A few weeks ago I gave my sister the Maplin Minibook and started using the Elonex instead. Even though they’re effectively the same machine I have noticed some differences. For instance, the Elonex copes better with wifi. It’s been far less of a production getting connected in Oklahoma, my regular coffee shop cum surfing location. I admit I haven’t tried anywhere else and have yet to sort out wireless in the house, but so far so good.

I’ll come straight out and admit that I should really have got an Asus Eee, even before I’ve done a full side by side comparison, but I didn’t, so I’ll live with the machine I’ve got. For a while, anyway.

It’s been a while since I’ve used a computer that can’t refresh its screen fast enough to keep up with my typing. The Elonex can’t and it’s not because I’ve been speeding up my touch-typing. That’s slightly annoying, as is the occasional combination of key presses that sees seemingly random letters being dumped into whatever I’m typing. I haven’t worked out what makes this happen yet, but I’ll try to pay attention in future.

One particular strange feature I’ve noticed in the last few days could have an adverse effect on the machine’s effectiveness at its main job. The idea is that it can be tossed into a pannier or backpack and taken around to be whipped out and used wherever. However, when I do this it has a habit of turning itself on and draining its batteries. The casing on the back of the screen flexes. This is not a problem when it’s in use but when it’s closed- say in a bag- that flexing can close the contacts on the power button and turn the machine on. I never noticed this problem with the Minibook, either the switch was in a different place or the case I used with it protected it better from being poked by other obects.

Anyway, I shall continue using the Elonex. I plan to do a lot of my NaNoWriMo composition on it, probably whilst sat in Oklahoma sipping coffee or hot chocolate.