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Fox Engineering Inc.
-NetBook Computer Page-
Fox Engineering Inc.
PO Box 215
Spencerville, MD 20868
(301) 421-4130

Recommended Configuration for your NetBook Computer (2010)


CPU:
Intel ATOM 450(1.66GHz) or 550 (dual core)
 Memory (Atom): 2048 MBytes, single slot SODIMM memory.
Most ATOM come with 1024 MBytes memory, upgrade to 2048 MByte memory.
Keyboard: Chicklett seems to be current...helps prevent dirt from getting inside.  
Look for 92% of full size or bigger.
Pointing Device: Most come with a touchpad. You may want to plug in a USB optical mouse
USB Ports: Look for at least 3 USB ports...you may have to settle for 2 ports and use a hub.
Note:  Only 1 port may support enough power for an external Optical drive. 
Hard Drive: SATA 160 Gigabyte, 5400 rpm is probably sufficient;
Check on ease of replacement of hard drive from underside; that's a plus.
Optical Disk Drive: External onlyNot necessarily needed unless loading software from non-networked media.
Video Display: 10" is normal for Netbooks;  some come in 11" or 12" varieties
Operating System: Windows 7 Starter Edition (32-bit edition only) to keep costs low.
This may be sufficient for you.  
(Upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium is about $80 more.)
Alternate Operating System: Ubuntu (32-bit edition)
Advanced OS: Puppy Linux 
Green IT: Look for: RoHS specification (no lead); 80 Plus (power supply efficiency better than 80%; EPEAT (Bronze minimum); Energy Star 4 or better; Recycle your old computers.
VIRUS Protection, Anti Spyware, and Firewalls
If you connect to the Internet, you need a minimum of three forms of protection against intruders:  A virus detection software package, a Spyware protection software, and a software or hardware firewall.  Here are but some of the better products you can choose from:
Virus Protection
Microsoft: Microsoft Security Essentials (free)
McAfee: VirusScan ($)
Symantec:
Norton AntiVirus ($)
TrendMicro: AntiVirus ?
GRISOFT:
AVG Free Edition (free and a $ version with additional features)
Firewall Protection
Microsoft: Windows 7 Firewall (built in)
Zone Labs: Zone Alarm (free and a $ version with additional features)
McAfee: Firewall ($)
Symantec: Norton Firewall ($)
Always keep your Firewall and Virus Protection software up to date!!
** Recommend You Use a NAME BRAND only for this item - see below
NAME BRANDS
In some cases, use of Name Brands (instead of generic brands) is critical to system success.  This is especially true for the more modern Operating Systems like Windows and Linux. The drivers required to operate the peripheral devices need to be obtained from a ready source.  Some generic products do not have WEB or technical support and it may be impossible to locate the manufacturer. Use of name brands in these cases also assures drivers are included infuture editions of these modern OSs.  Use of a "product compatible" rating will not suffice with today's modern Operating Systems! 
Popular Name Brand Netbooks
ASUS http://www.asus.com/
MSI
http://www.msi.com/
Lenovo http://www.lenovo.com/
HP http://www.hp.com/
NOTE

Any names/trademarks used are NOT an endorsement of those items...but are provided for reference only and are owned by their owner.  Name Brand suggestions are not all inclusive.
http://www.Fox-Engineering.com
info2 AT Fox-Engineering DOT com
Copyright © 2010 Fox Engineering Inc.
Last Updated: 19 Sep 2010