Series 7+ upgrade v netBook?

[Calbrit]

Firstly please forgive me if I am resurrecting a thread that others may have asked about in the past but I'm still relatively new here.

I own a couple of Mako's and a couple of 5mx's (one extra of each just in case), plus a "steam driven" Toshiba Tecra P266. The laptop is built I think to withstand a small explosion and as a consequence is too heavy and bulky for my liking. Up until now my 5mx is the Psion of choice for long haul business travel due to the fact it has a backlight and AA batteries mean no need to charge. The Mako I use with the excellent EPOC Sync for day to day running around and it contains contacts and agenda info.

Well, after reading this forum's postings (and with the help of Julie (netBookBabe) I am now thinking of excercising the moths in my wallet and buying either a Series 7 plus an upgrade or if I can stretch to it - a netBook.

I have two questions:

According to the "At a glance" product listing in a recent edition of Palmtop Magazine, the Series 7 processor speed is listed as 130MHz and the netBook 190MHz. After the upgrade does the MHz increase to the same as the Netbook (if not, is it noticeably slower)?

Secondly, if you were starting from scratch so to speak but had a limited budget (if you know what I mean!) which model would you go for the Series 7 (new or used) + Upgrade or netBook (new or used)?

Many thanks in advance for any responses that might be given!

[Thread changed from Revo7... to Series 7... by moderator]

[netBookBabe]

Calbrit, I hope that other responses to this will confirm what I've already said to you about the technical issues here.

I think the final decision could well be influenced by factors of availability. I believe a new S7 could be very difficult to find, whereas new netBooks are definitely available.

Obviously on the used market you should be able to find either, in fact probably easier to find a 7 than a netBook. A word of caution if buying by this method though - we've heard a few stories here of people buying a "netBook" only to find that it's a 7 inside! Some devious person has obviously done a crafty "reverse" upgrade!

Can anyone with experience of the upgrade suggest what pertinent questions might be asked of a seller to ensure that a netBook truly IS a netBook?

Julie

[fladda]

To check whether a machine is a pucca Netbook :-

Select using the menus, System->Information->Machine

Type should say 'netBook'

Then select the 'Hardware' option.

Speed should be '191.692MHz'

Note that the Type is read from EEPROM on the motherboard - set by Psion during manufacture. Speed is set by the plug in operating system module.

Ralph

[netBookBabe]

Thanks Ralph, that's helpful, but what I was getting at was, what questions could be asked of a seller if you can't actually get to see the machine? For example, if buying on eBay, which is mostly how these problems have arisen.

I'm trying to think if there's something that you could "catch them out" on. Though I guess if someone is crafty enough to play this trick they will probably have all the answers! :mad:

Julie

[diem]

first question:

series 7 + upgrade runs the processor at 190MHz, same speed as the netBook.

second question:

If you can afford a netBook then get one. The '7book' (Series 7 plus upgrade) is a wholly new idea, and people have seen problems with using some ethernet cards (the 7 supplies a lower current to the PC Card slot).

The question to ask when buying secondhand is "What is the full text displayed on the screen when typing Ctrl-H in System?"

This screen gives complete info about what OS the machine is running. On a netBook this will have a netBook colour banner, and the third line of text will read:

Version 1.05(XXX) - English (UK) - ASCII (release 158)

where XXX is the build number. 450 is the very latest, but being a netBook the OS can easily be upgraded whatever number is shown.

Can anyone post the equivalent info for a 7?

[dfoi]

Hello everyone

The information screen on a Series 7 should look like this

Color Banner states PSION series 7


EPOC Release #(mine is 5)

Copyright Symbian Ltd 1997-1999

Version 1.05(254)-English(USA)-ASCII (Build 756)


I believe this was one of the last available at the time.
Had to wait for a few months to receive it(back ordered) at the time. I am original owner so nothing was altered here.
Hope this helps.
Marc

[netBookBabe]

Thanks Yan and Marc, I think that will be very helpful to anyone looking to buy a netBook at auction, or whatever.

Btw, Marc, I left you a PM with some info quite a while ago, which I don't think you must have found.

Julie

[Calbrit]

Thanks all for the responses - I think I will aim for a netBook.

[dfoi]

Julie
Your right,I never found it. I would never be so inconsiderate as not to respond to any message left for me.
Please feel free to contact me by post or email.
dfoi180@yahoo.com
Marc