Ultra Portable PC / Laptop for just £169+VAT

I found this article over at The Register about the release of a Sub-Notebook by RM.
RM readies Linux sub-laptop... for £169
This looks like rather a good machine, 900MHz Intel Celeron M processor with either 2GB or 4GB of solid-state storage, built in 802.11g Wi-Fi, along with a 10/100Mbps network card.
The two machines will retail in the UK for £199 and £234 respectively, which is a shame as they are going for $200 in the US.

You can pre-order them from Clove Technology for £220 here.

The best thing about these machines is that they boot up in around 15 seconds! Yes just 15 seconds! How cool is that.
The machine is being aimed at the Education market, but for me it's a really interesting idea for an household Internet device using the built in Wi-Fi. As it's so quick to start, you can use it to quickly check your e-mail, take it into the kitchen when you are doing your Internet grocery shopping, etc.

The machines come with Linux installed, and also a Browser (FireFox), Email application, Open Office, etc. All you need in a MiniBook.

I found quite a full review over at Notebook Review Asus Eee PC First Thoughts

And also a few YouTube videos below.

This is definitely going on my Gadget List!




Just watch how quick it starts up!


And here is a video showing how it's possible to install other operating systems. Yes even Windows XP boots in under 30 seconds!

Chad Vader

For the Star Wars fans out there, I found this excellent series of 8 YouTube videos that I just had to share.
Chad Vader is the Day Shift Manager at a grocery store.

Episode 1


Episode 2


Episode 3


Episode 4


Episode 5 (Holiday Special)


Episode 6


Episode 7


Episode 8

PocketBlogger: Update your Blog from your Pocket PC!

PocketBlogger: Update your Blog from your Pocket PC!

I've been looking for a Blogging application that I can run on my Phone / Pocket PC (O2 XDA IIi). This one seems to be quite good.
However, I'm having some trouble getting it to work.
Will report back if I have any success.

Purchase: Sony RDR-HXD860S 160GB HDD HDMI DVD Recorder

After a few months research, including the What Hi-Fi 2006 Awards, I purchased the Sony RDRHXD860S 160GB HDD HDMI DVD Recorder from Amazon.co.uk.

Sony RDRHXD860S 160GB HDD HDMI DVD Recorder

Not only was Amazon.co.uk the cheapest on-line retailer that I could find, but they also had plenty of stock and could do express delivery.

Research: Freeview Hard Disk Recorder

While enjoying watching Freeview TV through my Humax F2FOXT Set Top Box , I'm finding it increasingly frustrating when I want to record a TV program.

It's a two stage process, first setting the Freeview Box second setting the video. Then (providing that I can find an empty tape, that has not got Bob the Builder on it!) I can record my program.

However should the TV schedule change, or if I make a mistake entering the details in to the VCR then I can end up with half a program, no program or miss the last 10 minutes of England's 1 day win over Australia.

So, I'm starting to look for something that will record Freeview to Hard Disk, and also have an easy way to Archive programs on to DVD to keep for the future.

O2 Broadband, the rumours are true!

URL: Late, fast and pricey: O2 broadband is go
This makes interesting reading. The Register is reporting that later this month O2 will be launching their rumoured Broad Band service. Starting from £7.50 a month for up to 8Mbit/s service seems quit good. Unfortumately O2's ADSL2+ network only seems to cover urban areas.I've just about decided to leave O2 and go for a deal with three, as their data packages are excelent.