Showing posts with label HP Mini. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HP Mini. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
HP Saved Me from Windows 7 Boredom
Tired of that one blue wallpaper that Microsoft so generously provides with Windows 7 Starter Edition? That badge of frugality that says I'm not paying you another $80 just so I can put a photo on my desktop? I decided to check out the software and drivers page for my HP Mini 110-1125NR and low and behold, they have a software download that installs a program called My Colors that allows me to change my desktop to one of those girly swirly ones that HP paid somebody to design or any photo in my pictures folder. Yeah!!!! Take that MSFT instead of my $80! Link
Windows 7 Starter Edition: Issues Confronted
In a previous post, I stated that the limitations of Windows 7 Starter Edition made it a non-starter for me on my next netbook. So what did I do next? Go out and buy a netbook with Windows 7 Starter Edition! Although the option for an "anytime upgrade" to Windows 7 Home Premium looms large on my start up menu, I'm resisting the urge to send Microsoft another $80 just yet. So, a week after buying my HP Mini 110, what do I think of Windows 7 Starter Edition?
First, let's start with an issue that was never an issue. Contrary to what many believe (and what Microsoft said during beta apparently) Starter Edition is not limited to running only 3 applications at a time. It will run as many as your memory and processor will allow. With an Atom processor, that's not a ton but it's more than 3. I think we're getting confused with the Holy Hand Grenade from Monty Python. Wait, I digress.
Second, Windows 7 Starter edition does not have multiple monitor support. I thought this meant no external monitors. That's not the case. What it does mean is no extended desktop. It probably will keep me from using the Mini is presenter mode when I use Powerpoint to make speeches. It doesn't keep me from plugging the Mini into the 24" LCD that I have in the home office. I can mirror displays (1024x600) or I can drive solely the external LCD. VLC also comes in handy if you download youtube videos to your computer for offline watching. I use Keepvid.com to download Youtube videos.
Third, Windows 7 Starter Edition doesn't include Windows Media Center and doesn't support DVD playback. What does this mean? Do I have to upgrade before I can watch a DVD using an external DVD player plugged into my Mini? Thankfully, you can plug in an external DVD drive and watch commercial DVDs just fine. However, you need to install third party software to view the DVD. I installed VLC Media Player and it works just great. Plus, VLC is a free download. Starter Edition does include Windows Media Player so I can still use the standard software to listen to music and view other video sources.
Fourth, Windows 7 Starter Edition doesn't include Aero glass features or permit any customization of the desktop. The pretty eye candy makes Windows 7 look stunning but it uses up precious processing power that I'd prefer to devote to other causes. Being unable to change the desktop photo is a totally lame limitation that is going to make some netbook buyers frustrated because they think they can't figure out how to do it and then angry when they realize it was a deliberate design limitation by Microsoft. I refuse to let this get to me. I am embracing the stupid blue desktop as long as it takes. Only some other limitation will get me to spend that money. I'm waiting you out Microsoft! Hopefully, enough people will complain about the desktop photo thing and Microsoft will cave.
In conclusion, Starter Edition is not as limited as my earlier post suggested since there are work-arounds to many of the limitations. I do recommend putting 2GB RAM in your netbook. Oh, and I absolutely love my HP Mini 110. I hope this helps clarify confusion that potential netbook buyers might have. My suggestion is try Starter Edition first and then decide whether you need the features of a more expensive version of Windows 7. An upgrade is just a mouse click and $80 away.
First, let's start with an issue that was never an issue. Contrary to what many believe (and what Microsoft said during beta apparently) Starter Edition is not limited to running only 3 applications at a time. It will run as many as your memory and processor will allow. With an Atom processor, that's not a ton but it's more than 3. I think we're getting confused with the Holy Hand Grenade from Monty Python. Wait, I digress.
Second, Windows 7 Starter edition does not have multiple monitor support. I thought this meant no external monitors. That's not the case. What it does mean is no extended desktop. It probably will keep me from using the Mini is presenter mode when I use Powerpoint to make speeches. It doesn't keep me from plugging the Mini into the 24" LCD that I have in the home office. I can mirror displays (1024x600) or I can drive solely the external LCD. VLC also comes in handy if you download youtube videos to your computer for offline watching. I use Keepvid.com to download Youtube videos.
Third, Windows 7 Starter Edition doesn't include Windows Media Center and doesn't support DVD playback. What does this mean? Do I have to upgrade before I can watch a DVD using an external DVD player plugged into my Mini? Thankfully, you can plug in an external DVD drive and watch commercial DVDs just fine. However, you need to install third party software to view the DVD. I installed VLC Media Player and it works just great. Plus, VLC is a free download. Starter Edition does include Windows Media Player so I can still use the standard software to listen to music and view other video sources.
Fourth, Windows 7 Starter Edition doesn't include Aero glass features or permit any customization of the desktop. The pretty eye candy makes Windows 7 look stunning but it uses up precious processing power that I'd prefer to devote to other causes. Being unable to change the desktop photo is a totally lame limitation that is going to make some netbook buyers frustrated because they think they can't figure out how to do it and then angry when they realize it was a deliberate design limitation by Microsoft. I refuse to let this get to me. I am embracing the stupid blue desktop as long as it takes. Only some other limitation will get me to spend that money. I'm waiting you out Microsoft! Hopefully, enough people will complain about the desktop photo thing and Microsoft will cave.
In conclusion, Starter Edition is not as limited as my earlier post suggested since there are work-arounds to many of the limitations. I do recommend putting 2GB RAM in your netbook. Oh, and I absolutely love my HP Mini 110. I hope this helps clarify confusion that potential netbook buyers might have. My suggestion is try Starter Edition first and then decide whether you need the features of a more expensive version of Windows 7. An upgrade is just a mouse click and $80 away.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
How Long Can I stand Blue Background?
Last night, I took the plunge and bought the HP Mini 110 with 6-cell battery and Windows 7 Starter Edition. I installed office and got the machine ready to use at client for several hours today. I upgraded the RAM to 2GB but I'm going to hold off activating the anytime upgrade to Windows Home Premium for a bit and see how it goes. Who knows? Maybe enough people will complain about not being able to change background that MSFT will give in and issue some sort of patch for netbook users. It's pretty telling that the Start menu has a button to launch the Anytime Upgrade right up top. That is just SO bogus!
Still, besides the blue background, I haven't found any show stoppers in using Windows 7 Starter Edition. My little netbook performed great at the client. I had wifi turned off because I couldn't access, but like Bill Curtis in the AT&T commercials, I fired up my Sierra Wireless 875U card several times when I needed Internet access. It worked great with Windows 7, even though it is one of AT&T's "legacy" cards.
Still, besides the blue background, I haven't found any show stoppers in using Windows 7 Starter Edition. My little netbook performed great at the client. I had wifi turned off because I couldn't access, but like Bill Curtis in the AT&T commercials, I fired up my Sierra Wireless 875U card several times when I needed Internet access. It worked great with Windows 7, even though it is one of AT&T's "legacy" cards.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)