I am about to join the netbook generation and am wondering what else i will need to have it really operational.

An important point is that I will be using it in both 110/220.

Thanks.

Nothing. The power brick that comes with it will be 110/220-capable. You may need a plug adapter but otherwise it'll be fine.

Great.

So after charging it, I can surf and create documents to my heart's content?

Well, you will need to install some software to surf and create documents, but you'll have all the hardware you need. Most netbooks probably come with Internet Explorer, I'd install FireFox or Chrome. If you don't want to purchase MS Office, download OpenOffice instead.

I would always look into getting more RAM for the netbook. Read the documentation to see how much is installed, what's the maximum allowed, and if it's easy to replace.

How does one load software without CD or DVD drive? What are reasonably priced external readers?

Firefox and OpenOffice can both be downloaded. Unless you are going to be doing major word processing/spreadsheet work on your netbook you probably don't need MS Office. I've determeined I don't need MS Office at all and have been happily using Open Office for a couple years now. It can read/save MS format, so no worries (although it sometimes messes up my bullets in Word format).

If you need something loaded from CD/DVD and have a second computer, you could always network them together and share the optical drive for the installation.

You need a case to protect it. They are easy to drop and stuff like that.

If you plan to use it for music, video, youtube, etc, headphones, the speakers are probably worthless

An adapter plug if you don't have one already to use overseas

Keep a copy of the sales slip with it too when you go out of the country, until it stops looking new you may be questioned as to where you purchased it.

Openoffice is great. Avast! is a free anti-virus package that works very well.
Foxit is a better pdf reader than Adobe: no corporate splash screen and doesn't slow the netbook down...and it's free.
This guy's got alot of good links here
http://www.sammynetbook.com/plugins/...opic.php?18209

Cheers,
SanDer

You'll need an iPad. Yeah, you'll definitely need an iPad.

I love my netbook - I have an Acer Aspire which I got about a year ago. About the only thing I think it really needs is a mouse. The touch pad on it drives me crazy! But other than that I haven't seen anything that it really needs. There are some things that are nice, but the mouse is the only must as far as I can tell.

Oh yes, I bought mine in Finland and have used it in the USA and throughout Europe with no problems - I just needed an adapter plug, not a converter.

One of my good friends bought the same model I have, but in the USA and she has used it with no problems in the USA and Europe, again, only buying an adapter plug. So, that is some first hand experience and some good second hand that you can use it anywhere.

Have fun with your netbook!

Jaelle

Most software can be purchased online & downloaded.

You may also want a 3G wireless dongle so you can surf the net when you don't have access to Wi-Fi

You can download the software such as openoffice.org and many commercial products (quicken, microsoft office, etc) allow you to download the software rather than purchase the CD (or you can optionally download it immediately and purchase a CD that will be sent later from some electronic storefronts).

To purchase an external USB drive you are talking $40-$60 (there are more expensive ones of course that have dual layer DVD writing, or lightscribe). Check the big-box stores or big online stores.

OR, you can load the CD-ROM/DVD onto a desktop or other laptop with an optical drive and then copy the software onto a flash drive. I paid $12 for a 4 gig flash drive not too long ago...

Any specific brands recommended; interested for loading dvd movies for the road.