The problem with most netbooks is the small screen and low resolution. A lot of software is not designed to work correctly at sub-optimal resolutions. I've had instances of being unable to install drivers because of this. There's also basically no memory expansion and the CPU/GPU is almost too slow for regular use. The only real advantages to netbooks are weight and battery life. Is the netbook platform even still alive? I thought intel basically abandoned it. I know that many manufacturers are dumping them in favour of 11.6" CULV subnotebooks. (CULV=consumer ultra low voltage).
As far as memory goes...yes, you will need "a lot" in order to do basic stuff. These days 2GB just barely cuts the mustard. With the OS and browser loaded, you're already north of 1GB. Once you start opening multiple tabs and running stuff like youtube, you'll be swapping to the HDD (slow) in no time. I recommend no less than 4GB for a system running OSX or Windows 7+. XP is becoming horribly obsolete, so I certainly wouldn't recommend that to anyone buying a new system.
I recommend the Acer One AO756 subnotebook computer. It has an 11.6" screen (1366x768) and can be upgraded to 8 or 16GB RAM (I forget which). It's just slightly larger than a netbook, but has the functionality of a full laptop computer. These are available with different CULV (intel) CPUs, batteries and memory capacities. You can pick up the base line unit for $300USD. I think that one has a CULV Celeron, 2GB and 4 cell battery.
Interesting. I just looked into UCC. Looks like another Taiwanese brand. The prices seem to start fairly high. Giant and Merida are better established, and seem to start at around 1000. Though, it seems Giant has a habit of taking crap Chinese bikes and slapping their logo on it. They're cheap, but they're not really Giants.
I don't know how long an expensive bike is going to last with a good lock. A lock only stops the punk kids and amateur theives. But somebody who knows what they are doing will steal it regardless. If you want a nice bike, you'd better park it indoors.
Giant and Merida are not European or North American brands. They are in fact both Taiwanese companies, and I think their quality is pretty decent.
I think is somewhat accurate to say that most of the Chinese branded bikes are shit, but some of them seem to be getting better. I think it really depends on how much you pay. The brand I bought "Gammax" or 杰玛仕 is the "high performance" branch of the Gamma or "杰玛" bicycle company. I can't say how strong the frame is, but at least the design is modern (has 1 1/8" tubes, and all the correct mounting holes). For the most part, it seems as long as you don't spend less than 1200RMB you will get something fairly decent.
Considering that the price difference between a domestic brand and a foreign brand (Giant and Merida) is minimal, I advise you to play it safe and go with a foreign brand. Though, this will likely make your bicycle a target for theft. I just went with a Chinese bike and upgraded all the components to second hand or new old stock 500 level Shimano parts. Now I have a bike that works well that doesn't say "steal me".
1 person can certainly live off 10rmb a day. My wife and I (two people) survive on about 15rmb/day for meals. Sometimes we even have a little meat.
I didn't hear a single person in here mention beans (though somebody did say tofu). These have plenty of protein. From what I've read, you can basically live forever on a diet of beans and rice..probably best complimented with some greens, eggs and meat every now and then.
Buy in bulk, buy on sale and buy in season. Simple food can taste good too if you put a little effort into it.
He's guilty of giving contracts to his friends in Jiangsu? He's practically a saint compared to western politicians if that's his only crime.
It seems like this man almost singlehandedly unfucked Kunming. The first time I was in Kunming was in 2008, and I remember thinking the whole place looked like a giant slum. Now it actually seems livable.
I'm sure a big part of the problem with air quality in Hong Kong is that it's a tiny city state, and they get a lot of the bad air from the mainland. Population density in HK is a little insane too.
Do you mean Foshan? AQI there is 65 today. Where I live it's 160. 160 is pretty must as low as it gets here. In 2012 there was a period of about three months where the AQI was between 500-1000.
Hebei region is generally considered to have the worst air quality in China. I have not spent much time in South China, but I do check AQICN fairly often. South China is generally considered to have better air quality than average.
The urban population of China is currently about 55%. In most developed countries it's between 80 - 90%. China's target for 2020 is 60%. I would guess it'll be about 25 years to catch up with the West. However, as already pointed out not all areas of China are suitable for large scale farming, so maybe what works for the West won't work for China.
Yunnan ramps up shale gas production
Posted byFracking in an earthquake prone region....what could possibly go wrong?
Kunming's former party boss charged with corruption
Posted byHe's guilty of giving contracts to his friends in Jiangsu? He's practically a saint compared to western politicians if that's his only crime.
It seems like this man almost singlehandedly unfucked Kunming. The first time I was in Kunming was in 2008, and I remember thinking the whole place looked like a giant slum. Now it actually seems livable.
Documentary Under the Dome captivates China
Posted byI'm sure a big part of the problem with air quality in Hong Kong is that it's a tiny city state, and they get a lot of the bad air from the mainland. Population density in HK is a little insane too.
Documentary Under the Dome captivates China
Posted byDo you mean Foshan? AQI there is 65 today. Where I live it's 160. 160 is pretty must as low as it gets here. In 2012 there was a period of about three months where the AQI was between 500-1000.
Hebei region is generally considered to have the worst air quality in China. I have not spent much time in South China, but I do check AQICN fairly often. South China is generally considered to have better air quality than average.
Documentary Under the Dome captivates China
Posted byThe urban population of China is currently about 55%. In most developed countries it's between 80 - 90%. China's target for 2020 is 60%. I would guess it'll be about 25 years to catch up with the West. However, as already pointed out not all areas of China are suitable for large scale farming, so maybe what works for the West won't work for China.