Let the hive mind of Engadget get that for you.
"I finally got a new laptop with a lone USB 3.0 port. I'm now looking at getting a USB 3.0 hub with a power adapter so I can use both of my USB 3.0 hard drives at faster speeds. I've read lots of horror stories where some hubs either don't come with power adapters -- and as a consequence the portable drives don't work with them properly -- or they are designed poorly which results in USB 2.0 speeds. Or, the hard drives keep getting disconnected. Do your readers have any suggestions or experience using USB 3.0 hubs? Thanks!"
We are a retired couple that backpack for 8 weeks through SE Asia every Cdn winter. We have been set back by not carying a laptop; so much Wifi everywhere. Besides paying our bills etc, we need to book regional airfares, guest house/hotels and stay in touch with our adult kids that worry about our budget travelling ways. Budget air travel and older shulders and backs limit us to one big backpack (airline 15kg limit) and a day pack. We own a 1 yr. old 14" Thinkpad T61 fully equipped and even though it's built tough; it's too large, too heavy and too expensive to risk under less than ideal travel conditions over 8 weeks.
We are not on top of emerging advances that may in the next 6 months hit the market with much better rugged, mini notebooks. Our principal concern is whether The atom/linux platform has capability limits in supporting advancing everyday web applications of the most demanding, including the security involving on - line transactions that need verification / certificates/java and of course security of the notebook from web virus/intrusions.
Should we wait for the adoption of mainstream Intel Centrino capability, longer lasting battery, effective webcam, RAM / SSD upgradeability and light weight power cords? If not, then what mini can we buy in 6 months for around CDN $400 that will not run out of capability in 5 years, as it's use will be limited to travel purposes.
Most appreciative of your recommendations and insights behind them.
Honestly, for what you're doing (surfing, booking flights, e-mail), a netbook seems just about perfect. Heck, even the webcams of some of these machines are surprisingly good. Luckily you have a better part of this year to go until the winter, so we'll be seeing faster machines at cheaper prices in just 6 months time. Some of the best units available have been clocking in at about $300-350 (dipping to $200 at times) and that trend should continue.
In terms of battery life, a Asus 1000HE supposedly gets up to 7 hours of battery life even with the WiFi on, so I don't think that'll be a concern as long as you get a 6 cell battery.
Also, I think you'd be surprised by the size of the power adaptors. The Dell Mini9's is practically the size of a cell phone charger.
Cheers.