Weatherstation now running on Acer netbook

[Bunty]

I already posted watt draw for my Asus.  Or do you mean the Dells at Walmart?

No, forget about new Dells, anywhere.  The point was over the USED $300 Dells on E-bay.  Since the hardware is configured fairly similar to the new Acers, it can be questioned if the power need for used Dells is signifcantly greater.

If I understand you correctly, then I think the answer is that a regular laptop will  burn 5-8 times the power of a SSHD netbook.

That's a shockingly high increase, if true.

[mackbig]

I was talking about the Acer's, sorry that was the thread title. I did not notice that you ran an Asus.   The acer has a sata drive, wonder if that makes it draw more than the sshd.

Andrew

I already posted watt draw for my Asus.  Or do you mean the Dells at Walmart?

[mmorris]

My Asus Eee PC 8G power adapter says Input 100-240V ~50/60 Hz 680mA  Output 9.5V  2.5A

Guess I change the thread a little from Acer to Asus anyways they are small and cheap.

[W3DRM]

One doesn't have to settle for the tiny screen of the Acers and others.  One can do as I did and go on E-bay and see if you can bid for a 14.1" used Dell laptop for around $300.

You know, there are all kinds of "choices" one can make when it comes to netbooks, laptops or desktops. For myself (and I think several other who have posted in this thread) I have chosen the new Acer 10.1" Netbook. It fits my criteria for a weather computer:

• Small footprint
• Low power drain and,
• Relatively low priced
• Easy memory upgrade
• Easy HDD access

Also, there are advantages of buying a new piece of equipment in that it has a warranty period and, I can then tailor the system to my exact needs without having to reformat the HD and reload the software. Basically, I am starting from a known point and going forward from there.

BTW, I believe I read somewhere in the Acer Forum that the new D150 model draws about 6 to 7 watts. I am sure my old Dell Dimension 8250 desktop draws many times that amount of power.

Today, I have run a battery test to see how long it runs on battery alone while I am doing my normal web browsing and reading mail. With the battery fully charged, I  unplugged the power adapter cable at 8:15am this morning. I finally got a low battery warning around 3:30pm this afternoon. The system actually shutdown at 4:12pm. That means I got almost a full 8 hours of usage out of the battery before it shutdown. I am impressed, to say the least. I am currently recharging the battery as I type this message. I will go through another test tomorrow to see how it compares with todays except I that I will just let the unit sit idle without any keyboard activity (except for an occasional check on the system). I have disabled all idle shutdown while on battery for this test. Will let you know how it goes after tomorrows test.

[W3DRM]

There are some threads in the netbook user forums that say if you call Acer they will send you a recovery disk (for free most of the time). Some have suggested that you need to do this within 90 days. You might also have to bitch and moan a bit, depends on the CSR you get... otherwise they'll be happy to charge you for the disk... this is because although Acer has the eRecovery program on the netbook, the option to create a backup disk is disabled.

Marc,

The new Acer D150 I just received automatically keeps popping up a notice that I need to create a backup my disk using eRecovery before I make any changes to anything. So, it looks like Acer has reenabled the backup eRecovery routines on their newest versions of the D150. On Monday, I plan to give support a call and see if I can get a recovery disk for free. Will post what the results are afterwards.

[ncpilot]

Very interesting... maybe they had enough people calling for the disks that they decided to re-enable the create option in eRecovery... probably means you can download the utility for the D150 onto the 8.9" model...

To comment on the recent posts re: power, small screen size, etc...

I assumed that everyone understood that the main point with using a netbook was low power consumption, not that you couldn't buy a laptop for the same price that uses way more power... In my eventual configuration, I probably won't even use the screen or keyboard. I'll probably install some flavor of VNC, and since I'll be using another computer for web browsing, just VNC into it if I want to see what's going on... or I could open the lid and use the screen/keyboard for a few moments to make sure everything is ok... or plug in my receiver for my wireless keyboard and mouse...

I believe the intent was to have a dedicated weather computer that drew as little power as possible...

[Bunty]

Anyway, maybe we will have to make special editions of our web sites to specially accommodate the tiny screens of these mini-notebooks.  The smallest screen my website can take without the need for horizontal scrolling is apparently 14.1".

[SLOweather]

Anyway, maybe we will have to make special editions of our web sites to specially accommodate the tiny screens of these mini-notebooks.  The smallest screen my website can take without the need for horizontal scrolling is apparently 14.1".

And everything old is new again... I started out making my site for a 648 x 480 screen, then, 800x600, then a PDA sized screen, and now 1024 x 768.

I guess the thing to do is inspect the returned browser and resolution info, and serve a page based on that screen size.

[tomcj2]

Fry's had the ACER 8.9" on sale @ $259 in Oregon today.

[mmorris]

Anyway, maybe we will have to make special editions of our web sites to specially accommodate the tiny screens of these mini-notebooks.  The smallest screen my website can take without the need for horizontal scrolling is apparently 14.1".

And everything old is new again... I started out making my site for a 648 x 480 screen, then, 800x600, then a PDA sized screen, and now 1024 x 768.

I guess the thing to do is inspect the returned browser and resolution info, and serve a page based on that screen size.

My Asus EeePC 7" screen resolutions  850x510, 880x528, 900x540, 900x540 (16), 1000x600, 1000x600 (16), 1024x768

This is just on the quick switch button in the native button there are about 30 other resolutions

so if a scrooll bar show up I can just change resolutions and get rid of them.

 

[Bunty]

Anyway, maybe we will have to make special editions of our web sites to specially accommodate the tiny screens of these mini-notebooks.  The smallest screen my website can take without the need for horizontal scrolling is apparently 14.1".

Bunty, for those of us who are using netbooks to create relatively low-powered dedicated Wx boxes, there really is no need to make special websites or graphical screen sizes to accommodate us. Similar to others who have posted, I run my AAO 24/7 with the lid closed. I haven't opened the lid in over a week and probably won't do so except for routine maintenance. As long as it keeps receiving and transmitting data from my PWS console, I'm happy as a clam to just leave it alone to do its thing. I have my regular PCs with much larger viewing screens for doing my regular online stuff, including checking Wx-related websites.

Bruce

Right, not for us. But what I actually had in mind was if mini netbooks catch on big time with the general population, there will be a lot more people using them in the near future. 

[Bushman]

IF they catch on?  You mean the 8 million netbooks sold in 2008 is not "catching on"?  Or that 18.1 MILLION are expected to sell in 2009 is not catching on?

You know Bunty, if you are not interested in a netbook I have to wonder why you are trolling this thread.  These things certainly are not for everyone.  But they make superb dedicated weather station base  PCs.

[Bushman]

Speaking of cheap...  http://www.alibaba.com/product-tp/101509462/World_s_Cheapest_Laptop.html

[W3DRM]

To comment on the recent posts re: power, small screen size, etc...
...snip...
I believe the intent was to have a dedicated weather computer that drew as little power as possible...

AMEN - end of conversation!

[W3DRM]

Anyway, maybe we will have to make special editions of our web sites to specially accommodate the tiny screens of these mini-notebooks.  The smallest screen my website can take without the need for horizontal scrolling is apparently 14.1".

Ummm, I'm looking at your website on my new Acer 10.1" which has 1024 x 600 resolution and while small, it looks great and does NOT require any horizontal scrolling. Of course, it does require vertical scrolling but would be normal on any monitor screen.

[Bushman]

Funny that - works fine on my 8" Asus.    Small, but readable.  For my use (when my new netbook arrives) I've reformated the Weatherlink summary report to fit a 10" screen with no squinting.

[Bunty]

IF they catch on?  You mean the 8 million netbooks sold in 2008 is not "catching on"?  Or that 18.1 MILLION are expected to sell in 2009 is not catching on?

You know Bunty, if you are not interested in a netbook I have to wonder why you are trolling this thread.  These things certainly are not for everyone.  But they make superb dedicated weather station base  PCs.

Listen here right here and now, Bushman, I find your accusation that I am merely trolling on this forum to be highly offensive and very upsetting. Do you realize a major purpose of this forum is to learn of new advances and developments in this rapidly changing world, something that isn't always easy to keep up on? Whether intended or not, making people feel unwelcomed in this thread because they are not well versed on the topic or 100% sold on the subject of the topic, yet wish to learn more, does not serve in that purpose.

IF you don't mind, I'm simply on here looking for assurance, and probably other people of this forum are as well, that these mini-netbooks don't have any serious downsides in their use.  So far, so good, is what I have learned, I must say. 

[Bushman]

Exactly spot on Bruce!  These wildly popular machines are great for this app. The ill-informed "Negative Nancies" are always welcome to start an "Anything But Netbook" thread.  I promise not to troll there.

[Cienega32]

Myself, I'm enjoying the complete read - the love its, the not quite sold on it, the negatives - on this topic. Point vs counter-point is always a great observational tool when thinking about something new so I appreciate the "banter".

The subject was something to consider for the future but the more I read, the more I like it. The small footprint - both physical and energy wise - make it even more appealing since buying those CyberPower UPS units. I love the idea of still being online and with current Wx data during a power outage.

So far, the way I see it is this Acer vs a regular machine is like the Envoy vs the console device, as far as functionality. But the one thing I like with running the Wx on the desktop is keeping the Davis Summary screen open and active. Is that something that can be easily addressed if running the Acer as the data pusher to the website?

[SLOweather]

So far, the way I see it is this Acer vs a regular machine is like the Envoy vs the console device, as far as functionality. But the one thing I like with running the Wx on the desktop is keeping the Davis Summary screen open and active. Is that something that can be easily addressed if running the Acer as the data pusher to the website?

Run VNC server on the Acer, and then view it with VNC on any computer on your network...

[Bushman]

... But the one thing I like with running the Wx on the desktop is keeping the Davis Summary screen open and active. Is that something that can be easily addressed if running the Acer as the data pusher to the website?

Not sure I really understand what you are getting at.  You can run teh WL software and DL as per the scheduyle and see the summary  bulletin on the (smallish) screen.  Or do you mean keep it alive during DL and view the  summary?

[mackbig]

Would love to go from 267 watts per hour to 5-10 watts.

Is there an offboard PCI usb doohicky I could plug my Boltek into?

Andrew

[Bushman]

Yes, but they are brutally expensive.  Magma is one vendor.  Or get the USB version of the Boltek (after you sell yours the delta would not be that much)

[mackbig]

Thanks Bushman... you had me a brutally expensive, but.....

Might be a tough sell with the wife.  "remember that $700 weather station thing you got me for Christmas, well I am going to sell it, probably at a loss, then buy a $1050 one that does pretty much the same thing (actually does not do as much and is actually inferior, if you are not storm chasing....) plus buy a $450 for a netbook, all this to save $100 a year on electricity..."

Andrew

Edit: looked up Magma pci full slot, U$1099......

Yes, but they are brutally expensive.  Magma is one vendor.  Or get the USB version of the Boltek (after you sell yours the delta would not be that much)

[chsgas]

I finally received by USB to Serial adapter from SoftWx.com yesterday.  I tried to hookup everything last night but Weatherlink cannot seem to find the Davis Wireless Envoy.  I tried the Autodetect and also tried manually all the COM ports.

For those using the Acer with the Prolific USB to Serial adapter.  Can you tell me your setup is as far as what your Acer shows in Device Manager when you look at the prolific adapter in the LPT and COM section?  Mine says the device is working and it automatically selected COM4 (it says COM3 is already being used - for what I don't know?).  I went into advanced and changed the COM port to COM1 and changed the baud rate to 19200.  Still I can't see the Envoy.

I tried the loopback test last night in Weatherlink and could not find it.  I'm not sure I did it right so I'm going to try again tonight.  It would seem if it can't find the loopback device that there is something wrong with my configuration of the USB to Serial adapter or the adapter itself.

Any insight / help anyone could give would be appreciated.  My setup is as follows:

Vantage Pro2
Wireless Envoy (Envoy beeps twice during the self test when I put batteries in - as the manual notes is the correct response)
USB to Serial Adapter (prolific chipset)
Acer Aspire 10"
Weatherlink 5.8.3