seems like toshiba has always had cooling problems ( fan burns out )

my acer is on basically 24/7 and never has had a problem. ( knock knock knock on wood :-)

@ Epicure -- many thanks.

Which model do you have? 

I currently have an HP that has cooling problems and I bought a fan that doesn't work!  The store told me it was a problem with that particular series of HP but that they've improved on it since so the current HP computers don't have this problem ....    hmmmm ! 

The IBM ThinkPads are great.  Not very sexy, but serious work horses.

I'm not sure they're still available cause Lenovo took over IBM's laptop line, but if they are, I highly reccomend them.

Oded

Well, I was wondering whether anyone has had any experience with HP/Compaq minis.  After reading the first post I am worried about HP fan issue being a generalized problem.  I had that problem with a Dell and it was a real pain in the but. 

Anyway, the HP friends store has a deal for two HP Compaq mini CQ10-114sz for 400 francs.  So if anyone out there has any experience with them, I'd love to hear it...

I suppose it all depends what you want to do.   I think the minis are too small... at least for my purposes.   They are the equivalent of a paper notepad - good for taking a few notes but you can't watch a movie or have many internet sessions going...   I wouldn't write off HP completely --- I do believe the cooling issue depends on the model and not on the make of the computer ....

Where are all those IT experts when you need them...!

I have a 2008-model Dell Inspiron 910 ("mini 9") and aside from not being able to play HD-video very well (later models should be fine), it's a fantastic surf and is a minute travel machine. Depends on how much typing, you want to do, of course. Sufficient with an office suite installed and room to spare on the 8GB SSD and memory card.

I use Ubuntu Linux and OpenOffice on it, but many people use XP and Vista.