A scanner comes with it's own power connector so there should be no issue with using it on a netbook. A couple of trial runs would soon let you know. Certainly practise well so you are comfortable with your scanning skills, saves going back a second time.

Regarding the scanning make sure you scan creating large files. It is always easy to make an image smaller later on if needed but trying to make it larger afterwards does not cut it. I generally scan to create files 2 to 5 megabytes in size, presumably your 'photo editing' will be removing scratches and tears rather than swapping heads around to other bodies. A large file blown up to 500% in your photo editing software then becomes easier to see where the repair is needed.

Once you have scanned you can write into the file if you wish, to do so open Windows Explorer and find the scans. Right click on a photo file and click Properties, click the Details tab in the pop up window and you will see where you can write. This becomes a permanent part of the file

You many need to install your scanners software - most netbooks do not have a CD drive. You can use an external CD drive to install it though.

"WILL NOT be doing any photo editting on the netbook - I know thats not possible. "

I have Picassa on my netbook and use it for simple editing (cropping, resize, redeye). Mine has 1G memory which is more than my old desktop which has half of that.

I've never scanned (had no reason to)but I do print from it. I bought an inexpensive, USB portable drive which plugs into the netbook when I use a disk. You can use the netbook for just about anything.

Jane

WILL NOT be doing any photo editting on the netbook - I know thats not possible.

Certainly you can do basic editing on a netbook -- red eye, contrast, color adjustments. If anything they may just take a little longer depending on the size of the image.

You can also take a look a Google's Picnic, an online photo editor.

Any software needing to be installed for the scanner that is on a CD can also be transferred to a thumb drive using another computer, and then installed on the netbook from the thumb drive. Sometimes the software for the scanner can also be downloaded to the netbook directly from the manufacturer's web site and then installed that way.

I can do pretty much anything I need to do on my netbook not really any different than any other laptop other than it does not have a cd/dvd drive but that has not been an issue. Most things I can download right from the website or use a usb flash drive or memory card. I do have a stand alone cd drive but have not had to use it.

My netbook connects to my printer/scanner/fax just like my laptop and I can do the same tasks.
I can edit pictures, you can download several good editing programs and use them.

Just depends on which netbook you get, which version of windows it runs and what processor it has in it and the RAM. The newer ones out now are very capable of doing pretty much any task you need.

Wow sounds like they've come a long way even in the last couple of years.

Next question - which one? Looks like the Acer gets some of best reviews in Amazon. Any opinions out there?

my netbook and laptop are both Acer Aspire models, no problems so far.
got netbook through walmart.com
got laptop at bestbuy

Got an Acer Aspire with wi-fi capability. Now what? Does that mean I can just take it to starbucks and turn it on, and it has internet? I wanted to download some free word processing &software.

Or... what if I unplugged my dsl line from my desktop computer and plugged it into the netbook. Or get some kind of Y connector and split the line. Can I do that? Spose I can try to find out from ATT but I don't have 4 hours to spare today.... better not have to buy a separate monthly fee for the 2nd computer or I will be QUITE annoyed ...

Havent had a home computer for over 10 years and Im amazed how difficult it is to find answers to questions or information of any kind both before and after a sale. Customer service? What's that?

So, thanks for helping me out here....

Anywhere wifi is available .. to public, or customers, or friends.. you can connect.

You can plug it into your dsl line. But not with any Y connector. Most would have a router with 4 ports or wifi, or a network switch with four ports if your dsl modem does the routing.

I suspect you will want to get yourself a wifi router if your modem doesnt already have wifi capability. BestBuy or WalMart or OfficeDepot.. lots of places have them frequently onsale.

often times you will have to ask for their free wifi code, even though it is free they want to make sure only their customers are uisng the free wifi, not all do that but I have been at a few that did. But other than that yes you just turn on the wifi antenna switch on the netbook and it will search for any available networks and show them to you in a list it will say if they are secured or unsecured, you can not access a secured one with out a password.
For example mine here at home is secured so when my family comes to visit I have to give them my wifi access code to enter in their laptop so they can then use my wifi.

Usually DSL come with a modem, which has several places in it to add some extra lines so all you would need is just another one of the ethernet cables like the one that goes from your modem to your desktop pc and plug that in from the back of the modem into your netbook so you can use the dsl you currently have. NO there is no additional charge when you add another pc.

I agree that you will be able to use your netbook a lot more if you bought yourself a wifi router to plug into that modem, then you could use your netbook wirelessly anywhere in your house. I picked mine up at walmart.

Thanks - good info. As you can tell Im pretty much tech illiterate.

Dang. There's only one outgoing jack on that dsl modem - assume I can get any dsl modem I want and swap it out?

You need a router, not another modem. There are modem - router combinations but since you have the modem you need the router. See this page for possible choices. If you choose a wireless router you do not have to connect a cable to your laptop.

Might be worth a call to your ISp.. some will swap out your modem for a combo wifi/modem/router. Or sell you one at reduced prices.