no luck. the notebook runs Windows CE. connected wi usb cable; the computers won't acknowledge each other. tried to start a network, said I have to make a disk and run in both comps, which I can't. put the program in a thumb drive; the notebook won't run the program 'needs application' or something. it should open with Wordpad but the CE doesn't give you an Open With option, just Open. can't get internet with land line. said was wi-fi ready but it needs some sort of wireless attatchment.
think I could get an external disk drive and connect that with a usb? I'm this==close to sending it back as useless.
and, no, it doesn't have a non-pin interface.
Return it and get a Netbook with Windows XP. I have seen dozens of these at CostCo, Sam's Club etc. for under $300 (Got one for my wife last year). Most radio programming software doesn't work with CE.
I got a Lenovo IdeaPad from a class I am in at NU and it runs all the ARCxxx products, Moto RSS, PRO96Com and other programs with no problem.
I use a USB-Serial converter for some radios (Moto, Kenwood) and straight USB cables (Uniden and GRE) for others. The battery lasts for hours.
I have an external CD-ROM drive, but I actually use USB thumb drives more often, unless I can DL the software from the network or Internet.
Almost all Netbooks come with WiFi, but not all come with BlueTooth, if you need BlueTooth then be sure yours has it.
If you need wide-area Internet service from Verizon or other carriers you can get Netbooks with built-in 3G modems and save some money on hardware. Remember though that this would usually tie you in to a 2 year contract at $60 per month or so. I would suggest that if this is important to you to get a USB 3G modem instead, this way you can use it with any computer, not just the NetBook.