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Writers could love old Linux-powered netbooks

One may be found propping open a door to an office or a closest. It may be found on a desk, holding down a stack of loose papers. A few decades ago these machines were serving their owners by performing tasks basic computing tasks, such as word processing and surfing the Web.


These small computers, known as netbooks, came onto the market somewhere around 2006, and remained on it for about 10 years. They were designed for basic computing tasks, such as surfing the Web, working on text documents, taking notes, and playing light games. They dominated the less expensive, light-computing market until tablets and Chromebooks took their place.


Most people consider old netbooks worthless. Tablets and Chromebooks handle entertainment much better than these dinosaurs, and they often cost less than $400, which was the same price to buy a netbook when it was new.


However, these computers are not dead-door props. They have a unique experience to offer some computer users, who want a highly-portable device that can help them focus. on work Those users may discover that what netbooks lack may be an advantage. A few Linux-based operating systems can breathe new life into these light-use computers and bring out features not found on modern tablets and Chromebooks.


Writers are the group of people that may find them useful. This article cover the following:

  • Netbooks are useful tools for writers

  • Two good Linux operating systems for them


The old netbooks were made by Acer, Asus, HP, Dell, and several other large manufacturers. They had WiFi and Ethernet ports, 2-3 USB ports, and SD card ports. Their screens also were small, 8-12 inches. When they were new, they were marketed as good computers for light-computing tasks, such as surfing the Web.


As time passed and technology evolved, these small computers became poor at surfing the Web. They are way too sluggish for going down the rabbit-hole of Web searches on modern Websites. Playing YouTube videos and videos at other sites is also a joke. The experience is now slow and choppy.


Functionality has decreased for these computers. However, one thing that remains the same is how easy it is to replace certain parts on the computers. This gives the computers an advantage for those wanting to use them as writing tools.


The earlier models, made from 2008-2010 or so, had easy-to-remove batteries that could be clipped in and out of the back of a laptop. This makes it easier to use one of these computers in a remote location where there are not any electrical outlets, particularly for those who are in a remote location for more than a few hours. Spending hours in the woods or by the lake, working on the latest novel or article, is feasible with one of these old computers. Just bring several pre-charged batteries for the model you are using with you. New batteries cost less than $20 per battery.


Writers also have a distraction-free device when they own a netbook. Since it is difficult to perform Web searches, receive constant messages, or watch videos with one of these devices, this allows writers to focus more on their work and isolate themselves from the outside world more. The small computers with sluggish Web-surfing capabilities cut down on outside disturbances.


However, they can still connect to the Internet. They have wireless cards, and they also come with Ethernet ports. This means that they can connect to servers and clouds, so documents can be synced and uploaded to a Web portal, such as Dropbox. Email and other messages can be received, but this will take up much of the computers power, so checking messages is something a writer probably wants to do at the end of his or her work day. It is not something the computer can do while running a word processor or another text editor. These limits can help a writer manage the workday and work flow.


Netbooks also have two to three USB ports and typically a port for an SD card. This means that external keyboards of various styles can be attached to the computers. The built-in keyboards also are an older style, so they may have a better feel than modern keyboards, and their shallow keys that can only be depressed a millimeter or so. Netbooks’ small size and small touchpads may also make it easier for writers with small hands or those who like to use one hand. Their keyboards are not only smaller; they are closer to the edge of the laptop, and this may make typing easier for many.


Netbooks’ physical characteristics may be appealing to some writers. However, they need to be paired with an easy-to-use and easy to install modern operating system. Windows XP and 7 Starter, the operating systems that were typically sold with netbooks, are no longer supported. This would not be much of a problem, if the computers never connect to the Internet. However, writers may want to upload a document to the cloud or sync with the cloud. They may also want to check a fact on a Website. Older Web browsers, such as Internet Explorer, can no longer connect to most modern Websites. Most third party browsers are dropping support for older Windows systems and 32-bit systems.


Linux is a better alternative for a netbook. There are a few Linux distros that are user-friendly to use, easy to install, and can run on a 32-bit system.


Linux


The two operating systems OS-College considered the best for low-powered netbooks, and other 32-bit computers, are Debian and MX Linux. Computer evolution of netbooks discussed above saw a growth in hard drive size. Some netbooks have less than 10 GB SSD drives. Others had HDD drives larger than 100 GB. The SSD computers could run faster, but don’t have a lot of space beyond the operating system to install applications and documents. Each of these two operating systems have features that work best on computers in both categories.


Debian



Debian is the only one of the two operating systems that can fit on a computer with 10 GB or smaller drive. This was one of the first distros on the market, first being released in 1993. It offers several different user interfaces as options. For the netbook OS-College uses, the XFCE user interface was installed. The computer used for this article is an Asus Eee PC 901 from 2008. It has an 8 GB and 4 GB hard drive. Debian fits on the 8 GB, and there is enough space to add a few applications. There is only 1 GB of RAM.


The operating system only came preinstalled with a few basic applications. Firefox Web browser and LibreOffice are the main ones. There is also a text-based Web browser called HV3. The Asus’ specs may put it at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to functionality, but Debian takes a low-powered machine and makes it into a focused tool for a writer. It is one of the few modern operating system that make such a low-powered system run smoothly.


MX Linux



As mentioned earlier netbooks evolved from the single digit hard drives. They were built with more memory and more storage, but their designers kept 32-bit processors in most of them. For these type of netbooks, a more powerful Linux distro may be desired, one that offers more than LibreOffice and basic Web browsers.


MX Linux 23.4 is based on Debian 12, and it’s flagship is the XFCE user interface. However, it has a nicer user interface and comes with more features and applications preinstalled, making it take up more than 8 GB of space upon installation. This means it can’t be installed onto a computer like the example Asus used for Debian. The test computer used for it is an HP Mini 210-1000, with 240 GB of hard drive space and 2 GB of RAM.


Some of the advanced features it has that are not included in Debian are a search field built into its menu, the ability to customize the window layout, and built in choices for the desktop image. It also comes preinstalled with more graphics and media applications and a few choices of games.


The HP is still sluggish on Web searches with MX Linux, so writers may not be distracted by going down a rabbit-hole of Web searches because doing searches is somewhat frustrating. However, the handful of preinstalled games could be a good thing or a bad thing. They could be a distracting temptation to some writers. Break-time relief may be a way other writers use them, however. The operating system also has Bluetooth support out-of-the-box, so Bluetooth wireless keyboards, mice, and headphones can be connected.


Conclusion


Netbooks, built 12-16 years ago, are still useful. They are good for writing and taking notes because of their small size and because they are too low-powered for watching videos on the Web and extensive Web searches. This makes them distraction free devices, and this pairs great with their portability. Many people have one in the back closet somewhere. A used one can also be purchased from Ebay for less than $100. For some writers it may be worth dusting an old one off, or if they don’t have one, buying one may be money well spent.


One drawback to them is that Windows XP and Windows 7 Stater, that they came preinstalled with, are outdated and no longer supported with updates. Fortunately there are a few modern Linux operating systems that receive updates can be installed that run on low-powered netbooks from the mid-2000s. Two good ones are Debian and MX Linux. Debian is the only one that works on netbooks with less than 10 GB of hard drive space. MX Linux is a good choice for users who have larger hard drives and want an operating system with a few more features.

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