was looking into the idea of using one of the new netbook computers (super light and portable) for my location work - anyone doing it yet?

Asus Eee / MSI Wind / HP mini-note / whichever of the new micro models with the new Intel ATOM processor in it. could help with critical focus on location while being small & light enough to be on your belt, or a shoulder bag without really noticing. The chip isn't that powerful, so speed will be slowish, but its full windows XP up to 2Gb ram 120Gb drives or SSD drive, so it could work.

Do any of these netbooks have built-in Firewire ports? I didn't think they did, no? And if they don't, is it possible to add one? I've tried looking at the specs of the Asus Eee PC and the HP mini-note PC and neither of them seem to indicate even how many USB 2.0 ports they have. I would guess that if it is already running XP, 2GB RAM, 120GB HDD, then the clincher would be the Firewire port. I don't know about you, but for me to shoot tethered or even just to download images after shooting, I need firewire for my back...

Apologies for the double post, but I now correct myself - the HP Mini-Note PC at least has 2 USB 2.0 ports and does have an ExpressCard/54 slot, so in theory, you could add a Firewire ExpressCard, and you ought to be in business. Does indeed look like a very interesting option. Imagine BetterLight scanback users?

Main problem will be the power on the firewire ports (if needed), that's what pushed me to the mac.

yes firewire adapter through the express card slot on the HP mini-note, so no problems there.

These machines are dramatically smaller than any Mac, so its another ball altogether, both in size and cost (small and very low)

I'll be interested in hearing if anyone has come up with an elegant solution to the firewire problem
at this point I use a power inverter hooked up to the power port of the firewire expresscard to power the firewire.

The Phase + series back have a menu option to use their battery for power instead of Firewire, when working tethered, so thats not an issue, I believe.

plus there are adapters like the firewire booster, or low voltage adapter to trick / adapt it. http://www.captureintegration.com/phase-one/custom-products/

I suspect Apple will bring out a Netbook in the coming months (and proclaim it a world first!) and that might have firewire built in anyhow.

so - I don't think firewire is an issue, its more whether the Atom is workable with C1 for previews/ focus, in terms of speed/power - if so, then you're rolling.

Do you know something we do not know? I haven't heard anything about Apple coming out with a netbook. A few years back, there were rumors about an apple tablet. but that's all it was - a rumor.

rh

And what you saw here was just that: a rumour.We can each have our own suspicions as to what products Apple will release (personally I'll be surprised unless it's a refinement of the MBA) but the only way we'll know is to wait and see.

FWIW, OS X has been hacked already to run on "netbooks" (the other term is UltraMobilePC: UMPC).

A rumor

but hopefully Apple to the rescue :

http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/17942/