Recomend Me A: Netbook

[squirrel_hunter]

As the title suggests I'm in the market for a Netbook to replace my aging desktop. My set up served me well but its starting to struggle now. So I've decided on a Netbook I just know nothing about hardware, hopefully someone out there does.

My requirements are not that difficult, the best quality for the cheapest price. So long as it can handle the latest fads in browsing and stuff like iPlayer downloaded programs thats all I really need. I understand they have proper monitor out ports and a load of USB as everything I have is bolt on to my current PC so full size screen, DVD drives and a proper keyboard is all ready here.

The only other thing to add is the OS, I understand they run a cut down version of Windows 7 whats it like? Oh and a Netbook that comes with MS Word would be good.

One final thing, before anyone suggests, no I don't want a laptop. The netbook is smaller and lighter so transport on the bike is better. Its also cheaper than a laptop and when at the end of the day all I really do on my PC now is surf I don't need the latest in fancy graphics and sound.

Your suggestions please and thank you.

[christian1000]

This might make for a bit of interesting initial reading
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/netbook-showdown-the-top-10-mini-laptops-rated-49297248/11/

http://netbookreview.co.uk/top-10-netbooks/

http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/netbooks/

[beabert]

Get a 12" laptop, similar size to a netbook, and reletively cheaper for what you get (i got core 2 duo 2ghz refurb from currys for 300 ish) .

Netbooks are just over priced and low on power, dont do it lol. Even iplayer now has HD video, not sure how a netbook would cope, maybe ok with there low res displays.

[sunshine]

i recommend an Acer Aspire one, with a 6-cell battery the run down version of windows 7 is as good as windows 7 i think. as for Ms word/office if it doesnt include it google: open office its basically a free version that can save files as windows documents and opens windows office documents and is free.
The 6 cell battery is a must the standard battery only lasts about 2 hours where as the 6 cell lasts forever in comparision i have never killed my 6 cell battery so i dont know how long it lasts.

[SoulKiss]

Get a 12" laptop, similar size to a netbook, and reletively cheaper for what you get (i got core 2 duo 2ghz refurb from currys for 300 ish) .

Netbooks are just over priced and low on power, dont do it lol. Even iplayer now has HD video, not sure how a netbook would cope, maybe ok with there low res displays.

What he said - its what I was going to say.

[Bri w]

No!

I got a pacBell late last year. I bought a new laptop 2 months back.

Wot Beabert and SoulKiss said. (Very)Slow, and under powered.

[_Stretchie_]

As long as it takes your 1 terrabyte external drive eh Squiz..

[the_lone_wolf]

How about an iPad???



But seriously...




;)

[warrenhewitt10]

yeah i reccomend a normal notebook computer, much more upgradeable and does work generally much better. Plus you get very annoyed at how small everything is on the screen, then when you try to type on a normal keyboard after you cant lol. I had a wee acer aspire one, then upgraded to a MacBook :)

[_Stretchie_]

How about an iPad???



But seriously...




;)


Idiot

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/31639/notion-inks-adam-tablet-appears

[Drew Carey]

Hi Squizz,

I have a netbook, its a Packard Bell (rebranded Acer Aspire One, but with more memory). Mine has a 1GHZ of memory, 1.76 processer and runs fine. Mine can cope easily with HD, watching movies, music yadder yadder yadder.

However, Windows 7 basic isn't great. You can't even add wallpapers, unless you download shareware which does it for you.

As a result, I dicthed Windows and sorted myself out with the latest Ubuntu release on a USB stick. These things run Ubuntu amazingly well. It boots up in sub 5 seconds and closes down as quick. Plus with Open Office installed it is as good as Office.

I honestly don't have any bug bears with mine, its quick, simple, does what I want it to do. I know this doesn't help you decide on one, but I would suggest you do one of two things;

1. Get a netbook, but scrap Windows in place of Ubuntu.
2. Do what the others have said and get a small laptop, with better hardware and upgraded windows.

[_Stretchie_]

Hi Squizz,

I have a netbook, iyadder yadder, ts a Packard Bell yadder yadder, 1GHZ of memory, yadder yadder, Windows 7 basic kak yadder yadder,

Ditched Windows and on with latest Ubuntu release on a USB stick. yadder yadder,

I love lamp

Bring it down with you and let the Squiz meister have a go (but delete those naughty films otherwise he'll have them off you

; ) )

[Drew Carey]

Bring it down with you and let the Squiz meister have a go (but delete those naughty films otherwise he'll have them off you

; ) )

Will do.....when we coming down? :D

Got an abba stand to exchange for greenbacks with him too.

[_Stretchie_]

I have no idea, Cheryl said you guys were coming down.

Have you not learnt by now that I do not get consulted, I just get told (normally by one of you ; ) ) that you're coming..

[lily]

No i asked if we could, does that mean we can?


SH- I have a small laptop its better than drews little pink laptop (didn't want to derail to much)

[Drew Carey]

I have no idea, Cheryl said you guys were coming down.

Have you not learnt by now that I do not get consulted, I just get told (normally by one of you ; ) ) that you're coming..

Lol....Lily did PM your wonderful lady to see if we could come and play. But not heard back.

Usually I get told too, its a man thing!!! :D

[Drew Carey]

No i asked if we could, does that mean we can?


SH- I have a small laptop its better than drews little pink laptop (didn't want to derail to much)

Its not PINK!!!!! Its Ferrari red!!!! :D

But yours is a standard 15" job, Squizz is after something smaller.

[lily]

Its not PINK!!!!! Its Ferrari red!!!! :D

But yours is a standard 15" job, Squizz is after something smaller.

Yet again men and inches :rolleyes:

If it is 15" how come it fits in a 12" case! :p

[Sir Trev]

Can I suggest a De

No, I promised I'd stop doing that on the last "recommend me a PC" thread...

[Bri w]

Can I suggest a De

No, I promised I'd stop doing that on the last "recommend me a PC" thread...

Work have just changed to De.....ll laptops - sshhh..... and they're good. The support package looks good too. Just hope we won't need to try it out too often.

[lily]

We run Dell computers and laptops at work.....

we are on first name terms with the dell technitions that are here weekly! ;)

[warrenhewitt10]

How about an iPad???



But seriously...




;)

This isnt that silly an idea.... if all he wants it for is basic computing, such as music, video, emails and internet browsing it is a very wise choice. Takes milliseconds to boot up, and can perform most tasks the average computer user needs! And theres an app to do just about anything

[_Stretchie_]

I think Dell are good if you buy business stuff but not home stuff, speaking from my VERY limited experience on having both, home buy turned out to be complete kak, so much so the Dell engineer came out and said it won't work as advertised get rid, whereas Dell kit I've had at work has always been robust

[ophic]

1. Get a netbook, but scrap Windows in place of Ubuntu.
Kinda agree but only halfway. There's no reason not to run both, as the netbook drives are usually plenty big enough (mine is 250GB)

I find windows 7 starter fine - there's freeware to fix the things like wallpaper. It runs apps, which is kind of all I want it to do. Ubuntu is faster though.

CPU power is limited, granted - but I wanted small size, low weight and long battery life, and I'm really happy with mine (Samsung N210 in case you wanted to know).

I don't currently have a desktop to supplement it with either - but I don't tend to run many really hefty apps so I don't need one.

[SoulKiss]

This isnt that silly an idea.... if all he wants it for is basic computing, such as music, video, emails and internet browsing it is a very wise choice. Takes milliseconds to boot up, and can perform most tasks the average computer user needs! And theres an app to do just about anything

And at only twice the cost of a Netbook, or half as much again as a decent small laptop...

iDiots indeed...

Or if you can wait, theres a load of Android based Tablets due out, most of which can do Flash and the other things that Steve doesn't want you do...

[Drew Carey]

IE The Samsung one announced this week......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11163687

[SoulKiss]

IE The Samsung one announced this week......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11163687

I'd hold out for the HTC one due at the beginning of next year.

The Samsung Galaxy S should be getting "this is the best" reviews from whats out there in the phone market at the moment, but the Desire seems to be winning, despite a smaller screen.

HTC seems to have the best UI layer over the top of the Android UI with the best widgets etc from what reviewers are saying.

So I would wait for the Tablet with SenseUI, ie the HTC.

They are saying 1080p playback our of a mini-HDMI connector, as well as the ability to film at said res.

[Viney]

Im looking at a small form net/laptop type thing and the one i really like is the Acer Ferarri One. Ok i'll live witht eh branding, but the sec is fairly decent and its an 11.1" screen so more then happy, but runs a dual core processor and 2gb ram.

[ThEGr33k]

HTC and, well Android Phones/tablet pc/mp3 players in general are ones to keep an eye on, its growing at a huge rate and I really rate my desire (once I flashed the ****ty Orange software to standard HTC software anyway, they need to stop providers hacking them!!!) and am over the moon with Froyo (2.2) update!!!!

The Galaxy S also gets great reviews, I think if you went for any of the top of the line Android phones you cant go wrong, or even some of the smaller cousins to be fair, well except maybe the xperia, they need to get on with getting the OS more upto date!

I might also be tempted by a tablet, thing is though with HTC bringing a Desire replacement out after 5 months (and talk about the next Galaxy S being a monster), by the time I come to upgrade my desire will be old hat, and what is about at that time might mean having a tablet pc is pointless, it kinda is anyway if you have a laptop/pc and smart phone...

The rate of improvement with Android products is way ahead of the rest, its crazy! Recommend everyone have a serious look at them if they want a smart phone/tablet pc/mp3 player :)

Anyway, thats my 2c :)