You ever think about how Asus put out like 40 models of a laptop called the “Eee PC” https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/16/22388238/asus-eee-pc-netbook-laptop-line-linux-ipad-pro
in the comments people rightfully say that a) netbooks were very popular with people who had little money to spare and only needed a web browser and something that could edit Word docs, and b) Chromebooks were the direct successor of the Netbook
@noiob the eee 701 is still one of our favorite machines when we want to use something small and austere
we used one for note taking off and on when we were at uni (vector and then debian linux running windowmaker and tomboy, among other things)
something about the design of that specific model really speaks to us — stodgy and compact, and weirdly both more and less cheap feeling than one might expect for what it was
that trackpad was absolute garbage though
@limni they make for lovely little Linux boxes, yeah. I feel like we might get more of that type with the rise in ARM laptops
@noiob As a writer who just wanted a compact computer to write on while commuting, I miss netbooks.
I didn't know they were even a thing until my nephew got one. So I did the same, and loved it until it died (because while I love it, technology dislikes me and dies early and often). And when I went to the store to buy another one, I was told they weren't really a thing any more. And the next cheapest laptop of a decent brand they had was $700.
It died on me early, too. 🙄