REALLY intrigued.
However, there's a big problem. It uses a Linux Operating system, and it can't upgrade to XP, Vista, OSX, etc. I'd love to be able to run XP x64 on it, but that's just far out of the question.
The processor is a Texas Instruments OMAP3530, which (if my reading is correct) is the reason it can't use a newer OS.
I'd like to take the processor out and replace it with a new one, preferably an Intel (Although I'm not picky at all, Anyone have suggestions on a well-priced one?) with 64 bit support of some kind. But it's vague about the processor on whether it can be upgraded or replaced.
It's got not very much RAM, and I'm not sure it can be upgraded. However, I can avoid this by using eBoostr, and slap in an empty 16 GB flash drive on one of the internal USB ports.
After replacing the processor, I'd like to change the Linux OS to x64 and put on Adobe Photoshop, and Office 2007. Is that possible to replace the processor, and even if that's done, can I still run x64 as well as those other programs?
Also, I can't tell if it has dual monitor support. If it doesn't, how can that be fixed?
At the moment I'm using a Dell Mini 10v, just the basic package, with XP. I've been considering upgrading XP to XP x64, but haven't done it yet partly because I've been considering upgrading to an entirely new computer. (Not that there's anything wrong with the Mini, I love it to death)
I primarily use my netbook for personal writing (Novels. I use word 2007.) and internet browsing. (FireFox) and the portability is a must. I don't want to have to carry a suitcase of accessories to go elsewhere, and I'd also like it to be a nice use for personal internet browsing. I've also looked at the Amazon Kindle 2 or 3 to purchase, but if I get this, it would make it unnecessary to buy a Kindle. Dual monitor support however, is a must as well. When I'm at the home, I use a Sony Bravia TV with the netbook to work at home, which is a luxury I just can't give up. =)
I'm not the most knowledgeable computing man around, but I've done a lot of software customization on my Netbook. (mostly personalization of the OS, themes, ObjectDock, skins, etc.) I've got no real experience with hardware customization however.
It's got plenty of USB support, it's the only tablet netbook I've been able to find under 500$, or even 1000$. It's a beautiful looking piece of equipment, and it's portability is, as I've seen, unrivaled (even by the Sony pocket-sized Vaio netbook)
So here's the ultimate question. Would the modifications needed to make this netbook worth using (new processor (and which one?), new 64-bit OS, new programs) be worth the money? It's already 400 dollars, and my budget isn't huge. And finally, how could I get the processor replaced?
Or should I upgrade my Dell Mini to x64, then wait a year to see if they release a better version of the Touch Book and/or hope another, equally versatile netbook comes onto the market?
Or should I simply write it off as too much work or price, and look elsewhere?
EDIT: Also, I'm not out for heavy preformance. I don't game with it, and all of my personal files can fit on a 1GB flash drive. But I do need it to run some hefty processing programs such as word.
EDIT 2: Would upgrading the OS affect it's touchpad OS? When in touchpad mode, it has an odd circular scrolling OS. I'd like it more to be like a computer that's cursor is a stylus you press on the screen.
However, there's a big problem. It uses a Linux Operating system, and it can't upgrade to XP, Vista, OSX, etc. I'd love to be able to run XP x64 on it, but that's just far out of the question.
The processor is a Texas Instruments OMAP3530, which (if my reading is correct) is the reason it can't use a newer OS.
I'd like to take the processor out and replace it with a new one, preferably an Intel (Although I'm not picky at all, Anyone have suggestions on a well-priced one?) with 64 bit support of some kind. But it's vague about the processor on whether it can be upgraded or replaced.
It's got not very much RAM, and I'm not sure it can be upgraded. However, I can avoid this by using eBoostr, and slap in an empty 16 GB flash drive on one of the internal USB ports.
After replacing the processor, I'd like to change the Linux OS to x64 and put on Adobe Photoshop, and Office 2007. Is that possible to replace the processor, and even if that's done, can I still run x64 as well as those other programs?
Also, I can't tell if it has dual monitor support. If it doesn't, how can that be fixed?
At the moment I'm using a Dell Mini 10v, just the basic package, with XP. I've been considering upgrading XP to XP x64, but haven't done it yet partly because I've been considering upgrading to an entirely new computer. (Not that there's anything wrong with the Mini, I love it to death)
I primarily use my netbook for personal writing (Novels. I use word 2007.) and internet browsing. (FireFox) and the portability is a must. I don't want to have to carry a suitcase of accessories to go elsewhere, and I'd also like it to be a nice use for personal internet browsing. I've also looked at the Amazon Kindle 2 or 3 to purchase, but if I get this, it would make it unnecessary to buy a Kindle. Dual monitor support however, is a must as well. When I'm at the home, I use a Sony Bravia TV with the netbook to work at home, which is a luxury I just can't give up. =)
I'm not the most knowledgeable computing man around, but I've done a lot of software customization on my Netbook. (mostly personalization of the OS, themes, ObjectDock, skins, etc.) I've got no real experience with hardware customization however.
It's got plenty of USB support, it's the only tablet netbook I've been able to find under 500$, or even 1000$. It's a beautiful looking piece of equipment, and it's portability is, as I've seen, unrivaled (even by the Sony pocket-sized Vaio netbook)
So here's the ultimate question. Would the modifications needed to make this netbook worth using (new processor (and which one?), new 64-bit OS, new programs) be worth the money? It's already 400 dollars, and my budget isn't huge. And finally, how could I get the processor replaced?
Or should I upgrade my Dell Mini to x64, then wait a year to see if they release a better version of the Touch Book and/or hope another, equally versatile netbook comes onto the market?
Or should I simply write it off as too much work or price, and look elsewhere?
EDIT: Also, I'm not out for heavy preformance. I don't game with it, and all of my personal files can fit on a 1GB flash drive. But I do need it to run some hefty processing programs such as word.
EDIT 2: Would upgrading the OS affect it's touchpad OS? When in touchpad mode, it has an odd circular scrolling OS. I'd like it more to be like a computer that's cursor is a stylus you press on the screen.
