Cheap, Small, Uses a Flash Drive

[Starwind51]

What is the least expensive portable computer that would accept a flash drive?

[homer]

portable computer

you mean a laptop? if you do, then any laptop will do. all you need to buy is a suitable USB external card reader.

heres a whole page of card readers

[quaxo]

http://eeepc.asus.com/global/

Typically, smaller laptop = more money, less processing power

The EeePC from Asus is quite nice though. It comes with a customized version of Linux, but includes drivers for Windows XP on CD. It DOES NOT include Windows XP, you'll have to purchase that separately. I have an EeePC 8G myself. With it I also purchased an external hard drive (250GB), since the internal drive is only 8GB. It has 3 USB ports, any of which should support a flash drive, and it has a built in SD card slot. It's very light weight (less than 2 lbs. with battery). There are various models of the EeePC ranging from $300-600.

Pros:
Decent battery life
Lightweight
Runs Windows XP
Built-in wireless
Great for school and office work on the go

Cons:
Keyboard is quite small (not good for fat fingers)
Processor is underclocked to 600Mhz (can be set to 900MHz, but has heat issues at that speed, not recommended)
Limited on-board storage so you can't install a lot without some other kind of storage (flash/external drive)
7-8.9" screen, depending on model
Not built for games, doesn't have the processing power or resolution needed for most modern games
No CD/DVD drive, need to buy external USB

[Starwind51]

The EeePC from Asus is quite nice though. It comes with a customized version of Linux, but includes drivers for Windows XP on CD. It DOES NOT include Windows XP, you'll have to purchase that separately.

Thank you!  The EeePC sounds exactly like what I'm looking for.

Can you tell me - my SanDisk Cruzer 4GB flash
[url][http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Item(1925)-SDCZ6-4096-A11-SanDisk_Cruzer_Micro_4GB_Black.aspx/url]
already has Windows XP - so as long as I would have it plugged into the EeePC, I wouldn't need to buy Windows XP - would I?  Or would that only work with files I already created elsewhere and have stored on the flash drive? 

[Deerpark]

I think you may have things a bit confused Starwind51.
The Cruzer does not come with XP installed, so unless you have actually installed XP on it (which isn't easy considering XP isn't designed to work from USB devices) you will need to install XP on the laptop.

[Starwind51]

I think you may have things a bit confused Starwind51.
The Cruzer does not come with XP installed, so unless you have actually installed XP on it (which isn't easy considering XP isn't designed to work from USB devices) you will need to install XP on the laptop.

You're right, I am confused.

This is what it says on the SanDisk webiste:

Compatible with Windows 2000, SP4 and XP*
Certified Windows 2000 and XP*
* U3 functionality only supported on Windows 2000 (SP4 and later)  & XP OS

I'm not sure what the part I put in in red letters means, then.

[Deerpark]

It just means the product is certified for use with Windows 2000 and XP.

[JJ 3000]

http://computershopper.com/best-prices/product/32466960/Notebooks/Asus-Eee-PC-4G-white
a cheap laptop

[Starwind51]

    My cheap dreams are getting more expensive all the time.  So, in addtion to the little marvel (EeePC) I still need to purchase XP for it.  I already have XP on my regular laptop but I guess it's just for the one laptop - I don't recall having any XP discs.  My Norton subscription would cover the Asus too, but is there anything else I have to buy?  My interest in small pc is twofold.  1)I already have a Razr V3 which fits nicely in my pocket, so I'm not all that keen to upgrade to an iPhone, but surfing the net on it is like surfing molasses, and 2)carrying a flashdrive is pointless without a way to read it and 8lbs of laptop doesn't seem portable to me.

Oh, another question about the EeePC - can you see the screen in daylight?   

 

[homer]

carrying a flashdrive is pointless without a way to read it and 8lbs of laptop doesn't seem portable to me.

why not get a palm pilot? then you wont even need the flash drive.

[Starwind51]

why not get a palm pilot? then you wont even need the flash drive.

Mainly because Palms don't come with keyboards, and palm-type products just have tiny keyboards.

[homer]

Mainly because Palms don't come with keyboards, and palm-type products just have tiny keyboards.

heres three palm pilot keyboards.

http://us.store.gc.palm.com/?q=keyboard+%26+styli