NetBook advice

[N_Jay]

OK, so now I want to spend some $$.

Who has had good and bad experience with the new NetBooks out there.

Screen 10, vs 11, vs 12?

Processor?

Brands?

Models?

 

[WouffHong]

Netbook..

Take a look at the ASUS 10" - Rugged as all gitout with 20GB SSD (Solid-State-Drive) for possible rough use. And runs off 12 VDC directly. - have it loaded with Programming Software for various XCVRS/Scanners and use it anywhere needed, including in the trunk or under the dash .
Wouff

QUOTE=N_Jay;1189141]OK, so now I want to spend some $$.

Who has had good and bad experience with the new NetBooks out there.

Screen 10, vs 11, vs 12?

Processor?

Brands?

Models?[/QUOTE]

 

[iMONITOR]

Many are running some flavor of Linux, which unfortunately would not be a good choice if you're using it with scanner radios.

The good news is the most popular OS on netbooks is good old Windows XP! I would avoid Windows 7 on a netbook no matter what anyone says. There is just not enough resources to run it properly.

As WouffHong said, the Asus netbooks have had excellent reviews! Stay away from HP if you can.

 

[rmiller818]

Newegg.com - ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005HA-PU1X-BK Crystal Black Intel Atom N280(1.66GHz) 10.1" WSVGA 1GB Memory 160GB HDD Netbook - Netbooks

That is the one I have and I love it! It is pretty snappy running MS office and internet browsing. I also upgraded it to 2GB of ram no problem. The battery life is great as well. Also comes with a slim neoprene case which is great to carry it around in my backpack. Plus, at the airport, you can leave the netbook in its neoprene case and send that through the x-ray.

The only things I do not like is that most of it is a glossy finish which shows finger prints and the screen is glossy instead of matte (the VU version has a matte screen though) so if you are in a very bright environment it may be difficult to see. I turn the brightness up all the way and it is strong enough to overcome most reflection issues.

As for Windows 7 on a netbook, most use a basic version which I hear runs fine on the netbook, but the full versions are a bit heavy for a netbook.

Things I looked for:
Processor (Chose the N280 over the N270, more power)
Battery (6 cell is a must, most 3 cell batteries don't last long enough)
Easy to upgrade ram.
Full keyboard(some have weird ways of combining some keys, this one has a normal keyboard for the most part, the keys are just a tad smaller than a regular keyboard. Still easy to type on.)

 

[davidmc36]

This is mine. I am very happy with it. Keyboard is very smooth to use. SDHC is fabulous feature. Works nicely and pairs easily with my 3G phone. Almost no fan or HDD noise. Speakers are 5/10 in my opinion.

I would not go any larger than 10 inch if you actually want to carry it around a lot. When I bought mine I was flying for work every three weeks. I ended up using it all the time, even at home and still use it as my main computer. Web-cam has great picture.

I am not sure if the built-in mic is actually as deaf as it appears or if it is defective. You have to pretty much yell to be heard. I never pursued the issue since I always use a lapel mic for web-cam anyway.

Realistically the battery life is about 1.5 hrs with the display on dim. I just have the battery that came with it. Not sure if a larger one is available. It still seems to last the same amount of time. I use it about 20% of the time on battery and I have had it about a year.

Power supply is quite small and does not add a lot of weight to your load.

Was under $500CAD taxes in.

 

[N_Jay]

Next question
Anyone play with the Atom vs. the Celeron models?
Trying to get a real world feel for the difference.
Right now I am looking at 11 and 12 inch screens and that seems to be a transition point for a bunch of brands between processors.

This is going to be a 25% email, 40% web, 10% movie, and 25% MS Office app machine, to carry when traveling.

The "big " laptop will go in the suitcase. (or not all all, if this does well enough.

 

[UPMan]

I've been using an Asus EEE 1000 with the 40GB SSD (8GB primary, 32GB secondary) for about a year and have been happy with it. Using it for email and internet primarily...haven't done much with video, as it doesn't have any drives. I ran Windows 7 beta and RC on it for quite a while with no issues. Now, with the pending expiration of the RC license, I've moved it back to Ubuntu, Netbook remix. Works great for what I use it for. OpenOffice is able to take care of opening any attachments. Due to the small keyboard and display, I don't use it for content creation...only reading, minor editing, and replies.

I still carry my monstor Sony laptop with the 17 inch WVGA for when I need to work, but the 6-hour battery life on the Asus is great for the airplane, Starbucks, etc.

 

[iMONITOR]

I stumbled across this while reading my moring news:


Sprint Offers Dell Inspiron Mini 10 Netbook for $199

 

[N_Jay]

Yep, Radioshack was doing the same.

I already have a ATT Aircard account, and don't need another.

 

[E-Man]

After reading as many reviews as I could find on netbooks, I bought a Lenovo S10, and have been very happy with it.:

Lenovo - Laptop computers - IdeaPad S Series netbooks: S10-2, S12

If your air card is an express card, then you will definitely need to take a look at the Lenovo's.

 

[N_Jay]

The S12 is on my short list and both are on my long list.
I have to go play to see if I like the smaller screen.
Unfortunately my air-card is CARDBUS (PCMCIA), but I also have a USB one I can put my SIM in.

 

[rmiller818]

Just from my research, the Atom processors were made for applications such as the netbooks. Their small size, low power consumption, and lower heat. The celeron is still a celeron.

If you look closely, I think they are starting to produce dual core Atoms now, just don't know if they put any in a netbook yet.

 

[davidmc36]

Next question
Anyone play with the Atom vs. the Celeron models?

One thing I can tell you is that the N270 Atom/video combination in mine will not handle HD video that I take with my camera. Just stutters every half second or so.

I saw a page one day that said the N330 Dual Core were supposed to be released last October. Have not looked around for any info since. I would probably handle things pretty well.

 

[CapStar362]

Acer's Netbooks are pretty decent. my mother has one and im impressed with it

 

[rmiller818]

One thing I can tell you is that the N270 Atom/video combination in mine will not handle HD video that I take with my camera. Just stutters every half second or so.

I saw a page one day that said the N330 Dual Core were supposed to be released last October. Have not looked around for any info since. I would probably handle things pretty well.

I haven't had a problem with video online with mine, has the N280 and probably a different video chipset. Haven't tried HD video from my camera though. I have found with even some desktops, it takes a lot of power to run HD video smooth. Did you copy the video to the hard drive and play it from there?

N330, so that's the name. Thanks for bringing that up David.

 

[poltergeisty]

Seen these yet? Dell Mini Netbooks: Colorful, Small, Light Weight

My netbook is currently connected to the router. Its only task is to monitor said router. :lol: Poor littile "netbook." Did I mention it's about fifteen years old now? :lol:

 

[lgentle]

I've got the Asus 1000H with the 60(?)GB HDD. Main uses are service manual reading using adobe, internet, and office. As another poster said, I upgraded to 2GB RAM. Removed XP Home and installed XP Pro. Love mine as I can put it ANYWHERE! I can put this on the input tray of an ADF (you know, the flimsy, plastic thing you put papers onto to feed into an ADF?) and it barely even bends it!!

 

[N_Jay]

OK, I think I am down to;
Acer A0751 for $300
HP Mini 311 at about $525
Lenove S-12 at about $475

Lenovo has bigger screen.
HP has HDMI and other nice features
Acer is inexpensive.

Maybe get the Acer and use it a while then give it to one of the kids and buy an HP or Lenovo later (When they have even more features)

 

[davidmc36]

I haven't had a problem with video online with mine, has the N280 and probably a different video chipset. Haven't tried HD video from my camera though. I have found with even some desktops, it takes a lot of power to run HD video smooth. Did you copy the video to the hard drive and play it from there?

N330, so that's the name. Thanks for bringing that up David.

I did copy the video to the HDD, and also converted it into a couple different formats and results were the same. It sure does need a lot of muscle to run HD Video. On-line video plays great like you say.

 

[N9JIG]

The advanced Command class I am in provided each of us a Lenevo IdeaPad S10e. Its a great little netbook, nice screen, light weight and fast starting. I read someplace that it loads the OS onto a SSD, this helps it start much faster apparently.

The 6-cell battery seems to last forever, I used it at home all weekend after forgetting the power adapter at the classroom.

When I am done with this class this will become my car computer for Win96Com and other tasks. for now it is a great computer to be toting around a college campus.

My wife has a little Asus that shares a lot of the same traits except the battery doesn't last as long and it is slower to start up.

I also have a Fujitsu 9 inch touchscreen tablet that works great but is hard to view in daylight.