Hallo all, I'm sort of new here, I've been reading this forum for some time and until now i have found here answers to whatever question i had, but i came to a dilemma which i'll need an advice.

in less than a month i'm going to be in traveling mode for a few years (studying and working) and i find the n900 as a good solution for being pc/laptop free.
i'm planning on it to be a safe computing unit. not massing about to much and since i got it i haven't done much changing (except from upgrading to pr1.3 and basics as sort) because on the basic level i just need hid support (the scripts are great, i just need to replace the passless ms mice 8000 for the 5000) and usbhost. and here's my dilemma.

i would like to know your opinion for the next step, i find the kernel45 as something i can pass on and go straight to 46. easy debian takes care for the pc stuff i need and i don't see a point getting into uboot, but on the other hand i don't want to go into much trouble so close to due.

i was wondering if anybody here have tried using the n900 as a computer and what are your thoughts about the procedure. with or without connection to the kernel subject.

if anyone of you tried that i would very much thank you for sharing the experience.


p.s.
is there a chance i missed something and a passkeyless mice can connect?

I would acquire a small netbook or netbook and bring that, too. Your n900 is very useful for a lot of things, but you don't want to end up with a random problem and no way to fix it.
Also, if you ever need Windows or Wine capibility to deal with an obstinate program/vendor, you are out of luck(realisticly).

I'd always try to have two devices around, for redundancy's sake if nothing else.

and if you use the N900 as your main computing device and your usage is more on the intensive side you might consider acquiring an addtional battery and an standalone battery charger

yes, i thought of that but my main use is e-mails, a bit of web surfing (basically news sites), skype and managing folders and files (mainly ebooks and pictures). and if i'll need windows there are always internet cafes and the university library. as you see i don't plan on doing with that little thing something that you'll need a pc for, but i do prefer that as long as i have one by me i could custom the n900 best for it's future use.

and yes, an extra battery is a must and in my grocery list already.

I used my n900 as computer replacement during a (semi-business) trip some time ago, and found it very uncomfortable to stare at for almost a whole day. Next trip I take my netbook with me again...

just a cautious note

Because the n900 is the OPPOSITE of the Apple iPhone walled garden, just as you can tune the **** out of the n900, alot of **** can also go wrong.

If you get hit with an error that you cannot solve (or worse, you cannot boot your phone etc), the general solution is to reflash the phone.

If you ONLY carry your phone with no netbook, how will you reflash it ? Unless you are confident you can do it in the internet cafe ? In this case you need to carry the phone image with you on a usb key and find some way to redownload your stuff.

I think you should carry a netbook with the phone image etc just in case something goes wrong.

I carry a netbook (with the phone/emmc image and debs) and use the n900 as a mifi (mobile hotspot) with a spare usb 3g modem as backup.

But then again, I am using this setup for business where I need to be connected at all times, so your mileage can vary.

petur: i agree, it hurts my eyes looking at the screen for 10 minutes (i believe the optometrist have a certain connection to it but there is a tv at the dorm and then the tv out cable becomes quite useful.

frappacino: that's is part of the dilemma. i carry around with me a few other devices, non of them can't substitute a netbook, but all of them combined replace the need of one. and they all togather don't reach the size of a laptop.

the fact that the n900 is unstable is what worries me. if i'll be in need i could find a spot to flash it but i'll prefer to avoid that if i can (aren't we all?). i need it more as a internet tablet (like n8x0) but if i could also get a cellular option at the same price, then why not.
but on your experience, is it good as a stand-alone device or do i really need a second device to make things?
my use is not hight, as i've said. not something that needs to much power (oc is not something that i think i'll ever need). so it's either keep walking around with my old laptop (pretty uncomfortable, but reliable) or putting my cards on a device that, by my calculation, supposed to be safe, but one can never know.
has it crashed on you while regular basis uses?


p.s.
i can't find documents on anybody trying to use it as a netbook, i can't believe that i'm the first to have thought of that. does anybody knows where can i find something about the subject?

The N900 is not unstable in general. Back up your files, and if you run into problems, restore the stable version you have saved. That should get you through a few weeks. You could probably go for years like that if you have the ability to use a friend's computer in case of emergency.

I don't think this problem has anything to do with the N900. I would advise you not to rely on a Netbook for a few years either, because something could go wrong. It's best to have backup solutions to whatever you do. You always need Plan B.