If you want to do PCB design, do yourself a favour and get a display with a minimum resolution of 1280x800.
You need the vertical space for layouts and design. If you can get a higher resolution display, go for it, as it makes it WAAAAY easier for design.
Also, see if you can borrow a netbook from someone to try for a few days. I find them infuriatingly sluggish, even with a fresh install of Windows XP or linux.
You can get good value laptops now for not a huge amount more money than a netbook.
If you have to go for a netbook, get an nVidia ion based netbook, preferably with a dual core atom, like the N330, as you will see way better performance from it.
Phil
I would thoroughly recommend the three UK MiFi modem, if you have an iPhone or smartphone with wifi capability, then you can get data access on the go without being ripped off.
The details are here:
http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/MiFi
Get the basic top-up which includes 3GB.
Once you are finished with it, sell it on ebay, or try to get it unlocked.
I have one for when I travel to the UK for work, and I have only had it out of coverage once.
Phil
And it started out a billion years ago much further away...
Really? Wow. I must be doing something wrong as well. Can you detail your setup a bit?
Well, of course it uses energy.
But you could also argue the fact that nearly as much energy was wasted conducting the survey and then it getting posted to
Sounds like an MS study on linux to me...
Credit ... is the only enduring testimonial to man's confidence in man. -- James Blish