Made a silly mistake....

mamazaac

Thank you to everyone who has replied.

I too thought about sending it back to Maplins as it arrived less than a week ago, but the trouble is that he has found it is no good by using it, so not sure if I can do that.

I did wonder whether I would have a valid stance for return though as in the description it just says internet explorer. As it happens it is IE6 that is installed and I understand that many websites are not supporting this version anymore, so was wondering if I could say that it wasn't described sufficiently for me to know exactly what I was purchasing - do you think this would work?

elvch01

After seeing the webpage, I can undertsanding how you made such a mistake and would return the item under the sale of goods act because it is simply not fit for purpose. The use of the word Netbook is misleading in the advert given that virtually all other products advertised as Netbooks use hardware capabile of running a "standard" version of Windows rather than Windows CE (and an old version at that). The uninformed "layman" woudl see the word "Windows" and assuem all was well

Coloner

I agree with boliston so u can install any *nix OS and it'll work perfect! It is not a bad computer as I see.. just replace OS and your child get a great workstation!

Forget about Win forever

culpepper

You might find puppy linux will work on it if you decide not to send it back. They have different ways of installing including from a usb key for computers with no cd drive.
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/

This is the forum and there are lots of people there to answer questions including the original developers.

debitcardmayhem

Looking at the FAQs from Maplin
Q) hi there can i put another operating system on this - matt
A) No sorry this product does not support that.
Q) Hi, Can I use an external USB stick with this device? Thanks - Jack
A) No sorry this product does not support that.
Q) can you connect to it in the car - christopher
A) No sorry this product does not support that.
Q) Are you able to use this unit with mobile wifi such as 3 mobile wifi? If not how can you get internet access with this unit? - John A
A) Yes the product does support that.
Q) can you put more memory in it - carl
A) No sorry this product does not support that.
Q) Hi, can I fit an external GPS receiver to the USB so that I can run Memory maps which I currently use my Mio PDA for? Many thanks - Stan Folds
A) No sorry this product does not support that.
Q) Can an external CD drive be attached? - izaac
A) No sorry this product does not support that.
Q) is the b grade net book returnable . - kerry
A) Yes, our standard Returns Policy applies to this item.
Q) IS THE NETBOOK B74LZ WIRELESS - ALF
A) Yes, this is wireless.
Q) can i use an external monitor with it? - maria
A) No sorry this product does not support that.
Q) hi, i have loads of music on usb stick including WMV files, can they be played on here? - nick t
A) Yes the product does support that.

The last one does not tally with second one - I would take it back

Clark80

Just pack it back up and take it back. What is the worst they can say? no? If this fails then look at other options like operating systems etc.

McKneff

Clark80 wrote: »

Just pack it back up and take it back. What is the worst they can say? no? If this fails then look at other options like operating systems etc.

Best idea on this thread :T

jaydeeuk1

Can get a used but great condition EEE PC 701 for well under £100 on ebay, and probably closer to £50 which will do everything your son would need.

mamazaac

Clark80 wrote: »

Just pack it back up and take it back. What is the worst they can say? no? If this fails then look at other options like operating systems etc.

This does make sense doesn't it - the only thing is that he can't really afford much else instead, so am torn between this and trying another OS although, as pointed out by debitcardmayhem, the faqs for this product say you cannot install a different OS, but of course they may not be right I suppose.

If I was to try to install another OS and it couldn't be done, would it just tell me when I went to install it so that I didn't completely mess the netbook up in trying to do so and could still send it back.

Furthermore, are these alternative OS suggested much better or just a little better? CE is pretty dire so I think an alternative would have to be much more user friendly. On this subject, is linux in general any good? We steered clear of this when looking for a netbook for my son as neither of us know anything about it. Is it cheaper than windows because it isn't very good, or just because it doesn't have the brand name that windows does?

As ever, am very grateful for all advice as I am a complete dim-wit about this type of thing :-)

mamazaac

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Can get a used but great condition EEE PC 701 for well under £100 on ebay, and probably closer to £50 which will do everything your son would need.

This indeed seems to be a great little laptop, ideal for schoolwork, downloading some music and light surfing which is all he wants to do. However, I am a little wary about buying from ebay, especially as the ones you are referring to are used. What attracted me to Maplin was that, although it was a b grade, it had a 12 month warranty. Maybe though, for what we have to spend, we will have to take a chance.