[sf-lug] my new enormous laptop

[jim]

    I just got a 14" computer from Zareason. I've 
been using a 10" for the last couple of years. 
    This new one is huge! It's also 64 bits, which 
was a surprise to me--Tony (at Zareason) says 
64-bit Linux is fine these days, and if I want 
some old nostalgic 32-bit software, I just download 
the 32-bit libs and then the software. 

    It's got Ubuntu 12.04.3 on it. The keyboard and 
touchpad are much nicer--there's no sticky stuff on 
them. 
    It's got 8 GB RAM and 120GB SSD (about 100 GB of 
available storage. 
    It doesn't have Evolution, which I've been using 
for the last nearly 10 years. I'm debating whether 
to use Thunderbird instead, for a change (trouble is, 
I don't know anything to be able to debate the two) .

    God, it's enormously big and has buttons and 
stuff on it that even the kids at Zareason didn't 
know completely. Zareason's web site calls it "Alto 
4335"; there's no info as to the manufacturer. 
    On the bottom it's got a bunch of Chinese 
characters and "AQ12" and "EJORD000110 ST" after a 
bar code. 
    I'm glad I didn't buy a 15" job. I think I like 
it; I'll know after I wrestle with 12.04.*; good 
thing it's got an /etc/ directory. 
    I'm taking it to the SF-LUG meeting tonight.